Is it too late to start looking at Medicine?

Hi all,

I've just started AS-levels and am wondering whether it is too late to start considering medicine as a career. I'm taking Geography, Chemistry, Maths and Biology (all through to A2) and got 9A*s and 2As at GCSE.

I've actually only started really pursuing my interest in science in the last year or so- I've always though of myself as an arts student but that changed over the course of my GCSE's. Recently I have been considering careers and I know I want to go into either Earth Sciences or Life Sciences. I hadn't really considered medicine but it really interests me, as I like the study of things that I can relate to and see easily, rather than concentrating on atoms and the like. Obviously the pay is an attracting factor, but it really pales in comparison to my wish to help people and actually make a difference to peoples' lives. I don't want to work in a lab, contributing to our knowledge or science, but would rather solve the problems that people face everyday.

I'm worried because I've been reading through some of the Personal Statements for Medicine, and have been looking at the voluntary work and work experience thread. It seems to me like everyone has so much useful, relevant voluntary work under their belt and, while I have had two good work experience placements, they have not been medicine-related. Also, I seem to gather (although don't know for sure) that many people on both TSR and within my group of friends/acquaintances, that a passion for medicine is discovered earlier than the start of A-levels. Is it a worth even considering medicine if I don't know that it's absolutely what I want to do?

Assuming I can get voluntary work placements in relevant positions (or I hope so) and still have opportunities to demonstrate leadership (to showcase in my PS), I don't think the extra-curricular side of things is too much to worry about. I have completed D of E Bronze & Silver, play guitar (although ungraded), play football (although not at a noteworthy level) and have LAMDA Acting and Public Speaking grades 6&7 respectively.

What do you guys think?

Thanks

Lol, you're probably at an advantage - you're not one of the numerous asians who have been pushed into medicine since they needed to take calpol as a 2-year old (not at all racist, think carefully about the definition of racism).

Now that you've actually grown up, thought carefully yourself, and actively chosen medicine, the chances are you're actually more interested in it than the aforementioned. One of our best medicine applicants is someone who only chose medicine literally three months ago (he's applying next week).

x

Wait are you in Year 13 atm? (I apologize if this has already been mentioned somewhere)

No, I've just started Year 12.

Hi all,

I've just started AS-levels and am wondering whether it is too late to start considering medicine as a career. I'm taking Geography, Chemistry, Maths and Biology (all through to A2) and got 9A*s and 2As at GCSE.

I've actually only started really pursuing my interest in science in the last year or so- I've always though of myself as an arts student but that changed over the course of my GCSE's. Recently I have been considering careers and I know I want to go into either Earth Sciences or Life Sciences. I hadn't really considered medicine but it really interests me, as I like the study of things that I can relate to and see easily, rather than concentrating on atoms and the like. Obviously the pay is an attracting factor, but it really pales in comparison to my wish to help people and actually make a difference to peoples' lives. I don't want to work in a lab, contributing to our knowledge or science, but would rather solve the problems that people face everyday.

I'm worried because I've been reading through some of the Personal Statements for Medicine, and have been looking at the voluntary work and work experience thread. It seems to me like everyone has so much useful, relevant voluntary work under their belt and, while I have had two good work experience placements, they have not been medicine-related. Also, I seem to gather (although don't know for sure) that many people on both TSR and within my group of friends/acquaintances, that a passion for medicine is discovered earlier than the start of A-levels. Is it a worth even considering medicine if I don't know that it's absolutely what I want to do?

Assuming I can get voluntary work placements in relevant positions (or I hope so) and still have opportunities to demonstrate leadership (to showcase in my PS), I don't think the extra-curricular side of things is too much to worry about. I have completed D of E Bronze & Silver, play guitar (although ungraded), play football (although not at a noteworthy level) and have LAMDA Acting and Public Speaking grades 6&7 respectively.

What do you guys think?

Thanks