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Graduate Entry Medicine (A101) 2021 Entry

Hi guys, I'm Gina, I'm 21 and I am about to start my 1st year of biomedical science at Northumbria, and I will be applying for GEM in 2020, for 2021 entry. I know I am way in advance here, but there is no harm in starting early right? :smile:
I'd like to find other GEM hopefuls for '21 entry too so we can ride this crazy wave that is GEM together!
If you'd like, I'd be interested to find out what kinds of backgrounds we all come from, Universities, age, interests, degree's etc - that sort of thing.
I look forward to hearing from some of you!

Gina :smile:

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Original post by Volibear
This thread may end up getting a bit lost with time haha


It's worth a shot anyway :smile:
Original post by jjjyasmion
Hey! im in the same position starting my degree in Biomed in september and im looking ahead to planning work experience and placements as i know how difficult they are to get. :smile:
Hey! Nice to meet someone else applying to ‘21 entry! Which uni are you going to? Me too! I start an A&E placement in July and hoping to do some care home volunteering over the next few years, so starting early haha. You’re not wrong about them being difficult to get lol! :smile:
(edited 5 years ago)
Reply 3
Hi. Not a GEM, but a mature that will be applying to 2020 for 2021 Undergraduate entry. Currently working on my GCSE's to get them up to scratch lol. Which universities will you be applying to? Also what do you plan on doing for some work experience?
Original post by Dann.It
Hi. Not a GEM, but a mature that will be applying to 2020 for 2021 Undergraduate entry. Currently working on my GCSE's to get them up to scratch lol. Which universities will you be applying to? Also what do you plan on doing for some work experience?


Hey, thanks for replying to my thread :smile: I'm looking at applying to Newcastle, Warwick, Nottingham and Swansea :smile: I plan on doing some volunteering in a care home for a couple of hours a week over the next 2 years, GP shadowing to get an insight into primary care, and in July this year I'm doing 40 hours shadowing in A&E which i'm so excited for! What about you? I hope the GCSE's go wonderfully! :smile:
Reply 5
Original post by ginabpk
Hey, thanks for replying to my thread :smile: I'm looking at applying to Newcastle, Warwick, Nottingham and Swansea :smile: I plan on doing some volunteering in a care home for a couple of hours a week over the next 2 years, GP shadowing to get an insight into primary care, and in July this year I'm doing 40 hours shadowing in A&E which I'm so excited for! What about you? I hope the GCSE's go wonderfully! :smile:


Wow, sounds like you're going to be very busy! Well with me, I'm looking at applying to Newcastle, KCL, Glasgow, and I'm still looking for the 4th University which i can apply to; which not only accepts Access to Medicine qualifications but also doesn't put much weight on GCSEs either. But I've still got time, so at the moment it's at the back of my mind, haha.

Question:

In regards to volunteering, I've already been abroad to Africa, working in hospital clinics, and schools. But i also plan on going back again next year during the summer, before starting my access course. As-well as this, I'm going to try and get some shadowing at local GP's, and hopefully at one of the hospitals, and maybe some other things depending on my schedule. Seeing as it is, I've got to juggle all these around working FT (48hr per week),:colone: as I need to live lol, which isn't easy, but, suppose it will be worth it in the end.! :biggrin:

My GCSE's are going okay. It's actually only Mathematics which i'm ressiting ( thankfully) just to get the grade up ( already have a C). Also getting a tutor, just so i can have someone pushing me to actually revise! :colonhash::biggrin:The remaining of my GCSE's are alright, although they would still be considered 'weak' in comparison to your average med school applicant! Hence wanting to find Med schools which t doesn't really care much about GCSE's.

So what made you want to study medicine? Has it been something you wanted to do from a very young age or...? Also how did you get the shadowing in A&E....as id imagine getting some shadowing experience withinin that area is near enough impossible haha...
(edited 5 years ago)
Original post by Dann.It
Wow, sounds like you're going to be very busy! Well with me, I'm looking at applying to Newcastle, KCL, Glasgow, and I'm still looking for the 4th University which i can apply to; which not only accepts Access to Medicine qualifications but also doesn't put much weight on GCSEs either. But I've still got time, so at the moment it's at the back of my mind, haha.

