Low-ish GCSE Grades

Hi! So I'm a bit demotivated about my GCSE grades. They weren't terrible, I got 4 A*s, 6 As and a B, but most of the people I see applying to medicine have upwards of 7 A*s, and it basically exempts me from some universities, like Oxford and Cardiff.

It's just quite frustrating because I live in a quite poor area, so my school was very much focused on getting people to pass, rather than pushing up our grades. It meant I got the highest GCSE grades in my year, and the highest the school as had for a while, but they're still comparatively low.

I do quite a bit of volunteering, was head boy in my high school (although it will have been like a year before the applications) and I've been doing quite well on my mocks and stuff, so I'm just wondering, if from anybody else's experiences, if that has mattered too much.

I'm thinking of applying to at least Edinburgh and Imperial, not sure where else yet.

Thanks for any help!

I’ve just received an offer from Oxford with GCSEs of 3A*s 4As 4Bs and 1 C!

Don’t let this put you off! If you have good predicted grades/achieved grades at A-level and a good personal statement and references then there’s nothing that should stop you.

Oh wow, good job! Might seem like a silly question, but is that for medicine? If it is, is it alright if I ask you some questions? :P

No it’s for Law, not quite the same I know but still, there is every chance!

Ah, alright. Thanks for your reply! Don't think I'm going to apply to Oxford, though haha.