need some advice on applying for medical school

hi there, I have been looking into applying for medical school but I have a few reservations about doing so. Firstly I have a 5 year old daughter, so my priorities are slightly different to most students, secondly I am a mature student and am worried about the competition from younger students and last I still need to sit my Highers. If there is anyone that has been in any of these situations and have managed to through medical school any advice and help would be highly appreciated. thanks Sarah

hi, thanks for reply,

I will be doing my Highers over 2 years as I will need to do int2 first in the science subjects. does this make a big difference for mature students not having passed all your Highers in 1 sitting??
I am going to be giving up my current job to get experience in care work, what kind of achievements would they be looking at? thanks again

hi, thanks for reply,

I will be doing my Highers over 2 years as I will need to do int2 first in the science subjects. does this make a big difference for mature students not having passed all your Highers in 1 sitting??
I am going to be giving up my current job to get experience in care work, what kind of achievements would they be looking at? thanks again

Publications, research, national/international prizes, evidence of pro-active approach.....

As a mature student they will expect you to have a more extensive CV than a school leaver as you have had more time!

Any other questions?

I don't think OP is a graduate so publications and research will be difficult to achieve.

Doing them over 2 years is fine. In terms of achievements the main things are to have done work experience in a medical setting (i.e. a hospital, GP practice etc.) and also voluntary work (ideally in a care setting, e.g. a hospital volunteer). Then you need to be able to reflect upon them when you come to write your personal statement, i.e. explain what you've learnt about being a doctor from you work experience; what the job entails, what skills one requires and all that stuff).

EDIT: Are you a graduate or undergrad?

Work experience is pretty much essential for a successful application.

Ideally you should aim for a range of clinical environments for example GP, hospital, allied healthcare professional like pharmacy.

Yes - very important to reflect during the personal statement and how it has lead you to conclude that medicine is for you

Doing them over 2 years is fine. In terms of achievements the main things are to have done work experience in a medical setting (i.e. a hospital, GP practice etc.) and also voluntary work (ideally in a care setting, e.g. a hospital volunteer). Then you need to be able to reflect upon them when you come to write your personal statement, i.e. explain what you've learnt about being a doctor from you work experience; what the job entails, what skills one requires and all that stuff).

EDIT: Are you a graduate or undergrad?

Doing them over 2 years is fine. In terms of achievements the main things are to have done work experience in a medical setting (i.e. a hospital, GP practice etc.) and also voluntary work (ideally in a care setting, e.g. a hospital volunteer). Then you need to be able to reflect upon them when you come to write your personal statement, i.e. explain what you've learnt about being a doctor from you work experience; what the job entails, what skills one requires and all that stuff).

EDIT: Are you a graduate or undergrad?

Thanks for advice.
I haven't studied anything over svq3, I am currently a self employed hairdresser so this will be a massive career change, I will definitely go and do some work experience/volunteer work. but with my age will I be able to do work experience as that is something high school children do through school?

Thanks for advice.
I haven't studied anything over svq3, I am currently a self employed hairdresser so this will be a massive career change, I will definitely go and do some work experience/volunteer work. but with my age will I be able to do work experience as that is something high school children do through school?

I'm a undergraduate - final year UCL medic - due to graduate in July 2014!!!! Ahhhhh!!!!

Yeah you shouldn't have any trouble getting work experience just because you're a bit older. You will have to be quite proactive when getting work experience though as not all places allow it.

Good luck for finals!

Thanks and sorry for misquoting earlier - I misread your post thinking it was form the OP!

Thanks so much for all the advice, glad I came across this website, I am hoping being older and a parent will go in my favour, as I have lots of life experiences, but its the academic side that I have to work on

hi there, I have been looking into applying for medical school but I have a few reservations about doing so. Firstly I have a 5 year old daughter, so my priorities are slightly different to most students, secondly I am a mature student and am worried about the competition from younger students and last I still need to sit my Highers. If there is anyone that has been in any of these situations and have managed to through medical school any advice and help would be highly appreciated. thanks Sarah