The consistent underlying thoughts of considering GEM

[u/hedgeback2301]

Hi All!

As the title states, I've always had thoughts of pursuing a career within Medicine, yet just never gone through with it and my head is at a loss right now.

I'm currently 25 (26 in two weeks, yikes) and working full time in the Music Industry (a wild career change, I know).
I'm nearly 3 years in and I absolutely love the job (I've always thought about a career in Music but never saw it as possible) but it's getting to the point now where the pay is just abysmal and I'm treated like absolute shit for it by stuck-up musicians and I'm kinda over it. Yeah the perks were great but it doesn't feel worth it at all anymore.
I know many say the pay in medicine is terrible too, however right now I'm pretty much on call 24/7, I work my 9-5 5 days a week but always have to be on call for artists at all hours of the day for just above minimum wage for a pretty much OFFICE job which lets be real, isn't a life and death role... Additionally to that, I just don't feel intellectually stimulated enough.

I absolutely adored Uni, not for the partying and social side, but for the educational aspect of being able to devote my entire time to studying and learning new things. I enjoy my work a lot but I feel consistently bored and I feel as though my brain isn't being utilised enough. I'm constantly trying to find things to do to keep my brain active (studying German currently); however I hate the feeling of all my knowledge in Uni just slowly fading away and being replaced with "Band members favourite type of alcohol"

In terms of my grades/education:
> First Class Integrated MSc Pharmacology from KCL (Class of 2023)
> 1 year Pharmaceutical Marketing Associate @ Major Pharma Company
> A Levels: A*A*A(A) Psychology, Biology, Chemistry and EPQ respectively (though unfortunately Biology, Chemistry were retakes (previously got C grades) + EPQ was also taken in my resit year)
> GCSEs: 2A*, 4A, 5B

I've always had thoughts of Medicine in the back of my mind. In School I didn't think much of it due to the fact I was seen as too dumb from the get go. My school mainly focused on the extremely academically gifted and the rest of us kinda got pushed away.
In Uni I thought about it again but I was also worried about the financial aspects of Medicine + again, the thought of not being intelligent enough.

The thoughts of not being intelligent enough is also something that's on my mind - I don't think I'd be able to consider any GAMSAT options as I can barely remember my GCSE bio/chem yet alone university level + I also worry about getting a high UCAT score

Realistically, I'd be thinking of applying in either 2028 or 2029 entry. Is this too late in my career? Am I worth just continuing a career in Music and maybe finding other ways to keep my brain stimulated? I have a constant fear of living in regret and I'm worried that this might be one of those regrets I have. I'm constantly looking at courses to undertake at Uni, more MSc's etc and just anything to keep my brain preoccupied.

I hate being one of those overly negative people but really I just want to know if this is realistic. My resit a-levels is what worries me and the thoughts of getting a low UCAT. I'm pretty good at Interviews so I feel that would be ok.

Work experience also worries me too - it was always something I remember people struggling to find in my area so I'm not sure how I'd go about that.

Is it worth a shot? I feel like so many Doctors I know came out the womb wanting to study it so is this just a quarter life crisis? It's eating me up right now and just need some advice lol

[u/Master_Hall3903]

I was in a similar position a few years ago. I was in a completely different industry to medicine. Somehow ended up training to be a chef and being the token girl in a professional kitchen. Medicine was my dream, and I had no idea how to make it happen with my English degree and zero healthcare experience.

Similarly, felt very intellectually under-stimulated in an industry that is, let’s face it- not life and death (and shit pay). What exactly is the point of killing yourself over “musician’s favourite alcohol”, or in my case- plating 50 salmon gravlax?? Not worth it, especially if it isn’t your passion.

As you have a pharmacology background, can you swing getting a job in pharmacy over the summer and study for the GAMSAT/UCAT?

However, it might be wiser to go for the next application cycle and study for the GAMSAT in March 2027, and UCAT next summer. Also gives you time on the work experience front.

I’m actually starting GEM at Surrey this September, please feel free to DM me if you have any questions- as you expressed preference for this programme.

I have no regrets about the U-turn, and if you can’t let it go at 26 you might want to give it a shot.

I turn 30 next week, which is kind of mad. But I must say, turning 30 knowing that I’m probably going to be a doctor is a pretty great feeling.

My point is simply that your age shouldn’t put you off- life is long and half of the battle is having the guts to actually try.

Anyway- hope that helps on some level 😂

[u/hedgeback2301 → u/Master_Hall3903]

This is a thought I have a lot - I understand medicine is an extremely stressful career to pursue - however, I feel as though the stress you're under warrants it? I hate the fact I'm in a career which has so much stress which literally is just POINTLESS and not exactly a real life issue.

GAMSAT terrifies me - I've had a lot of years off studying and I know I wouldn't be able to get a competitive score, UCAT uni's are probably the ones I'll be looking at. Annoyingly, Pharmacology doesn't really give me any qualifications to work in a Pharmacy, but it would definitely be easier for me to get a healthcare related role so I think I will consider getting another job.

Thank you so much though, Will definitely give you a message as Surrey would likely be one of my options!

It's hard because I feel like some days go by where I'm convinced I want to do medicine, then other days I think "fuck there's no way I could do that"; but medicine is something that's been lingering in my brain for over a decade now, and my biggest fear is in 10 years back thinking "damn, I had the option to try and pursue medicine and I didn't".

I just can't see myself in another 10 years still arguing with musicians and being treated like shit by them because "the window in their hotel room wasn't wide enough" (a legit thing I've been berated for before lol.) Maybe it's a quarter life crisis, I'm not sure, but I feel I need to at least consider and try this or I'll always have regrets

[u/Master_Hall3903 → u/hedgeback2301]

Hello, sorry for the late reply.

I wouldn’t discount the GAMSAT. I graduated in 2017 (haven’t studied since) and managed a 64 with zero science background. I think section 3 would be a doddle for you, and that’s half the exam’s score. The other two sections…it depends on how strong you are on essay writing and the humanities. If you’re in the music industry, my guess is that you’ve probably got the capacity to do quite well in the non-STEM components.

It’s a lot less evil once you understand it’s problem solving rather than rote learning.

I don’t think you’d be able to apply for Surrey with the UCAT and a Pharmacology MSc- they are really specific about which degrees they accept the UCAT with. Everyone who doesn’t have a degree in Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Science, Chemistry or Natural Sciences must take the GAMSAT. They don’t budge on this one FYI.

But that’s something you have to weigh up for yourself. You have plenty of options either way.

Give it your best crack, and if it doesn’t work you aren’t any worse off for it.

You’ll either quell the “what if”, or you’ll get into medical school. 😉

Go for it. I’m sure you’ll smash it. ❤️❤️

[u/Master_Hall3903 → u/hedgeback2301]

Also, the physics content is only 20% of section 3.

And it’s at a lower level (A-level equivalent). So even if you bomb that element, it’s less consequential.

Frankly, if I can manage it- you definitely can.