I made the decision to move into medicine, and to become a doctor, at the end of 2016. In September 2019, after teaching myself 4 years of science in 5 months, sitting a 9 hour exam, and guiding a blind-folded person to pick up a lego man with some tongs as part of an interview, I will finally be starting at the University of Dundee. In 6 years time, I can qualify as a doctor.
However, the largest barrier to my progress is a financial one. Due to my unusual circumstances, I won't be able to receive any financial support during my first year. As a mature graduate, I have already received tuition support from Student Finance for my first degree. As I am a graduate entering what is classed as an undergraduate medicine course (rather than a graduate-access course), I am not entitled to the special funding provided for that. And finally, because Student Finance has deemed my first Gateway year (which I have to do since I came from an arts background, and didn't do Chemistry at A-level) 'not a direct path to medical qualification', they have denied my application for a maintenance loan that is usually available for those studying medicine as a second degree. I can understand why there are some restrictions, but I can't help but feel I'm being continually punished for making the wrong choices at A-level as a clueless 16 year old who hadn't decided what career he wanted to pursue.
For the first year, I will need to pay tuition costs (£9250), accommodation costs (just under £5000), and then have money for day to day expenses. Altogether I estimate this coming to around £16000. I'm currently on course to have around £5000 to my name come September, and while I have an interview for a second job, I don't think I will be able to reach the required amount without help. I'm only trying to raise funds for the first year, as Student Finance have assured me that from my second year onwards I should receive the maintenance loan, and the University of Dundee has some grants available that I can apply for. It won't be until my final year that the NHS will pay for my tuition fees, but I think I should be able to scrape through years 2-5 on my own.
It's hard not to sound cliché, but I've always wanted a career that feels like I'm doing something good, something I can be proud of. Seeing a close friend go through a life-threatening medical situation, and my own later experiences in a Korean hospital have rammed home to me what a valuable and unique service the NHS provides. This is something I can feel proud to be a part of. I believe I have what it takes to become a doctor, and based on the fact I got an offer, the University of Dundee believes so too.

I have never liked to ask people for money, but I feel my situation has become desperate. I hope to make it more palatable by asking lots of people for a little bit, rather than relying on a few people to shell out a large amount.

Thank you for any support you can give, it means a lot to me, and hopefully, when I am qualified, I can repay your generosity by giving something back to other people in need. Please share this with other people, and if you have any questions or want further information on anything, just let me know.