[Med95]

i can't take physics as im already half way through my chose as levels :/

[Challygirl]

I'm in year 11 and chose
Bio
Chem
Maths
Further Maths upto AS over 2 years
and for my 4th A2 ...

... i'm not sure whether to do English Lit. or Physics.
I'm good at both but enjoy english slightly more. but i know that physics would take up less time; giving me more time to do work experience and other projects like EPQs and stuff that universities really like for medicine.

What would you do? please help!!

[ferders]

Hi guys,

I'm new to this so sorry if I've posted this in the wrong area but oh well now!

I'm aspiring to go into Medicine at Uni and have done research into the entry requirements of the universities I'm hoping to go to. Many require an average of AAA, in Chemistry and it's advised to do another Science and/or Maths.

At the moment I've settled on Maths (Further Maths), Biology, Chemistry and English Literature. I would be dropping Eng. Lit. in my A2 year and continue with F. Maths, Biology and Chemistry.

However, I'm now wondering whether I should stick with English or not. I'm wondering if Physics or Spanish would be a better idea. I'm predicted A*s in Physics, Spanish and English this year. I initially rejected Spanish because I am already fluent in two other languages (Bengali and Arabic).

So basically, what I'm asking is - what combination of the above options would give me a real "edge" over all the other students in the extremely competitive course?

Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.



P.S. I know that work experience/ volunteering is a huge factor and I volunteer every week and have 5/6 work placements lined up as soon as I turn 16.

[Hanpew]

can i just say the following:
a) medicine universities rejects
i. Further Maths
ii. Critical Thinking
iii. General Studies
that's because they don't show anything, or any advantages.
b) i'd advise you to take an arts subject, such as history, as this is highly graded in a universities POV, but initially, take something you are GUARANTEED an A* in at A2.
c) you'd have to engage in extra curricular activities, such as debate club, and do other things to have an 'edge'

good luck, since i'm also in year 11, and I've chosen: Chem, Bio, History & Maths, in order to do medicine/pharmacy.

but make sure you have a drive/determination, because you will suffer greatly if you don't (i.e. you'll be bored).

[ferders]

Yep, I do A LOT of extra-curricular activities

I've just double checked my research and the majority of the universities I'm looking at only mention rejecting General Studies and Critical Thinking, nothing about F. Maths.

Could you show me some evidence just to back that up, please?

Okay! Thank you very much for all your help. I wish you all the best for Medicine/ Pharmacy

[ishyy]

I know that some universities say you only need chemistry and biology but maybe they would have more lenience towards those who do take maths... But I'm still not sure.
I don't know if there's a difference between maths statistics and maths decision :/

[ellie43]

Hi!

I'm currently in year 12 and hoping to apply for Medicine at university. However, my teacher told me I'll be at a large disadvantage for not taking Maths/Physics at A level. The A levels I'm taking are Chemistry, Biology, German and English Literature (and also an EPQ). My GCSE results were 8 A*'s and 3 A's, and my predicted A level grades are A*AAA.

Do you think I still have a chance of gaining a place with only two sciences? Have any of you gained a place for Medicine with 2 sciences / know anyone who has?

Thanks for your help!

[chickenonsteroids]

Yes, most people do.

You aren't at a disadvantage.

[funsongfactory]

You will be significantly disadvantaged; however a lot of medical schools don't actually REQUIRE more than two sciences so just do your research and email all the ones that say they only require two sciences to ask how many students actually got in last year with two sciences. Also make sure you have a fantastic personal statement and UKCAT/BMAT, and you should still be in with a shot!

[Lae321]

The short answer is no!
You may find yourself disadvantaged if you choose to apply to Oxford or Cambridge as they make it clear that the majority of applicants offer 3 sciences and maths.
However you can still get into really good medical schools with just 2 sciences. For example, I only took 2 sciences (biology and chemistry) but I just got an offer from UCL for medicine!
Hope this helps

[saycrackagain]

I have the same question/ concern

I'm in year 11 and have been pretty much bombarded with the whole "do maths or you're not getting into medicine" thing by my teachers. I don't hate maths or anything, but i don't regard it as a subject I'm particularly talented in, therefore i was thinking that alone may hinder any chance of me getting an good grade at AS.

[Helenia]

There is no difference, and you don't need to do Maths at all for Medicine.

