GEM advice - arts applicants

Hi all,

Really want to apply to GEM for 2015 entry, but worried about having an arts degree. I graduated last year with a 2.i in politics and sociology (I specialised in medical sociology) and looking to leave my current job to get a HCA position. My main problem being, I also don't have A levels in Chemistry or biology, and don't have anywhere local that means I can sit them as an external candidate (mainly due to the practical exam requirements). I'm worried that I won't have the scientific background required to actually get a place on any of the graduate courses.

Is there anyone out there who got onto GEM from an arts/humanities background and also without chemistry or bio at A level? Would love to hear thoughts and advice!

Reply 1

Democracy

Original post by CamLSP

Apply to the GEPs which don't care about A levels e.g. Warwick, Newcastle, GKT, etc:

http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/graduate_entry_medicine_-_a_guide

Reply 2

JenniB22

Original post by CamLSP

Warwick, Newcastle, and KCL all take arts graduates without any science A-levels and with UKCAT rather than GAMSAT/BMAT.

Where do you live that you can't find college to sit an exam at?! Or is it the cost involved? I'm in a similar boat to you, as I have a 2.i in Classics. However, I managed to find a sixth form college in London where I can sit my Chemistry A Level, which I'm studying with a friend who's doing a PhD. Tough stuff!

Reply 3

buttoned.up

Hey, I'm planning to apply with a 2.i in modern languages, and my A-Levels were French, German, Italian, English Lit and Maths, so the last time I did any science was GCSE!
I'm considering doing chem/bio A-Level in my gap year now but my main plan is just to concentrate all my science learning into taking the GAMSAT rather than more A-Levels. Are you planning to apply to GAMSAT schools or stick to UKCAT?

Reply 4

lcsurfer

Original post by CamLSP

I'm a GEM with a humanities background... No A levels in chem/bio either.
I could only apply to 3 places: KCL, warwick and Newcastle and the UKCAT is really the big thing in the application that decides whether you get interviews or what not.
approx 50% of my course are non science grads, including politics students! Just make sure you nail the UKCAT and are impressive at interview.

Reply 5

J1mmy

Original post by JenniB22

Just out of curiosity, why have you decided to sit A-level Chemistry?

Reply 6

JenniB22

Original post by J1mmy

Just out of curiosity, why have you decided to sit A-level Chemistry?

Because I want to apply to Southampton, which requires you to have it. I also think it will help my applications, because it will show that I can learn science (having not done it since GCSE, 7 years ago) and that I am hardworking, by doing it while working full time.

Reply 7

buttoned.up

Bumping this old thread to group together some arts applicants! I've started GAMSAT prep and thought it could be nice to help motivate each other etc/share fears/discuss applications away from the biomedical scientists etc...

Reply 8

JenniB22

Original post by buttoned.up

I'm actually thinking that I will sit the GAMSAT now. I wasn't going to, but I think it would be good to have a backup plan if UKCAT goes awfully or something... :/
What's your plan for studying for it? I'm hoping that I'll be ok on the first 2 sections with my background, so mainly I will be trying to focus on the science- any ideas on a basic list of subjects that need to be covered?

Reply 9

buttoned.up

Original post by JenniB22

Hey, I replied to you about this in the main GEM thread, so hope you've seen that! I am trying not to be scared about GAMSAT and embracing it all as a big exciting challenge...I am sure I won't be feeling that way 3 hours into exam day! I'll share the link again for that website with some of the recommended topics to cover.

http://www.revisegamsat.com