Information on medicine

TheCenturion · 7 Aug 2009 at 18:19

D.P. said:
You will need straight As and lots of work experience.

Yeah, the results aren't the worry for me. I reckon with hard work and effort the A*AAA is achievable.

The problem is the other things they're looking for: experience, a real thirst for knowledge, d of e, other hobbies etc.

frosty03 · 7 Aug 2009 at 18:26

One of the things that ANY aspiring doctor needs to be aware of

The current "anti-doctor" media carp will likely continue. The morale of the profession is being hammered by Chinese dripping water torture, by the incessant stories about fat cat doctors. It is unlikely to change, even with a change in Government.

You'll be perceived as "another shipman", and the GMC will continue to be the sword of damocles hanging over your entire career. Every year you have to "prove" you're not "another shipman".

Your pay will likely be very poor. Circa 18/hour, for the next 7-9years POST graduation, and after which, your starting consultant salary will be around 70k-80/year (yes, LOWER than what it is now). And that will be you for life. Did i mention your 45k of debt on graduation?

So, to sum up.
Hounded by the media. Perceived to be another serial killer (or terrorist if you're not white) by everybody. GMC out to "get you". Carp pay for what you do, but joe public thinks you earn too much. And when you try to do the BEST for your patients, Manager will say NO (the way things are going).

Do consider very carefully, and speak to some juniors before you sign up.

TheCenturion · 7 Aug 2009 at 18:29

just looking at a BMAT paper and it doesn't seem too bad

only thing is I'll have to improve my speed in the next 3 years

Psypher5 · 7 Aug 2009 at 19:08

Nitefly said:
*shudder*

and whats wrong with tsr? my gf lives on there (like i do here really) and helps as much as she can, gets helped equally and has no quibbles about it.

Cornholio. · 7 Aug 2009 at 22:07

Might as well add my 2 cents. If you can't get in as an undergrad, you can always do a degree in something science-related and apply for a 4-year grad degree.

That's exactly what I'm doing, but for dentistry

TheCenturion · 7 Aug 2009 at 22:08

Cornholio. said:
Might as well add my 2 cents. If you can't get in as an undergrad, you can always do a degree in something science-related and apply for a 4-year grad degree. That's exactly what I'm doing, but for dentistry

That's what I thought I might do, but there wasn't really anything else that tickled my fancy tbh.

TheCenturion · 8 Aug 2009 at 11:25

XRAY said:
Human Sciences?
Biomedical Sciences?
Anatomy?
Human Physiology?
Human Biology?
Pathology?
Cell Biology?

There are loads more. Nothing there looks interesting to you? My backup is "Human Sciences" at UCL.

I was looking at a cambridge prospectus and unfortunately they only have a few scientific subjects.

Nitefly · 8 Aug 2009 at 20:00

XRAY said:
What's wrong with thestudentroom? I've always found it pretty useful. Saved the crap out of me before my chemistry A2 exams.

Psypher5 said:
and whats wrong with tsr? my gf lives on there (like i do here really) and helps as much as she can, gets helped equally and has no quibbles about it.

Because everybody on there posts like how Ben M used to before he went to university - they feel like they have to prove themselves. In addition, around half of them have no idea what they are talking about.

It's the second worst forum on the internet, behind all Muse based ones (which tie for first place). Irritatingly pompous and a complete circle jerk.

Red Porsche · 8 Aug 2009 at 20:11

Let me get something straight, you probably wont become a doctor. For every place in medicine in UK uni's 12 people apply. To be even considered you need to take the UKCAT and BMAT exams, you cant really revise for these, they try to show the way you think and to show if your cut out for medicine.

Not only that, you need staight A's in the hardest A-levels. Chemisry and biology are requirements. A levels in itself are a challenge (well not to some keyboard warrior types). You need to know if they are the right thing for you, same for medicine tbh.

There is also an interview for most/ all medicine places,which is another hurdle.

You really need to understand how competitive it is. Only the very top % of people go on to get a place in medicine.

I would know because ive been told so by my personal tutor if you want to know.

But your only young so just knuckle down at your GCSE's and go to the best 6thform/ a level college to stand yourself in best stead and take it from a levels. You dont need to decide until the start of your second year.

Dont get too ahead of yourself, youve not even done your gcse's, how do you even think your gonna get AAAA?

Red Porsche · 8 Aug 2009 at 20:13

DP NVM.

Tefal · 8 Aug 2009 at 20:14

redporshe said:
Not only that, you need staight A's in the hardest A-levels. Chemisry and biology are requirements. A levels in itself are a challenge (well not to some keyboard warrior types). You need to know if they are the right thing for you, same for medicine tbh.

A level biology really isn't hard.

chemistry yes, biology no.

*waits to be called keybord warrior.

Red Porsche · 8 Aug 2009 at 20:28

Tefal said:
A level biology really isn't hard.

chemistry yes, biology no.

*waits to be called keybord warrior.

Fair enough if you honestly didnt find it hard, but most do. Well on the AQA spec the questions are hard to work out what they want. And also the amount of work is a lot to achieve A/A*.

And i was referring more to the TSR types

Nitefly · 8 Aug 2009 at 20:35

XRAY said:
I have to disagree with you there. You described perfectly the difficulty in getting a place in medicine which makes me wonder why you said this. I'd say that if you want a serious chance of getting in, deciding post-GCSE results is the best option. That way you have about a year and a half before you apply. This is the perfect amount of time to decide you want to practice medicine and as a result, prepare for the application process (i.e. experience/volunteer/extra-curriculars). Also, unlike other courses (though similarly to Oxbridge candidates I think), medical applications need to be in by mid-October. I don't believe that a month and a half is enough time to seriously decide you want to do medicine.

I'm not saying it would make things impossible, it would just make them damned difficult.

I concur.

Red Porsche · 8 Aug 2009 at 20:36

XRAY said:
I have to disagree with you there. You described perfectly the difficulty in getting a place in medicine which makes me wonder why you said this. I'd say that if you want a serious chance of getting in, deciding post-GCSE results is the best option. That way you have about a year and a half before you apply. This is the perfect amount of time to decide you want to practice medicine and as a result, prepare for the application process (i.e. experience/volunteer/extra-curriculars). Also, unlike other courses (though similarly to Oxbridge candidates I think), medical applications need to be in by mid-October. I don't believe that a month and a half is enough time to seriously decide you want to do medicine.

I'm not saying it would make things impossible, it would just make them damned difficult.

Sorry i didnt make that point very clear, i meant thats when you choose your courses/uni's. So you could have done all the research/open days/work exp. for several courses and still only make your mind up when your filling in your ucas form which is due in October(December for most other courses besides Dentistry/ vet.).

Red Porsche · 8 Aug 2009 at 20:37

Nitefly said:
I concur.

Why?

Nitefly · 8 Aug 2009 at 20:38

redporshe said:
Why?

I agree with what he posted.

... I thought that would be taken for granted

To best your chances, you need a related work experience, which needs to be organised well in advance. It wasn't clear what you originally meant, although you have now cleared this up.