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Are 3 A-Levels okay for medical school?

Hey guys,

Just done my GCSEs, I got 6A*s 3As and 2Bs. I got into the Grammar school Sixth Form near me - yay!

However, they didn't offer 4 A levels as the new spec would be too much they said? I took Chemistry, Biology and Maths - standard for medical school. However I'm worried only 3 won't be enough?

Thanks guys,

Reply 1

meandegreen

Original post by escg

If your school did not offer 4 then that is fine! That can be included in your personal statement when you are applying to medical schools. You can't be disadvantaged compared to other applicants if your college didn't give you a choice.

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 2

AnnaRainbows

Original post by escg

No need to be worried. 3 A levels is enough, as most medical schools only require 3, and only a few will be asking for 4, so it really depends on your university choices :smile:

Reply 3

james Thompson56

Original post by escg

Yes you should be, most places ask for an AS level at a B or A but if you don't do 4 AS levels then you won't have that,you will just have 3 A levels at the end of A2 and no As level.

Reply 4

escg

Original post by james Thompson56

Yes you should be, most places ask for an AS level at a B or A but if you don't do 4 AS levels then you won't have that,you will just have 3 A levels at the end of A2 and no As level.

I'll have 1 AS which will be Maths - but that is still the old spec, the new spec comes next year I believe

Reply 5

james Thompson56

Original post by escg

I'll have 1 AS which will be Maths - but that is still the old spec, the new spec comes next year I believe

What are you doing for A2? Usually you start at as level with 4 subjects and then drop one at as level and just do 3 full A levels,is that what you're doing?

Reply 6

escg

Original post by james Thompson56

What are you doing for A2? Usually you start at as level with 4 subjects and then drop one at as level and just do 3 full A levels,is that what you're doing?

That's the thing, I'm doing two of my subjects (Biology and Chemistry) in the new A-Level format - where it will be a linear two year long qualification. And I'm doing the old Maths A-Level format where I'm doing the AS and A2 exams. So I'm wondering are most students this year just taking 3 even if you're able to take 4?

Reply 7

james Thompson56

Original post by escg

I'd ask your school to do 4 and then drop one and have it just as an AS level, if you do maths at as level and then carry onto do A2 maths then you will just have an A2 not both. You will be intelligent enough to do 4

Reply 8

james Thompson56

Original post by james Thompson56

I've just completed AS level and I did 4 subjects Maths Biology Chemistry and geography and so I'm dropping geography and keeping that as just an AS level and the other 3 I will carry onto to A2. Then when applying to uni I would have 3 a levels and 1 as level.

Reply 9

lightwoXd

Original post by escg

Congrats on your GCSE results!

3 full A levels is all you need for most places. I can't think of any unis that'd ask for 4 as part of a standard offer.
Some may still ask for a 4th AS or an EPQ (in light of the A level reforms it's probably more likely to be the latter), but given your college isn't allowing you to take more than 3 subjects it'd just be a case of letting them know. When you get to that stage, do a bit of research and call up/email admissions to ask for advice - I think most unis are understanding, but if they're not you don't want to go there anyway :wink:

In the meantime, just focus on nailing the subjects you are doing :smile:

Reply 10

Doones

Original post by lightwoXd

Some may still ask for a 4th AS or an EPQ (in light of the A level reforms it's probably more likely to be the latter),

Nowhere requires a 4th AS or EPQ.

UCL used to, for example, but no longer.

(Edit: oops, just realised this is an old post... anyway perhaps the info might be useful to someone. :smile:

. )

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(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 11

Cordis_BT

Original post by james Thompson56

Yes you should be, most places ask for an AS level at a B or A but if you don't do 4 AS levels then you won't have that,you will just have 3 A levels at the end of A2 and no As level.