[emilyi]

(Original post by Gridiron-Gangster)
Will not doing any HCA work disadvantage me?

Work I've done/doing;

- Work experience in A&E (about 3 weeks worth)
- GP work experience (loads over the years)
- Paediatrics work experience
- Adult Medicine work experience
- Worked in a Pharmacy for a year
- Been volunteering at a Hospice over the last 10 years
- Some work shadowing at a centre which treats epilepsy.
- Voluntary work at Olympic games (ongoing)
- Paid work at the Olympics and Paralympics (ongoing) in team leadership roles.

I'm also looking at the possibility of doing P/T work in teaching English as a Foreign Language and perhaps doing some work abroad.

I'm a bit worried because I've not done HCA work and wonder if that will go against me? But would paid work in team leadership roles like at the Olympics and also the voluntary work and teaching, would that help?

I think the reason HCA work is looked highly upon is because it's hands on clinical experience, taking blood, bp, etc. Working as a medical professional alongside patients and other professionals. If you have any of this kind of experience with your (very extensive!) list of work I can't imagine it would be a problem at all. I'm a current applicant like yourself though, so don't take my word for it. Your experience sounds fantastic to be honest, I'm sure anyone reading your application would be impressed by your commitment. Which schools are you applying to?

[Gridiron-Gangster]

(Original post by emilyi)
I think the reason HCA work is looked highly upon is because it's hands on clinical experience, taking blood, bp, etc. Working as a medical professional alongside patients and other professionals. If you have any of this kind of experience with your (very extensive!) list of work I can't imagine it would be a problem at all. I'm a current applicant like yourself though, so don't take my word for it. Your experience sounds fantastic to be honest, I'm sure anyone reading your application would be impressed by your commitment. Which schools are you applying to?

Thanks for the advice. With regards to hands on stuff not much more than taking patients to the bathroom etc. I've been shown clinical skills etc but never tried it on a patient obviously.

Not 100% sure yet but keen on applying to Cambridge and King's. Possibly St George's too but I'm put off by the GAMSAT.

[lauratemps]

I am a late decision to apply for 2013 admission...

I have a BA in Anthropology from Durham University and qualify as a midwife with a BSc Midwifery from KCL this September...The science element of the midwifery is basic and area specific so I don't think it counts for a lot of graduate entry degrees....

I am considering doing both A Level Chemistry and Biology intense A Levels at night school in the next year so that I may satisfy the entry requirements for more universities...By Sept 2013 I will have worked as a qualified midwife for 12months and will have had 3 months clinical experience...

I also have been working as a bank HCA for the past 18months in one of the biggest London hospitals with experience in A&E, Maternity, Elderly Care, Cardiology, Oncology, Recovery, GI Units...

Providing I can get my head around the UKCAT and GAMSAT in the next 7-14days do you think I stand a chance for 2013? The amount of science based first degrees is scary!!!

[Penguinsaysquack]

Hello everyone!

It's that time of year, we're currently running the medicine awards as a bit of fun.

To see more about the awards, and vote in this years awards, see this announcement

[Becca-Sarah]

Hey guys,

The medicine wiki's being updated for the new application cycle and we're adding a section on sitting the GAMSAT. Have any of you who've sat or prepared to sit the GAMSAT got any advice you'd want to pass on to future applicants? Any tips on revision? Great resources you'd recommend? Quote me with any responses, thanks

[Jelly540]

[QUOTE=Lasagefemme;37955998]Wow quick reply from Manchester ... They do accept graduate applicants on the 5 yr course with a min of a 2:1

Yay!!!


Hey,

Yeah, manchester do accept grads on there 5 yr course. I got an offer from them for this year. So let me know if you have any questions

However, im considering doing a gap year to work and save up and then apply for grad entry next year. Ive got a first class degree in biomedical science and ABB at a levels. Ive got shadowing experience and have volunteered for 6 months at a care for blindness centre. I've just started a job in a care home aswell. But im not too sure if it would be enough for grad entry . i wanted to apply to Birmingham, Warwick and Liverpool. Last year my ukcat result was 2630 and an average of 657.5. Warwick have said that they usually need above 2660, so hopefully might do better this time. Any advice guys?!