Question:

In regards to volunteering, I've already been abroad to Africa, working in hospital clinics, and schools. But i also plan on going back again next year during the summer, before starting my access course. As-well as this, I'm going to try and get some shadowing at local GP's, and hopefully at one of the hospitals, and maybe some other things depending on my schedule. Seeing as it is, I've got to juggle all these around working FT (48hr per week),:colone: as I need to live lol, which isn't easy, but, suppose it will be worth it in the end.! :biggrin:

My GCSE's are going okay. It's actually only Mathematics which i'm ressiting ( thankfully) just to get the grade up ( already have a C). Also getting a tutor, just so i can have someone pushing me to actually revise! :colonhash::biggrin:The remaining of my GCSE's are alright, although they would still be considered 'weak' in comparison to your average med school applicant! Hence wanting to find Med schools which t doesn't really care much about GCSE's.

So what made you want to study medicine? Has it been something you wanted to do from a very young age or...? Also how did you get the shadowing in A&E....as id imagine getting some shadowing experience withinin that area is near enough impossible haha...


Haha, I know! I'm hoping it will all be worth it in the end! Have you checked out the Medic Portal? It provides a comprehensive run down of all medical schools/entrance exam/entry requirements etc. its really helpful for choosing a school.
Your experience sounds really good, and so rewarding. Im sure if you prioritise and plan your time, it will make it a little easier to juggle.

Oh I'm glad they're going good! Thats all I have in maths - a grade C (after about a million resits lol!) I'm sure they won't be as bad as mine, I failed every one unfortunately, but I'm sure if you find the right school, you should be good!

Err, well, when I was younger I always wanted to be a nurse, but as I have gotten older, I started to notice that I possessed more qualities of a doctor, than a nurse, and I was incredibly interested in the science that underpins medicine, so for a long time I've wanted to do medicine :smile: and I just feel that medicine is more me if you know what I mean. What about you?
As for my A&E placement, it wasn't difficult to get at all surprisingly. I'm from York, and the York District Hospital is a teaching hospital, that allows students in on work experience to shadow physicians, as part of a scheme they have I think. I simply emailed them, and they pointed me in the right direction. If you're near York and you want hospital experience, I would highly recommend you emailing them. You never know! :smile:
Original post by ginabpk
Hi guys, I'm Gina, I'm 21 and I am about to start my 1st year of biomedical science at Northumbria, and I will be applying for GEM in 2020, for 2021 entry. I know I am way in advance here, but there is no harm in starting early right? :smile:
I'd like to find other GEM hopefuls for '21 entry too so we can ride this crazy wave that is GEM together!
If you'd like, I'd be interested to find out what kinds of backgrounds we all come from, Universities, age, interests, degree's etc - that sort of thing.
I look forward to hearing from some of you!

Gina :smile:



Hi,

I though I am the only one have this question. I just finished my first year of biomedical. I thought I will apply GEM in 2019 (after 2nd year) for 2020 (I will graduate). If you get answer let me know as well please. Because I really don’t want to wait another year after graduation.
Reply 8
Hi all,

Hope that the degrees are all going well. I’m now on the other side of the GEM application process and I’m currently selling my GAMSAT materials, if anyone is interested pm me. I didn’t use the standards ones and went with Berkeley review and Examkrackers MCAT books as the reasoning skills are the same and the question banks far bigger than the available GAMSAT ones.
If anyone wants any advice (not pretending to be the guru of all things GAMSAT), I got 72 (65,79,73) on first time around so I’m happy to share the benefits of my experience if you think it’d help. I
Good luck with uni and your applications when you get there!
😊
Original post by bsy9
Hi all,

Hope that the degrees are all going well. I’m now on the other side of the GEM application process and I’m currently selling my GAMSAT materials, if anyone is interested pm me. I didn’t use the standards ones and went with Berkeley review and Examkrackers MCAT books as the reasoning skills are the same and the question banks far bigger than the available GAMSAT ones.
If anyone wants any advice (not pretending to be the guru of all things GAMSAT), I got 72 (65,79,73) on first time around so I’m happy to share the benefits of my experience if you think it’d help. I
Good luck with uni and your applications when you get there!
😊


