I want to be a doctor

Woofer

OK, it's been my dream to study to become a doctor for several years now. Unfortunately I didn't have this dream when I was doing my Leaving Cert. I did ok (480 pts), did a general business degree, and have gotten on well since in the last 6 years. Earning 60k a year now in IT Industry but as the years go by I am less and less motivated. Now im approaching 30 and keep wondering what if. I always dismissed it as "no way could i go back and do that now"...but why not? Other people do crazier things. So I want to look into it now. I have friends who are doctors but I wanted to get more info before I apporach them for advice so I dont look like a complete fool.

What kind of things should i be thinking about?
Where to study? What are the acceptance criteria? Is it hard to get in as a "mature" student? Does the fact that I didnt get enough LC pts work against me now?
What is the process?
How long does it take (approx)?
How much money would I need all in?
Am I crazy?

Any advice or thoughts would be appreciated.

AlanSparrowhawk

Graduate entry into medicine in ireland requires the GAMSAT exam.
many medical schools take mature students with degrees this way, with RCSI and UL med schools taking the majority.

gamsat exam in march I believe, do that, do well enough to get offered a place and you could be starting next september. it will cost you 10k a year I think, the rest of the fees are government sponsored. of course that's just fees. ulster bank and boi are offering loans for accepted students etc.

murphym7

There is a quota for each yearly intake too, not sure how many, but they do take a set number of mature students each year.

AARRRGH

Woofer wrote: »

OK, it's been my dream to study to become a doctor for several years now.

Studying to become a doctor and working as a doctor are very different things!

Would you genuinely like to look at diseased genitals on a daily basis? It's not a very nice job. Great money, of course...

TripleAce

Whatever you do good luck.....doctors are strongly needed out there, and it is IMO the most respectable profession of them all!

Mena

All I would say is do it, don't hesitate for a second. You only get one life so make sure you fill it doing something you want to do.

piby

This is an excellent website if you'd consider studying in the UK

http://www.medschoolsonline.co.uk/

Regardless of where you study if it's what you want it go for it, too many people these days go on and on about changing careers etc. but never actually get up off their arse and do it!

AARRRGH

piby wrote: »

too many people these days go on and on about changing careers etc. but never actually get up off their arse and do it!

True. And then one day, when they're old and gray, they realise they were foolish to not follow their dreams, and regret that it's now too late. They head towards death wondering what their life could have been...

I constantly remind myself of that.

Danbag

Hey.
Im the same, i didnt know I wanted to be a doctor until after my LC and I didnt get enough points. Im 20 now, starting a degree in BioScience. So im hoping to enter medicine by 24..