[LukeyJB]

I'm doing my AS's at the moment, in the unit 1 exams I got BCCC in biology, chemistry, law and economics. My B for biology was borderline (70 UMS) and my C for chemistry was also borderline (60 UMS) - I'm doing really bad in chemistry, and I'm probably going to end up resitting one of the exams next year.

My GCSE profile is okay, I meet most requirements for medical school, except for my GCSE English Language - it's a C grade (as I was on foundation, I was told that I couldn't sit higher, even though I asked multiple times).

I live in Leeds and Leeds University has recently updated most of its entry requirements, all sciences are now AAA/AAB, so I'll be applying for A2L (which I qualify for). I've been looking at foundation courses, I'll be applying for Nottingham & Southampton foundation entry, but I want to apply for the Leeds 5 year course. On A2L, I'm guessing the grades will be lowered to ABB (which I could do, I hope).

Would Leeds consider my application if I explain the reason for the C grade in GCSE English and if I explain that I'm resitting during my A2 year?

I just don't know what to do now - I'll be applying for biochemistry and microbiology alongside my medicine applications, but if I don't get on any of my offers I don't know what I'll do. I've wanted to be a doctor all of my life. If I get rejected for all my offers I'll spend the A2 year getting some of my AS grades up and try to do well on my A2's and hopefully get at least 2 A's, but I just don't know what to do.

I've considered GEM and deferred entry, but I don't want to spend the next 7, 8 9 years in education... what should I do?

[lsaul95]

(Original post by LukeyJB)
x

It's not uncommon to mess up your first exams at A-level since most people aren't used to the workload, just step up your revision, make sure you're revising effectively.
If you decide to go into medicine you will be doing more than 9 years of education still, as you're learning all the time even after uni and after specialising.

About the GCSE English for Leeds... Email admissions for Leeds and ask? It it unlikely though, if you do not meet minimum requirements at the time of applying, then why should they accept you based on your word? They do not know if you will attain a B grade or higher in your resit. But it's worth asking if you want.

I only say this because my GCSEs suck, fortunately this is due to extenuating circumstances, however there are a lot of universities that won't accept me because of it, I even tried emailing them to ask and they said no.

If you're dedicated enough you wouldn't want to give up no matter what, but there has to be a point where you realise that it may not be a realistic career choice.

I do not think this is the case for you, just step up your work at A-level, resit if you have to! resitting is not the end of the world as long as it's gained within the 2 years of A-levels. Then apply to universities that don't look at GCSEs as much, for example Durham, Peninsula, Aberdeen, Newcastle. (Although other parts of their requirements may be higher, for examples Newcastle requires a strong UKCAT score.)

I'm really tired so if this just sounds like babble, I apologise! I hope I helped in some way..

[LukeyJB]

Thanks for the reply. By the next 9 years in education I meant re-sitting A-levels and doing a degree, then GEM - I just want to be a doctor! I'm revising a lot more now, I was shocked at BCCC, I was expecting at least 3 B's in my subjects (I didn't even expect an E in chemistry!)

I've emailed admissions, so I'll just wait for a reply. I can always apply to Leeds next year if I don't get on a degree course this year.

[joker12345]

(Original post by LukeyJB)
I'm doing my AS's at the moment, in the unit 1 exams I got BCCC in biology, chemistry, law and economics. My B for biology was borderline (70 UMS) and my C for chemistry was also borderline (60 UMS) - I'm doing really bad in chemistry, and I'm probably going to end up resitting one of the exams next year.

Are these Jan modules? If so, just resit and do well in June so your overall AS grades are reasonable. Universities don't even have to know individual module grades?

[lsaul95]

(Original post by LukeyJB)
Thanks for the reply. By the next 9 years in education I meant re-sitting A-levels and doing a degree, then GEM - I just want to be a doctor! I'm revising a lot more now, I was shocked at BCCC, I was expecting at least 3 B's in my subjects (I didn't even expect an E in chemistry!)

I've emailed admissions, so I'll just wait for a reply. I can always apply to Leeds next year if I don't get on a degree course this year.

Exactly man.

It was the same for my friend, he is also going for medicine, he got BBC in his january modules, but he understands that you just have to step your workload up and crack on. Like I said, most people don't understand how much work you have to put in first time round, dont get the grades they want from first modules, then that gives them the incentive to work harder and achieve the grades they need.

Good luck!

[AishaTara]

(Original post by LukeyJB)
Thanks for the reply. By the next 9 years in education I meant re-sitting A-levels and doing a degree, then GEM - I just want to be a doctor! I'm revising a lot more now, I was shocked at BCCC, I was expecting at least 3 B's in my subjects (I didn't even expect an E in chemistry!)

I've emailed admissions, so I'll just wait for a reply. I can always apply to Leeds next year if I don't get on a degree course this year.

fortunately I didn't do exams in jan but i worked for the mock I had and got a U and am now gettings As, all I can say is in Jan tbh it takes more work than I thought and for some people like my more going over it so defo re-take and dont give up!

[AishaTara]

(Original post by lsaul95)
It's not uncommon to mess up your first exams at A-level since most people aren't used to the workload, just step up your revision, make sure you're revising effectively.
If you decide to go into medicine you will be doing more than 9 years of education still, as you're learning all the time even after uni and after specialising.

About the GCSE English for Leeds... Email admissions for Leeds and ask? It it unlikely though, if you do not meet minimum requirements at the time of applying, then why should they accept you based on your word? They do not know if you will attain a B grade or higher in your resit. But it's worth asking if you want.

I only say this because my GCSEs suck, fortunately this is due to extenuating circumstances, however there are a lot of universities that won't accept me because of it, I even tried emailing them to ask and they said no.

If you're dedicated enough you wouldn't want to give up no matter what, but there has to be a point where you realise that it may not be a realistic career choice.

I do not think this is the case for you, just step up your work at A-level, resit if you have to! resitting is not the end of the world as long as it's gained within the 2 years of A-levels. Then apply to universities that don't look at GCSEs as much, for example Durham, Peninsula, Aberdeen, Newcastle. (Although other parts of their requirements may be higher, for examples Newcastle requires a strong UKCAT score.)

I'm really tired so if this just sounds like babble, I apologise! I hope I helped in some way..

doe peninsula accept Crit thinking as a 4th AS, as it only disregaards general studies on the website :/

[lsaul95]

(Original post by AishaTara)
doe peninsula accept Crit thinking as a 4th AS, as it only disregaards general studies on the website :/

Yes, they do, I emailed them asking the same thing!

[AishaTara]

(Original post by lsaul95)
Yes, they do, I emailed them asking the same thing!

thank god!

[Sherbet]

Always consider working your ass of year 13, by that I mean identify where you're going and fix it and do resits and then apply on a gap year. I did it, best thing that I've ever done, I'm now going to uni in September .