*MEGATHREAD* - The Ultimate 'Am I Good Enough For Medicine?' Angst Thread Mk II

Hi Everyone,

I'm getting a little bit worried about getting into medical school.
I done really well in my GCSE's apart from English Language where I got a grade B.
I achieved 7 A *'s, and 3 A's and a distinction (additional maths) in my other subjects.

Looking at the entry requirements some universities require a grade A in English Language.

I was wondering whether to apply to these or not, and what realistic chance I have with grade B English Language in other universities.

I am taking Chemistry, Biology, Physics and Maths A levels and got 2 A's and 2 C's in January exams. I am re-sitting Chemistry and Physics in June to improve my grades.

I am doing all the extra stuff you need, e.g. volunteering and have most of this summer filled up doing work experience si I have this covered, it's just this English result.
I would re-sit it if I had the chance but it's too late now as they have changed the syllabus and the last re-sit was last November.

Any advice?

Hi Everyone,
I'm getting a little bit worried about getting into medical school.
I done really well in my GCSE's apart from English Language where I got a grade B.
I achieved 7 A *'s, and 3 A's and a distinction (additional maths) in my other subjects.
Looking at the entry requirements some universities require a grade A in English Language.
I was wondering whether to apply to these or not, and what realistic chance I have with grade B English Language in other universities.
I am taking Chemistry, Biology, Physics and Maths A levels and got 2 A's and 2 C's in January exams. I am re-sitting Chemistry and Physics in June to improve my grades.
I am doing all the extra stuff you need, e.g. volunteering and have most of this summer filled up doing work experience si I have this covered, it's just this English result.
I would re-sit it if I had the chance but it's too late now as they have changed the syllabus and the last re-sit was last November.
Any advice?

Congrats on those gcses! unfortunately if you apply to a university which requires an A in English language you will get rejected so don't waste one of your precious choices. However you have excellent chances with any of the other universities which only need a B in english language.

Thanks for the advice, I've listed the universities which only require a B which makes me feel less worried as there are more than i thought there was.

As for the resits this summer I am worried i will fall down on the other exams because i have 5 exams and the 2 resits, so 7 in all. Will i be able to manage all of them, is there anyone who has been in a similar position?

I had 9 exams (11 if you include general studies) in June during my AS including two resits in maths and physics from January. I ended up with AAAB at AS. The B was in physics which I dropped. With hard work it's doable

Not true at all! AAA is more than sufficient to get you in next year. A*AA is beneficial in some cases (e.g. Applying to Barts where Ucas tarrif is more important) or places that specifically ask for an A* (Cambridge). As long as you have your achieved grades you don't need to worry. Focus more on making your Gap year productive and writing a good personal statement.

Will a university that requires A in English Language accept me if I have an A* in English lit, a B in Language at GCSE and an A or A* in English lit at A Level?

Wish I had the same 'intelligence' as you.

In case you genuinely thing you may not be clever enough, you are. Especially as you've got into the habbit of working lots in your spare time.

You're worrying unnecessarily. Medicine is less about intelligence, and more about work ethic, which you certainly have. Although I would have applied this year if I was you, even if it was just to get the experience of the ukcat and interviews.

After you get your grades, don't underestimate the ukcat! It seems to be becoming more and more important in admissions selections. You'll be on a gap year though, so you should have a good amount of time to sit it. A lot of places won't even give you an interview without a high enough ukcat, so please please study for it! Practice definitely makes you better, despite what some people say.

Thank you; I hope I've not come across as arrogant in that post, if that's what your first sentence implied. If not, please ignore me!

I'm interested to hear your views on a concern I have about applying for medicine.

Whilst I perform well academically (I'm an A2 student predicted A*A*A in biology, history and chemistry respectively) and others may consider me 'intelligent', I have personal doubts concerning my intelligence.

I put a large amount of work in to achieve the grades that I get: I work from 3-6pm after school (including frees) and a few hours on the weekends if necessary. A-levels themselves are not so much the concern, but the sheer volume of information that needs to be retained and the step up from A-levels that I might face with medicine is bothering me. My main two worries are:
- My maths and physics ability is average for Medical students (As at GCSE) - I understand concepts with time but I certainly can't pick up complex formula with the ease that some do.

Bugger me. Working 3 hours after school every day? I made it a rule that I never took anything home with me in A levels, did all the work I needed to at school.

Trust, there is nothing more complicated than A2 chemistry. Nothing I did in med school trumped that (USMLE was a different kettle of fish) Med school is just rote learning stacks of information, not particularly difficult.

My maths is crap, seriously. I wouldn't worry about it.

Isn't Biochemistry in medschool essentially similar to A2 chemistry in terms of the organic chem involved?
Correct me if I'm wrong (not a medic yet), but I would have assumed that's a bit more complex than A2 chemistry.

Isn't Biochemistry in medschool essentially similar to A2 chemistry in terms of the organic chem involved?
Correct me if I'm wrong (not a medic yet), but I would have assumed that's a bit more complex than A2 chemistry.

Isn't Biochemistry in medschool essentially similar to A2 chemistry in terms of the organic chem involved?
Correct me if I'm wrong (not a medic yet), but I would have assumed that's a bit more complex than A2 chemistry.