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*MEGATHREAD* - The GEM "Am I Good Enough?" General Questions & Advice Megathread

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Reply 480
Original post by Democracy
Er, perhaps because she wants to be a doctor and not a nurse?



Tell that to all the arts grads who get into SGUL and Notts!



Are there any books on gamsat? i've had a look on amazon and can't really see any but i've got some a-level science revision guides to start with.

I'm not really interested in being a Nurse.. i just think being a doctor would give me more options of fields to specialise in and although i don't have science a-levels I have a 2.1 degree from a decent uni.
Reply 481
Original post by feverdream

As far as I can see, if you're looking at the south east, you'll be limited to King's and St George's, like you said. Unfortunately graduate entry medicine is very competitive so you'd really be killing your chances by applying for only 2, so I'd recommend either looking into some 5 year courses near you (if you can fund it) or consider other GEM schools further away.





I read on a couple of the uni websites that they encourage you to apply for the 4 year courses and then they can decide to offer you a place on the 5 year courses if the 4 years are full... they didn't recommend applying for both as you use two places but i guess in my case that won't matter as much!

did you just apply for 5 year courses?
Original post by Nerel3000
I read on a couple of the uni websites that they encourage you to apply for the 4 year courses and then they can decide to offer you a place on the 5 year courses if the 4 years are full... they didn't recommend applying for both as you use two places but i guess in my case that won't matter as much!

did you just apply for 5 year courses?


Yeah there are a couple that do that, I think King's is included. You'd need to look into whether you could afford a 5 year course though - all you get is a maintenance loan plus tuition in year 5. Tuition and extra living expenses in years 1-4 (i.e. £36,000+) need to be self-funded. That's why you might want to look at applying to some more 4 years. What about Warwick? I've read on here that next year they are changing their admissions criteria so that any degree is allowed.

I applied to Warwick GEP, two 5 years and one 6 year (I will - hopefully! - have a psychology degree and no chem background, so was pretty limited in my choices like you are). Warwick rejected me before interview and the rest gave me offers.

I would have applied for more 4 years, but I got 655 in my UKCAT which, although above average, is nowhere near what a place like King's require (700+). I tried my luck with Warwick but I think it was my UKCAT that let me down.

Moral of the story: if you're applying to UKCAT GEPs, score highly!
Original post by Nerel3000
Are there any books on gamsat? i've had a look on amazon and can't really see any but i've got some a-level science revision guides to start with.

I'm not really interested in being a Nurse.. i just think being a doctor would give me more options of fields to specialise in and although i don't have science a-levels I have a 2.1 degree from a decent uni.


I've never done the GAMSAT, but I've seen this book and it looks pretty comprehensive:

http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/brett+ferdinand/gold+standard+gamsat+2011/7945063/

Very expensive, but it seems to cover everything. Griffith's GAMSAT Review is also good and much cheaper (it's an e-book). I think if you got Griffiths so you know about the syllabus, you can use A level revision guides and then you'll be set.
(edited 11 years ago)
Reply 484
Hey guys!

After a couple of months studying for this years GAMSAT, I decided to drop the studying, concentrate on gaining lots of voluntary experience, and sit the UKCAT in July. If I don't score high enough, then I'll cram for 3 months, and hopefully pass the GAMSAT.

In terms of experience, I will have as follows come time to send off my personal statement.

HCA - Full time - 7 months
St Johns' - Volunteering - 6 months

On top of this, in my spare time I have raised a significant amount of money for charity (in the 000's) by organising several evening events, and by taking part in some ultra races in exotic locations around the world.

In addition, I also run a small but profitable company, with links to local councils.

Does this make for a strong application do you think? Ideally I will be getting a 700+ score in my UKCAT (I will be doing lots of prep for it), and applying to Warwick, Kings and Newcastle.

Thoughts?

Thanks folk!

