AS Level Choices (Please help)

Basically I got my GCSE results today 9 A*s (and 1 A in French) and I'm really happy,but now I really don't know what to do for my subject combination next year for medicine.

Basically,I want to do Biology,Chemistry and Phyiscs but I don't know what to do for my 4th (+ maybe 5th AS level)

Here are the subjects I want to do as a fourth (+ maybe 5th) option:

English
English lit.
Geography
Maths (+further maths).

Which one would you advise for medicine?

Thanks for your help...

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Reply 1

Who?

hellom

Certainly further maths would be an excellent option. As long as you are certain that you will be able to obtain an A.

Reply 2

Excalibur

hellom

For med, you got the essential Bio and Chem so there really aren't any other subjects that would advantage or disadvantage you. Which of those do you like best? Which do you think you will be able to do best in?

Congrats for excellent GCSE results. :smile:

Reply 3

silent ninja

F.Maths isn't going to help you at all for medicine.
Any other A level will do. Only Chemistry is a must, but biology is also preferred.

Reply 4

Who?

It shows an analytical mind.

Reply 5

~Bex~

You've already got three excellent subjects for medicine, so what you pick for the fourth isn't going to matter all that much. Pick the one you enjoy most and think you'll do well at, because medicine is very competitive and you're going to need top grades. Also remember that for medicine work experience is practically essential.

Reply 6

silent ninja

Alexey

It shows an analytical mind.

And normal maths + chemistry + bio isnt enough? I dont think your statement above is sufficient to justify doing further maths for medicine. I would pick whatever you enjoy because you have the main subjects.

Reply 7

Excalibur

Synergetic

If you're committed enough, imo the perfect combination would be:
Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Further Maths
OR
Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Maths, History

Why do you rate History higher than other arts subjects?

Reply 8

firestone

Out of the subjects on the list, I'd say maths or English literature. Not too sure but I think that some universities don't accept maths and further maths as two separate A-levels for medicine.

Reply 9

RogueTrader

Maths and physics complement eachother very well , so you may find that you are actually making the subjects easier for yourself by taking both.

Reply 10

ExitMusic

You've got an A* in GCSE Maths, so I'd go for that. Further Maths is perhaps an unnecessary addition if you want to do medicine, so only do it if you particularly enjoy maths and you're confident you can get an A. To be honest, English Lit is just as good and its a nice break away from your science subjects.

Reply 11

hellom

I'm thinking of doing English lit.and I know it's very respected but would n't the fact that it has nothing to do with medicine go against me?

Reply 12

aMasterPieceOfDNA

I'm doing A Levels in Maths, all the Sciences and English Lit.

Incidentally...I want to do medicine.

Reply 13

CharleeB

I'd say english lit. You've already got the compulsary subjects and so I think its best to pick another subject which is a bit different to make you look more well rounded. My mum's friend is an admissions tutor at Imperial and she said she likes to see a wider range of subjects on an application form as it shows people have a wider range of skills and aren't just a 'science geek' (her words not mine!)

Reply 14

wackysparkle

congratulations! ----those are great results
Since you want to do medicine - have you found out what certain universities want? because some ask for a mixture of the sciences and humanities.
my friends applied for medicine - they had done the 3 sciences + maths + further maths. They thought that the load was overwhelming and so much of revision---your basically talking no sleep and seriously no going out until the exams. Coz thats what they did ---yet they didn't get the straight Az.
I would say maths + geog. Coz it gives a clear contrasting combination over all which would be highly appealing to universities - coz they would think that there is more to you than just a passion to do medicine. It also shows that you are a well rounded student.
As for doing 5 AS subjects--- good luck! that is quite a load - but i guess ur GCSE results speak for themselves! + if you feel that at the end of AS it was just too much you can drop one the following year.
Good luck with your A levels! :wink:

Reply 15

brimstone

During my induction week, my school (who sends most of their students off to top medical schools) was saying that universities don't like all four sciences as A Levels with nothing else. Go for Literature to contrast what you've already got.

Reply 16

kellywood_5

I'd go with English lit if you were thinking of taking it anyway. You already have the 3 sciences, so it will show a bit of variety, which medical schools will probably like. Be careful about taking 5 AS subjects though. You don't want to overload yourself, especially as you'll need to do work experience as well, and you'll need top grades. Well done for the fantastic GCSE results though! :smile:

Reply 17