How I Got Into Graduate Entry Medicine (UK) *with bad grades

Summary

In this inspiring video, Danela shares her unique journey into graduate entry medicine in the UK. Despite initial setbacks with her A Levels and a brief stint in nursing, she pursued a degree in Biomedical Science and later worked as an Apple technician. With perseverance and hard work, including volunteering and shadowing experiences, she eventually secured a place in medical school at the University of Warwick. Danela's story highlights the importance of dedication and the possibility of achieving one's dream, regardless of background or age.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Danela is a third-year graduate entry medical student in the UK, sharing her journey into medicine.
• 🏥 Born in Colombia, she moved to London at a young age and was always inspired to become a doctor due to her innate desire to care for others.
• 🎓 She chose A Levels in Spanish, Biology, and Maths, achieving ABB grades, which initially shattered her dream of studying medicine as an undergraduate.
• 👩‍⚕️ Unable to apply for undergraduate medicine, she pursued a year of nursing, but felt unfulfilled and quit after realizing she wanted more responsibility.
• 🔬 She then switched to a 3-year Biomedical Science degree, graduating in 2018, and applied to graduate entry medicine but was unsuccessful due to a rushed application and lack of preparation.
• 💼 After failing to get into medicine, she worked full-time as a technician for Apple for 4 years, gaining valuable skills and life experiences.
• 🏛️ She received an offer from the University of Buckingham but couldn't afford the high tuition fees, which reinforced her determination to try again for graduate entry medicine.
• 💪 Danela decided to give it her all, working hard on the UKCAT exam, gaining work experience, volunteering, and shadowing to strengthen her application.
• 🏆 She applied to multiple universities, secured interviews, and ultimately received an offer from the University of Warwick, proving that persistence pays off.
• 🌈 Reflecting on her journey, she emphasizes the importance of not giving up and encourages others to pursue their dreams, regardless of setbacks or age.

Q & A

What was the original background of the speaker?

The speaker, Danela, is originally from Colombia but moved to London at a young age where she was raised and completed her primary and secondary education.

Why did Danela initially choose to study nursing instead of pursuing undergraduate medicine?

Danela chose to study nursing because she couldn't apply to undergraduate medicine due to her A-level grades of ABB, which she considered pre-average and not competitive enough for medical school.

How did Danela feel after completing her first year of nursing?

Danela felt unfulfilled after her first year of nursing, as she wanted to be the person responsible for making decisions and solving problems, which she felt she wasn't getting to do in her nursing role.

What did Danela study after leaving nursing?

After leaving nursing, Danela studied Biomedical Science for three years, hoping it would open doors to medicine in the future.

What was the outcome of Danela's first application to graduate entry medicine?

Danela's first application to graduate entry medicine was unsuccessful. She did not get any interviews or offers, which shattered her hope and reinforced the idea that she was not good enough to become a doctor.

What job did Danela take after graduating from Biomedical Science?

Danela worked as a technician for Apple for four years after graduating from Biomedical Science.

What was the turning point for Danela in her pursuit of medicine?

The turning point was when Danela received an offer from the University of Buckingham, which boosted her confidence, even though she couldn't afford the tuition.

Why did Danela decide to reapply for graduate entry medicine despite thinking it was too late?

Danela decided to reapply because she realized that if she didn't try her best, she would regret it for the rest of her life, even if it didn't work out.

What steps did Danela take to improve her application for the second attempt at graduate entry medicine?

Danela worked hard on the UKCAT exam, gained lots of work experience, volunteered at a hospital, worked as a COVID responder, and did shadowing to have more to talk about in her personal statement and interviews.

How did Danela's journey into medicine affect her perspective on her own abilities and the process?

Danela's journey made her realize that she had to put in hard work and effort to achieve her goal, and that it's never too late to pursue what you want. She also learned that having diverse experiences can make one a better medical student and potentially a better doctor.

What advice does Danela give to others who may feel it's impossible to get into medicine?

Danela advises that if medicine is one's dream and they haven't given it their best shot, they should consider trying again, as many people have applied multiple times before succeeding.