EDIT: I have a 2.1 in Business Studies from Lancaster University, with no science since GCSE.
(edited 11 years ago)
Hello everyone

I have been browsing these boards for a little bit and thought I'd make a post for a change. My situtation is as follows (bear with me!)

I'm due to graduate in June from Liverpool University with a high first in BA Geography. inhave no science backgrund And My A Levels were AAAA (Geography, English Lang, Business and General Studies) and GCSEs I got 3A*s, 4a's and 2B's. I have a bit of relevant volunteering experience but need to build on that. Given I can't afford to pay for the 5 year course, I'd be looking at Grad Entry. Having said that, there's not that many schools open to Arts Grads. Out of the ones that are, the requirements are as follows:

UKCAT Newcastle, Kings - UKCAT (but only top 25% are interviewed), and Leicester - UKCAT (But ONE YEAR's Full time paid work experience in caring role required).

GAMSAT St Georges, Keele and Nottingham.

Given my arts background, and how difficult I have heard the GAMSAT is, I'm thinking the schools with UKCAT would be my best option. Leicester is ruled out because of the Work Ex, and being realistic, I doubt I'd score in the top 25%, plus, London would be far too expensive living wise, so that rules King's out. Am I right in thinking my only real option might be Newcastle?! :/ Is Newcaslte very over subscribed for this reason? Does anyone have any advice?

Thanks All :smile:
(edited 11 years ago)
Hello, I'm applying for undergrad medicine in October but something that immediately jumps out is that you can't simply out all your hopes on one school, grad medicine is fiercely competitive and you have to maximise your chances. Applying to one school that might have a acceptance rate of under 10% is pretty unrealistic.

So i'd advise, don't discount the Gamsat, look again at living cheaply in London, and see how many you can apply to.

Good luck
Reply 487
I agree with the poster above; the GAMSAT is horrible and really hard, but graduate-entry medicine is horrible and really hard too. You might as well learn some A Level science and have a crack at the GAMSAT because you'll need a lot of that knowledge anyway for when you're studying medicine.
Thanks for the advice. What are your own experiences?

I know putting all my eggs in one basket with Newcaslte isn't the best idea, hence the thread! I've just heard terrible things about the GAMSAT. I have thought about doing Chem and Biol A Levels but can't seem to find anywhere to study them nearby. Do you suggest just self teaching them in preparation for the GAMSAT? Or actually getting the full A Levels? Perhaps getting an year's experience full time would be useful, as it would at least make me eligible to apply for Leicester. As with Kings, I think its the most oversubcribed grad course in the UK, mainly because of the no science background and UKCAT combination. Arrrrgh.
Original post by ClaffClaff
Hello everyone

I have been browsing these boards for a little bit and thought I'd make a post for a change. My situtation is as follows (bear with me!)

I'm due to graduate in June from Liverpool University with a high first in BA Geography. inhave no science backgrund And My A Levels were AAAA (Geography, English Lang, Business and General Studies) and GCSEs I got 3A*s, 4a's and 2B's. I have a bit of relevant volunteering experience but need to build on that. Given I can't afford to pay for the 5 year course, I'd be looking at Grad Entry. Having said that, there's not that many schools open to Arts Grads. Out of the ones that are, the requirements are as follows:

UKCAT Newcastle, Kings - UKCAT (but only top 25% are interviewed), and Leicester - UKCAT (But ONE YEAR's Full time paid work experience in caring role required).

GAMSAT St Georges, Keele and Nottingham.

Given my arts background, and how difficult I have heard the GAMSAT is, I'm thinking the schools with UKCAT would be my best option. Leicester is ruled out because of the Work Ex, and being realistic, I doubt I'd score in the top 25%, plus, London would be far too expensive living wise, so that rules King's out. Am I right in thinking my only real option might be Newcastle?! :/ Is Newcaslte very over subscribed for this reason? Does anyone have any advice?

