Help Lian to finish medical school #lian4med
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Hello! My name is Lian David and thank you for visiting my page.
I am on the journey to self fund my five years of medical school at the University of East Anglia . My ambition is to become a paediatrician and this stems from my love for helping young people. For the past 7 years, I have tutored children aged between 4 and 18 years old in Maths, English and Science. As well as helping my students to learn, I also have learnt alot from them and I have gained an increased awareness of some of the challenges that they face today for example, neuro-developmental and mental health problems. This, as well learning neuroscience in my first degree sparked my interest in paediatric psychiatry. As a future paediatrician, I hope to make a significant difference to the lives of the next generation. It is a fascinating and constantly evolving speciality that is continues to make great progress. I am excited at the prospect of pursuing this career and being able to advocate for young people and improve public mental health.
Sadly, due to having a previous degree in Biomedical Science, I am not entitled to a tuition loan from Student Finance England. I am from a low income single parent household and so I cannot afford to pay for my tuition fees which are 9,250 pounds a year for four years (my fifth year of study will be covered by the NHS). I have applied for over thirty grants and scholarship programs and thankfully in 2019, I was awarded a one-off grant of 500 pounds from the Francis Courtney Educational Fund . But unfortunately, all other funding applications have been unsuccessful due to competition.
Currently, I one-to-one tutor 15 students a week in Maths, English and Science. This is about 20 working hours a week and so I sacrifice a lot of study time and classes. These working hours are not sustainable throughout my course as medical school will become more demanding as the years progress. I yearn to dedicate and apply myself to my medicine degree so that one day I can become an outstanding paediatrician but, I fear that I may not be able to complete the course due to the great financial burden that I am facing. I aim to fundraise 9,250 pounds by September 2020. I would be grateful for any financial support that you can provide towards my tuition fees.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read and share my story.
Please read more about my story below:
About Me
I am British-Dominican and I was raised in a single parent household in West London. I attended a comprehensive state school called St Mark’s Catholic School from Years 7 through to Year 13. Throughout my GCSEs my teachers inspired and helped me to achieve excellent grades of 6A*3A1B and this further motivated me to dream big when it came to my future career. However, during sixth form, many people continuously discouraged me from applying to medical school as they simply couldn’t imagine me getting a place. Nevertheless, I remained resilient and applied. Sadly, I received no interviews or offers due to the competitive nature of the course. I was devastated but still determined to one day become a doctor; and so I achieved 3As in my A Levels and accepted my offer to study Biomedical Sciences at King’s College London and hoped to enter medical school after graduation.
Caption: A celebratory moment during my Biomedical Science degree when my group and I achieved a distinction in our project which explored the under representation of autism amongst females
Throughout my Biomedical Science degree, I continued to gain work experience through volunteering in hospitals and shadowing healthcare professionals. Additionally, since entering my first year of Biomedical Science, I continued to improve my medicine application by spending every summer holiday studying for the entrance exams. When the time finally came to sit the entrance exam, I greatly underperformed as just one week prior I was evacuated back to London from the Caribbean where I experienced a traumatic category 5 Hurricane event that left my family without our belongings, electricity, food and water. Unfortunately, most medical schools were unable to take this extenuating circumstance into account and so, I was rejected from all of my chosen medical schools. I was heartbroken particularly, because I had been working tirelessly for years to make my application as strong as possible; but due to events beyond my control, I could not pursue my dream that year.
Caption: In July 2018, I graduated with an Upper Second Class with Honours in Biomedical Science from King's College London
With great encouragement from my friends and family, I re- applied to medical school for the third time and thankfully gained two interviews and two unconditional offers. I chose to study at the University of East Anglia because the course offers early patient contact and a problem solving style of learning which well-matches my learning style. I am enjoying the course so far and I hope to complete my degree there.
My ambition to become a paediatrician stems from my love for helping young people. For the past 7 years, I have tutored children aged between 4 and 18 years old in Maths, English and Science. As well as helping my students to learn, I also have learnt alot from them and I have gained an increased awareness of some the challenges that they face today for example:
- Neuro developmental problems in childhood such as autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Emotional and behavioural problems such as anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD)
- Other important mental health problems including eating disorders and self harm.
This, as well learning neuroscience in my first degree sparked in me an interest in paediatric psychiatry. As a future paediatrician, I can make a significant difference to the lives of the next generation. Having had work experience in the field at Evelina’s Children Hospital and Norfolk and Norwich University hospital, I have been inspired by the work of the paediatricians and have seen that it is a fascinating and developing speciality. I am excited at the prospect of pursuing this career and being able to advocate for young people and improve public mental health.
