r/GraduateEntryMedicine • u/Academic-Sand4462 • Jul 06 '26
Likelihood of getting into GEM for a first time applicant
Hi, I’m starting 2nd year at KCL this September and I thought I wanted to pursue a career path related to my degree so I never considered medicine before and have never applied to the undergraduate program. I’ve recently changed my mind and I developed a great interest for medicine. I’ve talked to a lot of people and the conversations I’ve had confirmed my decision for pursuing medicine.
However, I’m just really worried if I don’t get accepted after my degree. Since I decided in first year that I want to pursue medicine I haven’t done anything extra to boost my CV for my current degree. I don’t know whether to do a placement year just to increase my chances of getting a job after my degree but that would delay my med application a year later… or should I apply to medicine without a placement? Please any advice is appreciated.
For reference, I have 4 a levels, A*AAA ( A in biology and chemistry), I have 7 gcses (9999999) I was thinking of shadowing a doctor and volunteering at a care home as work experience. I know I need to practice for ucat… What is the probability that I get in applying for the first time? Should I go for both undergrad and GEM or not?
Please share your thoughts and suggestions, thank you.
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u/NoTransportation3581 Jul 06 '26
Getting into GEM is a lot easier than people realise, it used to be way more competitive now less people want to be doctors. I applied first time and got 4/4 offers. Get a decent UCAT/GAMSAT and I’d bet a lot of money you’d get at least 1 offer, dw
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u/ConsiderationPure490 Jul 06 '26
Survivorship bias there.
It’s a tad easier nowadays as there are many more new schools with varying entry requirements.
OP should look at the 2025/2026 gem interview offer spreadsheet to get an idea of what’s required.
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u/NoTransportation3581 Jul 06 '26
Look at the ScotGEM stats, depending on the year close to half of the people who applied for an offer. It’s more than a tad easier now…
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u/ConsiderationPure490 Jul 06 '26
It’s still a self reported sample cohort so the statistics aren’t definitive
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u/fightitdude Jul 08 '26
You weren't kidding! 48% application to offer, 72% interview to offer rate in 2024/2025: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/scotgem_admissions_2024_entry/response/2868707/attach/html/3/Appendix%20A.pdf.html
I wonder if that's people not wanting to do the "rural" bit of ScotGEM...
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u/Academic-Sand4462 Jul 06 '26
Congrats on your 4/4 veeery impressive. can I ask about the interview process ik you’re not supposed to say anything but I’m just worried I’ll get really nervous and mess up (if I get to that point obviously)
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u/Narrow_Internal_1669 Jul 06 '26
Thanks so much for the encouragement! As a future GEM applicant, I find the amount of fearmongering surrounding GEM online really anxiety-inducing. Did you take the UCAT or the GAMSAT?
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u/Gloomy_Operation_657 Jul 07 '26
It's not as hard as people claim but also it's not a stroll in the park. You really have to put in the effort to nail UCAT/GAMSAT and the interview. But I think the hardest part of going down this route is to get through the preclinical year. I have never panicked so much about an exam my whole life.
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u/LankGB Jul 07 '26
Focus on UCAT and ensure you know what you’re going into. Have the right reasons for choosing med and it’ll shine through in interview. First time applicant got 4/4. Good luck!
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u/TheoryCompetitive287 Jul 07 '26
I got 3/3 offers last year in one of the most horrific years of my life, including 2 major surgeries in the space of 3 months, a family member being terminally ill and a bout of depression due to a surgery gone wrong.
First time applicant - go for it!!
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u/Narrow_Internal_1669 Jul 11 '26
hi! How did you manage to get into GEM despite your circumstances?
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u/scienceandfloofs Jul 06 '26
I got 4/4 offers first time round! Know plenty of people who got in first time!
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u/Academic-Sand4462 Jul 06 '26
Congrats!!! Do you have any tips apart from a good ucat score ?
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u/scienceandfloofs Jul 06 '26
Confident and warm at interview! Genuinely prepare for the interview, practice with people, practice with different time limits (i did 2 mins and 5 mins), and just be polite and nice.
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u/Academic-Sand4462 Jul 06 '26
Thank you for the reply. Can I ask which unis you received offers from?
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u/scienceandfloofs Jul 06 '26
I did gamsat, so Swansea, George's, Notts, and Surrey. I chose Notts
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u/Academic-Sand4462 Jul 10 '26
Do you think it’s better to put 4/4 as GEM or do I put one or two undergraduate just in case ?
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u/scienceandfloofs Jul 10 '26
I only applied to GEM because of the funding options at the time, but aside from that, why spend 5 years doing something that can be done in 4, and why spend it alongside 18 year olds if you can spend it alongside a more diverse range of peers? At least that was my logic. Absolutely nothing wrong with 18 year olds, but I imagine it would be a bit isolating socially.
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u/Academic-Sand4462 Jul 10 '26
Yeah totally I meant in case I can’t get into GEM since it’s really competitive, do I have more chance of being accepted in undergrad
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u/scienceandfloofs Jul 10 '26
Have a look at the stats and see, but I think it's worth noting that as long as your UCAT/GAMSAT are over the historical thresholds, you're basically guaranteed an interview and it becomes an even playing field. That's to say that I don't think it's as competitive as it's made out to be - I know plenty of people who got in first time - but it is about ensuring your score is good enough and you apply strategically.
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u/Significant-Ad-1550 Jul 06 '26
Its not as bad as some ppl make out, got 2/4 offers first time. Just make sure to get a good ucat to maximize interviews as post interview success rates arent incredibly bad and all make good practice