GRADUATE Medicine Questions

hello there howya getting on love:?
Im a first year pharmacy student happy with my course but seriously considering GradMED.In ireland it is at the moment easier to get into than undergrad..so its likely atm I will apply come the time.The same goes for uk despite it being more competitive than undergrad.uk is much cheaper at present to study in however and I wonder could you give me any advice on how to improve my application?I understand I should aim/fight for a 1.1 worst case get a 2.1 but is there anythign else I should do?perhaps volunteer or something like that:?

It is likely due to the shape of training review which means GMC registration could move from end of fy1 to graduation, which means current GEM programmes wouldn't fulfil the study hour required to recognised as a medical degree.

1. Get a First (easier said than done I know!)
2. Get published - big brownie points
3. Work Experience in Medicine
4. Teamwork
5. Leadership skills
6. Stress Relief (what do you do for fun)
7. Teaching

These are the type of things they are looking for

hello there howya getting on love:?
Im a first year pharmacy student happy with my course but seriously considering GradMED.In ireland it is at the moment easier to get into than undergrad..so its likely atm I will apply come the time.The same goes for uk despite it being more competitive than undergrad.uk is much cheaper at present to study in however and I wonder could you give me any advice on how to improve my application?I understand I should aim/fight for a 1.1 worst case get a 2.1 but is there anythign else I should do?perhaps volunteer or something like that:?

I've read the thread so far and cannot recommend enough that you apply as an undergraduate.

They are transforming the entire medical training pathway (from medical student to applying for consultancy) and it might be entirely different in 3/4 years to now.

I would keep biology and chemistry going and apply for undergrad courses.

Just to weigh in here, I honestly doubt that the GMC will move registration to the point of graduation.

Hi,
Pharmacy is a really popular course as far as I know. Why would you say it's easier to get into GradMed than undergrad? How much does it cost a year to study in Ireland? Plus don't you get any funding? I'm just curious; if you could answer any of my questions it would be really helpful

Hi,
Sorry but I didn't really understand what you're saying. What does the GEM and GMC stand for? And what do you mean by the 'GMC moving registration to the point of graduation?' Registration for what? If you could answer my questions I'd feel a little more clued in! Thanks

Hi,
Sorry but I didn't really understand what you're saying. What does the GEM and GMC stand for? And what do you mean by the 'GMC moving registration to the point of graduation?' Registration for what? If you could answer my questions I'd feel a little more clued in! Thanks

Registration is where you are registered with the GMC as a fully qualified doctor, currently you are only able to register with the GMC after completing a year (it might be two, unsure) of foundation training as a doctor, often referred to as your FY1. Moving it to the point of graduation would be a pointless and ridiculous move, in my opinion.

Why would it be pointless?
After studying a degree in medicine, most (probably ALL) students expect to gain registration with the GMC. As things are going, there are more and more applicant's than there are F1 positions, in the past years, they have barely found places for everyone graduating, however that may not be the case in the future.
By moving it to graduation, everyone gets registered and therefore everyone that graduates will be fit to practice.

Now I'm not supporting it if it moves, because it'll be the end of GEP!! Just saying...

There will always be people who don't want to register with the GMC, though, and doing it at graduation may not be totally fair. I think a better alternative is to reduce the amount of places on the standard 5 year courses, and you've also got to remember that not everyone who graduates will be fit to practice, I think the foundation years are very important in weeding those out who just aren't cut out for the job who slip through the net at medical school. As far as ending the GEM goes.. that's just silly, many fantastic medics who, for whatever reason, didn't or couldn't do the standard courses will essentially miss out, unless medical schools alter admissions criteria for the 5 year courses so graduates can apply without the standard requirements and that they don't have to be self-funded for the first 4 years.

And the problem lies not just with the GMC, but with the EU, and uk may be forced to comply whether we like it or not.
Also with the funding, it isn't up to the GMC or medical schools, that's to do with student finance. (Yes medical schools could lower the tuition fees, but that's never going to happen!)

Hi,
I will try to continue with both. It really depends on my AS grades. You said they are changing the pathway but how? What do you think they will change and why

Hi,
Sorry but I didn't really understand what you're saying. What does the GEM and GMC stand for? And what do you mean by the 'GMC moving registration to the point of graduation?' Registration for what? If you could answer my questions I'd feel a little more clued in! Thanks

Be very careful with dropping Chemistry at A2. Some places may (even as a graduate) ask for A2 chemistry to have been completed, regardless of having a degree.

Medical school will teach you the biology you need to know, they won't always teach you the chemistry (assuming you already know it from A levels).

Hi,
Thanks for the heads up. Are there any specific places you know of that still require A2 Chemistry as a graduate? I've not really come across any university specifically asking for A2 Chemistry as a graduate. It would be helpful if you could tell me of any you kn

Leicester are stopping their graduate entry programme after this year so don't base your decision on them. Either of those degrees will likely be good enough for most if not all programmes. Plus at the moment there are a good proportion of graduate entry programmes that accept humanities degrees.

You need to pick a degree you would be happy studying for 3 years.

Fascinating. Is there any particular reason as to why St George's and Leicester are cutting down numbers or all together?

The general consensus is it is due to the shape of training review. If graduation becomes the point at which you become fully qualified, unlike the end of fy1 as it stands now, then GEM courses don't meet the required hours needed in Europe to constitute a medical degree.