Graduate Entry Medicine: 2016 Entry

Yes, several times. I keep on trying to improve my applicant profile and then the medical schools shift the goal posts in terms of requirements. Believe it or not, the next application I make will be number 5. Sounds awful!

Just to give a little morale boost this was application number 5 for me and finally it was successful. Still only one offer out of two interviews but it's all anyone needs. Keep going

Thank you very much. Not the questions I thought! I was all prepared for the whole tell me about yourself, what are your strengths/weakness but it wasn't.

They started by asking me to tell them a bit about what I've been up to. Then (as far as I can remember) was
- asked me to tell them about a difficult situation in the workplace and how I handled it
- an experience with an angry/violent patient and what I did
- what I would do in such a such situation
- asked about a time when I've used feedback constructively
- asked about a time when I've worked in a really busy environment and how I managed to make sure I still worked efficiently
- asked when someone has done something in the workplace and I didn't agree with it and what I did

And I genuinely cannot remember the last question 😩

I'm really happy as they said 40 people applied and I was sure they would choose others who had experience in that environment so I'm very happy. I would have loved to work in a more clinical setting taking bloods etc but I'm so happy to work here and I really hope I can just make people's stay better as this is providing care in an environment where you're involved in a longer recovery processes. I'm excited :-)


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Do you have any advice getting a NA or HCA position? Ive applied for so many positions on NHS website?

Do you have any advice getting a NA or HCA position? Ive applied for so many positions on NHS website?

I have been looking at GEM courses, and I'm going to use 3 of my options for them, but I'm not hopeful about the competition. I'm looking at graduating next year with a 1st class degree in Biomedical Science, and I'm easily in the 90th percentile of my year there, but my A levels are dire, as I had a very turbulent home environment during those years, and my UKCAT is only 653 (2610), which Isn't terrible in general, but doesn't look promising for GEM. I've been volunteering 5/6 days out of the week at a local hospice all summer, and looking to start in an A+E ward at my local university hospital, I'm also secretary of our uni's LINKS unit and a First aider, and I have other numerous roles of responsibiliy/ awards from my university, and I'd been a carer for my mum from the age of 9. But I agree, the funding available just doesn't touch the reality of the tuition fees. It's wrong that financial backgrounds govern who can and can't achieve, more than their abilities

UKCAT can be a big hurdle. I sat it in 2013 and got straight rejections because it was low. I reapplied last year with all things the same apart from a UKCAT score and will be starting at Warwick in September. You're unlikely to get any interviews for GEM this year unfortunately, so I can see why you'd want to apply for 5 year courses. Your experience sounds really good, it's just annoying how much emphasis is placed on entrance tests. Would you consider sitting the GAMSAT or BMAT?

Do you have any advice getting a NA or HCA position? Ive applied for so many positions on NHS website?

I applied to loads and got two rejections really early but now, 6 weeks later, I have two offers. It just takes ages! I have an offer for a private hospital, which I'm going to turn down, and an NHS one. If you're struggling to find a position, it might be worth applying to a private hospital if you haven't already. I know its not exactly ideal but the pay is much better, I got offered private healthcare too, and its better than nothing! They also seem to sort stuff out much quicker. I got an interview a week after applying and an offer a week after that.

Why would working in a private hospital not be ideal? Is it because of the experience it provides is not at all similar to what you'd experience in an NHS hospital?

Hi there. What were your respective UKCAT scores? If you don't mind saying? I have really good academic credentials and plenty of work experience as I work with doctors every day in the NHS in my current role but my UKCAT wasn't as high as I had hoped. Considering taking the BMAT for Oxford instead so stressful. I got 680 average :/
Thanks

Have you tried applying for GEM courses? Yes they're more competitive, but they're a lot better financially.
I looked into 5 year funding after receiving a 5 year offer from King's after I applied for their 4 year course... Basically, I don't think it's feasible without family support. There are non government student loans, but they want expensive repayments whilst you're still studying, and the charities will offer amounts in the hundreds, not thousands.

I was considering a private student loan. I know they ask for repayment whilst studying but I will be working as an agency nurse while studying so is something that is not worrying me very much.

Hi I got 685 in 2013 (I think) and 778 in 2014. In 2013, people did ridiculously well so I'd say your 680 now is definitely worth more than mine was then. Your experience sounds really good, and the BMAT is worth a try. Do you know where else you'd like to apply?

Working whilst studying is definitely more feasible on the 5 year courses, so it's good if that works for you. The only company I found that was willing to lend £9K each year wanted a repayment of £75 a month which is ok, but for each loan you take out they'd charge that, so by 4th and 5th year, you'd be paying £300 a month which is a lot of extra money to have to try and find.

I'd just think very carefully about working in your 4-5th years, and how that will work out financially if you can't meet the work schedule. Not saying it's impossible but it'll be pushing it very close to the line of impossibility!

Is it worth committing yourself to all that extra debt and pressure, which will undoubtedly affect your academic performance in later years, for the sake of one year where you could reapply for GEM?

even if I get into GEM I would have to continue working. The good thing about agency nursing is that you choose when and where to work.

Possibly, but the difference between working to fund your maintenance loan shortfall, and working to pay your tutition fees AND cover maintenance loan shortfall, is pretty big don't you think?

No one will tell you not to do it, but it requires a lot of thought.