[Chloe:')]

I'm in year 11 and I'm about to sit my GCSE examinations and I quite like the thought of being a doctor, either a paediatrician or in A&E and I just have a few questions. I'd like to say thank you in advance. Firstly is there any medical schools that don't require an A grade for GCSE English, because although I'm quite an able student (I'm predicted A grades in everything except English :/) I really seem to struggle with English and I'm scared that this will hold me back in doing something that I really want to do in the future. I'd also like to say that I've already finished my Mathematics GCSE and have achieved an A grade in it. At A level I am going to take Biology, Chemistry, History and Mathematics. Do you have to have work experience based on Medicine to get into med school? I did my work experience in a school so I'm quite worried about this. How can I improve my chances of getting into med school? How can I be a really good doctor? Also if you don't mind could you share your experience of what it's like? I'd really like to get a further insight. Please help and thank you so much!!

[Elwyn]

It certainly is possible to get in without an A in English Language. Take a look here for more info: http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/Medicine

Work experience, voluntary work and extra curricular activities are a MUST. You will not get in without them.
This may seem daunting at first, but you have plenty of time. After your exams are out of the way this year start looking into doing some volunteer work somewhere as well as contacting people to orgainse work experience, even if it's just at a care home. Also make sure you do some ECAs at school.

[Helloworld_95]

There are many uni's which only require a B in English.

Yes you need work experience, most people will do it in year 12 and organise it themselves.

[Vulpes]

(Original post by Chloe:'))
I'm in year 11 and I'm about to sit my GCSE examinations and I quite like the thought of being a doctor, either a paediatrician or in A&E and I just have a few questions. I'd like to say thank you in advance. Firstly is there any medical schools that don't require an A grade for GCSE English, because although I'm quite an able student (I'm predicted A grades in everything except English :/) I really seem to struggle with English and I'm scared that this will hold me back in doing something that I really want to do in the future. I'd also like to say that I've already finished my Mathematics GCSE and have achieved an A grade in it. At A level I am going to take Biology, Chemistry, History and Mathematics. Do you have to have work experience based on Medicine to get into med school? I did my work experience in a school so I'm quite worried about this. How can I improve my chances of getting into med school? How can I be a really good doctor? Also if you don't mind could you share your experience of what it's like? I'd really like to get a further insight. Please help and thank you so much!!

Most medical schools only require you to have achieved a B in GCSE English. Contrary to a lot of rumours, mathematics is not a requirement for medicine.

You should try to arrange work experience at a hospital / health-related field. Though a lot of medical schools dont specifically require you to have it, most applicants will have done so and you will be at a disadvantage otherwise. It also shows that you have put in effort to gain an insight into the medical profession.

I suggest that you take a look at the TSR Medicine Wiki for more information on medical applications.

[Elwyn]

(Original post by Vulpes)
Contrary to a lot of rumours, mathematics is not a requirement for medicine.

I thought it was at GCSE, or have I missed something?

[Vulpes]

(Original post by Elwyn)
I thought it was at GCSE, or have I missed something?

Only some universities require you to have at least an A in mathematics GCSE. The rest either require B/C grades or not at all. I was referring to her A level subject choices when I said that tho, should have been a bit clearer.

[Chloe:')]

(Original post by Elwyn)
It certainly is possible to get in without an A in English Language. Take a look here for more info: http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/Medicine

Work experience, voluntary work and extra curricular activities are a MUST. You will not get in without them.
This may seem daunting at first, but you have plenty of time. After your exams are out of the way this year start looking into doing some volunteer work somewhere as well as contacting people to orgainse work experience, even if it's just at a care home. Also make sure you do some ECAs at school.

Thank you all so much for replying! Can I just ask.. What are ECAs? And also would a first aid course help? My school runs this as an extra-curricular activity for sixth-formers. What sort of extra-curricular should I get involved in? Can it be anything? I've always participated in a wide range of extra-curricular sports and have also attended language clubs.
Thank you again! I know I've already said it but I really do appreciate the help!
Oh and when you were talking about Maths, I've had a look and I know most universities don't require it but it is something I really enjoy as are all the subjects I have taken, my choice in career actually came after I had already chosen my A levels as this time six months ago I had no idea what I wanted to do! Once more, thanks again!

