Medicine graduate offers words of encouragement to disadvantaged pupils
A BSc student encouraged to pursue medicine after attending the University’s Sutton Trust Summer School graduated with a BSc (Hons) on Friday, 16 June. It was through this scheme that then-Balwearie High School pupil Kofi Afrifa learned of the University’s Gateway to Medicine programme. This one-year course is intended to promote the uptake of higher education, specifically the study of medicine, among those groups that are traditionally underrepresented at university.
Kofi and his sisters were the first generation in their family to attend university. Fascinated by science from a young age, Kofi sought out a career that would combine this academic interest with opportunities for problem-solving and working with people. His positive experience in the Gateway programme confirmed that studying medicine was an ideal option.
“The support I have received from the University has been incredible,” said Kofi. “During my Gateway year the access team regularly checked in with us, and the mentoring we received out of class time also helped to consolidate the material we had learned during lectures and helped us prep for exams.”
Kofi also received two scholarships, from the University and Santander respectively, which allowed him to forgo part-time work and focus entirely on his studies. “The University does have a lot of financial support available to students who think that University may not be accessible to them. Try not to let money be a factor in deciding whether to go to university and just go for it.”
Alongside his medical education, Kofi took advantage of the range of extra-curricular activities that St Andrews offers. He particularly enjoyed cross-country running in the beautiful natural surroundings and joining the Afro-Carribean Society. Born in Germany and living in Scotland since age five, Kofi is of Ghanaian descent.
Kofi also dedicated a considerable portion of his free time to supporting aspiring medical students as a Student Ambassador and In2MedSchool mentor. The latter role involved assisting students from disadvantaged backgrounds with the university application process. Reflecting on the experience, Kofi said, “I hope I can inspire fellow young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, like myself, what they can achieve if they put their mind to it.”
Read more about Kofi’s story in the University’s press release.