English Literature??

Hi there
I'm an international student currently in Colombo, Sri Lanka
I am doing my O Levels this year, and will have to choose my A Level subjects soon
I am interested in medicine, and am most likely to follow this career
I want to know whether it would be worthwhile taking English Literature as well as the four sciences (Maths, Bio, Chem, Phys)
Will it give one an advantage to have a strong arts subject as well as the sciences?
Also, will further maths help me?
Thanks in advance

Reply 1

Philosoraptor

I would rather have English literature with those subjects than further maths, for various reasons:
1) Shows variety etc
2) Not counted as a separate subject by lots of medical school
3) What I currently feel about Further Maths :p:

Reply 2

Fr0z3nfl4m3s

Thanks for the prompt reply =)
Do Oxbridge count it as a separate subject?

Reply 3

Philosoraptor

The one exception :wink:

Well done

Reply 4

Fr0z3nfl4m3s

Hehe yay =)
lol well i still dunno whether ill do further maths, seeing as its gonna be a heavy workload with bio,phys,chem,phys and lit
thats if i get an A for O level lit *-)

Reply 5

person 34

I do english lit! (and german as another arts subject) Do english lit if you're certain you can cope with the sophistication and volume of work - definately the biggest jump for me. It was dumb of me to carry it on, as I will probably get a B this year and could jepordse my chances of getting into med school. But it will definately look better than further maths if you're chosing between them.

Reply 6

Johnny C.

If you're applying from overseas, then eng lit will help show that you're english is very good, which is obviously be something the med schools want to make sure about.

Plus, I think med schools do like applicants to show art/science variety in their a-levels especially as you're doing all science and maths anyway

Finally, O-levels are called GCSEs now :smile:

Reply 7

Fr0z3nfl4m3s

Hehe very nice of u to notice the GCE part =)
I'm actually doing GCE O level in all subjects apart from IT and german (GCSE there) =)
While it isn't done in England, Edexcel does offer it in other countries =) and it is considered rather a bit harder that GCSEs....
anyway, I am actually a British citizen and even though im Sri Lankan, I only moved here 4 years ago (from the UK)...so I hope that'll prove to unis that my english is good
also I believe I am receiving the English Language prize from my school (unless they have some trick up their sleeve - not a very reliable school)

Reply 8

Fr0z3nfl4m3s

and yes the only problem will be if i can't make the A grade for literature - im naturally better at the sciences and do find lit quite tough at times but im getting the hang of it, just a mark or 2 below the A grade on my essays now (and this is GCE O level lit - such tough marking!)

Reply 9

person 34

I got high A in my english lit gcse (A* in the mock grrr), and I find english lit A level very hard. Think carefully especially if you're a foreign student (despite you being a British citizen if ya get me :wink:

). Then again, english lit is a great subject so maybe for recreational purposes you could take it.

Reply 10

Democracy

Take English Lit, it will demonstrate a broad grasp of knowledge and show you're english is first rate :biggrin:

Reply 11

Philosoraptor

Yup they still offer O levels there . I found that out because I was like "wtf?" when I saw it on Edexcels website.

Reply 12

Fr0z3nfl4m3s

Hmm well I guess I'll see if I get an A for English Literature O Level (because apparently the standard for O Level is only a little lower that A Level - Im not talking about GCSE here)

Reply 13

Elles

I did English Lit at A2 & thought it worthwhile:

- I enjoyed it!
- Continued formal essay writing was probably helpful to my entrance exam performance - probably more relevant if you're applying to BMAT than UKCAT universities?)
- It was something a bit different to talk about in inteviews if they asked about 6th form/A2 skills. I also did my A2 coursework piece on the representation of the medical profession in our set texts which we chatted about in one.
- I felt more confident about my grades in it than other sciencey subjects & my medical school offers were mostly 'untagged' so it was reassuring in making the offers! :smile:

Reply 14