Graduate medicine for psychiatry
Sooo I’m about to go into my 3rd year of Psychology at the University of Kent. I got AAA at A-levels and am likely to get a first at the end of my degree.
I’ve always known I wanted to do Psychology but I guess just didn’t look into possible career paths hard enough. Psychiatry is something that is looking more and more appealing to me, but that would require doing post grad medicine.
Any insight into the pros/cons of this? Is it a terrible idea?
I’ve always known I wanted to do Psychology but I guess just didn’t look into possible career paths hard enough. Psychiatry is something that is looking more and more appealing to me, but that would require doing post grad medicine.
Any insight into the pros/cons of this? Is it a terrible idea?
Original post by raffkhal
Sooo I’m about to go into my 3rd year of Psychology at the University of Kent. I got AAA at A-levels and am likely to get a first at the end of my degree.
I’ve always known I wanted to do Psychology but I guess just didn’t look into possible career paths hard enough. Psychiatry is something that is looking more and more appealing to me, but that would require doing post grad medicine.
Any insight into the pros/cons of this? Is it a terrible idea?
I’ve always known I wanted to do Psychology but I guess just didn’t look into possible career paths hard enough. Psychiatry is something that is looking more and more appealing to me, but that would require doing post grad medicine.
Any insight into the pros/cons of this? Is it a terrible idea?
I think if you can get over the initial hurdle of getting into graduate entry medicine* (difficult but achievable), your pathway to psychiatry is actually quite a bit easier than attempting to becoming a clinical psychologist. Whilst it's fine to be into psychiatry, make sure you're interested in medicine as a complete package first and foremost since it will probably be at least six years before you can start doing psychiatry full time.
Your academic background sounds good. Have you done any medical work experience or volunteering?
*This is what you mean. Postgraduate medicine is something entirely different and for people who are already qualified doctors.
Original post by Democracy
I think if you can get over the initial hurdle of getting into graduate entry medicine* (difficult but achievable), your pathway to psychiatry is actually quite a bit easier than attempting to becoming a clinical psychologist. Whilst it's fine to be into psychiatry, make sure you're interested in medicine as a complete package first and foremost since it will probably be at least six years before you can start doing psychiatry full time.
Your academic background sounds good. Have you done any medical work experience or volunteering?
*This is what you mean. Postgraduate medicine is something entirely different and for people who are already qualified doctors.
Your academic background sounds good. Have you done any medical work experience or volunteering?
*This is what you mean. Postgraduate medicine is something entirely different and for people who are already qualified doctors.
Ahh okay thanks for correcting me
In what way is it easier doing graduate entry medicine then psychiatry over clinical psychology?
I do have some experience as a volunteer for a research project undertaken at my university using some EEG techniques but I’m not sure whether this counts as medical related
Original post by nexttime
Are you prepared to do 6 intensive years of study and work, of which perhaps only 5% will actually be psychiatry?
Honestly the thought of doing more schooling sounds a lot more appealing than going into work for me or specialising into something I’m not sure that I want to do, haha
Original post by raffkhal
Ahh okay thanks for correcting me
In what way is it easier doing graduate entry medicine then psychiatry over clinical psychology?
In what way is it easier doing graduate entry medicine then psychiatry over clinical psychology?
Clinical psychology post graduate programs are much more competitive than grad med, there's too many applicants and so few spaces. I've known of people who have applied every year for 3-5 year's to get into clinical psychology programmes. I'll be honest, that was one of the reasons why I left psychology and the prospect of becoming a clinical psychologist and decided to just stick to science and industry work.
Original post by raffkhal
Ahh okay thanks for correcting me
In what way is it easier doing graduate entry medicine then psychiatry over clinical psychology?
I do have some experience as a volunteer for a research project undertaken at my university using some EEG techniques but I’m not sure whether this counts as medical related
In what way is it easier doing graduate entry medicine then psychiatry over clinical psychology?
I do have some experience as a volunteer for a research project undertaken at my university using some EEG techniques but I’m not sure whether this counts as medical related
As I understand it, clinical psychology is a field where you have to remain consistently competitive whereas once you get into GEM your path to psychiatry is pretty straightforward (psychiatry training remains very uncompetitive). Happy to be corrected if I'm wrong.
Original post by mediclyfe
Clinical psychology post graduate programs are much more competitive than grad med, there's too many applicants and so few spaces. I've known of people who have applied every year for 3-5 year's to get into clinical psychology programmes. I'll be honest, that was one of the reasons why I left psychology and the prospect of becoming a clinical psychologist and decided to just stick to science and industry work.
Original post by Democracy
As I understand it, clinical psychology is a field where you have to remain consistently competitive whereas once you get into GEM your path to psychiatry is pretty straightforward (psychiatry training remains very uncompetitive). Happy to be corrected if I'm wrong.
Thank you both for your replies, they were a big help
I went into GEM after studying psychology and am now a psychiatry trainee; happy to answer any specific questions you might have.
