Why am I being rejected for Med?

Medicine is like that, the competition is huge and most people have fantastic applications as well. What universities did you apply to and what other work experience do you have as well as caring for those with metal disabilities?

I applied to Birmingham, Sheffield, St Georges and HYMS. My only other job was working in a bar for about 4 years (I had little ambition or direction at this point in my life).

I have only one of my choices left, having been rejected from all my other applications, and I'm not at all sure why.

A brief outline of my background: I am 26 years old and I left school with pretty awful grades (6 Cs and 3 Ds). I subsequently worked in a bar for 4-5 years and then went travelling for a year. When I returned, I took a job as a carer for people with mental disabilties. I worked here for two years and it was during this time that I first began to consider going to medical school. After careful consideration and some soul searching, I decided to go for it. I used my savings to pay to study 9 GCSEs through the NEC (a disance learning provider). I completed my GCSEs two years ago and achieved 8 A*s and an A. I am currently studying for A levels in Biology, Chemistry and Maths. I took my AS levels last Summer and achieved AAA. I have also taken my UKCAT and got 708 (which I understand is pretty good), and yet I am still being rejected without even being interviewed.

So, in summary, I have decent GCSEs and AS levels, a good UKCAT score, two years experience in a caring role and a personal statement my tutor described as "inspiring". So why on earth am I still being rejected? Have I wasted my money, three years of my life and a whole lot of effort for nothing? I am verily frustrated to tears.

That's too bad, I know Birmingham/Sheffield love GCSEs/UKCAT respectively, both of which you have really good results in. Maybe it's your lack of clinical work experience? Most medical schools want people to know exactly what being a doctor is like (i.e. not scrubs/house/casualty/ER), and understand that a lot of the job is paperwork and long hours. It's so competitive the last thing they want is someone to quit a year or two in because they can't stand being a doctor

I applied to Birmingham, Sheffield, St Georges and HYMS. My only other job was working in a bar for about 4 years (I had little ambition or direction at this point in my life).

Also in general, since you resat your GCSE, usually most medical school don't consider retakes unless in extenuating circumstances. So that might have been the reason?

Sheffield is the one I'm yet to hear back from, so fingers crossed. I guess you have a point, I do lack clinical experience, it would have been difficult to fit in work experience (I still work 16 hours a week as a carer while doing my A levels). Perhaps, if I don't get in this year I can use next year to get some clinical experience, thanks for your advice.

Sheffield- cut off was 717.5
HYMS- they have certain place for mature student and grads. You probably didn't get in do to not having a degree and competing with those that do?

Also in general, since you resat your GCSE, usually most medical school don't consider retakes unless in extenuating circumstances. So that might have been the reason? Did you get any interviews?

I said in my application that I left school without sitting my GCSEs. Further, I chose different exam boards for each subject and sat them eight years after the first time I took GCSEs. So, as far as the medical schools are concerned, I have not done resits. - Also, I thought it was resits of A levels modules medical schools were pedantic about? Anyway, I guess it could be the reason I was rejected.

And no, I didn't get any interviews.

I said in my application that I left school without sitting my GCSEs. Further, I chose different exam boards for each subject and sat them eight years after the first time I took GCSEs. So, as far as the medical schools are concerned, I have not done resits. - Also, I thought it was resits of A levels modules medical schools were pedantic about? Anyway, I guess it could be the reason I was rejected.

And no, I didn't get any interviews.

You lied?

You lied?

I didn't obliquely lie. I simply didn't include the GCSEs I sat 10 years ago in my qualifications on my UCAS form.

I applied to Birmingham, Sheffield, St Georges and HYMS. My only other job was working in a bar for about 4 years (I had little ambition or direction at this point in my life).

Sheffield- cut off was 717.5