Awards and scholarships
Associate of King’s College London award in Theology, Philosophy and Ethics -
- July 2018
Featured in the Future Leader’s annual publication as one of the UK’s Top 100 African and Caribbean students and graduates -
- 2017/2018
Future Leaders is an annual publication, which profiles 100 of the most outstanding black university students in Britain. It is aimed at secondary school sixth-form, college and university students and is used as a role model guide to inspire and raise attainment.
Broadening Horizons award to study at King’s college London to study Biomedical Research
( Gene, Brain and Behaviour) at Radboud University, the Netherlands -
-July 2017
Caption: In July 2017, I was chosen to spend a week in the Netherlands to learn from top research academics in genetics and neuroscience about the steps being taken to further explore and treat various health conditions
Positions of responsibility
President and founder, African Caribbean Medical Society at the University of East Anglia - 2019-present
Inspired by the work of King’s African Caribbean Medical Society (KCL ACMA) and other organisations such as Melanin Medics, I created the UEA African Caribbean Medical Society which is based at muycurrent university. I lead a team of ten in providing social, academic and professional services to help to reduce the barriers that African and Caribbean medical students face at university.
Speaker, St Mark’s Catholic School – Journey into medical school-
October 2018
Caption: In 2018, I was invited back to my secondary school to speak to students between Year 7 and Year 13 about my education journey
Medicine application officer and mentor, King’s African & Caribbean Medical Association – July 2018-July 2019
In collaboration with African Caribbean Medical Mentors(ACMM), I co-led the organisation of a two-day mock interview events for 30 aspiring medics.
The days included sessions on:
Interactive sessions on how to be best prepared for panel and multiple mini interviews (MMI)
Ethics and NHS Hot topics group discussions
Mock interview circuits
Tour of King’s College London Guy’s Campus
- - - -
Year 9 students from Southwark and Lambeth schools were invited to King’s College London for a memorable day of learning and gaining and insight into university life and how to prepare to enter medical school.
Bible study leader, King’s College London Gospel Society
- March 2016-2017
Caption: During my first two years of university I was greatly involved in the drama and choir groups in the gospel society. I also took on the role of Bible leader where I taught up to 30 members a week and facilitated group discussions
I am on the journey to self fund my five years of medical school at the University of East Anglia . My ambition is to become a paediatrician and this stems from my love for helping young people. For the past 7 years, I have tutored children aged between 4 and 18 years old in Maths, English and Science. As well as helping my students to learn, I also have learnt alot from them and I have gained an increased awareness of some of the challenges that they face today for example, neuro-developmental and mental health problems. This, as well learning neuroscience in my first degree sparked my interest in paediatric psychiatry. As a future paediatrician, I hope to make a significant difference to the lives of the next generation. It is a fascinating and constantly evolving speciality that is continues to make great progress. I am excited at the prospect of pursuing this career and being able to advocate for young people and improve public mental health.
Sadly, due to having a previous degree in Biomedical Science, I am not entitled to a tuition loan from Student Finance England. I am from a low income single parent household and so I cannot afford to pay for my tuition fees which are 9,250 pounds a year for four years (my fifth year of study will be covered by the NHS). I have applied for over thirty grants and scholarship programs and thankfully in 2019, I was awarded a one-off grant of 500 pounds from the Francis Courtney Educational Fund . But unfortunately, all other funding applications have been unsuccessful due to competition.
Currently, I one-to-one tutor 15 students a week in Maths, English and Science. This is about 20 working hours a week and so I sacrifice a lot of study time and classes. These working hours are not sustainable throughout my course as medical school will become more demanding as the years progress. I yearn to dedicate and apply myself to my medicine degree so that one day I can become an outstanding paediatrician but, I fear that I may not be able to complete the course due to the great financial burden that I am facing. I aim to fundraise 9,250 pounds by September 2020. I would be grateful for any financial support that you can provide towards my tuition fees.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read and share my story.
Please read more about my story below:
About Me
I am British-Dominican and I was raised in a single parent household in West London. I attended a comprehensive state school called St Mark’s Catholic School from Years 7 through to Year 13. Throughout my GCSEs my teachers inspired and helped me to achieve excellent grades of 6A*3A1B and this further motivated me to dream big when it came to my future career. However, during sixth form, many people continuously discouraged me from applying to medical school as they simply couldn’t imagine me getting a place. Nevertheless, I remained resilient and applied. Sadly, I received no interviews or offers due to the competitive nature of the course. I was devastated but still determined to one day become a doctor; and so I achieved 3As in my A Levels and accepted my offer to study Biomedical Sciences at King’s College London and hoped to enter medical school after graduation.
