Official Thread: Graduate Entry Medicine 2023 Entry

Hey folks!

I'm starting to explore the idea of graduate entry medicine and I'm a bit lost as to what the best steps should be in order to decide whether it's something I really want to do. Hopefully this is the right thread to post in - or perhaps you might be able to direct me to where I should post?

Some background:
I graduated with a first class theology degree in 2017. I'd started to become interested in medicine and the body from a humanities perspective during my final two years of my degree, and wrote my dissertation about chronic pain (obviously in relation to religion!). Since then I've toyed with the idea of studying medical anthropology, but cost/lack of real-life applicability have kept me from taking the plunge. However, I've continued to read around the subject, albeit always from a humanities perspective.

Then in the past 6 months, in an odd professional twist, I've found myself editing Biology and Physics textbooks for English second language speakers. While my job is about the English content, I've really enjoyed being reminded/retaught the Biology that I learnt at school - it definitely seems much more interesting to me now! I dropped all science and maths after GCSE and was very much a humanities students. I always thought that science wasn't for me, but I can see that might not actually be the case.

GEM 2023 entry:
These two things combined have made me start to consider in a more real way applying for graduate entry medicine. However, I'm unsure of the best ways to become clear about making this decision. If I were to start studying in 2023 I would already be 29! While I'm aware that that is not too late, it definitely makes me want to try and be as sure as possible about my decision.

Next steps:
From what I've gathered from my research so far, I think the three things I really need to do are:
1) Get some experience in a health care setting, whether voluntary or paid.
- I'm a bit worried that being slightly older and without a health care background will be a disadvantage. I'm not sure if my application would be taken seriously. On the other hand, I'm not sure that I want to take a professional shift without being sure that that is what I want to persue.

2) Study some science
- From my research, it seems like most places that accept humanities graduates don't need you to have science A-levels. However, I wonder if this would be good preperation? For example, to complete Biology and chemistry A levels.
- Alternatively, I could just prepare for the GAMAT, but then that seems very specialised, when I'm still testing the waters of what I want to do.

3) Talk to others who have entered GEM in their late twenties.
- Does anyone know where I could find people who have followed this route? A lot of GEM seems to be people straight out of university, which is obviously quite a different pathway to starting when you're nearly 30!
- Is there anyone else following this pathway whose a bit older? I'd love to hear how you're preparing?

In general I'd love to hear from others about their process in deciding to persue medicine and their backgrounds, particularly those who also come from a humanities background

Hello! I'm planning on applying to study graduate entry medicine in 2 yrs - I'm about to start my final year of adult nursing, then I intend on working in infectious disease for 1 yr, then applying for GEM. I already know which uni's I'll be applying to, just want to make sure I can prep as thoroughly as possible for the entrance exam, so any advice is very welcome!! Thanks!

Hi,

I'm currently doing my BSc in Mathematics at UCL (in my 2nd year), and I'm considering applying for Graduate Entry Medicine.

A Levels: Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry, Physics - A*A*A*A*
GCSEs: Maths, English Literature, English Language, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Computer Science, French, Religious Studies, Further Maths, Music - 3 9s, 6 A*s, 1 A^, 1 B
I haven't done any relevant work experience so far, but I do think I have some connections in place for me to arrange something in the future.
I think I'm on track for getting a 2:1, but I'm waiting for my latest exam results to gauge this better.
(I am a UK student)
My plan would be to take a year out, once I've finished my BSc, to complete necessary work experience and focus on doing well on the UCAT etc, and then apply to anywhere that would take me.

Any advice for me? - Is this realistic, do I actually stand a chance of getting in, where could I apply, how competitive are the places?

In terms of places to apply to, so far all I've seen is Sheffield. I'd like to stay as close to Sheffield/Doncaster as possible as then I have a chance at living at home whilst studying, which would save me a ton of money.

Thanks in advance!

Hi,

I'm currently doing my BSc in Mathematics at UCL (in my 2nd year), and I'm considering applying for Graduate Entry Medicine.

A Levels: Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry, Physics - A*A*A*A*
GCSEs: Maths, English Literature, English Language, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Computer Science, French, Religious Studies, Further Maths, Music - 3 9s, 6 A*s, 1 A^, 1 B
I haven't done any relevant work experience so far, but I do think I have some connections in place for me to arrange something in the future.
I think I'm on track for getting a 2:1, but I'm waiting for my latest exam results to gauge this better.
(I am a UK student)
My plan would be to take a year out, once I've finished my BSc, to complete necessary work experience and focus on doing well on the UCAT etc, and then apply to anywhere that would take me.

Any advice for me? - Is this realistic, do I actually stand a chance of getting in, where could I apply, how competitive are the places?

In terms of places to apply to, so far all I've seen is Sheffield. I'd like to stay as close to Sheffield/Doncaster as possible as then I have a chance at living at home whilst studying, which would save me a ton of money.

Thanks in advance!