[Rupa Patel]

I am going to apply for medicine and was thinking of going on the gap medics trip to Thailand or Tanzania for 2 weeks from Aug 27-Sep 9. However, I have to send my personal statement to Manchester by Sep 16th, and I still need to do the UKCAT.

I need to know whether it will be better to go on the trip in Aug and start writing my PS now and edit it when I come back, or to go in October and just say in my PS that I am going to go on the trip?

Really need a quick answer as i need to know whether to book it or not. And if I should go in Aug where is better Thailand or Tanzania?

Thanks

[thegodofgod]

(Original post by Rupa Patel)
I am going to apply for medicine and was thinking of going on the gap medics trip to Thailand or Tanzania for 2 weeks from Aug 27-Sep 9. However, I have to send my personal statement to Manchester by Sep 16th, and I still need to do the UKCAT.

I need to know whether it will be better to go on the trip in Aug and start writing my PS now and edit it when I come back, or to go in October and just say in my PS that I am going to go on the trip?

Really need a quick answer as i need to know whether to book it or not. And if I should go in Aug where is better Thailand or Tanzania?

Thanks

I personally wouldn't go on Gap Medics as I just don't see the point - I just see it as a money-making scheme for them...

Although if you really wanted to go, I'd suggest going in October once all of the UKCAT / personal statement / UCAS application falaffel is over (unless you're going to sit the BMAT, which usually takes place in the first week of November, so time would be tight)

[Rupa Patel]

(Original post by thegodofgod)
I personally wouldn't go on Gap Medics as I just don't see the point - I just see it as a money-making scheme for them...

Although if you really wanted to go, I'd suggest going in October once all of the UKCAT / personal statement / UCAS application falaffel is over (unless you're going to sit the BMAT, which usually takes place in the first week of November, so time would be tight)

Okay, I know it is expensive but I thought that it will look really good on my personal statement and give me something to talk about in my interview.

I am just sitting the UKCAT.

[Helenia]

(Original post by Rupa Patel)
Okay, I know it is expensive but I thought that it will look really good on my personal statement and give me something to talk about in my interview.

Why will it look good? What will you do/learn there that you couldn't do in this country for a lot less money and with much more flexible timing?

[Rupa Patel]

(Original post by Helenia)
Why will it look good? What will you do/learn there that you couldn't do in this country for a lot less money and with much more flexible timing?

I thought you get to shadow the doctors, which I have not been able to do here and you get to watch a lot of surgery something which you can't do here I thought. Also, you will get to see what medicine is like in another country and will be able to talk about the differences.

[Pandabär]

(Original post by Rupa Patel)
you get to watch a lot of surgery something which you can't do here I thought.

You can at some hospitals, I've always found places more than happy to let students into theatre to watch some interesting operations.

If I were you, I'd just keep trying hard to get work experience here and save your money. Going abroad would leave you with very little time to write your PS, too.

[Rupa Patel]

(Original post by Pandabär)
You can at some hospitals, I've always found places more than happy to let students into theatre to watch some interesting operations.

If I were you, I'd just keep trying hard to get work experience here and save your money. Going abroad would leave you with very little time to write your PS, too.

Really, do you know any hospitals around Manchester?

Yeah, I am a bit worried about the time to write my PS. Thats why I was thinking about going in October.

[Helenia]

(Original post by Rupa Patel)
I thought you get to shadow the doctors, which I have not been able to do here and you get to watch a lot of surgery something which you can't do here I thought. Also, you will get to see what medicine is like in another country and will be able to talk about the differences.

Some hospitals will let work experience students watch surgery, but it is absolutely not essential for a medicine application. And if you keep trying you should be able to find somewhere that will let you shadow.

You're right that it will let you experience medicine in another country, but again that's not necessarily something that's necessary for applying here - and medicine in Tanzania requires quite a different skillset from UK medicine.

