[AtomicMan]

(Original post by HeavyTeddy)
Hi ,

Since I've joined TSR, I've noticed that a high percentage of the medics on this site have amazing GCSE grades and A levels, and therefore obviously have a better chance of getting into medical school. However, for people like me, who have average/poor results and are aspiring to become medics, we increasingly feel as if there is very little hope of getting into medicine.

So, I just wanted to find out if there are any medical students on here who have got in with average GCSE grades (low number of A/A* at GCSE, high number of B's)? And is there any beneficial advice when applying to medical school?

Also does anyone have a list of medic schools that don't rely much on GCSE's specifically?

Thanks!

Btw, my GCSE results were: A*AABBBBBBBD. (The D is in drama )

What grades do you have in english, science and maths?

[HopefulFutureMedic]

Well done to M | k e congratulations, wish you the best

I've not done very well either in my GCSE's, but im still aiming for medicine! (currently in Y12)

[HeavyTeddy]

(Original post by AtomicMan)
What grades do you have in english, science and maths?

AB in english , BBB for science and a B for maths.

[CpnCornetto]

(Original post by HeavyTeddy)
Hi ,

Since I've joined TSR, I've noticed that a high percentage of the medics on this site have amazing GCSE grades and A levels, and therefore obviously have a better chance of getting into medical school. However, for people like me, who have average/poor results and are aspiring to become medics, we increasingly feel as if there is very little hope of getting into medicine.

So, I just wanted to find out if there are any medical students on here who have got in with average GCSE grades (low number of A/A* at GCSE, high number of B's)? And is there any beneficial advice when applying to medical school?

Also does anyone have a list of medic schools that don't rely much on GCSE's specifically?

Thanks!

Btw, my GCSE results were: A*AABBBBBBBD. (The D is in drama )

My GCSE's are 2A* 1A 6B's and a C
It's entirely possible, I've taken a forced gap and have had three interviews this year.
Might take longer but it's NOT impossible.

[tobeamedic]

I know many people with poor GCSE's doing Medicine

[Future_Dr]

probably hear this a lot, but just work hard on Alevel, try to get AAAA at AS at least. Also you're going to need plenty of Work Xp on you hand with some voluntary work at your finger tips.

Also do plenty of research, don't consider unis which base havily on GCSE like brimingham, bristol etc. like the poster above Newcastle might be a good one.

So the past is past don't let your GCSEs let you down, concentrate on making the other parts of your application better.
I had 5A* 5A 2B 1C, that one C is in English Language, now that created a lot of problems for me as most med schools require a min B, so I'm gonna apply carefully and try to get as much work xp and vol work done. Good luck. btw enjoy this day, it only comes around once every four years!

[HeavyTeddy]

(Original post by sgeorge11)
probably hear this a lot, but just work hard on Alevel, try to get AAAA at AS at least. Also you're going to need plenty of Work Xp on you hand with some voluntary work at your finger tips.

Also do plenty of research, don't consider unis which base havily on GCSE like brimingham, bristol etc. like the poster above Newcastle might be a good one.

So the past is past don't let your GCSEs let you down, concentrate on making the other parts of your application better.
I had 5A* 5A 2B 1C, that one C is in English Language, now that created a lot of problems for me as most med schools require a min B, so I'm gonna apply carefully and try to get as much work xp and vol work done. Good luck. btw enjoy this day, it only comes around once every four years!

Sounds like a plan. Also, good luck with your application and all the best. I'm thinking of applying to Sheffield, Leicester, Newcastle and the fourth I'm not sure yet. Does that sound reasonable with the GCSE's I've got?

[HeavyTeddy]

(Original post by HopefulFutureMedic)
Well done to M | k e congratulations, wish you the best

I've not done very well either in my GCSE's, but im still aiming for medicine! (currently in Y12)

What'd you get at GCSE, if you don't mind me asking?

[Future_Dr]

(Original post by HeavyTeddy)
Sounds like a plan. Also, good luck with your application and all the best. I'm thinking of applying to Sheffield, Leicester, Newcastle and the fourth I'm not sure yet. Does that sound reasonable with the GCSE's I've got?

I guess, you'r gonna need to just double check and take their views on board too... try emailing each uni and ask for their opinion. I mean you meet the requirement for english and maths, check uni websites whether they don't have a 'Minimum GCSE grades requirement' or GCSE scoring system.

