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Should I attempt undergraduate medicine again or aim for GEM?

I first tried to get into medicine after A levels and I failed at getting the grades (achieved AAB). I then took a gap year, retook an A level to get an A and applied again. I again failed but this time at the interview stage. My 5th option was as an MPAS physician associate which I gladly took and I've been enjoying it but I can't help thinking about medicine. I have 2 options. 1st option is to apply this coming year for undergraduate medicine for a 3rd time. 2nd is waiting until my course is over, work a few years with a good wage to afford GEM and then apply.

I know being a doctor is what I want, I don't care about the money I'd earn, I don't care about the prestige or the title, I am in this for the right reasons. GEM might be the best financially (I'm unsure of the finances) but if I can afford it then I'd like to start as soon as possible.

Please can anyone give me advice on what to do in this situation. Any help is very appreciated.

Reply 1

Hey there, thanks for posting a question in the Medicine forum. :biggrin:

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Reply 2

Original post by georgem18493
I first tried to get into medicine after A levels and I failed at getting the grades (achieved AAB). I then took a gap year, retook an A level to get an A and applied again. I again failed but this time at the interview stage. My 5th option was as an MPAS physician associate which I gladly took and I've been enjoying it but I can't help thinking about medicine. I have 2 options. 1st option is to apply this coming year for undergraduate medicine for a 3rd time. 2nd is waiting until my course is over, work a few years with a good wage to afford GEM and then apply.
I know being a doctor is what I want, I don't care about the money I'd earn, I don't care about the prestige or the title, I am in this for the right reasons. GEM might be the best financially (I'm unsure of the finances) but if I can afford it then I'd like to start as soon as possible.
Please can anyone give me advice on what to do in this situation. Any help is very appreciated.

If I were in your position, I'd apply to undergrad as it is so much easier to get into, now you have the grades and experience. Since you have gotten interviews before, it means now it shouldn't be anything new to you sitting the ucat etc. so you already know what to do.
Many people in undergraduate medicine have applied more times than 3 and are in their mid 20s so your position isn't entirely uncommon.
Best of luck!

Reply 3

Original post by stilllearning123
If I were in your position, I'd apply to undergrad as it is so much easier to get into, now you have the grades and experience. Since you have gotten interviews before, it means now it shouldn't be anything new to you sitting the ucat etc. so you already know what to do.
Many people in undergraduate medicine have applied more times than 3 and are in their mid 20s so your position isn't entirely uncommon.
Best of luck!

Thank you very much I'll try my best and see where that takes me!

Reply 4

Original post by georgem18493
I first tried to get into medicine after A levels and I failed at getting the grades (achieved AAB). I then took a gap year, retook an A level to get an A and applied again. I again failed but this time at the interview stage. My 5th option was as an MPAS physician associate which I gladly took and I've been enjoying it but I can't help thinking about medicine. I have 2 options. 1st option is to apply this coming year for undergraduate medicine for a 3rd time. 2nd is waiting until my course is over, work a few years with a good wage to afford GEM and then apply.
I know being a doctor is what I want, I don't care about the money I'd earn, I don't care about the prestige or the title, I am in this for the right reasons. GEM might be the best financially (I'm unsure of the finances) but if I can afford it then I'd like to start as soon as possible.
Please can anyone give me advice on what to do in this situation. Any help is very appreciated.


It pretty much entirely depends on your finances. If you don't already have an undergrad degree then definitely go for that as you'll get good government financial support and it's significantly less competitive than GEM. If you do already have an undergrad degree and you cannot afford to completely self fund, then GEM has much better funding for grads. You'll only need to self fund probably about 8k for the full 4 years if you're frugal and eligible for maximum loans.

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