Thank you for replying to my thread!
That is one awesome score, I bet you're super happy :smile: how did you find the exam and the preparation for it? I'm more nervous to start the prep than I am to sit the exam lol as I just don't know where or how to start! 😂
Thank you for letting us know about your materials, I might just be in touch! :smile: hope everything goes amazing for you!
Reply 10
Original post by ginabpk
Thank you for replying to my thread!
That is one awesome score, I bet you're super happy :smile: how did you find the exam and the preparation for it? I'm more nervous to start the prep than I am to sit the exam lol as I just don't know where or how to start! 😂
Thank you for letting us know about your materials, I might just be in touch! :smile: hope everything goes amazing for you!


To be honest I’m just relieved that the process is over and I’m getting DBS and medical forms sorted out for September now it’s been a long slog!

The exam is a real test of stamina and a total beast but everyone is in the same boat with it. The prep is totally overwhelming as the GAMSAT specific resources aren’t great (I’d avoid Gold Standard if I were you- I bought it, read two pages and never touched it again). Just remember it’s a test of reasoning skills, every question should give you all the information that you need to answer it if you can pick apart the weird way the questions are asked.

The best advice people gave me was that section 2 is by far the easiest to improve and pulls your average up and to play to your strengths on section 3 as you’ll end up running out of time so target your best science first, then next best and sweep up the rest (physics for me) as time runs out!

Hope this helps 😊
Original post by bsy9
To be honest I’m just relieved that the process is over and I’m getting DBS and medical forms sorted out for September now it’s been a long slog!

The exam is a real test of stamina and a total beast but everyone is in the same boat with it. The prep is totally overwhelming as the GAMSAT specific resources aren’t great (I’d avoid Gold Standard if I were you- I bought it, read two pages and never touched it again). Just remember it’s a test of reasoning skills, every question should give you all the information that you need to answer it if you can pick apart the weird way the questions are asked.

The best advice people gave me was that section 2 is by far the easiest to improve and pulls your average up and to play to your strengths on section 3 as you’ll end up running out of time so target your best science first, then next best and sweep up the rest (physics for me) as time runs out!

Hope this helps 😊


I can imagine! I’m only at the very very start and I can feel the pressure already, but so excited at the same time! Which uni are you going to? I bet you’re so excited!

I’ve heard so much that it’s a real test of stamina and it’s a long slog. I’m sitting it in March 2019 and I just want it over for that reason lol! I’m just hoping the prep won’t be too bad for me with having a good science background and whatnot. Fingers crossed!

To be perfectly honest, it’s section 2 I’m really unsure on as I’m not that imaginative as to write two essays in 1 hour 😂 but here’s hoping with practice I’ll get the hang of it!

Hope you don’t mind me asking, but what work experience did you complete? I’m just unsure of exactly how much is a decent amount. I have intentions of volunteering in a local care home a couple of hours a week between now and applying, GP shadowing, as well as having 4 night shifts shadowing in A&E already lined up for next month, as well as anything else that pops up. Just need a little point in the right direction haha!

Thank you for your advice, it’s been super helpful! ☺️
Reply 12
Original post by ginabpk
I can imagine! I’m only at the very very start and I can feel the pressure already, but so excited at the same time! Which uni are you going to? I bet you’re so excited!

I’ve heard so much that it’s a real test of stamina and it’s a long slog. I’m sitting it in March 2019 and I just want it over for that reason lol! I’m just hoping the prep won’t be too bad for me with having a good science background and whatnot. Fingers crossed!

To be perfectly honest, it’s section 2 I’m really unsure on as I’m not that imaginative as to write two essays in 1 hour 😂 but here’s hoping with practice I’ll get the hang of it!

Hope you don’t mind me asking, but what work experience did you complete? I’m just unsure of exactly how much is a decent amount. I have intentions of volunteering in a local care home a couple of hours a week between now and applying, GP shadowing, as well as having 4 night shifts shadowing in A&E already lined up for next month, as well as anything else that pops up. Just need a little point in the right direction haha!