[M | k e]

(Original post by HeavyTeddy)
Sounds like a plan. Also, good luck with your application and all the best. I'm thinking of applying to Sheffield, Leicester, Newcastle and the fourth I'm not sure yet. Does that sound reasonable with the GCSE's I've got?

I believe Sheffield do a "hurdle system" to get to interview, where the first hurdle is GCSE's, then UKCAT, then I can't remember the order. But I'd be wary of them as you may well fall at the first GCSE hurdle in which case even if everything else is perfect you still wouldn't get an interview. At least that's how I gathered they work, be sure to check what they require and email them to make sure you wouldn't just get an instant rejection, when I emailed they were honest and simply said even with 3 A*'s at A2 and 750 UKCAT I wouldn't get considered because of my GCSE's, which is fine at least they told me

[H.J.P]

(Original post by HeavyTeddy)
Hi ,

Since I've joined TSR, I've noticed that a high percentage of the medics on this site have amazing GCSE grades and A levels, and therefore obviously have a better chance of getting into medical school. However, for people like me, who have average/poor results and are aspiring to become medics, we increasingly feel as if there is very little hope of getting into medicine.

So, I just wanted to find out if there are any medical students on here who have got in with average GCSE grades (low number of A/A* at GCSE, high number of B's)? And is there any beneficial advice when applying to medical school?

Also does anyone have a list of medic schools that don't rely much on GCSE's specifically?

Thanks!

Btw, my GCSE results were: A*AABBBBBBBD. (The D is in drama )

If you have good as level results and good A2 predictions AND more importantly you apply wisely, you can still get in VOID places which heavily emphasis GCSE. You'll also need a really good non-academic record to help compensate.

However, if your finding GCSE hard now, you will need to WORK YOU BUT OFF at a levels to get good grades

[clareannis]

I know that when I was thinking of doing medicine in yr12 I was told not to apply for Birmingham because they wanted at least 7A*s but I only had 6. So don't apply there!!

[TaraBelle]

Hi guys, hoping to apply this year

My gcse's weren't amazing compared to others: 6A*s (chem, english lit and lang,physics, maths and rs), 4A's (biology, french, history and business) and then distinctions in btec performing arts and ICT (not sure if they're worth anything though?)

If I applied to unis that take say your top 6 (eg Leicester), and they say they'll include english, maths and science in the top 6, does that mean my A in my biology will be taken, leaving my top 6 as 5A*'s and 1 A rather than 6 A*'s?

I'm predicted 3A's and a B (unfortunately in chemistry, but I know I can get an A) and my other subjects are bio, maths and sociology, and I'll probably drop maths or sociology after AS, depending on which one I do worse in!

I've done work experience abroad for three weeks, at a GP regularly and for one week in the school compulsory thing, volunteering every saturday for 2 hours at a hospital since june, and planned some work experience at a hospital in London for summer.

Another thing I'm a bit worried about is that I have extra curricular activities, but none of them are something I could say are 'relaxing' as such. I know people have said that in the PS you should say something along the lines of 'In my spare time I like to relax by eg (playing piano) which is essential in the stressful like of a doctor' type thing, so is that a must? Would I be better off making something up that I do to relax- even yoga?

Any advice would be appreciated!

[lala12]

Hey im new. I just wanted to ask a question that's bugging me. I got 4As and a B at AS. Would the B hinder me in applying for medicine, or would it not matter, because i intend to drop it anyway? The rest of my application is good (i think). I've been looking on the stalking page and I've seen that people who got even one B at AS got rejected from birmingham without interview, so I'm a bit worried

Thanks in advance for all ur help

[Phenylethylamine_]

No - entry requirements are AAA at A level and most unis ask for a B in the fourth AS.

[Kevlar]

You stand no chance whatsoever.

[lala12]

(Original post by Kevlar)
You stand no chance whatsoever.

Thanks so much for your wonderful help, the great deal of insight you provided will no doubt aid me infinitely...NOT

[Venomilys]

look at it this way. It is an advantage to have an A in your fourth AS, thus it is a disadvantage to have a B at AS. The magnitude of that disadvantage is subjective, however any medical school would be more inclined towards AAAA rather than AAAB.

[lala12]

(Original post by Phenylethylamine_)
No - entry requirements are AAA at A level and most unis ask for a B in the fourth AS.

Oh ok, thanks for your help, reassured me a lot

[Kevlar]

(Original post by lala12)
Thanks so much for your wonderful help, the great deal of insight you provided will no doubt aid me infinitely...NOT

It was of my greatest pleasure to have been of brilliant assistance to you and your needs.