Medicine 2012...(hopeful entrants) !!

seems a well furnished idea; why medicine then

Probably the scope of career options. I may choose not to apply, but in the while I am ticking the boxes. urself?

Hospital accommodation. I don't know any more about it right now so a bit scared and excited too. My first time away from home alone!

More stable career. I love biology, and science on the whole. I've been very ill in the past (as in, death in 3 days without medication), and I hate the idea that it could happen again, so I want to be able to diagnose and cure myself as well as others. I fancy working abroad, in relief efforts and disaster zones. Don't particularly like all the mathematics in doing Economics at university, certainly far more than you'd need in a city firm. Potential to do something similar after a medical degree, by joining a pharmaceutical firm or similar. There's also potential to start business using knowledge accessible only to doctors (vaguely worded, but it means that doctors can also become business men), as someone I know is doing. My parents don't mind me doing Economics, but they'd prefer me to do medicine, it's the least I could do. I really enjoy helping people and I regret that I didn't start earlier. I'm still not sure whether Economics interests me enough for me to study for 3 years. Fascinated by hospitals ever since I had to get grommets as a kid. I love thinking through the ethical dilemmas some doctors face. After you get to consultant/GP level, it's relatively easy, whereas unless you're hugely successful, you'll still be working your ass off at 50 in a city firm. Chicks love doctors.

Many, many reasons, what about you, what route would you take if it were not for medicine.

Wow, that actually sounds quite scary but exciting. What are you going to do when you're not at the hosp? I guess it'll mean you're more prepared for being away when you go to uni, though.

How are u guys getting yr work experience??
I'm kinda stuck here cos I'm from HK and I will be spending the summer at home..
Unlike the UK they don't allow shadowing unless you have some connections
And I assume that most UK medical schools expect some medicine-related work experience??
Sighhhh

Be honest, that's your main reason.

Maybe go for a dander around the town... each day is only 9-4 and I can't shut myself in the room the whole time! Like everyone I've talked to have said, we have to leave home sooner or later so I'll get a feel of what it'll be like. I'm dreading carting the suitcase around the airport after 4 days of hiking though.

Which city is it? You should so explore the med school (if they have one)
They're right but it's still scary that we have to move out and accept the responsibility so soon. :/
Ouch. Try not to pack too much, I guess.

Do you love doctors, darling?

and y u stalkin

Yes, I do

i always stalk you

Well, stop it, I don't like the idea.

Haha wow, looking at this thread makes it all feel real!! [& that rhymes ]

Well aren't you Eminem

And yep, seems like just yesterday I was in year 11, thinking I had ages until writing on a thread like this.

Somewhere in Surrey... Quite close to London I think. I don't think I'd want to go near London though since I live in a smallish town and won't be used to the big city at all. One of my friends went to London with her youth group last year and she said it was really scary especially when they had to use the underground and they were in a big group.

Email/write to GP surgeries. You could get work exp sorted for before/after you go to HK... even if it means missing school?

But med schools know hard it is to get work exp so it's not a requirement, it just helps you get an insight... if you can show that you understand the positives and negatives of medicine as a career without med then you don't need work exp. You could read Max Pemberton's books/talk to medics on here/watch that Junior Doctors programme that was on the BBC (apparently it was quite accurate?) to get the insight, I think.
Do you have any volunteer work with kids/people with disabilities or illnesses/elderly people? Because that's more of a requirement than work exp, it seems.

Yes. Yes I am, how did you---?

I always looked at the 'Medicine 2011' Applicants thread, apprehending the moment I'd be able to contribute to the 2012 one! Didnt think it would come so soon