CAO: 1) Medicine 2) Job-Related or Science-Focused Health Degree?

wayhey

I'm really not as active on boards as I should be, least of all this one but I'm hoping you can help me sort out my CAO. I've checked the forum for any recent thread I think is relevant to my situation and I can't find one. Mods, sorry if I'm wrong on that I just don't want to bump an old thread.

I'm a repeat Leaving Cert. student. I got 475 points last year and 164 on my HPAT. Taking my score from last year that would mean that I need to get 595 in my Leaving this year. I'm hoping that I can do that well, or at least move up in the HPAT I repeated this year. We've had consistent house exams the whole way along... so far I'm at about 555. Now I know you can't rely on those results, but maybe it's some indication. I got 485 in my mocks last year... I've really been working flat out this year.

However, I'm not sure if I can get the points for Medicine. It's just so high and I'm finding it hard to get perfect grades in everything. I'm beginning to stress out a bit. My parents have been great in supporting me going back. I've thought long and hard about all of this, and Medicine still remains the only course I really want to do. I don't want to think about doing anything else but I have to. I devour any book/programme/website about diseases, operations, treatments. I just find it fascinating, and I couldn't imagine myself not working with people.

Please, skim through the bold questions and answer any if you can. There's a little bit of elaboration on each and I'd really appreciate any help/advice you have.

Firstly, should I even look at/entertain doing Graduate Entry? My parents aren't loaded and I don't expect them to support me through a graduate programme in their 60s. Do you know anything about the availability of loans? I know RCSI were offering something in conjuction with a bank (Their website has changed since I'll go looking for a link later and post if I find it)
Am I completely deluded, coming out as an intern with a massive loan over my head? I have got relatives in Dublin and a brother in Galway so I could save on accommodation, living a little bit that way.
I know people say it all the time, but money genuinely isn't important to me. It's the subject, the job that interests me. I don't care what I'm paid so long as I like my job and can live basically!

Is it any easier to go Graduate abroad, either admissions or fees-wise?

Am I better off doing a Health Science-based degree or a "job" degree? I've been thinking long and hard about this one. I live close to Maynooth so I could live at home, do Science Education and save money for Graduate. I wouldn't need to do a H. Dip either. Alternatively there's Physio, although I'm not big into sports I know that there are other avenues after it, e.g. Respiratory. I don't think that I would like Pharmacy as I want lots of people contact, but maybe I'm completely misguided about that? I also prefer biology over chemistry in school, but I like both. I had Biomedical Science in Galway down last year as I figured the degree in Physiology/Biochemistry would be good (I noticed someone else mentioned that in another post). There is Biological and Biomedical Science in Maynooth too. I figured a general Science degree would help more with GAMSAT than something like Science Education.

Basically, am I complete eejit for entertaining GEP Medicine? I will be 20 entering college this year... but really this has been a dream that has consumed my life for the past 3/4 years... any advice at all?

Thanks for reading or even scanning through it, I know there's a lot of info, but I figured I'd try and give a good picture of my thought process.

spagboll

wayhey wrote: »

should I even look at/entertain doing Graduate Entry?

Is it any easier to go Graduate abroad, either admissions or fees-wise?

Am I better off doing a Health Science-based degree or a "job" degree?

Tough call to enter an undergradute degree in the hopes of doing GEM, some people will never do well enough in the gamsat, look at the sample papers and see if your suited to that kind of exam. I knew I would be, years of bluffing exams had me well prepared.

It's easier to get into medicine abroad, poland etc, but definately not easier to graduate, some of those courses are very tough, do you fancy latin and biophysics? puke. Also some snotty docs will look down on you

This is up to you really, I personally never intended doing med untill about the 3rd year of my undergrad, was happy doing science, but I know people doing other courses, that were never happy and should have repeated for med. The job specific courses like pharm, dent, physio, OT offer a great standard of living, being a professional at 22/23 must be sweet

If you just miss med this time, you could start another course and give the hpat another lash on the side

Sid_Justice

Isn't 595 points in the LC impossible to get?

If you're getting over 500 pts in the leaving cert especially if you have no gimmes (foreign language you're fluent in or music etc.) you're certainly bright enough to do well in the GAMSAT.

