2 Gap years - Medicine

Hi all,

I received my A-Level results this year and they weren't what I was hoping to achieve due to being ill in hospital during the exam season.

So, I've decided on retaking.. but, I have called up universities who have told me that I have to reapply the year after with achieved grades.. surely, that would mean that I will take 2 gap years.

Would this affect my application into medicine at all? Is there anyone else who has gone in by taking 2 gap years? I intend to apply in September 2018 for entry in September 2019.

Thanks in advance!

The number of gap years is not a problem at all. People come to study medicine having had successful careers for years in other fields. I'd be worried about the retakes and how they'd be viewed but if you have extenuating circumstances which are documented you should be fine.

Thanks for the reply! I completely agree I have checked all the universities that I am interested in applying to and unfortunately not all of them are clear about their A-Level resit policy.

To document extenuating circumstances do you think that a letter from a GP and hospital are better evidence or mentioning it in my UCAS reference is better?

Both. Your school should also have been made aware through the appropriate channels.

I did exactly that. Now I'm in exeter. Just started.

Hi did you get an interview at exeter last year as a resit? if so what were your stats ?
I'm in the same position as you btw OP! Tbh i think its worth it to take a gap year next year if i achieve the grades this time around.

it all depends really. Did you have any extenuating or mitigating circumstances? If so make sure your teachers write a really good referene for you to support your claims and add evidence. Many universities dont look at GCSE so much, as long as you've got a minimum grades in maths and english etc. Try really hard to get amazing grades this year and you'd be in a better position next year. If not theres always graduate entry where most no longer look at gcse's and a levels. Where are you thinking of applying this year? and thanks, you too!

If you can ask your secondary school to write to you that the teachers were frequently absent then that could count as an extenuating circumstances . I'd suggest you go to a tutorial college to resit as the popular ones are experts with resit applicants to competitive courses and they would have all the advice and knowledge to help you although they're quite expensive. If not, you can just apply after achieving amazing grades (aim for 3A*s ideally) and apply next year, however i suggest you apply to something this year maybe biomed just in case. I think GEM would be the best option for you as most do not look at a-levels and GCSE's, you just have to achieve a first class or 2:1 in a science degree and a good UKCAT/BMAT score.

Well i suggest you still retake this year and apply this year for 2018 entry with good predicted grades. Many universities accept resits even without extenuating circumstances for non competitive courses. Some may accept you with those grades through clearing although they would be the smaller unis and Ideally you should resit as your future employers will still se DEE on your CV.