July 11, 2021
I was always interested in science at school and I thought it was my strongest subject as well, so after GCSEs I decided to pick A-levels in biology, chemistry, physics and maths. I actually wish I had done English or history instead of physics, because doing all three sciences plus maths can be very demanding and at times it felt like there was not a break because it was all very similar - despite each science being quite different, an essay based subject would have offered some variation. After AS-levels I dropped physics and just pursued biology, chemistry and maths. During this time, I knew I wanted to go to university but hadn't thought properly about what I wanted to study.
I looked into many courses at this point - biological sciences, medicine, dentistry - I was even looking at archaeology at one point. I was more interested in biology and chemistry at this point so I eventually chose biochemistry and started looking into universities to apply to. I applied to Birmingham, Bristol, Imperial College, Manchester and Warwick. All but Imperial gave me offers and I chose Manchester out of the four, because it felt most suitable for me. If you are in the process of applying to university and already know which course you want to do, I would suggest seeing which universities offer your course, and then go from there. Think about what you want from a university and consider all these factors when choosing where to apply - a good place to start is online. The Complete University Guide and similar sites offer a lot of information about different courses and universities. Consider going on open days too - nothing is better than actually seeing the university, although with the pandemic many universities are doing virtual open days instead.
I had a great time studying at Manchester, which you can read about here. Towards the end of my degree I was thinking about applying for medicine, but it wasn't until the summer when I finished that I decided I was going to apply. I had already applied to do a master's degree at this point, so I was also going into that knowing I wouldn't be doing a PhD afterwards or going into research, which is what most people would do I guess.
I prepared my application over the summer, including studying for the UCAT and GAMSAT, continued my volunteering with Age UK and writing my personal statement. I used Medify to prepare for the UCAT, whilst for the GAMSAT I just revised biology, chemistry and physics, as well as using online guides to prepare. In the end, I didn't sit the GAMSAT because all the trains to Liverpool got cancelled on the day I was meant to sit the test. I was therefore limited to the universities I could apply to and so I applied for mostly 5-year courses, Manchester, King's College, Queen Mary University of London and Warwick (the only GEM course I applied for). I had interviews for King's College and Manchester, although I didn't receive offers from either. In June 2020, I accepted that I would have to apply again the following year and set about finding a job for the coming year. I was fortunate enough to find a job as a science technician in a school and so I went back to Manchester in June 2020.
Around early July, I found that there were some places available for medicine at St George's medical school in London through clearing. I was unsure whether or not to apply because I already had a job lined up for the year and the places might just have been to start that September. However I did apply, partly due to encouragement from my mum, and I got invited for an online interview which I had to complete within 3 hours on a set day. A week later, they rang me - it was good news, they offered me place. I couldn't believe it, as only a month ago I was sure I would have to prepare even better again for another application cycle. They even let me defer entry for a year, to start in September 2021 because I had a job lined up already for the year. I told my mum first I got in, before telling others. I was overwhelmed for weeks after, the fact I had been given this opportunity. I do believe that things eventually work themselves out, so if you don't get into medicine the first time or the course that you want, don't be disheartened because opportunities can present themselves in even the most unlikely situations.
For the year so far, I have been working as a science technician in an inner city secondary school in Manchester. Although it is my last full week there before term finishes on the 20th July. It was nice to work for a year in a job that will be very different to medicine, but has still developed many skills which I will need for the future. The pupils and staff have all been very friendly and I have enjoyed my time working there. Whilst the pandemic has made it difficult at times, helping pupils with science has made me think about why I first chose to pursue it. For a year filled with so much disruption, it was great to make science engaging for pupils, many for the first time. I have spent about a third of the year assisting with COVID-19 on-site mass testing - not a part of the job description, but the nature of the role has meant I have had to be adaptable.
My brother is a teacher and working in a school this year has definitely made me appreciate how difficult their jobs are. I've heard about his experiences as a newly qualified teacher and obviously seen first-hand the experience of teaching at the school I'm working at. Teachers during the pandemic haven't been appreciated enough in my opinion, as they have tried their utmost to still bring a good quality education in the most challenging of situations. Despite only being here a short time, I hope I've made a difference. It was almost like I was brought in to help in a year when they perhaps needed it most, and I will leave knowing I've done some good.
I'm now super excited to start my next chapter. Over the past few weeks St George's have been sending information about the course and teaching over the coming year. I sorted out most of the non-academic requirements already last year, including my DBS check and occupation health check. Whilst I haven't yet sorted out accommodation, I'm hoping to live with my brother and his girlfriend somewhere in South London, although I have applied to halls as a backup. I have a relatively busy summer coming up with a short holiday to the South Coast with some school friends when I finish work, followed by NCS. Hopefully by then I will be ready to move to London, but I also should then have a few weeks at home. I think I will take this time to myself and just spend it relaxing - after all I don't know when the next time is I will have such a break. I can't wait to get going at St George's though...
Posted by Nathan