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Is it Worth Considering My Lab Manager's Advice Or Is it Too Far Out There?

Hey Guys;

About two weeks ago I was going through my Institute Of Biomedical Science (IBMS) portfolio (I'm about 85% finished) with my lab manager having my work looked at (and signed off) and was asked out of the blue how I'd feel about studying medicine but given I'm in my late 20s, I'm thinking it's too far into my career for a change in career prospects where I'm finally on course to where I'm actually getting somewhere with something I've been trying to progress for the last two years (started uni when I was 21 and tried becoming a teacher to discover I didn't like the job at all, hence why it's been 3 years since graduating and I'm only just finishing my portfolio).

Thing is to put it bluntly, my A Level Grades are TERRIBLE and only got onto my Biomedical Science course through clearing and doing a foundation year (only one I have is a D Grade in Biology), I just don't think she knows this tbh.

I initially started the course because I was told throughout school my GCSE and A Level marks wouldn't allow me onto the course flat out but wanted to go into a type of medical science at least as I found it interesting, I graduated with a 2.2 in the subject in the end due to circumstances outside of my control (to put it short, my dad suffered a mental health crisis in my final year of uni).

This only came to my mind after going through some patient results in one final piece of my portfolio (see image below) which is one of the final pieces for me to begin (I left this piece until almost last as I was looking for a specific type of patient result as it's in my favourite section of clinical diagnosis). I won't upload the patient results and the actual work I've typed in for confidentiality reasons of course.

TL'DR, I'm thinking in short with my qualifications at the classification the way it is, the idea is dead in the water and I'm kind of OK with it (as I already have a career path going somewhat ok with myself right now) but want to know for certain if there is a chance I could go through it and if it is worth thinking about my lab manager's proposal?
Hey there, thanks for posting a question in the Medicine forum. :biggrin:

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The "Which Medical School Should I Apply To?" Uberthread
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Medicine A-Level subjects queries
Work Experience and Voluntary Work

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Official Undergraduate Medicine 2023 Entry
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Medicine 2023 entry for resit / retake / gap year applicants
A100 Medicine for International Students 2023 Entry
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Index of Individual Medical School Applicants' threads 2023 Entry

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GCSE Requirements for Medicine
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Work Experience as a Graduate or Mature student
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Reply 2
I think if medicine is what you actually want to do (and not just because your manager thinks you should) then you should do whatever you can to make it happen. I think most (if not all) med schools require a 2:1 for graduate entry but if you're thinking of doing the undergrad course then look into retaking your A Levels. I wouldn't worry about your age though, I'm 30, have been a BMS for 7 years and have decided to apply in September!
Reply 3
Original post by JadeN92
I think if medicine is what you actually want to do (and not just because your manager thinks you should) then you should do whatever you can to make it happen. I think most (if not all) med schools require a 2:1 for graduate entry but if you're thinking of doing the undergrad course then look into retaking your A Levels. I wouldn't worry about your age though, I'm 30, have been a BMS for 7 years and have decided to apply in September!


If you have a degree, you cannot resit A levels to apply to standard entry med.
All A100 courses need a 2:1 except Exeter and Plymouth (who ignore degree and shortlist with GAMSAT)
One GEM course will accept a 2:2, and a few more with a Masters
Reply 4
Why not look into a PA degree?

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