WRT the expense of graduate entry. I wouldn't worry too much about burdening your parents. There are loans for all the grad courses that will allow you to live conservatively and not take any money from your parents. however, you will owe massive amounts of money in the future (100k plus interest).

i'd expect the notion of owing 100k straight out of college is a bit frightening to a 6th year. It isn't really, as long as you are able to graduate and work as a doctor for a long time the money will get paid back without _too_ much fuss.

If i were you, and I was on the cusp of undergradaute entry requirements, i'd even do it another time.

WRT degree.

I think there is two attitudes - pick a degree that will most prepare you for medicine (and the gamsat to be a tiny bit cyanical)
1. pharmacy
2. physio/ot
3. biomed/sports med/physiology/etc.

or pick a degree you'd love to do
1. french
2. philosophy
3. classics

get a 2.1 and think about medicine once you're in the door.

spagboll

Your underestimating the gamsat, it's a brutal exam

I know people with science phds who struggle, your leading the op up the garden path to disappointment

Sid_Justice

Do you think so?

If you start off from a position where

1. you can write a one page essay competently
2. Have read more than 5 books in your entire life
3. Have a good understanding of Leaving Cert sciences (this isn't enough, but that is what the 6-8 week study is for)

Then i don't see why a reasonable intelligent person can't perform well in it.

spagboll

op as someone in gem I would advise you not to presume you'll get into gem, best of luck, if I could turn back time I would study much harder for the LC and get into undergrad, i'm exceptionally jealous of 23/24 year olds with medical degrees

del85

spagboll wrote: »

Your underestimating the gamsat, it's a brutal exam

I know people with science phds who struggle, your leading the op up the garden path to disappointment

It's wrong to fool people into thinking that GAMSAT is a walk in the park, but making them feel like they don't stand a chance is just as bad imo.

The OP had a brilliant leaving cert by anyone's standards, which means he/she demonstrates the requisite (linguisitic, numerical, reasoning) skills required to do well in the GAMSAT. There are no guarantees, but his/her ability is such that it's worth a shot at least.

Give it a lash, OP, but don't put all your eggs in the GAMSAT basket. If you're convinced that getting into undergrad medicine isn't an option, be sure to get a degree in something you're genuinely interested in. That way, at least you have a plan B if the GAMSAT thing doesnt pan out.

I don't know much about the GAMSAT, but if you are unfortunate in obtaining medicine and want to go the graduate route, health science courses like Human Health & Disease in TCD and Biomedical, Health and Life Sciences in UCD are worth considering as courses to do first.

I wanted to do med last year too but narrowly missed out and am now doing HHD in Trinity, and now I think I might stick with it if I get offered med from repeating the HPAT this year. It covers a lot of what you'd do in medicine, it and the course in UCD are quite new but they prepare you to work in research, or to go on to do the GAMSAT. In my course you specialise in an area of interest in your 3rd year and carry out a research project in the labs in 4th year, so it'd be a lot of good experience under your belt!

Best of luck sorting out your CAO, hope you get med if it's what you really want

wayhey

Sid_Justice wrote: »

Isn't 595 points in the LC impossible to get?

If you're getting over 500 pts in the leaving cert especially if you have no gimmes (foreign language you're fluent in or music etc.) you're certainly bright enough to do well in the GAMSAT.

i'd expect the notion of owing 100k straight out of college is a bit frightening to a 6th year. It isn't really, as long as you are able to graduate and work as a doctor for a long time the money will get paid back without _too_ much fuss.

If i were you, and I was on the cusp of undergradaute entry requirements, i'd even do it another time.

WRT degree.

I think there is two attitudes - pick a degree that will most prepare you for medicine (and the gamsat to be a tiny bit cyanical)
1. pharmacy
2. physio/ot
3. biomed/sports med/physiology/etc.

or pick a degree you'd love to do

get a 2.1 and think about medicine once you're in the door.

Thank you, everybody. I'm getting feedback I never hoped for I thought I'd only get one or two replies!

Sid_Justice, I cut your quote a bit. I should have been more clear. I need to get 595/600 points on my Leaving Cert. You're right, that would only give me 559 points towards Medicine and then with my 164 from last year's HPAT that's 723. Very tight. Nope no gimme subjects.. wish I did though!

It's a little unnerving, the loan, but I had anticipated that. I think I could handle it. When you say "I'd even do it another time" you mean..? Repeat? Or do the HPAT again?