[groovyangel2008]

(Original post by Jelly540)
Wow quick reply from Manchester ... They do accept graduate applicants on the 5 yr course with a min of a 2:1

Yay!!!


Hey,

Yeah, manchester do accept grads on there 5 yr course. I got an offer from them for this year. So let me know if you have any questions

However, im considering doing a gap year to work and save up and then apply for grad entry next year. Ive got a first class degree in biomedical science and ABB at a levels. Ive got shadowing experience and have volunteered for 6 months at a care for blindness centre. I've just started a job in a care home aswell. But im not too sure if it would be enough for grad entry . i wanted to apply to Birmingham, Warwick and Liverpool. Last year my ukcat result was 2630 and an average of 657.5. Warwick have said that they usually need above 2660, so hopefully might do better this time. Any advice guys?!

You have the exact same A levels as me and I also got a first class in my previous degree. Birmingham and Liverpool don't use the UKCAT (thank God because I did terribly!) I got interviews for both Liverpool and Birmingham and will be starting at Birmingham next month. I'm sure if I can do it, you can! Oh and your work experience is fine, the most important thing to talk about in both your personal statement and the interview is what you have learnt from your experiences!

[Jelly540]

(Original post by groovyangel2008)
You have the exact same A levels as me and I also got a first class in my previous degree. Birmingham and Liverpool don't use the UKCAT (thank God because I did terribly!) I got interviews for both Liverpool and Birmingham and will be starting at Birmingham next month. I'm sure if I can do it, you can! Oh and your work experience is fine, the most important thing to talk about in both your personal statement and the interview is what you have learnt from your experiences!

Wow, congrats on Birmingham and thanks sooo much for your post. Its really reassuring, i kept getting worried because birmingham and liverpool are reallt competitive. You must have done really well though, well done

[MalachiK]

Hi Guys

I'm not sure if is the right thread - but it seems from the discussion going on here there might be a few people who could give me some advice.

I'll planning on applying to one of the four year graduate entry medical degrees in... 2014. I know it seems a long time off but there's lots of stuff I have to get sorted in the mean time - not least of all is getting ready for the GAMSAT next Spetember next year as that seems to be a big factor at the schools that I'm looking to be applying to. In addition to this I need to start building up some serious work experience - I think I've got time on my side here as I should be able to demonstrate the sort of long term comitment that the medical schools are looking for over the next 18 to 24 months.

My problem is that I'm not a recent graduate - in fact I'm almost 10 years into a career as a science teacher (physics). I love teaching but after a lot of thought and some experience I'm now determined to change careers into medicine. On the one hand I'd be quite happy to resign my teaching post next Easter and take the most hands on health care type job I could find for a year to build up as much experience as possible for my personal statement and interview and of course to gain experience of working with patients. The problem is I'm also going to be needing to save as much money as possible to fund four years of undergradate study and so walking away from my teaching job is a bit tricky financially. Also - being realisitic about the fierce competition for the four year graduate entry courses means that I understand that even on a good day, with a following wind and adorned with all of the lucky charms I can lay my hands on the odds of making a successful appplication are a tad on the long side.

Reading through other peoples' descriptions of their work experience has been great and given me lots of ideas. And I've been talking to one of our local hosptial consultants who works with the A-Level students at my school giving advice on medical applications about doing some shadowing with some doctors. But I feel that the schools that I'll be applying for are looking for more than that and I'm trying to figure out how I can work some serious, long term healthcare work experience into my life alongside the nine to five (well, 9:30 to 4:30!) teaching job.

Has anyone here been in a similar situation or got any general advice? It's kinda cool to find a forum like this where there are loads of poeple who are sort of in the same boat!

Thanks

[Penguinsaysquack]

Voting for the medicine awards 2012 is still open, make your voice heard about our fantastic community before midnight on friday or miss out!

For more details and a link to the survey to take part, see here: http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/anno...hp?f=195&a=872

[*...smiling away....*]

(Original post by MalachiK)
Hi Guys

I'm not sure if is the right thread - but it seems from the discussion going on here there might be a few people who could give me some advice.