[Elwyn]

(Original post by Chloe:'))
Thank you all so much for replying! Can I just ask.. What are ECAs? And also would a first aid course help? My school runs this as an extra-curricular activity for sixth-formers. What sort of extra-curricular should I get involved in? Can it be anything? I've always participated in a wide range of extra-curricular sports and have also attended language clubs.
Thank you again! I know I've already said it but I really do appreciate the help!
Oh and when you were talking about Maths, I've had a look and I know most universities don't require it but it is something I really enjoy as are all the subjects I have taken, my choice in career actually came after I had already chosen my A levels as this time six months ago I had no idea what I wanted to do! Once more, thanks again!

Extra curricular activities.

First aid course would be great. Any ECAs are good, but ones involving teamwork would be the best.

[Chloe:')]

Also, I'm quite interested in a career in paediatrics so would my work experience in a school be considered relevant?

[jaklargerne]

(Original post by Chloe:'))
I'm in year 11 and I'm about to sit my GCSE examinations and I quite like the thought of being a doctor, either a paediatrician or in A&E and I just have a few questions. I'd like to say thank you in advance. Firstly is there any medical schools that don't require an A grade for GCSE English, because although I'm quite an able student (I'm predicted A grades in everything except English :/) I really seem to struggle with English and I'm scared that this will hold me back in doing something that I really want to do in the future. I'd also like to say that I've already finished my Mathematics GCSE and have achieved an A grade in it. At A level I am going to take Biology, Chemistry, History and Mathematics. Do you have to have work experience based on Medicine to get into med school? I did my work experience in a school so I'm quite worried about this. How can I improve my chances of getting into med school? How can I be a really good doctor? Also if you don't mind could you share your experience of what it's like? I'd really like to get a further insight. Please help and thank you so much!!

I'd say you should do some more work experience in order to find out if you really want to become a doctor.

[Chloe:')]

(Original post by Elwyn)
Extra curricular activities.

First aid course would be great. Any ECAs are good, but ones involving teamwork would be the best.

That dawned on me when I posted it... I must sounded really stupid! It's been a loooooong week. Okay, thanks so much for your help! Are you a doctor/med student?

[Chloe:')]

(Original post by jaklargerne)
I'd say you should do some more work experience in order to find out if you really want to become a doctor.

Okay thanks, are you a doctor/med student?

[Elwyn]

(Original post by Chloe:'))
That dawned on me when I posted it... I must sounded really stupid! It's been a loooooong week. Okay, thanks so much for your help! Are you a doctor/med student?

Hahah it's ok.

Medical student at Cardiff.

[Chloe:')]

It's also just occurred to me that I spelt desperate wrong.... Does anyone know how I can change the title? Thanks.

[Chloe:')]

(Original post by Elwyn)
Hahah it's ok.

Medical student at Cardiff.

Oh wow! Is it good? I would love to go to Cardiff... How many different universities did you apply to?

[vertigo.0012]

(Original post by Chloe:'))
Also, I'm quite interested in a career in paediatrics so would my work experience in a school be considered relevant?

Wouldn't hurt, but don't worry about picking a specialty just yet! You've got years to decide - best to keep an open mind for now! Work experience in a medical setting is ideal if you can get it.

[Chloe:')]

(Original post by vertigo.0012)
Wouldn't hurt, but don't worry about picking a specialty just yet! You've got years to decide - best to keep an open mind for now! Work experience in a medical setting is ideal if you can get it.

Okay thanks for your help! Hopefully I will be able to arrange some work experience, how long do you think I should do it for?

[Elwyn]

(Original post by Chloe:'))
Oh wow! Is it good? I would love to go to Cardiff... How many different universities did you apply to?

Four. Pretty much everyone does, it's the most you can apply to.

[Chloe:')]

Okay, thanks!

[vertigo.0012]

(Original post by Chloe:'))
Okay thanks for your help! Hopefully I will be able to arrange some work experience, how long do you think I should do it for?

As long as you can get really! Ideally a week or more in a hospital if you can at some point before you apply to get a feel for it. I'd recommend volunteering at a nursing home or similar once a week between as soon as you can too - shows a longer term commitment to medicine! Your school thing would be good too.