Genuinely, I find it hard to see myself enjoying a degree outside the area of science, especially health/life sciences. So I'm lucky in that regard I suppose! On that note, is it significantly harder to get a 2.1 in any degrees over another? I suppose that would boil down to study something you like, won't feel like work..

spagbol, del85, thanks for your input on the GAMSAT. I do Chemistry and Biology at Higher Level in school, I took up Ag and thus far I'm getting As in most of my tests in all of them. I've seen the fresher Chemistry book they use for a course in DCU and it looked a little difficult but it wasn't all over my head. I think I'm pretty competent at Sciences once I sit down and study them- that's the hardest thing this year, spreading myself over so many subjects, especially when I'm not interested in/good at them all. I've only had a quick look at GAMSAT papers, I'll get more into them this weekend to see how hard I'd find them. Would it be possible to even work a year at the "job" degree, studying for the test at weekends/holidays, including that 6-8 weeks people do? I've looked at the contents of Chemistry for Dummies. Obviously GAMSAT will be a lot harder but looking through it I think I've a good foundation for what's covered in the book.

piratequeen, I think the UCD course could be my second choice, that or Biomedical Science in Galway I saw HH&D and I have to be honest, it's "newness" sort of put me off, but I'll look into it more this year.

Anyone hear anything of anybody going mature entry? Or maybe to the UK, without the GAMSAT? There was a guy at the UCD Open Day last year who did Virology first and came back as mature..

Thanks for everything guys I may get back to the books!!

chanste

Hi I just wanted to throw in my 2 cents. I agree with Sid_Justice about the Leaving cert & HPAT being worth another shot if you don't get in this year, particularly if you come close to the necessary points and feel like you can see where you can improve. I know in the head of a LC student your probably conscious of age of starting college compared to your friends but by the time you actually start the job you won't care at all.

For the record I was 28 starting the GEM course, and there were plenty who were older or the same age as me. I'll still have in excess of 30 years on the job. I think it is nice to be aware of the GAMSAT as a fall back option so you don't give up on the dream even if you take another course, it is difficult, and having an LC of 500pts + does not by any means make you a shoe in to get offered a place in med school from it, but your sure enough going to be as competitive as anyone else. Its tough, but something like 1/5 people get an offer so its not as hard as some people make out. That said the 1/5 compares you to people who have at least a 2.1 degree and many will have significantly higher education behind them, which is why I agree that the LC is worth another shot.

Best of luck with whatever you decide to do.

ttmd

wayhey wrote: »

I'm really not as active on boards as I should be, least of all this one but I'm hoping you can help me sort out my CAO. I've checked the forum for any recent thread I think is relevant to my situation and I can't find one. Mods, sorry if I'm wrong on that I just don't want to bump an old thread.

I'm a repeat Leaving Cert. student. I got 475 points last year and 164 on my HPAT. Taking my score from last year that would mean that I need to get 595 in my Leaving this year. I'm hoping that I can do that well, or at least move up in the HPAT I repeated this year. We've had consistent house exams the whole way along... so far I'm at about 555. Now I know you can't rely on those results, but maybe it's some indication. I got 485 in my mocks last year... I've really been working flat out this year.

However, I'm not sure if I can get the points for Medicine. It's just so high and I'm finding it hard to get perfect grades in everything. I'm beginning to stress out a bit. My parents have been great in supporting me going back. I've thought long and hard about all of this, and Medicine still remains the only course I really want to do. I don't want to think about doing anything else but I have to. I devour any book/programme/website about diseases, operations, treatments. I just find it fascinating, and I couldn't imagine myself not working with people.

Please, skim through the bold questions and answer any if you can. There's a little bit of elaboration on each and I'd really appreciate any help/advice you have.

Firstly, should I even look at/entertain doing Graduate Entry? My parents aren't loaded and I don't expect them to support me through a graduate programme in their 60s. Do you know anything about the availability of loans? I know RCSI were offering something in conjuction with a bank (Their website has changed since I'll go looking for a link later and post if I find it)
Am I completely deluded, coming out as an intern with a massive loan over my head? I have got relatives in Dublin and a brother in Galway so I could save on accommodation, living a little bit that way.
I know people say it all the time, but money genuinely isn't important to me. It's the subject, the job that interests me. I don't care what I'm paid so long as I like my job and can live basically!

Is it any easier to go Graduate abroad, either admissions or fees-wise?

