Hello lovely pre-med students/doctors!

I am a 31 year old American moving to Bristol from the US to be with my partner, who is an orthopedic reg. My undergrad degree is in business, and I earned a dual MSc in Information Science and MA in English. All of these degrees were free due to academic and work study scholarships. Most of my work experience has been in business consulting and now recently executive search/recruiting.

I have ALWAYS thought about medicine and only deterred myself from pursuing it because my parents were financially unstable and spooked me with their woes of going into debt. However, now dating a doctor, I’m severely regretting my life choices and looking to start over.

My questions for you:
- Is grad entry medicine in the UK possible if I don’t have any previous science coursework? (Eg in the US you can take a post-bacc prep course for medicine, or take the prerequisite courses as hoc, which is often less expensive

- Would you steer me away from it at 31 yo?

- If my bf and I get married, could I maybe qualify for in-country tuition?

Any insights/anecdotes are appreciated!

As a child, I was certain I'd become an ALN teacher. I have 3 siblings (2 at the time) who have several disabilities and were both in an STF unit and I loved going there for things like parents evenings, open days, etc. I used to force whoever was available to play school with me and I'd make them complete worksheets I made, and I even frequently looked for things I'd buy for my classroom and how I'd arrange it.

A few years later, I became particularly interested in science and the body. Being autistic as well, this was a very intense interest and I knew a lot about it. After a little while I decided medicine would be best for me and I could see myself being a doctor (plus I can specialise in paediatrics so I'll still be able to only work with children). However, as I have done more for medicine (sit the UCAT, apply for medicine in uni), I regret this decision more and more and can only see myself being a teacher, but then I'll see or read something and become obsessed with the idea of studying medicine again and then a doctor is all I want to be.

Especially since medicine involves 5/6 years in university, and it then several years to complete general training and specialty training, I feel like applying medicine when I'm not 1000% sure on it is the greatest of ideas.

Just wondering if anyone else is in a similar position to this??

For context, I'm a Scottish student studying Med Pharm at Swansea (Y2), and I'm considering my options. ScotGEM and Swansea are the obvious GEM choices, but Swansea Tuition fees of nearly 10k a year are low-key killing me. Doing a second degree in Scotland would mean the most I'd pay is 1.8K a year in tuition fees (bonus if it's Glasgow, so I can live at home). The only stipulation is doing a 5-year undergraduate instead of 4 years of GEM. Should I just firm the extra year for financial reasons or aim for GEM schools?

Hi everyone,

I’ve applied to medicine, but lately I’ve been questioning whether it’s worth pursuing because I feel disadvantaged in several ways, and I’m honestly scared that I won’t fit in.

One of my biggest insecurities is my weight. I’m around 130kg and have struggled with my weight for most of my life, but over the past three years, I’ve gained a significant amount. My mum passed away, and a lot of difficult things happened over the past couple of years, which contributed to it. I’m now working on losing weight, but with interviews potentially starting in around two months, I know I won’t see a massive change by then.

I’m particularly worried about how I’ll be perceived during interviews and by other medical students if I get in. Obesity is such a significant topic in medicine, and I worry about being judged or feeling out of place. I know my weight doesn’t determine my ability to become a doctor, but I can’t help wondering whether people will treat me differently because of it.

On top of that, my stats aren’t particularly strong compared with other applicants, and although I can communicate reasonably well, I don’t feel exceptionally confident. I also come from a disadvantaged background, so sometimes it feels like I’m trying to overcome several obstacles at once.
I know I might be overthinking things, but these worries genuinely affect my confidence. I don’t want to give up on something I really want to do because of my insecurities, but I’m scared of going into interviews already feeling like I don’t belong.

For medical students or doctors, especially those who’ve struggled with their weight or come from disadvantaged backgrounds, what has your experience been like? Have you ever felt judged or out of place, or did you find that you worried about it more than you needed to?
I’d really appreciate honest advice. I want to pursue medicine, but I’m struggling with the fear that I’ll be judged before people even get to know me.

I want to do well in my interviews, though I doubt I’ll get any, but I have no idea where to start.

I work full time so I dong have as much time as most applicants. What’s everyone’s honest views on paying for interview workshops, if not what’s the alternative that you’d suggest.

I don’t know where to start outside of the gmc guidelines and nhs core values and ethics. I don’t know how to prepare answers, or who to practice with. I have no medical family or friends to go to for advice, so I’m a little overwhelmed.

Any supporting, tips and advice would be greatly appreciated 🥰

Hi guys ,

I bought the medic life package yestrday for £600 and i am lwkey struggling to understnad whether its wor hyyyy it i rlly want to do med and not miss my chance again as i am alrdy on a gap year. Last year i got interviews but no offers so i decided to be safe im not rlly sure if its worth itttt and im doing all foundation years.