If you've got spare money to burn and really think it's the best way for you to understand what being a doctor in the UK is like, then by all means go for it, but I think trying to fit it around your application time is quite risky.

[Pandabär]

(Original post by Rupa Patel)
Really, do you know any hospitals around Manchester?

Yeah, I am a bit worried about the time to write my PS. Thats why I was thinking about going in October.

Sorry, I only really know London hospitals. I'm sure they'll be loads of opportunities there though- it's a massive city. Best of luck with your app.

[Tancock75]

Hi there!
I went on the Gap Medics programme in Tanzania last summer before starting my first year of Medicine.

Honestly, DO IT! From my experience it was one of the best things I've ever done, i gained life changing experience that i would have got from no where else! Especially being in Africa, having such a dramatic insight into how people of other cultures live was fascinating for me, as it is so different from the UK. You will also see killer conditions and diseases, that are in such advanced stages you will only read about in textbooks, you will also unfortunately experience minor conditions that go on to cause real problems (conditions that would easily be solved in somewhere like the uk).

The medical experience was as i said once in a lifetime, there really is a no bars approach, you get thrown right in and as long as you're enthusiastic and show interest the doctors will find a way for you to get involved (as long as you feel comfortable doing so!)

I can also happily say how things that i learnt, little bits of practical knowledge have kept on cropping up throughout my first year of medicine (especially during my PBL sessions), from what drug can be used in a particular situation for example.

If you have any questions, feel free to PM me, i'll be more than happy to answer!!

George

[Rupa Patel]

(Original post by Helenia)
Some hospitals will let work experience students watch surgery, but it is absolutely not essential for a medicine application. And if you keep trying you should be able to find somewhere that will let you shadow.

You're right that it will let you experience medicine in another country, but again that's not necessarily something that's necessary for applying here - and medicine in Tanzania requires quite a different skillset from UK medicine.

If you've got spare money to burn and really think it's the best way for you to understand what being a doctor in the UK is like, then by all means go for it, but I think trying to fit it around your application time is quite risky.

Okay, I just thought that it would be something really good to say that I've done.

Suppose so but again I thought it would be something good to say and can mention how difficult medicine is here/there and the differnece in skills required.

I dont really have the money, I am going to try and get a job for my gap year and was going to use that money to pay for it. Yeah, thats why I was thinking of going in October then I could get my application out of the way and talk about it in the interview.

I sent you a private message if you could read it please. I don't know how I would ask the hospitals for work experience. There is this lady that organises work experience for hospitals around my area but she has not sorted anything out for me.

[Tancock75]

But just reading some of your posts in this forum, i agree, such medical experience is by no means gonna be your ticket into med school, i can sadly say i forgot to even talk about my aspirations to go to tanzania in my medical interview and i didn't even put it in my personal statement.
Without telling you what you already know, the main stuff that matters for your PS are examples of you showing commitment to medicine and teamwork and your reasoning behind choosing such a demanding course: all stuff you can do by charity work and academic stuff etc etc...

However, such a life changing experience like gap medics will definitely influence how you think and definitely influence how you progress through your early stages of medicine...

[Rupa Patel]

(Original post by Pandabär)
Sorry, I only really know London hospitals. I'm sure they'll be loads of opportunities there though- it's a massive city. Best of luck with your app.

No problem and thanks.

[Helenia]

(Original post by Rupa Patel)
Okay, I just thought that it would be something really good to say that I've done.

Suppose so but again I thought it would be something good to say and can mention how difficult medicine is here/there and the differnece in skills required.

I dont really have the money, I am going to try and get a job for my gap year and was going to use that money to pay for it. Yeah, thats why I was thinking of going in October then I could get my application out of the way and talk about it in the interview.

I sent you a private message if you could read it please. I don't know how I would ask the hospitals for work experience. There is this lady that organises work experience for hospitals around my area but she has not sorted anything out for me.

