Been mulling medicine over for a few years, but done very little till now.
Interested in anyones view of the following;
40 yr old UK
BEng 3rd Class Hons Scottish Uni - graduated 1990
5 Scottish Highers 4A+B incl maths, chemistry both A. No Biology not even O Grade.
As far as I can see from looking around on the web - I might be falling between 2 stools.
1. My degree is too low to be accepted anywhere - ie it's not a 2nd.
2. But the fact that I have a degree rules me out of the alternate access options.
Anyone offer any thoughts or experience?
R
Posted by: OCD
Date: Sun, 10-Sep-2006 8:30 AM
Total Posts: 4
From your qualifications I agree that your degree falls below par for graduate entry course requirements. Being English i have no idea if your Highers are "good enough" for 5 year course entry and a lack of biology may be a big problem. In addition your degree is post-highers so that will cast a shadow, unless there are exceptional circumstances for the third class.
Obviously you are going to be one of the oldest applicants so you need to act relatively quickly. Entry for over 40s is rare but possible. I think your best bet is an Access to Medicine course. Kings Lynn is the best known. They do accept graduates and I know people with thirds have got into med school via this route. You have missed out on 2006 entry.
Good luck if this is really what you want to do. Don't forget competition is severe for med school entry and you need to demonstarte real enthusiasm and passion as it is a long hard slog for many years.
Posted by: hannah
Date: Sun, 10-Sep-2006 6:46 PM
Total Posts: 25
Hi,
I think OCD is right really. Your biggest problem is your qualifications. I would say that an access course might not be the best option for you though as time is not on your side and they offer no guarantee that you will be offered a place. You would also have to survive without an income for a year which isn't easy.
I think your best bet would be to look into 6 year courses. These offer a foundation year and then a guaranteed place on a 5 year course providing you pass the first year. I think you need to contact med schools asap and find out what they think your chances are for this type of course.
It might also help to do some A levels at evening classes or by distance learning (not as painful as it sounds). I don't think you actually need extra A levels to prepare for med school and most don't care about biology but it may just help to make your application look better. But having these A levels can make you ineligable for some 6 year courses so it's worth checking this out first.
I'd send an email to every med school in the country and see what they say. You may be eligible for some of the normal 5 year courses too.
Beyond qualifications, it is really important that you have lots of work experience - NHS work, charity work etc etc.
But don't be put off - there are plenty of people who have got into medical school later in life (the oldest person in our year is in their 40s). Getting in is the hardest part, after that it's all a piece of cake :)
Good luck and let us know what responses you get....
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