[lucklepper]

Perplexed may be an understatement...

I am currently a Mature Student studying a BSc[Hons] Podiatry in Scotland. I have been looking for years into studying medicine and I am now at the stage where I can start to begin my application process. My hopes were that with a good strong medical based background and with lots of patient contact it would help me enter upon the graduate route into medicine.

Now I knew it was competitive and hard, I'm not daunted by that as much as one might think, no in short it's the application process - Where the heck do you begin?

In short, I want to study medicine, I am pretty much self motivated in my studies as they are I always have been that way, so feel PBL would suit me more so than a traditional. Although I think the ultimate would be integrated using a systems approach which would work the best simply because I think in system terms currently for patient management plans etc.

I have been scouring through the internet exploring what places teach what style and it ultimately appears that with the exception of 3 universities most are integrated. So how do I limit the choice down further still? I mean if competition is so fierce etc. I'm not really fussed where I study, there are places of preference without a doubt, but at the end of the day the ultimate objective is Dr so why get caught up in the bureaucracy this university is better because ... etc. As I am a mature student I'm not sure how much choice I receive on the matter, is it more a case of apply and see how it goes? Do I hope my life experience is enough to compete with the hundreds of applications of college A* students?

My A-levels were back in 2004, they were in non-scientific subjects and frankly not my best work, I lost interest and just wanted out. After travelling and work for a few years, it wasn't until 2009 I re-entered full-time education. I lot of what really bugs me is that many medical schools stipulate the need for chemistry and relatively high A-Levels, this frustrating as my GCSEs were quite good, and my degree is also looking to be of decent level 2:1 and above hopefully. So do I apply knowing that I might not have chemistry and high A-levels, or will I be passed over even though I have different life experiences a student fresh from college might not have?

Purpose of the post is to gain constructive feedback from Any institution or students that might have been in a similar place to myself years gone by. The aim it share my confusion partly to help myself figure out what is going through my head, but also to open up input to a range of people to see what advice they have.

Thank you very much for taking the time to read.

Regards,

Benjamin

[.eXe]

If you specifically want PBL, schools like Manchester and Liverpool are good schools for you.

I should however mention that in all honesty...every medical school has some form of PBL even if it is not explicitely referred to as that. PBL is basically any form of learning which is not lecture based...as in...you aren't taught by another individual by the traditional meaning of the term. Rather, you do your own research, other members in your group do the same, and you all end up teaching each other. This happens in pretty much every medical school because this is how study groups, group assignments/projects and exam preparation works (self-directed learning).

So I would advise you to not limit your choices based on PBL alone, that would be an unwise decision.

Also, I suggest reading this page: http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/Medicine and the various links on it. Contains vast amount of information for pretty much every school in the UK. Hopefully it helps. All the best.

[lucklepper]

@.eXe

Thanks for the Insight. The PBL & Integrated was only a guide as I tend to teach myself quite well, but as stated am not opposed to structure or elevating my current academic knowledge, it was more just a preference. I would not necessarily 'Rule-Out' Any institutions, it's really a case that they are more likely to rule out myself!

Thanks for your advice, I shall continue searching through the forums. Any other hints & tips to offer?

[.eXe]

(Original post by lucklepper)
@.eXe

Thanks for the Insight. The PBL & Integrated was only a guide as I tend to teach myself quite well, but as stated am not opposed to structure or elevating my current academic knowledge, it was more just a preference. I would not necessarily 'Rule-Out' Any institutions, it's really a case that they are more likely to rule out myself!

Thanks for your advice, I shall continue searching through the forums. Any other hints & tips to offer?

If you'd like to post your stats or just PM me, I can answer any specific queries you might have. As you can see from my profile (in signature) I too was a mature/graduate applicant so I know the process. Ill try my best to help out

[groovyangel2008]

(Original post by lucklepper)
Perplexed may be an understatement...

I am currently a Mature Student studying a BSc[Hons] Podiatry in Scotland. I have been looking for years into studying medicine and I am now at the stage where I can start to begin my application process. My hopes were that with a good strong medical based background and with lots of patient contact it would help me enter upon the graduate route into medicine.

Now I knew it was competitive and hard, I'm not daunted by that as much as one might think, no in short it's the application process - Where the heck do you begin?

In short, I want to study medicine, I am pretty much self motivated in my studies as they are I always have been that way, so feel PBL would suit me more so than a traditional. Although I think the ultimate would be integrated using a systems approach which would work the best simply because I think in system terms currently for patient management plans etc.

I have been scouring through the internet exploring what places teach what style and it ultimately appears that with the exception of 3 universities most are integrated. So how do I limit the choice down further still? I mean if competition is so fierce etc. I'm not really fussed where I study, there are places of preference without a doubt, but at the end of the day the ultimate objective is Dr so why get caught up in the bureaucracy this university is better because ... etc. As I am a mature student I'm not sure how much choice I receive on the matter, is it more a case of apply and see how it goes? Do I hope my life experience is enough to compete with the hundreds of applications of college A* students?

My A-levels were back in 2004, they were in non-scientific subjects and frankly not my best work, I lost interest and just wanted out. After travelling and work for a few years, it wasn't until 2009 I re-entered full-time education. I lot of what really bugs me is that many medical schools stipulate the need for chemistry and relatively high A-Levels, this frustrating as my GCSEs were quite good, and my degree is also looking to be of decent level 2:1 and above hopefully. So do I apply knowing that I might not have chemistry and high A-levels, or will I be passed over even though I have different life experiences a student fresh from college might not have?

Purpose of the post is to gain constructive feedback from Any institution or students that might have been in a similar place to myself years gone by. The aim it share my confusion partly to help myself figure out what is going through my head, but also to open up input to a range of people to see what advice they have.

Thank you very much for taking the time to read.

Regards,

Benjamin

Are you thinking of applying for the 4 year graduate course or the 5 year medicine course or a mixture of both?

[lucklepper]

(Original post by groovyangel2008)
Are you thinking of applying for the 4 year graduate course or the 5 year medicine course or a mixture of both?

Ideally the Graduate, I'd prefer to spend a little less time in the books so to speak. I'm also hoping my current level has brought me up to a rough standard that needs improving on - rather than a total rebuild.

If that makes sense.


B

[polldoll]

I was in a similar position to you. I got into medicine as a graduate in Scotland. I know the finances are in the process of changing etc, but for me, it was actually cheaper for me to do the 5 year course in Scotland than the graduate programes in England. So I really only had the choice of the Scottish unis.

Dundee was not an option as my nursing degree was a BA nursing studies, and Edinburgh was also ruled out as my school highers from 1995/96 were not good enough.

Glasgow, Aberdeen and St Andrews all asked for me to resit higher chemistry, as it has to be sat within 5 years of applying. (They generally want biology as well, but they said that my nursing degree meant I wouldnt need the biology. Anyway, I've ended up at St Andrews, and although its 6 years in total, it still works out cheaper for me!

As for course styles.. I agree that PBL is well suited towards grads, or people that are used to independent learning, but I am really enjoying the structure at St Andys. And having done a PBL degree before, I feel more secure knowing that I'm not missing out important things, or spending time focusing on the wrong area.

The thing I like most about St Andrews has got to be dissection, and when I hear how much my friends at other unis do compared to mine, well I'm glad I came here!

Anyway, if it is of any help, the main factor to dictate where I applied for was money. If there are any more specific questions that you would like answered, feel free to PM me, or ask here.
Good luck though!