Hi, I am thinking about applying for GEM and wanted to reach out on here to see if this could be a viable route for me.
I am 22 and in the second year of an undergraduate course, I actually go to a brand new university (called LIS) but that’s a bit by the by. In short it’s an interdisciplinary course, everything is problem based learning (focused on things like AI or climate change) and we are expected to have a broad breadth of knowledge (I’ve done bits and bobs from law, to data science, to history, to neuroscience - you get the idea).
I am on track for a 2.1 but think if I work hard from here on in I could maybe maybe scrape a 1st. There is a very good chance that I would still get a high 2.1 though.
Before starting this course I was really set on a career in healthcare, and applied and got in for both nursing and paramedic science. But neither really felt right, and I was dissuaded from medicine because my grades weren’t good enough. In the end I decided to just jump at the chance to come to a radical new university (it’s a bit like minerva in the US). I am glad that I did and have had the opportunity to study so many things in my undergrad, but don’t think I will be at all fulfilled by the kinds of jobs we’re being set up for (start ups, entrepreneurship, finance, consultancy…). So… Now I am reconsidering medicine and maybe just maybe this is something I could actually do.
My A-Levels are AAB (As in maths and philosophy, B in biology). I am thinking I could possibly retake my biology + do chemistry next year (I actually did chemistry for most of my time in sixth form but dropped without doing AS level due to work commitments at the time / covid). Is this a good idea? Is it necessary to improve my chances or will the GAMSAT be the only thing that counts??
Before I came to uni I worked for a year as a HCA in a district nursing team which was a pretty full on / realistic introduction to healthcare. I was responsible for visiting patients on my own in their homes, was trained in clinical skills like venepuncture / obs / wound care / injections, and had to communicate with GPs / physios / specialist nurses / dieticians etc to manage patients. I think this could stand me in good stead and am also hoping to get a job as a HCA in a hospital over the summer so I will have some experience of both primary and secondary healthcare. I have reflected quite a bit on my time as a HCA in the district nursing team, party because I was put in a few situations that I shouldn’t have been as an unqualified 19-year old. But think this has given me a proper taste of what it means to both advocate for yourself and your patients safety in a difficult situation. Despite this, I really enjoyed the role. Caring for people is a privilege, and I think medicine is the perfect intersection of caring, intellectual challenge, and the opportunity to perhaps help shape some of the things wrong in healthcare later on in my career. I’m particularly interested in women’s health, nutrition, mental health, and reframing healthcare for the elderly.
My current plan would be to finish the current degree, do the GAMSAT next September, then apply to start 2025. I would be 24 by the time I start. The unis I’m thinking of applying to are Cambridge, Nottingham, St Georges, Swansea and Warwick. But really I want to get into St Georges as I live in London at the moment and that is where my friends / boyfriend / sister are.
Does this sound at all doable?? I know GEM is hella competitive, and if I don’t get in I would be happy to set my sights elsewhere, perhaps as a dual qualified nurse (KCL do a combined adult and mental health program). But I really do want to give this my best shot!
Thank you so much to anyone who made it to the end of that - it’s much appreciated

xxx