The main thing that projects like that demonstrate is that you have money to throw at things. Sure, you may learn new things over there, but if you have no UK experience, how will you link it back to that? I would really not rely on a commercially organised holiday with a bit of hospital "work" as your ticket into medschool.

You need to get back in touch with this lady about work experience, and find out why she hasn't arranged anything for you yet. This doesn't need to be rude or aggressive, just say that you're really worried as you want to get it done before the deadline. If that doesn't work, you need to do the rounds of GP surgeries, hospices, hospitals etc until you find something. Manchester is a massive city, you'll find something.

By all means go on this trip if you really really want to, but you need to sort out your application in the UK too.

[Rupa Patel]

(Original post by Helenia)
The main thing that projects like that demonstrate is that you have money to throw at things. Sure, you may learn new things over there, but if you have no UK experience, how will you link it back to that? I would really not rely on a commercially organised holiday with a bit of hospital "work" as your ticket into medschool.

You need to get back in touch with this lady about work experience, and find out why she hasn't arranged anything for you yet. This doesn't need to be rude or aggressive, just say that you're really worried as you want to get it done before the deadline. If that doesn't work, you need to do the rounds of GP surgeries, hospices, hospitals etc until you find something. Manchester is a massive city, you'll find something.

By all means go on this trip if you really really want to, but you need to sort out your application in the UK too.

Okay, I don't have money like that to waste. I think I'm just getting worried because I've got no work experience here and there isnt much time left, and having that I thought will be better than nothing.

I will do. I dont know how to ask the GP's, hospitals etc. When I wanted to do my work experience at the dentist I phoned my dentist and the receptionist said that they dont do any. Then like 2 months later I had a appointment and I asked my dentist if I can do some and she said yes! So I dont really know how to ask..

[Helenia]

(Original post by Rupa Patel)
Okay, I don't have money like that to waste. I think I'm just getting worried because I've got no work experience here and there isnt much time left, and having that I thought will be better than nothing.

I will do. I dont know how to ask the GP's, hospitals etc. When I wanted to do my work experience at the dentist I phoned my dentist and the receptionist said that they dont do any. Then like 2 months later I had a appointment and I asked my dentist if I can do some and she said yes! So I dont really know how to ask..

For GPs, you usually need to speak to the practice manager. For hospices, there will usually be some kind of manager/volunteer co-ordinator. You've already said you have contact with some kind of co-ordinator at the hospital, just keep trying! Try to speak to people in person/on the phone first of all, as these are harder to ignore than letters/e-mail. Keep going - there are lots of options, and although it's hard work, sitting at home feeling sorry for yourself because it's all SO difficult will not get you into med school.

[Rupa Patel]

(Original post by Helenia)
For GPs, you usually need to speak to the practice manager. For hospices, there will usually be some kind of manager/volunteer co-ordinator. You've already said you have contact with some kind of co-ordinator at the hospital, just keep trying! Try to speak to people in person/on the phone first of all, as these are harder to ignore than letters/e-mail. Keep going - there are lots of options, and although it's hard work, sitting at home feeling sorry for yourself because it's all SO difficult will not get you into med school.

Okay, I will have a go at the GP's and will try this lady some more. Thanks for your help.

[Richyp22]

(Original post by Rupa Patel)
Really, do you know any hospitals around Manchester?

Yeah, I am a bit worried about the time to write my PS. Thats why I was thinking about going in October.

why do you have to send in your application to manchester by 16th of september btw?

[Lovebullets]

I was recently on a gapmedics placement , the work experience is truly in-depth, especially for that in Tanzania , it's really 'hands-on' you even get to assist in child births and stuff! I think it would be good for you to do your work experience with gapmedics because you get to see ALOT , but before you go, be specific in what you expect of the experience so they can help you make the placement fruitful. It would be good to go to Tanzania because u really get to see patients who are much less fortunate than those patients in hospitals in the uk. Go for it and all the best (:

[Iz08]

Gap Medics was a fantastic experience and worth every penny. But don't take it for the sake of looking good on PS.