I am a first year graduate entry medical (GEM) student at the university of Southampton. Graduate medicine was not my original plan. I wanted to study medicine straight out of sixth form and if I had, I would be a qualified doctor by now, however, I did not get the A-levels I needed. In fact I got: B,C,C.

My devastation did not deter me and I decided to study undergraduate Cardiac Physiology, which gave me huge amounts of clinical experience and confidence with patients.

With the help of my tutor from Future Doc, I applied for GEM in my final year, feeling more prepared and confident that I would make a competent med student. I got in first time with the help of my tutor from Future doc and I would like to share some information on how you can take some possibly disappointing A level results and ultimately succeed in getting a place in medical school.

There are so many reasons why you might not have gotten the A-level results you needed to get an offer:

• You might not have been prepared enough
• Maybe you struggle when sitting exams
• The nerves may have gotten the better of you
• The questions were not what you were expecting

The good news is that there are several pathways to getting into medical school and all lead to becoming a doctor. So regardless of where you are right now, there is a path that can work for you.

Processing the disappointment:

• Allow yourself to feel sad and frustrated, this is a very upsetting experience, and you deserve to process all your emotions.
• It is important not to dwell on the disappointment for too long as this can hinder you from getting back on track.
• I recommend when you are ready, to reflect on your study habits and mental health during the exam period to identify areas for improvement
• Shifting your perspective is the hardest part but essential in moving forward. These grades do not define you. You are a whole person and so much more than how you performed on some tests at a particular time. This is a setback, one you probably didn’t expect but if you can push through this, you are going to make a better and more resilient doctor because of it.
  

What are my options?

1. Resit exams:

Particularly if it was just the one A-level that was not high enough, and you feel you can improve with more preparation, this could be a good option. For a detailed list of universities and their resit policies, download the PDF guide here.

Best Uni’s for re-sitting (without extenuating circumstances) are:

• University of Bristol
• University of Exeter
• Keele University
• University of Liverpool
• Lancaster University
• University of Liverpool
• University of Manchester
• University of East Anglia
• University of Nottingham
• Lincoln University
• University of Plymouth
• University of Sheffield
• University of Southampton
• University of Sunderland

1. Alternative entry route:

Foundation course:

This is only available to people from a widening participation background. Universities offering this include:

• Aberdeen University
• Bristol University
• Dundee University
• Edge Hill University
• Hull York Medical School
• Keele University
• King’s College London
• Lancaster University
• Leeds University
• Leicester University
• Liverpool University
• Manchester University
• Nottingham University
• Norwich Medical School (UEA)
• Plymouth University
• Southampton University
• St Andrews University

Consider doing an allied medicine undergrad which will set you up for GEM:

• Biomedical sciences/ molecular sciences
• Dietetics/ nutrition
• Genetics
• Human anatomy
• Midwifery/ nursing
• Neuroscience
• Occupational therapy
• Pharmacology
• Physiology
• Psychology

• Radiography

  • Some unis offer a gateway into BM5 after the first year if you meet certain entry requirements.

Studying abroad:

This would be a great option if you are determined to study medicine right away. Often medical schools abroad have lower entry requirements. It is worth noting that while tuition fees are usually cheaper, student finance will not offer funding for degrees overseas. Make sure to research the accreditation of the medical schools to ensure your qualification will be recognized in the UK.

Building a Stronger Application:

• If you decide to re-sit then reflect on what didn’t go well in the first sitting and use that to improve your revision for your second attempt. Taking time to assess what went wrong the first time can provide valuable insights for improvement.
• Gain some work experience in areas that interest you in medicine and volunteer to show your dedication to the career.
• Look through your personal statement and find ways to elevate it to make you a prime candidate for your chosen medical school. Future doc offers 1-1 support with a personal tutor to review and perfect your personal statement.

Maintaining Motivation and Long-Term Vision:

• Set goals, both long and short term: e.g. short term: to find an undergrad which will put me in good stead for GEM. Long term: make a plan on how you will become the ideal medical school candidate by: volunteering, participating in research, wider reading etc. Do not lose sight of the long-term goal as when the time comes to re-apply you will need this determination. I found it helpful to write down my long-term goals and stick them on my wall as a constant reminder of what I was aiming for.
• Talk to people who got in to medical school via alternative routes. Be inspired by their stories. You don’t have to talk to many doctors to find someone who didn’t get in to medical school the first time. I took a lot of comfort in talking to successful doctors who started medicine later in life.
• Stay informed with current affairs in medicine. This will both maintain your interest in the field and be vital when you get to interview in order to show off your understanding.

Conclusion:

• Remember, this setback does not define your worth nor your future. There are many paths to becoming a doctor, you just need to find yours.
• Becoming a doctor is a very challenging journey but working as one is even harder. If you can push past this challenge, then you will be a better doctor for it. As Dr Ben Carson said: ‘Success is determined not by whether or not you face obstacles, but by your reaction to them.’
• I hope the information above has inspired you that there is a way to get a place in medical school and some advice on how to become a stronger applicant. Like I said, Future Doc helped me stay on track and get me into my first choice, they are an excellent resource for all stages of the application.

Written by Luiza