Am I better off doing a Health Science-based degree or a "job" degree? I've been thinking long and hard about this one. I live close to Maynooth so I could live at home, do Science Education and save money for Graduate. I wouldn't need to do a H. Dip either. Alternatively there's Physio, although I'm not big into sports I know that there are other avenues after it, e.g. Respiratory. I don't think that I would like Pharmacy as I want lots of people contact, but maybe I'm completely misguided about that? I also prefer biology over chemistry in school, but I like both. I had Biomedical Science in Galway down last year as I figured the degree in Physiology/Biochemistry would be good (I noticed someone else mentioned that in another post). There is Biological and Biomedical Science in Maynooth too. I figured a general Science degree would help more with GAMSAT than something like Science Education.

Basically, am I complete eejit for entertaining GEP Medicine? I will be 20 entering college this year... but really this has been a dream that has consumed my life for the past 3/4 years... any advice at all?

Thanks for reading or even scanning through it, I know there's a lot of info, but I figured I'd try and give a good picture of my thought process.

If its what you really want keep on going for another year, hell another two if needs be. I would consider entering medicine at any age below 25 still relatively young, do not worry about that.

And while GEM is a good option for some lets be blunt - the fees could cause some problems for you, and financially repeating is a better choice.

And I heard repeating did'nt hurt this guy too much in the long run

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Butler_(surgeon)

wayhey

Gosh I don't know if I could stomach repeating again

I'm pretty confident that my choices are narrowed down to Science, Biomedical Science, Physiotherapy, or Pharmacy after Medicine. Thanks to everyone here you really helped

Can I ask, is Biochemistry really difficult? That was something the students said at the RCSI Open Day and that's an option to graduate with in the Biomedical Degree at Galway..

Sid_Justice

are you doing the leaving again in a few weeks? good luck with it.

Basically talking to some guys from the typical medical courses and mostly reading stuff on the internet, most med students find Biochemistry really difficult and a pain in the arse. But they really do **** all of it, maybe one semester block of lectures, perhaps two. So to say, I'll get a Biochem degree so i can waltz the biochem aspect of medicine is, imo, OTT. Especially, in my opinion (first year gradmed with 'science' degree) it's not something you'll really need once you're qualified (for most specialialities anyway).

If I was going back again, and knew for a fact i wanted to do medicine but couldn't get in at leaving cert, I'd go with physio->pharmacy->Biomed in order of preference. Purely because physio gives you a heap of anatomy and physiology, clinical skills practice, patient practice and time in the hospital on placement. Pharmacy and prescribing is so important for General practice but the degree doesn't do much other than knowing loads about drugs (to the best of my knowledge, no clinical aspects, no customer interactions etc.).

I know very very few people consider it, but I can tell you for a fact some of the best guys in my course have Nursing degrees. I'd go as far as saying I'd almost put it at the top of the list just because of the broadness it gives you and all that time in the hospital.

sorry just noticed i posted in this thread before and am now repeating myself a bit

AndrewJD

I've gotta agree with Sid on the nursing thing - they have so much clinical experience that althought they may not know a great deal of the anatomy/physio/biochem of it all, clinical skills and general knowledge of diseases, treatments and the like make it a very smooth transition for them. That said, I'm not sure if it's the degree I'd want to do. A really tough choice I have little insight into.

Just on the biochem bit (and I am studying it right this second for upcoming exams, so I'm feeling quite accurate in saying this) - it really isn't that bad. It's a pain because it's not particularly interesting or as directly relevant to most parts of Medicine we're all here for. Whilst HDLs have a huge impact on the very important homeostasis of cholesterol leading to atherosclerosis and the all too common MI, it's a complete bore when what you're learning about Apolipoprotein A-II and the ABCA1 receptor. Or whatever. It's not any more difficult than anything else really, it's just fairly boring for the best bit. It's fairly survivable though, and like Sid says, there's not a huge amount of it (not at Trinity). I'd say about 25% of first year anyway. Don't let the old biochem play much of a role in your decision process.

Anyway I wish you all the best with your choice, and your future career. I'm sure you'll be able to join us medheads at some point

opinion guy

Hmmmm I have two opinions on this topic OP.