Thank you for your advice, it’s been super helpful! ☺️


I ended up applying to St. George’s, Plymouth, Nottingham and Exeter (the good old 2:2 combination). I got interviews at them all but didn’t go to my George’s one as I couldn’t afford to live in London. Got offers from the other 3 and have taken Exeter despite it being 5 years as financially it has worked out best for me. So excited to get started!

Weirdly, even though my degree and MSc are biology I found section 3 really difficult as it’s reasoning skills that you don’t usually use! Section 2 doesn’t require you to be that imaginative if you keep practising as lots of ideas are transferable between different essay topics.

Work experience: 1 week shadowing in theatres and on wards in hospital, 1 week on wards in a specialised orthopaedic hospital, (2 weeks GP shadowing during A levels), weekly volunteering on a clinical decisions unit, first aid volunteer for St John Ambulance, 1 day in orthoptics, 1 day radiography. Work experience is not really about quantity plenty of people had faaaaaar more than me (enough that it totally freaked me out). What’s more important is reflecting on your experiences and what you’ve learned from them e.g. being able to discuss examples of good and bad practice that you’ve seen.
Original post by bsy9
I ended up applying to St. George’s, Plymouth, Nottingham and Exeter (the good old 2:2 combination). I got interviews at them all but didn’t go to my George’s one as I couldn’t afford to live in London. Got offers from the other 3 and have taken Exeter despite it being 5 years as financially it has worked out best for me. So excited to get started!

Weirdly, even though my degree and MSc are biology I found section 3 really difficult as it’s reasoning skills that you don’t usually use! Section 2 doesn’t require you to be that imaginative if you keep practising as lots of ideas are transferable between different essay topics.

Work experience: 1 week shadowing in theatres and on wards in hospital, 1 week on wards in a specialised orthopaedic hospital, (2 weeks GP shadowing during A levels), weekly volunteering on a clinical decisions unit, first aid volunteer for St John Ambulance, 1 day in orthoptics, 1 day radiography. Work experience is not really about quantity plenty of people had faaaaaar more than me (enough that it totally freaked me out). What’s more important is reflecting on your experiences and what you’ve learned from them e.g. being able to discuss examples of good and bad practice that you’ve seen.


Aw that’s amazing, congratulations! I’m so happy for you :smile:

Aw man, that makes me nervous lol, I’m really going to have to scrub up on my reasoning skills and what skills I need. But I guess this will come with practice. I suppose my saving grace is that I’m good at writing argumentative essays, so this should help me on S2.

Oh wow, that’s some really good experience! I totally get what you mean about getting freaked out; you see so many applicants with SO much experience and it totally knocks your confidence. It’s just with the likes of Nottingham making you fill out an experience questionnaire. If you don’t have an adequate amount, you’re not accepted to interview. But yet I know uni’s prefer quality over quantity! So confusing!
I’m just hoping I can get a good variety of experience so I can gain an insight into all sections of health and social care; then I can speak about these areas in interviews (if I get there lol!)
Hey I’m gonna bump this thread! But it nice to see that some others are thinking about applying for the GEM in 2021 as I thought I’m thinking way too far into the future!

I graduated back in 2016 In American Studies and History, and I am due to finish my masters degree in 2019. Even though I’m very humanities based, I don’t really see a future in the field, and Medicine has always been lying in the back of my mind especially after I did some volunteer work on a local children’s ward and I always thought the potential for studying medicine was out of my reach because I hold a non-science degree but I’m so glad I found the GEM!! I’m looking to start the GEM in 2020 or 2021 I just need to gain some more experience in the healthcare environment!

I’m looking at Nottingham and Warwick at the moment, Nottingham (well based at Derby) is definitely my number 1 as I’m studying my masters degree in Nottingham at the moment.

I’m just a bit worried about how long to study for the GAMSAT/UKCAT, I’m thinking if I finish my Masters in 2019 that entry for the GEM in 2020 May not be giving myself enough time to prepare?

And by the time 2020/21 comes around I’ll be 26/27, is that considered too old?

Again is nice to stumble across this thread and good luck to us all! :smile:
(edited 5 years ago)
Original post by laurenashton94
Hey I’m gonna bump this thread! But it nice to see that some others are thinking about applying for the GEM in 2021 as I thought I’m thinning way too far into the future!

