Becoming a doctor.
Discussion
I am thinking of becoming a doctor and would appreciate it if people could let me know what A-levals I should be studying. Also, I have spoken to my Auntie who is a GP principal + specializes in lots more. She said that the london college's r lookin for people with carisma and a personality because of the Drive for more doctors where as Provintial colleges are looking for more of the standard clever clever people:)... Also, I have asked a few uni's like Guy's/kings college London. Also, Leicester and Royal free medical college.. Has any of you lot with first hand experience got any advice..
Many Thanks:)
Many Thanks:)
I seem to remember that Biology, Chemistry and Physics are good ones to do for Medical stuff.
Just remember that its a long hard slog, and by the time your friends are earning really good money, you will be working 60 hours a week for peanuts as a junior doctor.
Muchos respect to those that do it though, and when you make it the financial rewards are pretty good, I read recently that most GP's make 80-100K a year.
Just remember that its a long hard slog, and by the time your friends are earning really good money, you will be working 60 hours a week for peanuts as a junior doctor.
Muchos respect to those that do it though, and when you make it the financial rewards are pretty good, I read recently that most GP's make 80-100K a year.
TimW said:
I am thinking of becoming a doctor and would appreciate it if people could let me know what A-levals I should be studying. Also, I have spoken to my Auntie who is a GP principal + specializes in lots more. She said that the london college's r lookin for people with carisma and a personality because of the Drive for more doctors where as Provintial colleges are looking for more of the standard clever clever people ... Also, I have asked a few uni's like Guy's/kings college London. Also, Leicester and Royal free medical college.. Has any of you lot with first hand experience got any advice..
Many Thanks
Hi....
First thing to say, is make sure you think about it VERY carefully. This is a long term decision that you are making. It's a long and tough road, and the rewards aren't always that great financially. It's a huge committment, and I am not ashamed to say that I don't think I properly thought it thru at 17.....
A levels - you have to do Chemistry, but other subjects are a bit up for grabs. Normally the sciences are better, Biology, Physics or Maths, but you can do English or a language too. You need to be getting As in all these subjects though.
Your CV needs to show that you are a well rounded character, ie you are not just an academic. Sports, music, drama, debating, etc etc, just demonstrate that you have a life outside of work, which will keep you sane when you are a doctor. If you can get involved in voluntary work, all the better.
I qualified from Guys and St Thomas' (now GKT). All Med schools are much of a muchness, and anyone who says otherwise is talking out of their harris. The major difference is what setting you want to live in, ie in a university campus/town, or in a city like London. Make sure you go to the open days and look around.
Good luck, whatever you do, but please make sure you think about your choice of career carefully, and don't discount other options, ie dentistry etc....
Provintial places are more like old skool to get in e.g human biology chemistry all V high grades.
Whereas, these London places are more likely to take you on B's and the way u act at ur interviews because they have found the really clever people seem to lack that Personality which really helps pactience aswell.
+
i will be able to do a few weeks work experience at my Auntie's new "Super GP center!" which a few of them are buildin in surrey which can perform little ops(e.g stiches) them new multipurpose GP centers.. which will earn me much Qudos
lol
Whereas, these London places are more likely to take you on B's and the way u act at ur interviews because they have found the really clever people seem to lack that Personality which really helps pactience aswell.
+
i will be able to do a few weeks work experience at my Auntie's new "Super GP center!" which a few of them are buildin in surrey which can perform little ops(e.g stiches) them new multipurpose GP centers.. which will earn me much Qudos
lolTimW said:
Provintial places are more like old skool to get in e.g human biology chemistry all V high grades.
Whereas, these London places are more likely to take you on B's and the way u act at ur interviews because they have found the really clever people seem to lack that Personality which really helps pactience aswell.![]()
+
i will be able to do a few weeks work experience at my Auntie's new "Super GP center!" which a few of them are buildin in surrey which can perform little ops(e.g stiches) them new multipurpose GP centers.. which will earn me much Qudoslol
Nowhere will take you, unless you get A grades. Simple as that. If you think otherwise, you are kidding yourself. There are at least 20 or 30 applicants to EACH post at all med schools.
I am not sure if you are writing your post in shorthand, but you have to be able to write and speak in perfect english, and spell perfectly too.
968 said:
Good luck, whatever you do, but please make sure you think about your choice of career carefully, and don't discount other options, ie dentistry etc....
Thanks i know what your saying but i have thought about it long and hard.. and feel it is the right choice for me and i am willing to put the hours in as ive seen the rewards from my Auntie..
TimW said:
968 said:
Good luck, whatever you do, but please make sure you think about your choice of career carefully, and don't discount other options, ie dentistry etc....
Thanks i know what your saying but i have thought about it long and hard.. and feel it is the right choice for me and i am willing to put the hours in as ive seen the rewards from my Auntie..
What you may not have seen is your aunt having to work long hours for low pay, in a crappy NHS hospital, prior to becoming a GP. You may not have seen her working in a casualty dept with pissed patients swearing at her and vomiting on her.....
Don't take things at face value, you have to do some more discovering for yourself.
968 said:True as it stands but wrong angle - personal veterinary services to the pampered pooches and manicured mammals must be a decent earner. All that doggy breath would be a downer though surely...and talking of cows, proctological matters must be faced from time to time in general practice...and all those amines where hygiene is lacking...968, give yourself a pay rise
Rather be a dentist, earn more, and no hand up cows arse........

968 said:Yes fair point, your specialism iirc takes you away from most fluids. Even so make sure you get that rise, when we think we're losing any aspect of our most precious possession - or have lost it - you guys (and gals) are the ones we turn to, to regain our health
turbobloke said:
968, give yourself a pay rise
If only!!!
If only I'd become a GP, who apparently 50% earn over £100k a year, and do no out of hours work..... there's a nice little earner for you....
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but i most probably feel that is for the A* students, which i certainly am not..
im gonna have to really drive for this tho.. 