1. Do something of high clinical relevance. Physio maybe. But I think pharmacy is the winner here. Maybe nursing. The reason I suggest these is two fold. a) you will be in the hospital environment getting exposure to how things work and experience etc etc. b) With all of these options you will have the option to pick up work during your medical degree. Particularly as a nurse or a pharmacist (not sure about physio but probably also) you will be able to work saturdays or nights or whatever as you go. (Actually come to think of it perhaps saturya working as a physio would be a good option). The ability to earn some cash whilst moving through medicine is not to be sneezed at! If you have time that is

2. Do some hardcore science. It will teach you in the scientific method, critical thinkign and problem solving. Something you won't get in your medical degree which is mostly just memory work. To do something most useful in medicine perhaps biochemistry is the most relevant. Physiology is another possiblity. And if you have a chance to do one extra year after your undergrad and get a masters out of it - do that too before med!

HQvhs

I would actually suggest doing something completely different if you want to do graduate entry medicine.

With the GAMSAT and all that malarkay, any level 8 primary degree with a 2:1 will do, and the colleges can't restrict entry to, for example, only people with science degrees, clinically-orientated degrees etc.

There are a couple of people in my class (mature students, not GEPs) who have pharmacy, physio, dentistry, biochem degrees and whilst they may have some advantage in the relevant modules (pharmacology, biochem etc) and some added clinical exposure, by the time we graduate we will all be considered equals. It is your clinical skills that distinguishes you as a doctor, not a science or other degree you did 5/6 years ago.
Once you get into medicine you will be taught what you need to know to be doctor in the course of doing the degree - it assumes no prerequisite knowledge above and beyond the basic (i.e. leaving cert) sciences (and there's even Pre-Med for people who need to catch up on those!).

There's no sense (and it's slightly selfish, in fact) taking up a space in physio, pharm, nursing, dentistry (or whatever) when you have zero intention of practising once you graduate merely for some supposed advantage it may give you in a handful of modules in a different course. I'm sure we all know plenty of people with a genuine intereste in those areas who missed out on such courses by a handful of points. In addition, if you have no interest in something you will perform less well at it and will enjoy your time in college even less.

My own feeling is, do something you're genuinely interested in (whether it be arts, sciences, business etc - after medicine of course!) and worry about getting a 2:1 in that and doing the GAMSAT. At the very least, you'll also bring something different to the field of medicine. For instance, a philosophy, economics, english or maths degree would allow you to take a different perspective and do something different without affecting your chances of getting into medicine.

And remember, don't feel bad if you don't want to put Human Health and Disease, Biochemical Sciences or a similar course down second on your CAO after medicine. Not everyone who genuinely wants to do medicine also wants to do a science degree, or nursing, or whatever. For instance, my second choice was an arts course.

opinion guy

HQvhs wrote: »

There are a couple of people in my class (mature students, not GEPs) who have pharmacy, physio, dentistry, biochem degrees and whilst they may have some advantage in the relevant modules (pharmacology, biochem etc) and some added clinical exposure, by the time we graduate we will all be considered equals. It is your clinical skills that distinguishes you as a doctor, not a science or other degree you did 5/6 years ago.
Once you get into medicine you will be taught what you need to know to be doctor in the course of doing the degree - it assumes no prerequisite knowledge above and beyond the basic (i.e. leaving cert) sciences (and there's even Pre-Med for people who need to catch up on those!).

There's no sense (and it's slightly selfish, in fact) taking up a space in physio, pharm, nursing, dentistry (or whatever) when you have zero intention of practising once you graduate merely for some supposed advantage it may give you in a handful of modules in a different course. I'm sure we all know plenty of people with a genuine intereste in those areas who missed out on such courses by a handful of points. In addition, if you have no interest in something you will perform less well at it and will enjoy your time in college even less.

I'm sorry but this is rubbish. Knowledge such as a physio, pharm, biochem graduate etc will gain, become more useful AFTER graduation. Physio knowledge for example would be endlessly useful to an orthopaedic surgeon, biochem or physiology knowledge would be of huge value to anyone planning to do internal medicine or any of its subspecialties. Dentistry is a requirement for anyone who wants to go on to be an oral surgeon. Not in final med or intern year, but at reg level, spr and research, having a biomedical science degree would be invaluable.

You will find also in the US the knowledge of the biomedical sciences is much greater amongst US medical graduates than irish ones - parlty because med is post grad over there

This thing about it being selfish taking up a place is also rubbish. And facetious. For one thing - just because someone may not intend practising their training long term does NOT mean them gaining that training has been a waste of knowledge. The person will carry that knowledge into their future careers. For another - lots of medical graduates don't stay in medicine and go on to do other things.

