school will not support my application...

Robob

And you got AAA?

This is why you should never trust teachers...

Surely you could sue them for that?

Yep, I got AAA but the situation was basically Cardiff doesn't rely on a points system - they require a B in every subject and above for my course. I was on a C/D borderline for ICT (AAC for AS overall) and my tutor advised me retaking was pointless and in his own words, 'Cardiff is a popular university, and they only accept the best you know.' as if to imply I wasn't 'the best'. Needless to say it was quite nice rubbing it in his face on results day :P

Sadly due to trusting his advice earlier in the year though, I applied mainly to CCC-level offers which wasted a lot of spaces on my application.

Reply 42

TimeLady

11

Sam_2005

i got BCDd :frown:

Hun, i know it's not nice to hear, but maybe they are right? Going from BCD to ABC (Increasing by one grade) is hard enough, but going up to AAB? That is going to take an immense amount of work. You will have to get near on 100% in the subject you have a D in. And retaking modules from AS will double your workload. At least consider your options. Medicine is a broad area - How about something like Biology or Chemistry, and go into research? You don't have to be treating patients to be in medicine, after all. Or maybe look at options to be more specialised - Perhaps Radiotherepy? There are lots of alternatives.

Reply 43

Saffie

11

You would need to get someone else to write you a reference- someone who you've done work experience for and who knows you well would be ideal. It can't be a family member or anything.

But I think its still up to your school to give predicted grades, and if they aren't AAB, that probably would mean auto rejection :s-smilie:

If you're really set on medicine, work hard, get the grades- take a gap year and apply with the grades.

Reply 44

Valkyrja

14

Sam_2005

i have had work experiences at my gp's and have been volunteering at a hospital for about a year now and i think i will get the grades this time.

Easy then, apply through UCAS independently and get your supervisor at the hospital to provide your reference.

Your school wont like it but they can't stop you, it will possibly look weird to the places you're applying to though.

Or you could consider taking a gap year after your A2 year and that way you'll know definitely if you've got good enough grades to go into medicine and be able to say stuff you to your school.

There are lots of routes into medicine apart from undergrad medical school, why don't you consider studying anatomy and physiology or something at undergrad level and take a graduate medical program? You still end up in medical school and with extra experience.

Reply 45

Good bloke

A levels over three years are definitely not good for an application for medicine. I can understand the school's stance too.

True its a bit of a gamble. But it worked for me.

Reply 46

huangcjz

OP, some posters have been a bit too blunt and harsh imo, but I'm sure you understand why your school refused to write you a Medicine reference? You have to be realistic, good luck with whatever courses you choose to do now!

JocastaJackal

I don't know. I'm not sure if the average grades thing is the real reason, just we're actively discouraged from applying to anything 'out of our league' in a sense. I was told I had no chance applying at Cardiff and I should try for somewhere like Portsmouth.

Also, any prospective Oxbridge students from my school wouldn't have made it anyway as they refused to send any applicants off until mid-December, which made mine two months late.

Now that IS really wrong - they really shouldn't have discouraged you! No wonder why Oxbridge admissions tutors must feel like they're hitting their heads against a brick wall when trying to widen intake. I know there's nothing JocastaJackal can do about it now, but for anyone else, if you're in a similar situation that your school won't support an application to Oxbridge and you realistically feel that you have a chance (good UMS at AS etc) and want to go for it, you can contact Oxbridge (phone/email etc) and explain your situation, and I've heard that they will speak to your school and persuade them to let you apply, supporting you through it even if your school doesn't. They want the best, no matter where they come from. Simple as.

JocastaJackal, I hope you have a fantastic time at Cardiff, it's a good uni and a great city, much better nightlife and probably more fun than either Oxford or Cambridge :wink:

You'll probably be thankful that you won't feel like topping yourself because of the workload every week!

Reply 47

Valkyrja

Easy then, apply through UCAS independently and get your supervisor at the hospital to provide your reference.

Your school wont like it but they can't stop you, it will possibly look weird to the places you're applying to though.

Or you could consider taking a gap year after your A2 year and that way you'll know definitely if you've got good enough grades to go into medicine and be able to say stuff you to your school.

There are lots of routes into medicine apart from undergrad medical school, why don't you consider studying anatomy and physiology or something at undergrad level and take a graduate medical program? You still end up in medical school and with extra experience.

Ridiculously competitive...try getting into undergrad first.

Reply 48

OP

Miss_Scarlett

True its a bit of a gamble. But it worked for me.

really? you did an extra year?? if you dont mind me asking what grades did you get before?

Reply 49

Sam_2005

really? you did an extra year?? if you dont mind me asking what grades did you get before?

I got ABCCD and resat to get AAAAAC. I kept the one C from physics and the A was gen studs :rolleyes:

...I had ext circs though. But I wanted to completely start again from scratch- so I did! And ended up with AAAB overall for A2.

Reply 50

JocastaJackal

huangcjz

JocastaJackal, I hope you have a fantastic time at Cardiff, it's a good uni and a great city, much better nightlife and probably more fun than either Oxford or Cambridge :wink:

You'll probably be thankful that you won't feel like topping yourself because of the workload every week!

Ah yeah, I'm quite pleased with the outcome anyway. Cardiff is good for English anyway (17th on The Times) so it's hardly like I'm losing out. Thanks too. :biggrin:

I will stop hijacking this thread and being off-topic...

Reply 51

Redpanda91

My school do that too, they only let about 5 people apply for medicine a year. Because it's so oversubscribed they only pick the very best people who they think actually have a chance..

Reply 52

OP

so what type of courses can i take and then apply as a graduate?

Reply 53

silk192

14

u have to undergrad before u do grad

Reply 54

OP

i know thats what i am asking, what could i take?

Reply 55

silk192

14

try physics, chemistry or biology.....dont u have a back up plan? is medicine the only career ur interested in?

Reply 56

OP

pretty much yes.

Reply 57

Icy_Mikki

13

Sam_2005

so what type of courses can i take and then apply as a graduate?

To quote Imperial:

The minimum entry requirements for this course are as follows: an upper second class honours degree or a PhD. The degree or PhD must be in a biological subject such that you will have significant knowledge of the basic physiology and biochemistry of mammalian cells and organs. Examples of such degrees are biochemistry, cell biology, physiology, bioengineering or biomedical science.

Linky

Look into Physiology- I believe that's one of the more common ones for people in your situation.

Reply 58