I graduated back in 2016 In American Studies and History, and I am due to finish my masters degree in 2019. Even though I’m very humanities based, I don’t really see a future in the field, and Medicine has always been lying in the back of my mind especially after I did some volunteer work on a local children’s ward and I always thought the potential for studying medicine was out of my reach because I hold a non-science degree but I’m so glad I found the GEM!! I’m looking to start the GEM in 2020 or 2021 I just need to gain some more experience in the healthcare environment!

I’m looking at Nottingham and Warwick at the moment, Nottingham (well based at Derby) is definitely my number 1 as I’m studying my masters degree in Nottingham at the moment.

I’m just a bit worried about how long to study for the GAMSAT/UKCAT, I’m thinking if I finish my Masters in 2019 that entry for the GEM in 2020 May not be giving myself enough time to prepare?

And by the time 2020/21 comes around I’ll be 26/27, is that considered too old?

Again is nice to stumble across this thread and good luck to us all! :smile:


Hey! Thanks for bumping my thread! It's also nice to see someone planning far for the future, glad I'm not the only one :smile:
I've already started some work experience, but like you, I definitely need more. I'm currently working towards securing a place as a ward volunteer at my local hospital for the next couple of years, as well as trying to get some GP shadowing. The fact that you too already have work experience is really good!

Nottingham and Warwick are also 2 of my choices too, we can help each other when it comes to applying :wink: they're great schools, as some of my friends are doing nursing and veterinary medicine at Nottingham (and absolutely love it!), so I knew straight away I wanted to apply there. It sounds spot on for you with you already studying there too.

I'm sitting the GAMSAT in March next year, and I will be starting the revision/prep for it mid-September once I've moved into my new accommodation, so I'm hoping this is an ideal length of time. I'd always say that if you're not confident with some of the GAMSAT content, ~6 months is a good length of time. As for the UKCAT, I'm not so sure, but I intend to start around a month before, as I've heard starting too early can be detrimental.

I really wouldn't worry too much about your age when you start/apply - there's 30/40-odd year olds applying for GEM and they do amazing! There's no age limit on your dreams - go for it! You're never too old if its what you want :smile:

Good luck with your masters and subsequent medicine application! :smile:
Original post by ginabpk
Hey! Thanks for bumping my thread! It's also nice to see someone planning far for the future, glad I'm not the only one :smile:
I've already started some work experience, but like you, I definitely need more. I'm currently working towards securing a place as a ward volunteer at my local hospital for the next couple of years, as well as trying to get some GP shadowing. The fact that you too already have work experience is really good!

Nottingham and Warwick are also 2 of my choices too, we can help each other when it comes to applying :wink: they're great schools, as some of my friends are doing nursing and veterinary medicine at Nottingham (and absolutely love it!), so I knew straight away I wanted to apply there. It sounds spot on for you with you already studying there too.

I'm sitting the GAMSAT in March next year, and I will be starting the revision/prep for it mid-September once I've moved into my new accommodation, so I'm hoping this is an ideal length of time. I'd always say that if you're not confident with some of the GAMSAT content, ~6 months is a good length of time. As for the UKCAT, I'm not so sure, but I intend to start around a month before, as I've heard starting too early can be detrimental.

I really wouldn't worry too much about your age when you start/apply - there's 30/40-odd year olds applying for GEM and they do amazing! There's no age limit on your dreams - go for it! You're never too old if its what you want :smile:

Good luck with your masters and subsequent medicine application! :smile:

Fingers crossed for your work experience/volunteer post I hope you find something as it’s all going to be super useful when we come to apply for this crazy journey!

Yeah Notts and Warwick are also the 2 universities/hospital trusts that are located closest to my home town (about an hour-hour and half away), I’m thinking about steering away for applying to the London universities just because I’m not going to be able to afford the living costs there! I emailed University of Nottingham and their next GEM open day is on Saturday 6th October but details haven’t been announced so one of the course administrators are going to email me further details when they know more :smile:

Yeah 6 months sounds like a good amount of time to prepare for the GAMSAT, I really need to take time to focus on my sciences again, the only struggle maybe me completing a 20,000 word dissertation for my masters and balancing it with studying for the gamsat, so I’m going to see when may be best to sit the exam? So good luck with your planning and preparing!