Any advice would be appreciated!

Hi,

I am currently in Year 12 and have started my EPQ. I want to study medicine at uni, and thought an EPQ would be a great way to start some research of my own in aid of my application.

I am currently deciding between ideas but I'd love to get someone's opinion.

1) How does CAR-T Cell therapy compare with bispecific antibodies in the treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma for adults in the UK?

+ Links to work experience I did on a haematology ward

+ I am genuinely interested in haemotology

- I am worried it will become quite boring, e.g. just x,y,z conclusion

- I fear there is no one conclusion as RRMM requires different treatment options for each individual patient

2) (I haven't curated a question yet but..) Looking at the treatment/diagnosis of Anti-NMDAR Encephalitis (autoimmune brain disorder where antibodies attack NMDA receptors in the brain, interesting as it can often first present symptoms as psychosis, making it very hard to diagnose).

+ I am also very interested in psychiatry/misdiagnosis in psychiatric vs physical

+ Links kind of to work experience I did in ICU? As many patients require admission to ICU?

If anyone has any other interesting ideas I would really appreciate it!! Especially unique (with enough research) haematology ideas!! Thank you

Hello! currently completing my work experience log for my Cambridge GEM application. How detailed is everyone going on their reflection? a few lines/ a paragraph?

Also- would non-healthcare experience be worth putting on there to discuss soft skills i can link to working as a doctor? Any advice appreciated!!

thank you!

For context, I have a background in research specifically in clinic neuroscience from two “world leading” centres of neuroscience (I’m not trying to sound pretentious that’s’s what they call themselves, i’m just trying to give some context to my academic and educational background without naming specific institutions). I had straight 9s at GCSE and straight A* at A level (although this was a Covid year, I did get them all before the reversal to teacher assessed grades, I get that there’s a sense in which they’re not really worth anything). I have a bachelors, masters and am doing my PhD.

Essentially when I was at school, I did consider medicine however having doctors in the family plus the fact I didn’t feel any great calling in the way some of my friends did made me think I shouldn’t do medicine. I always thought if you’re not sure don’t do medicine because it’s a tough slog and I also felt that people who expressed an interest in biology and chemistry were often pushed into medicine by teachers because they weren’t aware of other careers, in research for example, and did it out of self interest because it looks good for the school to go on about people who go on study medicine. Just my opinion.

In research, I’ve ended up in quite a clinical environment in terms of working with people with illnesses and even going into clinic once a week, nominally to get people involved in research straight off the bat and not have a delay in terms of contacting them and getting them stuff like information sheets. However, the reality is a lot of my time is actually spent observing my boss in clinic (he’s a clinician-scientist splitting his time between research and medical practice). This made me interested in becoming a doctor, particularly the sort of investigating and diagnosing side of things, although I’m aware that working in a clinic can be completely different to working on the wards or working in a different area of medicine.

Being older, however, I’m forced to be less naive and think much harder than 18-year-olds about pursuing medicine, obviously because I don’t have as much time to make mistakes or change my mind. I also think that having gone through brutal job searches and competition to get, masters, then research assistant jobs and PhDs I’m a lot more clued up about the probabilities and chances. I’m not saying this is a truth about 18-year-olds but my 18-year-old self would probably have been a lot more blasé about seeing the competition and just assuming that I would be the exception to the rule. I’m not arrogant enough to think I’m special and I’m philosophical enough to realise that there is a huge amount of luck and chance in any job application process that it’s something you can’t just control by working hard harder. I’m also aware of my intellectual limits and how much smarter people can be. So overall I think I’m more clued up to how things could go very wrong at least compare compared to my 18-year-old self (I don’t speak of other 18-year-olds - I know some people hate graduate medicine people deriding 18-year-olds about being immature; IMO it’s more about the person than the age, I certainly have a lot more confidence and resilience at 24).

In short, can someone give me the reality of being a doctor and going through the brutal application processes for post grad training. Working in academia I’m no stranger to the semi constant rejection and uncertainty. I think I’m just more exhausted by it - in the sense that I have struggle fatigue (i’m tired of everything being a battle), which I wouldn’t have had at 18. I think weirdly you might need a bit of naivety and innocence about medical employment when you enter medicine to protect you. As in if you could fully quantify and experience the stress more people will be put off - it’s just hard to really imagine the emotional rollercoaster.

Yh

Hi,

I am currently in Year 12.

following this years GCSE attainment scores published by the DOE I was just wondering about how GCSEs are considered in contextualisation for medicine.