[Alexandra's Box]

(Original post by funsongfactory)
You will be significantly disadvantaged

I'm not sure that 'significantly' is the right word as it really does depend, as you touched on, which unis you apply to. I recently had my 6th form college interview and found out that those students aiming for the London unis (UCL, Imperial etc) usually had Maths too and sometimes Phys, but those who got in to Birmingham, Peninsula and Southampton did often only have Bio and Chem.
So if you're aiming for a London uni (though Kings is sometimes an exception to this rule going by info I've personally had) or Oxbridge, take Maths/Phys. For others I've mentioned, Bio and Chem are fine.
However, as you've been advised, you could contact the unis that you are currently interested in to see if they have any useful infomation!

[Kidneyjean]

(Original post by saycrackagain)
I have the same question/ concern

I'm in year 11 and have been pretty much bombarded with the whole "do maths or you're not getting into medicine" thing by my teachers. I don't hate maths or anything, but i don't regard it as a subject I'm particularly talented in, therefore i was thinking that alone may hinder any chance of me getting an good grade at AS.

You don't need maths for medicine! Wow, teachers never seem to get the message...

Two sciences are absolutely fine for medicine; apart from one Cambridge college, medical schools require either chemistry, biology, or both. That's it. There's no secret preference for maths that universities never mention.

Though I must say that maths was my worst GCSE, but turned out to be my best AS It does get better!

[funsongfactory]

(Original post by Alexandra's Box)
I'm not sure that 'significantly' is the right word as it really does depend, as you touched on, which unis you apply to. I recently had my 6th form college interview and found out that those students aiming for the London unis (UCL, Imperial etc) usually had Maths too and sometimes Phys, but those who got in to Birmingham, Peninsula and Southampton did often only have Bio and Chem.
So if you're aiming for a London uni (though Kings is sometimes an exception to this rule going by info I've personally had) or Oxbridge, take Maths/Phys. For others I've mentioned, Bio and Chem are fine.
However, as you've been advised, you could contact the unis that you are currently interested in to see if they have any useful infomation!

Maybe I just know a biased sample group but I've never known anyone get a place at medical school without at least physics or maths alongside biology and chemistry.

HOWEVER, that isn't to say that you have no chance OP, as I said if you do your research and choose the medical schools that you apply to wisely, and start some long term work experience (preferably hospital based) ASAP, then you can should be able to make yourself stand out enough that universities will be willing to overlook that you don't have maths or physics.

Good luck!

[Meltingice]

i'm currently taking bio chem math and physics. but i am struggling in physics T_T do you think it's possible to take the AS physics exam (was planning to take AS economics as well) when I'm doing my A2 bio chem math?

[Helloworld_95]

It wouldn't make any difference which one you take, if you do it to A2 then you might end up doing the other one anyway.

[Sciencestudent94]

I think the most important thing is for them to see that you're capable of studying the course, you're taught all the information you need at the university, the subjects and their respective grades are just selection criteria to help them narrow down the hopeful applicants. I've applied to medicine without biology which seems to astound some people anyway

[nexttime]

(Original post by ferders)
Yep, I do A LOT of extra-curricular activities

I've just double checked my research and the majority of the universities I'm looking at only mention rejecting General Studies and Critical Thinking, nothing about F. Maths.

Could you show me some evidence just to back that up, please?

Okay! Thank you very much for all your help. I wish you all the best for Medicine/ Pharmacy

Most unis don't count further maths, so make sure your research is thorough. However, some do accept it.

(Original post by Lae321)
You may find yourself disadvantaged if you choose to apply to Oxford or Cambridge as they make it clear that the majority of applicants offer 3 sciences and maths.

The majority do offer maths, and a fair few physics. However, the success rates amongst those that don't offer these subjects are no lower.

(Original post by saycrackagain)
I have the same question/ concern

I'm in year 11 and have been pretty much bombarded with the whole "do maths or you're not getting into medicine" thing by my teachers. I don't hate maths or anything, but i don't regard it as a subject I'm particularly talented in, therefore i was thinking that alone may hinder any chance of me getting an good grade at AS.

All the evidence available suggests that it isn't helpful. Next time you see these teachers, ask them what their evidence is, and if they just fob you off with 'personal experience', then you know what they really mean (i.e. they don't have any evidence).

If you risk not getting a good grade, i would advise not taking it.

[ferders]

[QUOTE=nexttime;36561885]Most unis don't count further maths, so make sure your research is thorough. However, some do accept it.



Got the idea. Thank you!