Finally things are starting to look clearer for the future :smile: good luck to the rest of your university studies as well!!
(edited 5 years ago)
Original post by laurenashton94
Fingers crossed for your work experience/volunteer post I hope you find something as it’s all going to be super useful when we come to apply for this crazy journey!

Yeah Notts and Warwick are also the 2 universities/hospital trusts that are located closest to my home town (about an hour-hour and half away), I’m thinking about steering away for applying to the London universities just because I’m not going to be able to afford the living costs there! I emailed University of Nottingham and their next GEM open day is on Saturday 6th October but details haven’t been announced so one of the course administrators are going to email me further details when they know more :smile:

Yeah 6 months sounds like a good amount of time to prepare for the GAMSAT, I really need to take time to focus on my sciences again, the only struggle maybe me completing a 20,000 dissertationfor my masters and balancing it with studying for the gamsat, so I’m going to see when may be best to sit the exam? So good luck with your planning and preparing!

Finally things are starting to look clearer for the future :smile: good luck to the rest of your university studies as well!!


Thank you, I'm hoping everything goes well too as I really, really want that volunteering role, as it sounds fantastic, and very beneficial for when it comes to applying! It must be so handy having 2 great medical schools on your doorstep so to speak. I'm from York, and I'd love to apply to HYMS, but unfortunately dont do a GEM course, so you're so lucky!
Oooh, I was thinking about going to the one in October too if my timetable allows it, so I might see you there! :smile: I'm doing a science degree myself but like you, I too need to scrub up on my basic sciences to help me. It can't hurt right? I flunked my GCSE's so I didn't really take in all the information that I needed, so I figure if I brush up on it all now, it will be beneficial for the GAMSAT. Here's hoping anyway :smile: I'm more than sure you'll able balance it all, I have every faith. :tongue: I'd say the best time to sit the exam would be when you have given yourself enough time to learn the content. March sounds like a perfect time to do it IMO, but its whenever you're comfortable. Thank you so much! The hard work starts now lol! :ahhhhh:
Original post by ginabpk
Thank you, I'm hoping everything goes well too as I really, really want that volunteering role, as it sounds fantastic, and very beneficial for when it comes to applying! It must be so handy having 2 great medical schools on your doorstep so to speak. I'm from York, and I'd love to apply to HYMS, but unfortunately dont do a GEM course, so you're so lucky!
Oooh, I was thinking about going to the one in October too if my timetable allows it, so I might see you there! :smile: I'm doing a science degree myself but like you, I too need to scrub up on my basic sciences to help me. It can't hurt right? I flunked my GCSE's so I didn't really take in all the information that I needed, so I figure if I brush up on it all now, it will be beneficial for the GAMSAT. Here's hoping anyway :smile: I'm more than sure you'll able balance it all, I have every faith. :tongue: I'd say the best time to sit the exam would be when you have given yourself enough time to learn the content. March sounds like a perfect time to do it IMO, but its whenever you're comfortable. Thank you so much! The hard work starts now lol! :ahhhhh:

Yes for sure the more volunteer/health or care based work experience the better! What is your volunteer work going to entail? Well I’m from Stoke-on-Trent, my closest med school is Keele University but they only accept graduates on their 6 year course which has a health foundation year, and from 2020 they aren’t accepting graduate who don’t hold life science degree so that’s out of the question for me as I studied history 😩 but yeah Nottingham and Warwick are really not too far away from me!

Yeah I think I’ll end up going to the open day in Nottingham in October depending on Work/Uni commitments but hopefully see you there if you go Gina!

I think closer to the time I may buy some a-level science resources just to start prepping and then getting some material that is specific to the GAMSAT; I’m worried about that exam already as there is so much to it! So fingers crossed!

Ahh man I’m excited, nervous and stressed all at the same time!
I'm hoping to apply for the 2021 start if possible also.Have borrowed an old GAMSAT book from library and panicked a bit at the physics as it's really not my strong point. Hoping to sit in Sept.Here's hoping I can get my head round everything

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