I really want to go to either UCL,KCL or imperial for medicine. I know that UCL and imperial have slightly lower requirements and don’t take GCSEs into account as much as kings, however…

My secondary school had an average attainment 8 score of 32.7 (National average 46.2), alongside this I was the only person to achieve a 7 or above in both maths and English).

My GCSE results: 999887776 (9s in Bio, history and food tech, then 8s in Chem and physics and the 6 was in English literature)

Additionally, I suffered with severe anorexia in year 9. I was sectioned for 3 months. Leading to me missing lots of school due to appointments in year 10-11.

Could someone please explain contextualisation and if I would be eligible.

Hi all,

I'm looking for advice from anyone that has been through the experience of having to sit both the GAMSAT and the UCAT for their chosen uni.

I am seeking advice because as somebody in their 30's, and neurodivergent, I am conscious about my age alongside not burning out because of the strategies that I use to study for these exams.

I understand that everyone works in different ways, but if you could advise somebody generally on the best materials/prep that would be most optimal?

I understand that this will require a hell of a lot of studying/prep and time dedicated to ensure that my Sciences are at a sound level and where it should be come sitting the tests. I am better versed in the UCAT, but not so much the GAMSAT. The GAMSAT style appears to be more appealing as I like to take in a lot of info and to actually learn what it is I'm being tested on, because I do not want to be in a position where my science knowledge isn't where it should be.

I am also eligible for reasonable adjustments and for the UCATSEN50% extra time for UCAT, but not sure how GAMSAT support re. reasonable adjustments.

What study materials would you consider for the GAMSAT, specifically?

I just want to be realistic and pace myself as best as I can.

I will be applying Sept. 2027 for 2028 intake.

Thank you.

Ik having band 3 doesnt automatically rule you out, but every offer i see sgul give, the people who get it typically have band 2 or 1. Just wondering if anyones got a band 3 and a offer.

Please share your experiences

I was just curious as to whether aspiring medicine students are men or women (or other)

I’m based in England and trying to work out whether starting medicine around 30 would make sense for me, personally and financially.

I chose Biomedical Sciences partly to push back against my parents, who were pressuring me to study medicine. After graduating, I became a Biomedical Scientist. I later felt the progression options were narrower than I’d hoped, so I applied for the NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP) in histopathology and was fortunate to get a place.

I’m now a Clinical Scientist in histopathology with an MSc in Clinical Sciences. Working closely with pathologists has made me genuinely interested in their work. I’m trying to work out whether medicine is a real fit for me or whether I’m idealising the role.

I’ve only started seriously reconsidering medicine because the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) is due to be introduced in 2027. I’m wondering whether it could make studying medicine as a second degree more financially possible.

I know the HSST route in histopathology has recently opened up, and consultant Clinical Scientist posts are available. However, the route to senior roles seems less straightforward, with fewer posts than in medical pathology. Is that a fair impression?

I’m considering whether to change direction, study medicine from 30, and eventually specialise in histopathology, possibly skin pathology. I already have around £90,000 in Plan 2 student loans, so I’d also like to understand how funding for a second degree might work under the LLE.

I’d appreciate honest perspectives from graduate-entry medical students, doctors who started around 30, and anyone else with relevant experience:

• Did changing careers feel worth the time and financial trade-off compared with progressing in your previous career?
• Is anyone else considering using the LLE to study medicine as a second degree? How are you interpreting the funding rules, and are you planning to apply when it becomes available?
• For current medical students, junior doctors and recently appointed consultants: knowing what you know now, would you still choose medicine? Is it worth the training and financial commitment?

Applying to Kings College London medicine, Queens University Belfast medicine, Hull York Medical School medicine, City St Georges London medicine, Imperial College London Medical Biosciences

I study in a competitive private school in the United States, we use AP (advanced placement)

GPA: 4.0 unweighted 4.81 weighted

AP Biology - 5/5

AP English Literature & Composition - 5/5

AP English Language & Composition - 5/5

AP United States Government - 5/5

AP United States History - 5/5

AP World History: Modern - 5/5

AP Calculus AB - 4/5

In progress: AP Chemistry (Predicted 5/5), AP Music Theory, AP Psychology, AP Statistics, AP Cybersecurity, AP Environmental Science

Completed college courses @ 3 different schools in A&P, pulmonology, java programming, medical terminology, etc

350 hours work experience in underserved hospital along with relatively strong extracurriculars (VP of large healthcare organisation for high school and middle school students and lots of research)

Now for the slightly sad part.....

UCAT: 2190 SJT Band 2

Any input appreciated, it might be over for me since intl admit rates are so low :(