Original post by Sinatrafan
I went into GEM after studying psychology and am now a psychiatry trainee; happy to answer any specific questions you might have.
Hello! Thanks for your reply
How difficult is it to get into a GEM programme? Should I anticipate the chance of rejection/form a plan B other than medicine?
Did you sit the GAMSAT? it sounds dreadful, and I'm not sure whether I'd be better off simply applying to schools that don't require it
I would ideally take a year out after my psychology degree to get as much work experience as possible. In your opinion, what kind of work experience would be best to pursue?
How did you find going from a psychology degree to a medicine degree?
Apologies for the overload of questions, I honestly didn't even know this was a career path available to me until recently and I just really hope it is actually feasible for me!
No problem, happy to help and I obviously wish you the very best of luck. It’s important to bear in mind that I applied to medical school almost 10 years ago, so I’m sure things have changed a lot during that period. I sat the GAMSAT twice and it is pretty tricky; I’d allow yourself at least 3 months to prepare for it.
It certainly hasn’t got any less competitive since I applied, so realistically you need to prepare yourself for failure and accept that it may take several attempts to get in; personally, it took me two application cycles. I’m not sure of the current figures, but when I was applying <30% of applicants got a place, so it’s important to be aware of what you’re getting yourself in to.
If you’re considering a plan B should you not get a place, then I would review your motivation for medicine in general. You shouldn’t enter it on a whim, and should be prepared to take a few years to get a place if necessary. If you’re considering giving up after one unsuccessful application cycle, then the underlying motivation may realistically not be there. But fingers crossed everything goes smoothly first time!
The type of work experience is less important than what you reflect and learn from it. I think you can’t beat clinical work experience, shadowing a doctor, in order to see if you could envision yourself doing the job. Some universities like to see real commitment and ask for at least 12 months experience in a caring/support type role; so it’s important to clarify the exact requirements of the universities you wish to apply to. What is key is how you “sell” your experience at interview and on your personal statement.
The important thing is to apply smart. Some universities will accept any degree and won’t consider A levels, whilst others want a hard science with good grades in A level chemistry and biology. The key is to play to your strengths and apply to where your application is the best fit.
For me, I always enjoyed the more neuroscience/psychopharmacology/mental health aspect of my psychology degree so medicine was a great transition for me. You will be a bit behind on the science side of things compared to biomedical graduates, but it’s not difficult to catch up with a bit of work ethic and you will have strengths in other areas.
The important thing is that you enjoy all aspects of medicine from neuroanatomy to renal physiology. The reality is you’re 6 years of practicing psychiatry and those will be very long years if you don’t enjoy what you’re doing in the interim.
It certainly hasn’t got any less competitive since I applied, so realistically you need to prepare yourself for failure and accept that it may take several attempts to get in; personally, it took me two application cycles. I’m not sure of the current figures, but when I was applying <30% of applicants got a place, so it’s important to be aware of what you’re getting yourself in to.
If you’re considering a plan B should you not get a place, then I would review your motivation for medicine in general. You shouldn’t enter it on a whim, and should be prepared to take a few years to get a place if necessary. If you’re considering giving up after one unsuccessful application cycle, then the underlying motivation may realistically not be there. But fingers crossed everything goes smoothly first time!
The type of work experience is less important than what you reflect and learn from it. I think you can’t beat clinical work experience, shadowing a doctor, in order to see if you could envision yourself doing the job. Some universities like to see real commitment and ask for at least 12 months experience in a caring/support type role; so it’s important to clarify the exact requirements of the universities you wish to apply to. What is key is how you “sell” your experience at interview and on your personal statement.
The important thing is to apply smart. Some universities will accept any degree and won’t consider A levels, whilst others want a hard science with good grades in A level chemistry and biology. The key is to play to your strengths and apply to where your application is the best fit.
For me, I always enjoyed the more neuroscience/psychopharmacology/mental health aspect of my psychology degree so medicine was a great transition for me. You will be a bit behind on the science side of things compared to biomedical graduates, but it’s not difficult to catch up with a bit of work ethic and you will have strengths in other areas.
The important thing is that you enjoy all aspects of medicine from neuroanatomy to renal physiology. The reality is you’re 6 years of practicing psychiatry and those will be very long years if you don’t enjoy what you’re doing in the interim.
I didn’t have any science A levels, so was learning everything from scratch. I’d say 3 months is an absolutely minimum if you have some background, but be willing to extend that time if you haven’t got much of a grounding in science already
Original post by Sinatrafan
I didn’t have any science A levels, so was learning everything from scratch. I’d say 3 months is an absolutely minimum if you have some background, but be willing to extend that time if you haven’t got much of a grounding in science already
Thanks for your reply, you've given me some things to think about! Much appreciated
Original post by Sinatrafan
I went into GEM after studying psychology and am now a psychiatry trainee; happy to answer any specific questions you might have.
can I ask about the differences between GEM graduates and the normal path to become a psychiatrist?
and is GEM certificate is accepted worldwide to do any speciality and changing it whenever I want?
thank you in advance
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