Should I take all Sciences For A level???

Hello Im new here so if it isnt asking too much go easy :smile:

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Well its simple really Ive just finished GCSE`s and well I feel I did mediocre, this isnt because I was unable to get good results but because of other circumstances such as a broken leg incapacitating me from attending lessons for 3 months and then a death in my family which hit me hard.
But Im not here to tell a sob story, the real question is Im planning on taking all three sciences and maths mechanics for Alevels and really want to do Medicine in Oxford.
First is it a smart choice and is it the best for what I want to do and second is there anything extra I can do?
My GCSE grades may have not reflected my full abilities but I intend to do everything I can near the next two years to get what I want.

Thanks for your replies :smile:

(edited 12 years ago)

Reply 1

Cavzy

to do medicine at oxbridge youll probably need all a stars at gcse and at a level so unless your unbelievably clever then you wouldnt have a chance really

Reply 2

racheatworld

Original post by mohamedomar

Hello Im new here so if it isnt asking too much go easy :smile:

I'm sorry, but Oxford do ask for 70-100% A* at GCSE. Most applicants will have around 90% A*s at GCSE, other entrance figures can be found on their website.

Even though you do have extenuating circumstances, if your GCSE's are mediocre then they will put you at a disadvantage.

Yes, your A Level subjects are fine. What I would do is start on work experience and voluntary work now. Oxford are more focused on the academics, but you'll be applying to 3 other Medical schools, and a long-term voluntary placement looks much better than one arranged at the last minute. By the time of application, if you say get a placement at a care home this summer, you'll have 1 and a half years (or so) up your sleeve, which will look impressive.

Away from other Unis, Oxford want a caring medic obviously, but put a lot more focus on academics. Start reading around medicine - read the BMJ (British Medical journal) and check the Oxford reading list (found here - select Medicine and download the PDF).

Found on Oxford's website - "First and foremost, read what interests you the most. Each student should, from early on, begin to develop their own particular area of expertise. Second, consider what subjects or topics relevant to preclinical medicine you may not cover in your A-level studies (or equivalent)."
So decide on which area of medicine you want to focus on, maybe you could do an EPQ on this and in interview (a long way off, I know) will be useful. Then, if you study CHD, Lung Cancer, Emphysema, HIV, TB, Malaria etc in your A levels come September (these are the diseases I studied during Biology course this year, this obviously will depend on your exam board) look at different forms of medicine that you wont get to study - maybe Neurology? Mental-health illnesses? Things that you won't have ANY experience with, that you'll have to research yourself and will form your own opinions on, without any input from a teacher. This will be extremely useful in defending your views that Oxbridge seem to want you to justify during interview.

I hope I've helped. But you have to remember you've got 3 other medical schools on your UCAS form too - and there's no point expecting Oxford over the other 3 at all. You should apply to Medicine for the COURSE, not the University. It's amazing to get into Medicine at any institution.

Reply 3

ma'92

Why medicine at oxbridge ? Have you researched about the course structure, teaching methods etc. or you just jumped on the oxbridge bandwagon, just remember medicine anywhere is good. It's a difficult degree and really competitive to get into. Generally oxbridge applicants have a strong set of GCSE grades. You've just finished your GCSE's, I personally think it's too early to pick your university choices, but it's good to know you've decided upon a career path, over the next year or so just reinforce that it is what you really want to do by gaining work experience etc. and towards the end of your AS go into depth with planning your application and picking university choices.

Reply 4

mohamedomar

Truthfully, I picked Oxbridge for partly the name, as have many I believe but also and mostly I picked it because I am more interested in the theoretical side of medicine and also I wanted a wide breadth of the subject so yeah thats why I picked it.
But also thanks for your honesty and help and I will try as hard as I can.

Reply 5

oli_G

Original post by mohamedomar

I thought you said you wanted to go to Oxford? Now you're saying Oxbridge. :rolleyes:

If you have mediocre GCSEs, Cambridge is a better bet as they place less emphasis on GCSEs. As others have said you should be doing Medicine for the course not the prestige of a certain uni.

Reply 6

racheatworld

Original post by mohamedomar

What do you mean you "are more interested in the theoretical side of medicine?" You do realise, after your degree, wherever you go, 99.9% of the time you will be a doctor, doing practical work? greeting and treating patients, writing prescriptions, if you work in a hospital then maybe even surgery after further specialisation. You may attend the odd course/do further study, but most of your time will NOT be theoretically learning about medicine. Medicine is a vocational subject, and even Oxbridge aren't all about lectures, they have to do clinicals as well.

And yes, there's nothing wrong with picking Oxford for "the name". People who say they haven't chosen to apply because of its reputation are liars.

What do you mean by "I wanted a wide breadth of the subject so yeah thats why I picked it" ? Any medical school you will go to will have a similar course outline (within reason), and you can't really have a "wide breath of the subject". I mean how can you be a doctor of everything? You can't. I wouldn't like my neurologist to also be a paediatrician, AND a cardiologist - I mean how would he/she have the focus on Neurology needed to be an excellent neurologist? That's why Oxford say they want you to make your own decision about a medical area you're interested in in the future - and demonstrate this. Maybe attend lectures about it etc.

But yeah, you should head on over to the Medicine forum for more info. Maybe look into organising that voluntary work/work experience. :smile:

(edited 12 years ago)

Reply 7

ma'92

Original post by mohamedomar

Firstly you need to decide which one it is ? Oxford or Cambridge. Both are separate med schools with different entry requirements and each looking for something different in a candidate.

Medicine courses generally involve a lot more clinical side than theoretical, afterall you are training to deal with patients. You really need to see the medicine degree as whole, during your later years they will be a lot more clinical teaching and placements, do you think you will enjoy this ? If you really enjoy the theoretical sciency part of medicine maybe you should you rethink your career choice and choose something like biomedical science/physiology.

Reply 8

mohamedomar

I think then Im going to choose Cambridge, but whether they choose me is another matter :L
And racheatworld I understand what you mean and will definately be looking into voluntary work so I thank you lots :smile:

Id like to thank you guys and girls you have helped me clear my thoughts a lot