New Media Medicine Forums - Medical News

Will I meet the Entry Requirements for GEM?

Posted: 30 Mar 2013 02:46 PM PDT

Hi all,

I'm really in need of somebody to talk to regarding medicine admission. I'm currently a first year student doing an undergrad course in Psychology (BSc Hons). I really had no idea that I wanted to do medicine before coming to uni, but the loss of a childhood friend made me realise I want to help others (typical clichéd reason, I'm sure).

My A-levels are poor (C, C, B) due to person reasons (chiefly watching my friend go through chemo). Anyway, I'm doing well in my degree (working around 1st and high 2:1). My experience, by the time I apply, I hope, will be as follows:

- 2 years as a mental health act manager in the NHS (working as part of a panel to assess those sectioned for mental health reasons. The job involves doctor and patient contact in many hospitals - 10+ different hospitals);

- 2 years volunteering with the Samaritans;

- 2 years volunteering with the St. John Ambulance service;

- 2 weeks shadowing experience in an Orthopaedics ward, 2 weeks in a Pharmacy in a hospital, and hopefully a few weeks on A&E reception;

- and I hope 2 weeks in a hospital in India on one of those foreign project things.

Assuming I graduate with a 2:1, do you reckon this will be okay for a medicine application?

Thanks :)

Need advice deciding on revision materials?

Posted: 30 Mar 2013 10:00 AM PDT

I know there has been many similar threads on here but I just feel lost in all the information. I am planning to sit the GAMSAT in September and wondered if people who have sat it before and done well could recommend what they think the best materials are to prepare yourself?

I have read previous threads and some say the gradmed course books or des o neills or gamsat guru. But these are all really expensive and if one of these are really useful then I will find the money to buy them but I don't want to buy something that is a waste of money. I know some have said that you only need the acer papers and A-level books but I feel the essay part is one of my weakest areas so really want something that can guide me through the whole exam.

I already have bought the Griffiths guide but can anyone recommend one of the above or something else that can guide me through?

Thanks for any help