HQvhs

opinion guy wrote: »

I'm sorry but this is rubbish. Knowledge such as a physio, pharm, biochem graduate etc will gain, become more useful AFTER graduation. Physio knowledge for example would be endlessly useful to an orthopaedic surgeon, biochem or physiology knowledge would be of huge value to anyone planning to do internal medicine or any of its subspecialties. Dentistry is a requirement for anyone who wants to go on to be an oral surgeon. Not in final med or intern year, but at reg level, spr and research, having a biomedical science degree would be invaluable.

Of course, I'm not saying any knowledge gained would be useless. What I am saying is that the knowledge you need as a medic you learn in med school and post-grad. If that weren't the case, then there would be a huge variance in the standard of qualifying doctors based on their undergraduate degree. If you need to acquire extra knowledge (which you inevtiably will) you can do this postgrad, like most people. I will grant you the Max-Fax exception, but you can also take an accelerated dentistry course (3yrs AFAIK) post-grad.

You will find also in the US the knowledge of the biomedical sciences is much greater amongst US medical graduates than irish ones - parlty because med is post grad over there

Indeed it is, and it is mainly because they do undergrad degrees. But also note that many US medical students have liberal arts degrees, not science degrees. Besides, the biomedical science you need to know you will learn in med school. If you want to undertake research or carry out further study in the area post-grad, there are plenty of Intercalated or MD options available. Most people do not know what area they want to go into before they start medical school, so to undertake a specific biochemistry degree on the off-chance they may become a researcher-physician, or a dentistry degree because they want to become a maxillo-facial surgeon seems risky.

This thing about it being selfish taking up a place is also rubbish. And facetious. For one thing - just because someone may not intend practising their training long term does NOT mean them gaining that training has been a waste of knowledge. The person will carry that knowledge into their future careers. For another - lots of medical graduates don't stay in medicine and go on to do other things.

Indeed, but the primary aim of these courses (including medicine) is to train people to do a job, why would you do them otherwise? (Especially if the state is paying for you to do them). I'd go on about limited resources, opportunity cost etc but I shan't bother.

Bottom line: do something you're interested in. If that is biochem, or physio then fine! If it happens to be medieval english literature or classics, then that's fine too! Neither degree will make you a better or worse doctor in the long run; that's what medical school is for!

Chunky Monkey

If you do decide to go the GEM route, be wary of what course you pick as you are one of very many in this situation. A lot of people automatically apply for biomed or that health sci course in UCD because it sounds the most relevant but that then means that in four/five years time there's going to be a lot of you with the exact same qualifications and nothing to distinguish you.

sefki

I'm a physiotherapist and I think the course would be ideal for you. The main reasons you are interested in medicine seem to be that you want to work with people and you are interested in pathology/diseases and treatments. You will get lots of exposure to both of these as a physiotherapy student and in addition to that you will get to spend lots of time on placement in hospitals working with patients and building up a rapport with them. (In fact, if you are not very motivated by money and you want to work with people you might find that physio is a more suitable career for you than medicine!) Don't let the supposed connection between physio and sport put you off - in reality only a small percentage of physiotherapists work in sport. The course is a HEALTHCARE course, so it is designed to prepare you for working in a hospital not a sports setting. Physios typically work in neurology (stroke, brain injury, ect - often helping people to learn to walk again or use their limbs), musculoskeletal (sore knees, shoulders...) and respiratory (people with pneumonia or cystic fibrosis or after surgery, who are at risk of chest infections). Pharmacy would probably be helpful to you if you were to go on to study medicine but to the best of my knowledge you wont have any contact with patients during your time in college studying pharmacy. Physiotherapy would give you a good background in anatomy and physiology. It also builds good clinical reasoning skills that help if you go on to study medicine. If you still dont know which path to choose you should try to shadow a physio or pharmacist for a day and see what the jobs involve. Then you will know what you are going to be studying.

DaveATT

I'm finishing my 3rd year of physio atm probably going to try and get into Medicine next March. At leaving cert stage I don't think you should really be thinking about graduate entry medicine imo because it's too far away. I personally think Physio (if you got the points) would be a fantastic option, so much patient interaction through a hospital setting. Don't just do a science or healthcare degree for the sake of trying to do medicine after though. With regards to grad entry Medicine, it's about 13k/yr here atm (loan needed), NHS covers most of your fees in England but no need to think about that yet. Good luck anyway!