I'll planning on applying to one of the four year graduate entry medical degrees in... 2014. I know it seems a long time off but there's lots of stuff I have to get sorted in the mean time - not least of all is getting ready for the GAMSAT next Spetember next year as that seems to be a big factor at the schools that I'm looking to be applying to. In addition to this I need to start building up some serious work experience - I think I've got time on my side here as I should be able to demonstrate the sort of long term comitment that the medical schools are looking for over the next 18 to 24 months.

My problem is that I'm not a recent graduate - in fact I'm almost 10 years into a career as a science teacher (physics). I love teaching but after a lot of thought and some experience I'm now determined to change careers into medicine. On the one hand I'd be quite happy to resign my teaching post next Easter and take the most hands on health care type job I could find for a year to build up as much experience as possible for my personal statement and interview and of course to gain experience of working with patients. The problem is I'm also going to be needing to save as much money as possible to fund four years of undergradate study and so walking away from my teaching job is a bit tricky financially. Also - being realisitic about the fierce competition for the four year graduate entry courses means that I understand that even on a good day, with a following wind and adorned with all of the lucky charms I can lay my hands on the odds of making a successful appplication are a tad on the long side.

Reading through other peoples' descriptions of their work experience has been great and given me lots of ideas. And I've been talking to one of our local hosptial consultants who works with the A-Level students at my school giving advice on medical applications about doing some shadowing with some doctors. But I feel that the schools that I'll be applying for are looking for more than that and I'm trying to figure out how I can work some serious, long term healthcare work experience into my life alongside the nine to five (well, 9:30 to 4:30!) teaching job.

Has anyone here been in a similar situation or got any general advice? It's kinda cool to find a forum like this where there are loads of poeple who are sort of in the same boat!

Thanks

Hi Malachik! I think its awesome that you're going for something you want. You're right that it will be hard (as it is for everyone) but you've got nothing to lose by trying and your interesting background might actually help you stand out
I'm not in a similar situation but thought I'd chip in anyway haha.
I'd say definitely go for the shadowing option since no experience is bad experience! stuff you see when shadowing can be useful to draw on in interviews and already knowing this doctor is a good in! But additionally, I would try really hard for some regular voluntary work/caring role. It doesn't have to be major- maybe something one saturday or sunday every 2 weeks or so during term time. or a more regular commitment during school holidays? hope this helps some! good luck!

[MalachiK]

(Original post by *...smiling away....*)
I would try really hard for some regular voluntary work/caring role. It doesn't have to be major- maybe something one saturday or sunday every 2 weeks or so during term time. or a more regular commitment during school holidays? hope this helps some! good luck!

Yeah, this is pretty much my thinking as well. Weekends for sure - with maybe some more continuous work during the holidays. Cheers for the advice!

[dmz]

(Original post by Vox0)
Best of luck with your app.

As a 3-time reapplicant (and subsequently a 2012-entry med student!) Feel free to quote me or PM on any questions you might have.

what were you A levels and such/previous applications like and what work experience did you have for your final application

[dmz]

(Original post by Lasagefemme)
Hi

I'm a second year student midwife, still hoping to pick my grades up to a first but might end with a 2.1

I've been looking into GEP. I'm 30 and a single mother with two children ... not sure if I'm just indulging a pipe dream though

Any tips/advice appreciated

(if i do apply it will probably be liverpool)

sweetchilli got into glasgow at 40 odd last year so go for it's what you want

[dmz]

(Original post by Gridiron-Gangster)
Anybody?

Have you tried calling? And i'm pretty sure you can only apply to anyone college from either cambridge or oxford, for undergrad anyway, could be different for grad entry?

[Gridiron-Gangster]

(Original post by dmz)
Have you tried calling? And i'm pretty sure you can only apply to anyone college from either cambridge or oxford, for undergrad anyway, could be different for grad entry?

You can apply for both at grad level.