Caption: A celebratory moment during my Biomedical Science degree when my group and I achieved a distinction in our project which explored the under representation of autism amongst females
Throughout my Biomedical Science degree, I continued to gain work experience through volunteering in hospitals and shadowing healthcare professionals. Additionally, since entering my first year of Biomedical Science, I continued to improve my medicine application by spending every summer holiday studying for the entrance exams. When the time finally came to sit the entrance exam, I greatly underperformed as just one week prior I was evacuated back to London from the Caribbean where I experienced a traumatic category 5 Hurricane event that left my family without our belongings, electricity, food and water. Unfortunately, most medical schools were unable to take this extenuating circumstance into account and so, I was rejected from all of my chosen medical schools. I was heartbroken particularly, because I had been working tirelessly for years to make my application as strong as possible; but due to events beyond my control, I could not pursue my dream that year.
Caption: In July 2018, I graduated with an Upper Second Class with Honours in Biomedical Science from King's College London
With great encouragement from my friends and family, I re- applied to medical school for the third time and thankfully gained two interviews and two unconditional offers. I chose to study at the University of East Anglia because the course offers early patient contact and a problem solving style of learning which well-matches my learning style. I am enjoying the course so far and I hope to complete my degree there.
My ambition to become a paediatrician stems from my love for helping young people. For the past 7 years, I have tutored children aged between 4 and 18 years old in Maths, English and Science. As well as helping my students to learn, I also have learnt alot from them and I have gained an increased awareness of some the challenges that they face today for example:
- Neuro developmental problems in childhood such as autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Emotional and behavioural problems such as anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD)
- Other important mental health problems including eating disorders and self harm.
This, as well learning neuroscience in my first degree sparked in me an interest in paediatric psychiatry. As a future paediatrician, I can make a significant difference to the lives of the next generation. Having had work experience in the field at Evelina’s Children Hospital and Norfolk and Norwich University hospital, I have been inspired by the work of the paediatricians and have seen that it is a fascinating and developing speciality. I am excited at the prospect of pursuing this career and being able to advocate for young people and improve public mental health.
Awards and scholarships
Associate of King’s College London award in Theology, Philosophy and Ethics -
- July 2018
Featured in the Future Leader’s annual publication as one of the UK’s Top 100 African and Caribbean students and graduates -
- 2017/2018
Future Leaders is an annual publication, which profiles 100 of the most outstanding black university students in Britain. It is aimed at secondary school sixth-form, college and university students and is used as a role model guide to inspire and raise attainment.
Broadening Horizons award to study at King’s college London to study Biomedical Research
( Gene, Brain and Behaviour) at Radboud University, the Netherlands -
-July 2017
Caption: In July 2017, I was chosen to spend a week in the Netherlands to learn from top research academics in genetics and neuroscience about the steps being taken to further explore and treat various health conditions
Positions of responsibility
President and founder, African Caribbean Medical Society at the University of East Anglia - 2019-present
Inspired by the work of King’s African Caribbean Medical Society (KCL ACMA) and other organisations such as Melanin Medics, I created the UEA African Caribbean Medical Society which is based at muycurrent university. I lead a team of ten in providing social, academic and professional services to help to reduce the barriers that African and Caribbean medical students face at university.
Speaker, St Mark’s Catholic School – Journey into medical school-
October 2018
Caption: In 2018, I was invited back to my secondary school to speak to students between Year 7 and Year 13 about my education journey
Medicine application officer and mentor, King’s African & Caribbean Medical Association – July 2018-July 2019
In collaboration with African Caribbean Medical Mentors(ACMM), I co-led the organisation of a two-day mock interview events for 30 aspiring medics.
The days included sessions on:
Interactive sessions on how to be best prepared for panel and multiple mini interviews (MMI)
Ethics and NHS Hot topics group discussions
Mock interview circuits
Tour of King’s College London Guy’s Campus
- - - -
Year 9 students from Southwark and Lambeth schools were invited to King’s College London for a memorable day of learning and gaining and insight into university life and how to prepare to enter medical school.
Bible study leader, King’s College London Gospel Society
- March 2016-2017
Caption: During my first two years of university I was greatly involved in the drama and choir groups in the gospel society. I also took on the role of Bible leader where I taught up to 30 members a week and facilitated group discussionsCo-organizers (4)
Lian David
Organizer
England
Sammie Celosa
Co-organizer
Tobi Esan
Co-organizer
Mary Odonkor
Co-organizer