I'm so upset, didn't get into uni 2nd year running, don't know what to do?

I retook my A levels; Biology, Maths and Chemistry. I got CCD first time round, now I have BCC. I was 1 UMS mark off a B and 12 UMS marks off a B. I needed BBB to get into Sunderland for Pharmacy. I've been rejected from there now.

Hertfordshire had places in clearing for Pharmacy so I put my details down and they said they'd call me back yesterday. I haven't heard anything. Everyone I know who retook the year got their grades and are going to uni, I saw on facebook. I did apply through clearing for medical sciences too but I got my clearing number at 6pm on Thursday so it was late and I've been put on a waiting list for a few things.

I don't know what's wrong with me. Am I just thick? Shall I wait another year? I always wanted to do medicine, shall I retake 2 exams and apply for foundation medicine and pharmacy if I don't get into Hertfordshire? How do I explain to everyone that I'm not going to university again? I'm so depressed.

Well done on improving your grades - it's not easy.

I'd call Herts again this morning to let them know you're still there and still interested. Contact the other unis where you are on waiting lists, today. Just ring 'em all.

Unfortunately, for undergrad medicine most medical schools will not accept people who have taken A levels over more than two years, unless there are extenuating circumstances (and some won't even then).

Don't worry about what you're going to say to other people, just concentrate on doing your best to find a suitable place.

Congrats on improving your grades!

Don't let it get to you, just find an alternative route - there is always another way!!

I didn't get in last year to computer science so I reapplied this year to the computer science course with a foundation year. It might take a little longer but atleast I'm on the right path.

Just don't give up - you can do it ! Research your options!

Good luck xx

Check out this page! http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/Pharmacy_Degree#Admissions

Herts is closed today
Foundation medicine courses require BBB/BCC and also other entry criteria which I satisfy. I spoke to a medical student at UEA on results day and he said they don't mind students who have retaken A Levels.
I don't think I'm going to get a place again this year but thanks for your advice.

Herts is closed today
Foundation medicine courses require BBB/BCC and also other entry criteria which I satisfy. I spoke to a medical student at UEA on results day and he said they don't mind students who have retaken A Levels.
I don't think I'm going to get a place again this year but thanks for your advice.

I retook my A levels; Biology, Maths and Chemistry. I got CCD first time round, now I have BCC. I was 1 UMS mark off a B and 12 UMS marks off a B. I needed BBB to get into Sunderland for Pharmacy. I've been rejected from there now.

Hertfordshire had places in clearing for Pharmacy so I put my details down and they said they'd call me back yesterday. I haven't heard anything. Everyone I know who retook the year got their grades and are going to uni, I saw on facebook. I did apply through clearing for medical sciences too but I got my clearing number at 6pm on Thursday so it was late and I've been put on a waiting list for a few things.

I don't know what's wrong with me. Am I just thick? Shall I wait another year? I always wanted to do medicine, shall I retake 2 exams and apply for foundation medicine and pharmacy if I don't get into Hertfordshire? How do I explain to everyone that I'm not going to university again? I'm so depressed.

I don't mean this in a horrible way, but if you only managed to get a B and 2 Cs, do you think you could cope with the material in a science-based degree?
With people applying for medicine with top grades, you might want to go through the post-grad route although that is massively competitive. I was under the impression that foundation years for medicine were only for those that didn't have the correct a-levels ie. science. Not those who didn't get the grades.

Would be worth checking with the other places that offer this option, though.

I don't mean this in a horrible way, but if you only managed to get a B and 2 Cs, do you think you could cope with the material in a science-based degree?

This. I didn't study medicine but I know many med students and (as you must know) the course is incredibly, incredibly, dense and if you have had two goes at A-levels and only managed to get BCC in science subjects then I think you should probably take this as a sign?

I honestly don't mean to put down your effort, I'm sure you must have studied very hard, but you need to ask yourself honestly whether or not you will be able to do well on a science based course or if you will be constantly scraping through by the skin of your teeth? After all, it's going to cost you a huge amount in loans.

I understand where you're coming from. But if universities are willing to offer students with these grades a place on foundation medicine, they must realise there is some potential. And people who get straight A's in humanities courses (which I could have done, I achieved a high A in AS Level English) are also taken onto foundation medicine courses, which means luckily universities don't see it as so cut and dry these days.

Well, in any case, best of luck. I hope you do get on the course but if you don't then please do speak to someone to see what your options are both with and outside of medicine.

I'm 19 and I did 3 years of college as well. I know people that start uni at 27, so it doesn't matter. Be honest with yourself. Would you rather do pharmacy or would you want to be a doctor. If you want to be a doctor and you won't be accepted onto a medicine degree then you can always apply for a science subject biomedical chemistry or whatever and then go onto grad entry medicine probably. Look at them courses on uni websites to see whats available. My cousin did a law degree for a year, dropped out then went to a science based degree because she didn't have 3 science A levels then she must have got a different way to medicine because she's now a doctor. Stop feeling bad about yourself- them kind of A levels are really hard and I know if I'd have taken them I'd have got DDD. So if you want to be a doctor then get a job for a year to help with the increased fees and apply in UCAS in early September with a personal statement explaining why your taking a gap year. Also if you take the exams in January then its not a whole year of A levels.