So you got your HPAT results and you’re not happy with them. Ok, how do we move from here?
Your HPAT Result Does NOT Impact Your Worth
Your worth as a person is by no means affected by any exam. I feel this statement applies even more so to the HPAT. So many factors affect someone’s HPAT score from hard work and natural ability to money and luck of the day. It’s really such an absurd exam that says NOTHING about your worth as a person, or even as a doctor. I know plenty of brilliant doctors who couldn’t answer a HPAT question to save their life!
Allow Yourself to Grieve
After all that preparation, stress, time and effort, it can feel crushing to be disappointed by the final result. Let yourself feel whatever emotions come up. Be it anger, regret, sadness, disbelief, let the pain pass.
It’s completely fair to feel angry about the HPAT. Even as someone who did well in the HPAT, I think it’s a terrible exam. The HPAT was designed to test logic, empathy and pattern recognition. However, in my opinion, it only succeeds in shortlisting people into medicine who are wealthy, well read and have access to good internet. None of these are particularly important skills for a medical professional.
The HPAT only makes medicine more exclusive. It discriminates against students who are less well off or for whom English is a second language. I understand what the HPAT is trying to accomplish but I do not believe that it achieves its intended purpose. So yes – you have every right to feel upset that your pathway to medicine has been blocked by an exam that is essentially useless.
But…has the HPAT really blocked all chances of you getting the career of your dreams? All hope is not lost!
Although I do love a good rant, complaining about the HPAT and wallowing in disappointment aren’t going to do us any good. Let’s turn our attention to the future which is not in fact as doomed as you might think but actually brimming with possibility!
The Future is Bright!
The CAO
First of all don’t jump the gun and delete medicine off your CAO just because you’ve decided your HPAT score isn’t good enough. Things change every year. New course places are added, people do worse in the leaving cert in general, course requirements change, demand for medicine fluctuates so you never really know how many points you need for medicine until offers are sent out at the end of summer. Might as well keep medicine on your CAO just incase. Of course, if you feel you’d be better off trading medicine in for other course options then feel free to do so. Just don’t make any hasty decisions.
Repeating the HPAT
Ok let’s think about the worst case scenario here – you don’t get into medicine this time round. I know the thought of it brings you to tears but actually this could be a blessing in disguise. HPAT study doesn’t take up much time, especially when you’ve done it all before so you’ll have plenty of extra time to spend on new opportunities…
Learn Something New
Learn Something New. Even if you don’t get medicine you might be offered a place in another great course. If you do decide to go to college while repeating the HPAT you’ll have a great opportunity to get settled into college life without the pressure of med school. Plus, you’ll make new friends and learn new things that you would’ve completely missed out on had you gone straight into medicine. What’s more, this course might end up being the perfect fit for you! Click here for my advice on courses to put down after medicine.
Take a Gap Year
So many people would love to be in a position to take a gap year instead of trundling on to college for more hours of study. Get a job, focus on yourself and your hobbies, volunteer, maybe travel a bit if your budget allows (or you could work abroad to get the best of both worlds).
Earn Money
College is expensive – not just the fees but the lifestyle in general – food, transport, nights out, trips, coffee. If you get a job while repeating the HPAT you can save up. So, while others are faffing around trying to work three jobs on top of their studies, you’ll have one less thing to stress about in college.
Meeting New People
No matter which path in life you take you’re going to meet amazing people who will make such a difference to your life! Friends, romantic partners…you never know who your HPAT score will bring into your life!
Take a Break
The Leaving Cert is such an exhausting time and medicine is really hard core. What’s the rush to go from intense study to even more intense study? Let yourself recover from the last two years of hard work. This is your time to relax and focus on other aspects of your life that are important to you, like friends, family, hobbies, nature, fun etc.
Your HPAT score might close one door (for now) but it also opens so many others!
You Are Not Alone
So so so many people are in the same boat as you. The HPAT is a tough exam and loads of people end up having to repeat it. Honestly, there’s almost more people in my course who repeated the HPAT or took a year out than those who went straight into medicine.
As someone who went directly from Leaving Cert to 1st med I can honestly admit that I often envy people who had a gap between the two. People who repeated the HPAT seem more ready for college, more mature and sure of themselves because they’ve had time to figure out who they are outside of studies. Being a bit older starting college is not a bad thing – it gives you the maturity and self-assurance you need to really enjoy college.
Lots of students starting medicine are over twenty. So please get rid of any thoughts of ‘being behind’. You’re on your own path in life. There’s no set order in which to do things, just memories to make.
Summary
- Your HPAT score says nothing about your value as a person or how good of a doctor you’d be
- You are not alone – lots of people have to repeat the HPAT to get into medicine
- Not heading straight into medicine opens up so many opportunities for personal growth (gap years, earning money, making friends, finding another great course etc)
- Having an extra year to bridge the gap between school and college can actually be an advantage to you. You’ll be more mature and prepared for college. Plus you’ll have had a good break from intense study so you’ll be ready to hit the ground running if you do decide to reapply for medicine rather than burning out straight away
Now enjoy your summer! You deserve it!
Click here for my advice on what courses to put down after medicine.
Click here for how I got 100th percentile in the HPAT and how you can too
If you’re feeling a bit lost with what to do with your time after the Leaving Cert, check out some inspiring vision board kits here! disclosure – as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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