Mature student pursuing medicine

Hi, I am a soon-to-be Biomed graduate looking to pursue medicine. I do not have great A levels and I am considering doing them again.

I am currently leaning towards applying for the undergraduate degree which is usually 5 years, there is limited funding available so I am going to have to save up a lot. I think this will give me time to get clinical experience, improve my knowledge about the field and improve my application.

I am looking to connect with other mature students pursuing medicine and hopefully build a good network/support system.

Where are you in your journey and what are you thinking about doing next?

Why aren't you applying for graduate entry medicine?

I'm a mature applicant (30) applying to GEM after 7 years as a BMS!

Hi, nice to meet you virtually. Congratulations on applying. I am thinking of working as a BMS too. How did you find the application process and your journey?

As a BMS or my med application?

I meant your med application.

Haha well I'll let you know when I actually submit my application! I've just been focusing on the UCAT because I've decided to avoid the GAMSAT like the plague and the UCAT style tests seem to work to my strengths. Luckily I have some (historical) shadowing experience that I can reflect on and I've completed the BSMS virtual work experience to top it up. What about you?

Bruh just tough out the GAMSAT. It's so worth it. I had 0 offers applying with a UCAT to 5 year courses, even with a 7th decile UCAT. First go with GAMSAT and I get 2 offers + 1 waitlist (probs would have been an offer if I didn't withdraw)

Good luck with your application! Are you planning on applying this year?

I don't blame you, I am not keen on sitting the GAMSAT either. Bring on the BMAT and UCAT. I hope your UCAT studying is going well. What do you mean by historical shadowing? and have you got any clinical experience?

I am about to graduate, I did a placement year and have an IBMS-accredited degree so I plan on working as a BMS before applying. It is going to be quite a long road but I am so up for the journey.

Congrats on your offers!

Wow, Thanks for sharing a different perspective I'm going to do more research into the GAMSAT and what unis accept it. I noticed a lot of people tend to do the UCAT or BMAT but stay away from the GAMSAT because it is a lot of work but so is med school, (with even more work). Have you started med school yet and if so how are you finding it?

Bruh just tough out the GAMSAT. It's so worth it. I had 0 offers applying with a UCAT to 5 year courses, even with a 7th decile UCAT. First go with GAMSAT and I get 2 offers + 1 waitlist (probs would have been an offer if I didn't withdraw)

Yeah, I'm applying in September. By historical, I mean it was about 2-3 years ago and I was invited to ward rounds while doing Point of Care training and I sat in on the Haematology and Lipid clinics which were run by the pathology Consultants.

I really enjoy being a BMS but personally, once you become a Specialist BMS (like I am), the only way up after that is to become a Senior/Lab Manager and that career path isn't for me because I enjoy "bench work" too much! But you're just starting out, so I think you'll enjoy it too!

I believe the option to sit GAMSAT this September may have expired for normal fees so you might have to catch the late registration. There probably isn't enough time to do the GAMSAT well, but if you get the UCAT out the way, you could give the GAMSAT a "trial run" with the aim of applying next year if you don't secure A100 offers this year. You could also risk doing the GAMSAT and applying to GAMSAT unis, but you'd apply blindly without knowing your results, so it's a risk you'd have to weigh up.

Hi, I am a soon-to-be Biomed graduate looking to pursue medicine. I do not have great A levels and I am considering doing them again.

I am currently leaning towards applying for the undergraduate degree which is usually 5 years, there is limited funding available so I am going to have to save up a lot. I think this will give me time to get clinical experience, improve my knowledge about the field and improve my application.

I am looking to connect with other mature students pursuing medicine and hopefully build a good network/support system.

Where are you in your journey and what are you thinking about doing next?

Thanks for the kind words. I would encourage you to spend half a day on research and seriously consider the GAMSAT. I know, I was just like you, and the idea of a 6 hour exam seemed too much. It was the best decision I made. I took some interview preparation from Medic Mind tutors and that was enough to secure offers. If you decide to do GAMSAT, you're free to PM me and I'll offer any tips I have. GAMSAT is indeed a lot of work but you can strategically place emphasis on certain sections to make the workload less. I will be starting GEM this august