Thanks All :smile:


Warwick will be accepting people with any degree (at 2:1 or above) from 2013 entry. Another one to perhaps add to your UKCAT list :smile:

If I were in your shoes, I'd stick to as many UKCAT unis as possible (so Newcastle, Warwick, GKT). The GAMSAT is unnecessarily difficult in my opinion, and you get the results several weeks after the applications deadline so you won't be able to apply strategically. So I'd only apply to one, or max two, GAMSAT unis. The UKCAT is manageable and with the right preparation, easy to do well in.

If you're up for doing AS levels in bio and chem and passing them...so just E grade or above, you'll also be able to apply to Southampton.

Also might want to take a look at this:
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/Graduate_Entry_Medicine_-_a_guide
(edited 11 years ago)
Thanks Democracy. That was really helpful.

That's good news regarding Warwick. I think I'll stick to the UKCAT ones and maybe throw in a GAMSAT or two just to fill up my options. I've looked into A/AS Levels in Chem and Bio but can't seem to find anywhere nearby that offers them. Certainly with the Chem I think I'd have to do it in partnership with a local provider due to the need to complete practicals. And I've read on here about some of the extortionate amounts institutions charge, so I may just stick with the UKCAT and hope for the best.

Has anyone been in a similar situation to mine? If so, what did you do?
Original post by ClaffClaff
Thanks Democracy. That was really helpful.

That's good news regarding Warwick. I think I'll stick to the UKCAT ones and maybe throw in a GAMSAT or two just to fill up my options. I've looked into A/AS Levels in Chem and Bio but can't seem to find anywhere nearby that offers them. Certainly with the Chem I think I'd have to do it in partnership with a local provider due to the need to complete practicals. And I've read on here about some of the extortionate amounts institutions charge, so I may just stick with the UKCAT and hope for the best.

Has anyone been in a similar situation to mine? If so, what did you do?


No problem. Warwick's UKCAT cut off is normally a lot lower than Newcastle's and they also have a lot more places btw.

Oh and not sure if you were aware of this but Keele are scrapping their GEP as of this year:

http://www.keele.ac.uk/health/schoolofmedicine/undergraduatemedicalcourse/entryrouteshowtoapply/#a101
Reply 492
Original post by ClaffClaff
Thanks Democracy. That was really helpful.

That's good news regarding Warwick. I think I'll stick to the UKCAT ones and maybe throw in a GAMSAT or two just to fill up my options. I've looked into A/AS Levels in Chem and Bio but can't seem to find anywhere nearby that offers them. Certainly with the Chem I think I'd have to do it in partnership with a local provider due to the need to complete practicals. And I've read on here about some of the extortionate amounts institutions charge, so I may just stick with the UKCAT and hope for the best.

Has anyone been in a similar situation to mine? If so, what did you do?


I don't have chem/bio A Levels either, and like yourself I couldn't find anywhere to do them, so I left it at that. I had heard horrible things about the GAMSAT so stuck to applying to UKCAT universities only... the only trouble was that I was utterly crap at the UKCAT! (Never been good at IQ type tests). After many rejections I realised this strategy wasn't working so one year I bit the bullet and actually sat the GAMSAT and I got a place :smile:

Just my story. You might be amazing at recognising patterns in collections of shapes and interpreting hieroglyphics so might get into Warwick or Newcastle :tongue:
Original post by DexterM
I don't have chem/bio A Levels either, and like yourself I couldn't find anywhere to do them, so I left it at that. I had heard horrible things about the GAMSAT so stuck to applying to UKCAT universities only... the only trouble was that I was utterly crap at the UKCAT! (Never been good at IQ type tests). After many rejections I realised this strategy wasn't working so one year I bit the bullet and actually sat the GAMSAT and I got a place :smile:

Just my story. You might be amazing at recognising patterns in collections of shapes and interpreting hieroglyphics so might get into Warwick or Newcastle :tongue:


