Alternative Courses?! HELP NEEDED ASAP

**afroahmed** · 03-04-2007, 02:20 AM

So I didnt get into medical school this year,

I have used my other 2 choices to apply to neuroscience as Ive seen spaces in ucas extra and thought I better grab em while I can..

Now, what other courses should i be considering? I heard after I applied that neuroscience as a profession doesnt actually pay too well as a researchist / lecturer. I would be planning to try and switch to medicine in my first year or apply to a postgraduate medical degree atfer i finish the neuroscience degree...

But Ive also recently heard about audiology. The pay is meant to be good and there is a national shortage... and the grades needed for the courses seem really low! (CCC) for example.

Can someone please advise me what i should do? or what other courses are open to me?

I need help/advise ASAP. as places in ucas extra arnt guaranteed for long!

**mussed** · 03-04-2007, 12:20 PM

Take a gap year, get your three As and reapply for medicine if that's what you really want to do - graduate entry is no walk in the park and this is your easiest option. However, if you must go to uni next year, a neuroscience degree will probably stand you in better stead for medical applications than audiology. Other courses open to you are Biosciences, Biochemistry, Medical Science, Physiology, Psychology - depends on your A-Levels, but you could even do history

I'd really really *really* advise not making a snap decision on something just because you feel you have to and time is running out. You have to stick three years wherever you go, and people find that hard enough when they've picked what they're doing! Find out what's right for you - and if it's still medicine, take a year out if you can.

**kiya** · 03-04-2007, 12:35 PM

You really shouldn't rush into doing something else. If you're not 100% sure about medicine, you should still take time to consider all the other options and I don't think rushing a decision now that will affect the next 3+ years of your life is a good idea.

I went through a similar thing last year with radiotherapy - there were Extra places available at a uni college in Suffolk and it was tempting to just go for it. But I realised that I really wanted to have another go at getting into medicine (I only applied to Soton last year). I took time to see whether radiotherapy would be a good option for me. It was and I've been able to use my last two choices for UCAS on radiotherapy this year - it allowed me to choose good unis too and I have a place at St Georges.

UCAS Extra is great if, say, you've applied for an English or History degree etc. and not got any offers - it's easier to look for other English/History courses and quite quickly see ones that would be suitable. It is tough to do what is in effect a complete change of direction in the few weeks that Extra places are available.

One more year will make absolutely no difference in the long term.

**blueberrypie** · 03-04-2007, 01:07 PM

Also another thing to remember...

If you were planning to do a year of one subject and then change to medicine afterwards, a lot of medical schools wouldn't touch you. They don't like applicants who have dropped out of university.

If they are going to take you on, they will want to know they are not going to waste time and space, on someone who will drop out. Taking a gap year is not such a bad thing. You could do some work and get some experience. I am sure you would stand a better chance next year, and your experiences of this year, will go in your favour.

**afroahmed** · 03-04-2007, 02:17 PM

What If i dont get the required AAB this year though? Is it still worth taking a gap year and reapplying for medicine? I didnt think they accept resits?

**yeliab_cram** · 03-04-2007, 03:13 PM

I think you need to think if you want to take a year out and get some "life experience" and then try to apply again, or get yourself another undergraduate degree and come at medicine again in the future, if you decide it is for you as a postgraduate.

I dont think there is anything wrong with getting your self a good science degree from a decent university. A BSc is well respected and so long as you get a 2:1 you can then go into almost anything from medicine to investment banking.

If you do decide to do a BSc, there is loads of choice. Many universities run a medical sciences or biomedical sciences degree which offer a mix of everything. Alternatively a more focussed degree programme such as anatomy, physiology, neuroscience, genetics or pharmacology would all be useful and add useful transferrable skills to your future career.

If you really, really want to do medicine, then there are plenty of routes to try and get in. However if you are not 100% sure then take some time out either as a gap year or earning yourself another undergraduate degree. Medicine is a long road, its not going to make much difference if you put off starting by 1-3 years!!

Best of luck,

**DH2005** · 03-04-2007, 03:25 PM

I agree in principle, Marc, but, as a graduate now studying undergraduate medicine, the financial burden's pretty immense - we graduates can't borrow the annual £3,000 for our tuition fees from the Student Loans Company, and we need to pay these fees up-front.

Don't rush into another degree, Ahmed - unless your parents are loaded and can bank-roll you through eight years of university; in which event, do what you like!

**yeliab_cram** · 03-04-2007, 03:29 PM

DH - You make a fair and very valid point. I keep forgetting that the financial rules for postgrads changed last year. Still, its a reasonable option if you are unsure if you want to do medicine or not, but i do agree its definately not a decision you should be rushing.

**DH2005** · 03-04-2007, 03:31 PM

Oh, certainly. And I think that intercalating (as you've done) is a smart move for any medic - I only wish I could afford to do it, myself...

**yeliab_cram** · 03-04-2007, 03:35 PM

Many students see financial constraints as a reason not to intercalate. Indeed it is the entire reason an iBSc is not worth many points on MTAS. However, there is a LOT of funding availiable, especially if you know what specific area your dissertation is going to be in and are willing to look for it. I was awarded £3000 and i have friends who got upto £9000.