Medicine Graduate Entry 2015!! :)

It might be different for each university. At the Oxford open day last year they did seem to keep dropping hints that they were looking for people interested in research, or at least that their course would be suitable for people interested in research.

I really hope so! Good luck for you UKCAT by the way. Fingers crossed the admissions Gods give us reapplicants a chance at an inteview this year

I assume Cambridge try something similar? I was under the impression that Cambridge attempt to attract graduates with at least some interest in research for the GEM course?

I'm definitely not saying that universities don't want doctors who go into research and I am not saying it is 100% why they didn't get in. I think it is more the closed mindedness that they may have put across. Compared to someone eager to soak up every placement they go on and gain 200% from the course VS someone going through the motions just so they can do the research that they could have done with a MSci. in Biomed. It's the same as I wouldn't go into an interview and say I want to be a gynaecologist and I'm not interested in anything else. You need to show that you are going to give 100% throughout the course and by stating a singular interest might give the impression that you will not do so. So by all means say you have a passion for research, but don't state it as your singular motivating factor for wanting to do medicine.

You just led me to an epiphany. I didn't get in last time I applied because I focused far too much upon my interest in the scientific and "research" side of medicine in my personal statement, alongside messing up my BMAT.

Ok, maybe that's not so much an epiphany more than it is a simple observation, but either way, Thanks a million for your advice

Cambridge is the uni I wanted to get into since I was about 15. Heres hoping I can make it this time (fingers crossed to the point that my bones break)

I'm definitely not saying that universities don't want doctors who go into research and I am not saying it is 100% why they didn't get in. I think it is more the closed mindedness that they may have put across. Compared to someone eager to soak up every placement they go on and gain 200% from the course VS someone going through the motions just so they can do the research that they could have done with a MSci. in Biomed. It's the same as I wouldn't go into an interview and say I want to be a gynaecologist and I'm not interested in anything else.

Doctors take on many roles throughout their profession, and there are opportunities to jump out of clinical work into teaching, management, and yes research. You wouldn't say you wanted to do medicine to be a lecturer, or to go into management, you could achieve these roles without taking up a place on a course that teaches people to treat patients. In my opinion research is the same - it is a significant facet of the profession, and one you can build a career on. But it shouldn't be the reason you want to go to medical school.

You need to show that you are going to give 100% throughout the course and by stating a singular interest might give the impression that you will not do so. So by all means say you have a passion for research, but don't state it as your singular motivating factor for wanting to do medicine. I totally agree that people will disagree with me but opinion is what makes us all diverse.

Some universities prefer those they can make researchers from, others would prefer a straight-forward doctor. Just as there is no clear cut answer to the question "which is the easiest medical school to get in to?" Each of the medical schools look for different things.
If I recall correctly, one of the reasons given by ICL for the change from 4 year to 5 year was to create better scientists not just clinicians. Equally some medical schools have stated they won't stop you from pursuing research interests, but that's not what they're looking for i.e. they want clinicians not researchers.
There has also been a bit of a push for more clinical researchers, those that carry out research alongside their clinical duties.

To go in to any interview and not have researched the strengths of the company/institute you're hoping to join is farcical. Though if a medical school prefers scientists, illustrating an interest in the academic side of medicine would certainly curry favour.

I think the main reason people often trip up on this in interview is that it can come across as narrow minded if you're not careful. The same could be said about your gynecologist analogy.

Is there any point applying to the 2 Grad entry courses that don't require admissions tests? Is there any point attempting the GAMSAT ? Can I get into any 5 year courses with that UKCAT?

Hey. I've just gotten my UKCAT scores and they aren't good. Could you guys be a dear and tell me my options?

GSCE's I have the 6 A's including English and Maths

A levels: A Chem A Bio B English c Drama

Currently doing a BSc in Anatomical Sciences hoping for a 2.1.

