I want to study medicine
I studied hard to achieve my dream of becoming a medical doctor, but it seems I failed. I obtained a disappointing 14 points at A’ level (3OCDB in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Agriculture).
Dear Jamesa,
I studied hard to achieve my dream of becoming a medical doctor, but it seems I failed. I obtained a disappointing 14 points at A’ level (3OCDB in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Agriculture).
I have thought of repeating Senior Six, but I think I would not score any better because I did my best.
Is there a diploma course I can do to pave way for a degree in Medicine or do I bury all my hopes? I only dream of becoming a doctor and I will not settle before this dream comes true.
Ken
Dear Ken,
Disappointed as you are, you need to understand that scoring 14 points is not failing. The fact that your points cannot qualify you to join university on government sponsorship does not mean you failed.
Success begins with a change in attitude. You cannot make any progress if you perceive yourself as ‘a failure.’ Medical career has different levels and there is a diploma course that can pave your way to a degree in medicine.
Diploma Medical training:
There are three colleges that offer a three-year diploma programme in clinical medicine and community health. These are: Fort Portal, Mbale and Gulu schools of clinical officers.
This programme will give you practical medical skills that can enable you meet the health needs of the community.
Requirements:
Biology and Chemistry are the essential subjects required for this programme. Other relevant subjects are Mathematics and Physics. You need good principal passes in these subjects to qualify for the programme.
Application procedure:
Application forms for admission to all public tertiary institutions are filled in at Senior Six. The Joint Admissions Board (JAB) forms give you room to select other tertiary institutions apart from the public universities.
If you did not select other tertiary institutions when filling in the JAB forms, visit any of the above mentioned colleges and make enquiries on how you can join and pursue your diploma as a privately sponsored student.
Avenue to degree in human medicine:
A diploma (lower second class and above) in clinical medicine and community health qualifies you for admission into the five-year Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree programme.
The programme is offered by Makerere University and Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
Pursuing a diploma in clinical medicine might appear like a long path, but it will pave your way to the medical school. Remember, good things do not come easily.
The best way forward:
You need to develop a positive mind frame if you want to achieve your dreams. Pursue your dream with resolute determination and do not see yourself as a failure.
It doesn’t matter how long it takes or how huge the obstacles on your career path are, your perseverance will see you through.
Just like America’s sixth president, John Quincy Adams once wrote: ‘Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.’
Send your questions to:
Education Vision, P.O. BOX 9815 Kampala or jwagwau@newvision.co.ug
I studied hard to achieve my dream of becoming a medical doctor, but it seems I failed. I obtained a disappointing 14 points at A’ level (3OCDB in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Agriculture).
I have thought of repeating Senior Six, but I think I would not score any better because I did my best.
Is there a diploma course I can do to pave way for a degree in Medicine or do I bury all my hopes? I only dream of becoming a doctor and I will not settle before this dream comes true.
Ken
Dear Ken,
Disappointed as you are, you need to understand that scoring 14 points is not failing. The fact that your points cannot qualify you to join university on government sponsorship does not mean you failed.
Success begins with a change in attitude. You cannot make any progress if you perceive yourself as ‘a failure.’ Medical career has different levels and there is a diploma course that can pave your way to a degree in medicine.
Diploma Medical training:
There are three colleges that offer a three-year diploma programme in clinical medicine and community health. These are: Fort Portal, Mbale and Gulu schools of clinical officers.
This programme will give you practical medical skills that can enable you meet the health needs of the community.
Requirements:
Biology and Chemistry are the essential subjects required for this programme. Other relevant subjects are Mathematics and Physics. You need good principal passes in these subjects to qualify for the programme.
Application procedure:
Application forms for admission to all public tertiary institutions are filled in at Senior Six. The Joint Admissions Board (JAB) forms give you room to select other tertiary institutions apart from the public universities.
If you did not select other tertiary institutions when filling in the JAB forms, visit any of the above mentioned colleges and make enquiries on how you can join and pursue your diploma as a privately sponsored student.
Avenue to degree in human medicine:
A diploma (lower second class and above) in clinical medicine and community health qualifies you for admission into the five-year Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree programme.
The programme is offered by Makerere University and Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
Pursuing a diploma in clinical medicine might appear like a long path, but it will pave your way to the medical school. Remember, good things do not come easily.
The best way forward:
You need to develop a positive mind frame if you want to achieve your dreams. Pursue your dream with resolute determination and do not see yourself as a failure.
It doesn’t matter how long it takes or how huge the obstacles on your career path are, your perseverance will see you through.
Just like America’s sixth president, John Quincy Adams once wrote: ‘Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.’
Send your questions to:
Education Vision, P.O. BOX 9815 Kampala or jwagwau@newvision.co.ug