Hi Dexter,

You're stategy sounds similar to mine! Was you really that bad at the UKCAT or is there a high cut off score? I've done a few graduate recruitment tests of a similar nature and seem to get rather mixed results! I think it depends of the cut off score and the other applicants that year too, but I by no means think it will be easy. Where did you apply for first and second time round? How did you find the GAMSAT, especially having no previous science experience? I've not done science since GCSE and what scares me the most is that I just won't be able to hack it! Any tips? And how are you finding graduate medicine itself? Also, did your parents/friends think you're mad?! Everyone seems to think the best thing to do would be just to get a job now. Mehhh.
Reply 494
Original post by ClaffClaff
Is Newcaslte very over subscribed for this reason? Does anyone have any advice?

Thanks All :smile:

Newcastle choose whether to interview you by ranking your UKCAT score so you need a high score to stand a chance there too. (Past thresholds are around somewhere) However if you get a high score, it's worth applying there because of this. But I avoided the GAMSAT like the plague also.

Original post by Democracy

Oh and not sure if you were aware of this but Keele are scrapping their GEP as of this year:

http://www.keele.ac.uk/health/schoolofmedicine/undergraduatemedicalcourse/entryrouteshowtoapply/#a101


I wouldn't really call their's a real GEP seeming as only about 2 people ever got in each year.
Original post by Lantana
Newcastle choose whether to interview you by ranking your UKCAT score so you need a high score to stand a chance there too. (Past thresholds are around somewhere) However if you get a high score, it's worth applying there because of this. But I avoided the GAMSAT like the plague also.


It's really difficult to decide what's the best strategy, I guess it comes down to personal choice in the end. Did you get in Lantana? How are you finding it?
Reply 496
Original post by ClaffClaff
It's really difficult to decide what's the best strategy, I guess it comes down to personal choice in the end. Did you get in Lantana? How are you finding it?


Well it depends on where you want to/have to apply, how much aversion you have to the GAMSAT and how easy you find the respective exams - UKCAT suits my way of thinking and so once you get how to do it, it's just a matter of application. Plus it's cheaper, easier and you get to know the results before you apply.

You can't ask me how I'm finding it if in the question before you ask if I even got in. Some minor stalking of my signature/ thread history might provide you with the answers...
Holy cow never realised the fear of God the GAMSAT put in people... I must be naive lol
I really want to apply to nottingham. I have a range of experience, working with children with autism, adults with special needs, children who are risk of offending, adults with dementia in a care home.
I'm doing a degree in psychology and predicted to finish high 2.1, 1st, but don't really have very good a levels and not in science subjects but i like that nottingham put that they do not consider a level and GCSE results but now I'm not so sure if GAMSAT is a mick take...
Any advice much appreciated!!
(edited 11 years ago)
Original post by Lantana
You can't ask me how I'm finding it if in the question before you ask if I even got in. Some minor stalking of my signature/ thread history might provide you with the answers...


I don't recall asking that. I don't seem to be able to see your signature for some reason. Oh and I don't do stalking. I don't have enough time on my hands for that. Anyway, back to medicine...
Original post by Nutty_Psychologist
Holy cow never realised the fear of God the GAMSAT put in people... I must be naive lol
I really want to apply to nottingham. I have a range of experience, working with children with autism, adults with special needs, children who are risk of offending, adults with dementia in a care home.
I'm doing a degree in psychology and predicted to finish high 2.1, 1st, but don't really have very good a levels and not in science subjects but i like that nottingham put that they do not consider a level and GCSE results but now I'm not so sure if GAMSAT is a mick take...
Any advice much appreciated!!


GAMSAT is a slog - it's a 6(ish) hour exam, is expensive and requires a certain amount of preparation. However it's not impossible and not as hard as some people on here seem to think. Getting the right score in it though does guarantee you an interview at SGUL and Notts.

If you are on for a 2i though you may not need to do it, other unis do not require it and the UKCAT seems like an easier thing to undertake.

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