[i have no name]

Hi There

Just wondering what would my chances be to get in medicine
Im currently in Keele University studying Economics and Finance and on track for a 2.1 potentially a 1st

I had 2A 2B In A-level (Accounting, Business, Economics, Maths) respectively
and 7A* 4A 2B 1C at GCSE

I also have work experience in a care home for 1 month, a GP for 1 month and a hospital shadowing for 1 week

I will be willing to take the UKCAT or any other entrance exam

What universities are best to apply?

[hero]

I am kind of considering medicine again, I got rejected back in 2005 when I was in college. Then decided to do somehing completely unrelated to medicine as I didn't want a constant reminder of it and wanted to just let go and move on with my life.

I graduated with a 2.1 masters engineering degree from Liverpool 2 years ago. Can't find a job, decided on accounting but accountancy firms are so hard to get into. Getting a graduate job is probably as hard, one company I applied to had over 600 applications for 12 places of which I got down to the final 80 applicants!!! So now medicine seems like a good idea again. Watching Junior Doctors on BBC3 was just depressing as I am working as a shop assistant at the moment and I just think to myself that was what I could have been lol

Tbh I can see myself enjoying a career as a pharmacist or an optometrist but universities charge international rates now if your doing a second degree which would be £12,000 a year (£9000 is bad enough) so a course such as medicine would be ideal in terms of finance. Also I have no interest in courses such as radiography and other ones that are fully sponsored by the NHS.

Thing is though I have poor GCSEs 2As, 5Bs and 2Cs (a C in eng lang which rules me out of some unis), don't know how I managed to get one interview back in 2005.

Also I don't have any recent work experience in medicine. Would it be okay to apply using the experience I gained years ago when I was in college? I use to volunteer at a local hospital for a few hours each week. I heard some people got offers with little work exp but just worded it well, whereas others with years of exp didn't get offers.

I really can't be bothered to go and get new experience knowing that my chances of getting in are slim anyway.
I know i sound awful for saying that but I feel I already have enough experience and further voluntary work isn't going to help.

cheers

[Zedd]

(Original post by hero)
I am kind of considering medicine again, I got rejected back in 2005 when I was in college. Then decided to do somehing completely unrelated to medicine as I didn't want a constant reminder of it and wanted to just let go and move on with my life.

I graduated with a 2.1 masters engineering degree from Liverpool 2 years ago. Can't find a job, decided on accounting but accountancy firms are so hard to get into. Getting a graduate job is probably as hard, one company I applied to had over 600 applications for 12 places of which I got down to the final 80 applicants!!! So now medicine seems like a good idea again. Watching Junior Doctors on BBC3 was just depressing as I am working as a shop assistant at the moment and I just think to myself that was what I could have been lol

Tbh I can see myself enjoying a career as a pharmacist or an optometrist but universities charge international rates now if your doing a second degree which would be £12,000 a year (£9000 is bad enough) so a course such as medicine would be ideal in terms of finance. Also I have no interest in courses such as radiography and other ones that are fully sponsored by the NHS.

Thing is though I have poor GCSEs 2As, 5Bs and 2Cs (a C in eng lang which rules me out of some unis), don't know how I managed to get one interview back in 2005.

Also I don't have any recent work experience in medicine. Would it be okay to apply using the experience I gained years ago when I was in college? I use to volunteer at a local hospital for a few hours each week. I heard some people got offers with little work exp but just worded it well, whereas others with years of exp didn't get offers.

I really can't be bothered to go and get new experience knowing that my chances of getting in are slim anyway.
I know i sound awful for saying that but I feel I already have enough experience and further voluntary work isn't going to help.

cheers

Sounds like you're interested in medicine mainly because its more viable than other options. Tbh I'm surprised to hear of an engineering graduate that's not been able to find work in engineering, unless you were only looking for specific work?

Idk, you just sound very half-hearted about it. Also I don't see it as an easy option as its very competitive to get into GEM...

[christopher.2012]

I'm currently studying the 4 year Biochem Msc at Oxford and hopefully on course for a 1st. 4 A's at A level and work experience in GP, hospital, care home and pharma company.... BUT my UKCAT scores are pitiful. Every practice so far has been below the quota for any GEP medical school.... Frantically searching for those that don't look at it....