UKCAT about 650

Is there any point applying to the 2 Grad entry courses that don't require admissions tests? Is there any point attempting the GAMSAT ? Can I get into any 5 year courses with that UKCAT? I don't really want to go out of London - my parents will pay tuition but how will I fund rent? (Im a Londoner). Should I just wait till after I get my degree? I got 685 the first time I did my UKCAT but a) still not enough for a 4 year course and b) I feel like the test is getting harder every year - what of I do even worse next year? Kind of tired of feeling a failure....

Cambridge (no entry exam) is an option, but you'll need very good A-levels (A in Bio, Chem and either Physics or Maths; it's a de facto requirement though not stated). Also need a strong research or experienced background.

Same. I'm going to spend 2015 getting experience. Are you still at Uni?

Cool!! Have you started doing anything to prepare??

Actually, anyone here who happens to have gotten an offer for Cambridge's GEM. (I know at least one of you did. You know who you are )

Could I ask you what kind of grades you got at A-Level? As well as the kind of work experience you gained before/after applying and for how long? Thanks for your time.

x

Hello everyone, I've been watching this thread but have only posted once soI thought I would post again hope you're all doing well with UKCAT and GAMSAT prep, i'm doing the UKCAT and i'm pretty terrified! My question is whether you think it would be worth me doing AS chemistry this year?

I have 9 A*-A GCSEs, Alevels at A* Geography, A Biology and A History, a BSc Geography degree at a 1st, just finishing my MSc Crime and Forensic Science at UCL and predicted a Merit/Distinction. I have been volunteering in ICU for a few months at King's College Hospital and also in the children's blood clinic elsewhere. I have just secured a job as a full time Physiotherapy Rehabilitation Assistant to start in September to help me gain experience (and to fulfil Leicester's requirement of one years paid work). I've also done work experience shadowing consultants.

As I do not have Alevel chemistry (even though my degrees have been chemistry heavy, the universities i've emailed will not accept that), do you think it wise for me to try and gain an AS in chemistry this year? I would have to do evening classes and it would cost a lot so I am just wondering whether it would be worth it? The only universities that I can apply to with my qualifications are Kings, Warwick, Leicester and Newcastle. I'm worried that if I do terrible on the UKCAT then that counts me out of most, if not all, of those! And as this is the last time Leicester are offering the course then if I have to reapply next year then that drops my options down to only 3!

Hope this makes sense, any guidance would be much appreciated

What about the GAMSAT? I think you've just missed the deadline this year but if you've done lots of chemistry and did well at biology A-level it seems you would have a decent shot.

Apologies for the ignorance but I sort of presumed the year's work experience for Leicester had to be completed before the UCAS deadline. Is this not right? Cheers.

Hello everyone, I've been watching this thread but have only posted once soI thought I would post again hope you're all doing well with UKCAT and GAMSAT prep, i'm doing the UKCAT and i'm pretty terrified! My question is whether you think it would be worth me doing AS chemistry this year?

I have 9 A*-A GCSEs, Alevels at A* Geography, A Biology and A History, a BSc Geography degree at a 1st, just finishing my MSc Crime and Forensic Science at UCL and predicted a Merit/Distinction. I have been volunteering in ICU for a few months at King's College Hospital and also in the children's blood clinic elsewhere. I have just secured a job as a full time Physiotherapy Rehabilitation Assistant to start in September to help me gain experience (and to fulfil Leicester's requirement of one years paid work). I've also done work experience shadowing consultants.

As I do not have Alevel chemistry (even though my degrees have been chemistry heavy, the universities i've emailed will not accept that), do you think it wise for me to try and gain an AS in chemistry this year? I would have to do evening classes and it would cost a lot so I am just wondering whether it would be worth it? The only universities that I can apply to with my qualifications are Kings, Warwick, Leicester and Newcastle. I'm worried that if I do terrible on the UKCAT then that counts me out of most, if not all, of those! And as this is the last time Leicester are offering the course then if I have to reapply next year then that drops my options down to only 3!

Hope this makes sense, any guidance would be much appreciated