medicine a level choices- so confused!!

so i’m applying to a very private (public basically) school who want me to pick 4 a levels.

i had always thought bio, chem, philosophy+ethics and EPQ.

now there’s a fourth being thrown into the ring (and i’ve asked, everyone’s doing an EPQ so it wouldn’t constitute as a “fourth”)

do i pick maths or english lit?? i know maths would go very well together with my subjects as i want to do medicine and i am academically able, but it just doesn’t come naturally to me, and i really don’t want to do an a level in it (am currently doing further maths gcse)

but i’m aware for medicine bio, chem, philosophy and english doesn’t look too hot (or does it?)

do i stick with maths and hope i get better with time or do english (which i’m naturally quite good at and have a love for, but risk the medical application?)

Why haven’t you asked your school for advise ? Or a admissions officer at a med school?

For your 3rd subject, you need to pick the subject where you feel most confident of getting an A grade.

If the University does not specify/recommend/prefer Maths or a Science. or any other subject, for the 3rd subject then they don't care. You wont get any extra brownie points for doing a 'relevant subject' - you could be doing Dance or Accountancy - all they are interested in the A grade.

PS. There is a wealth of advice and info here about all aspects of Applying for Medicine, including advice about A levels : https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/Medicine

Refuse to do an EPQ if you are doing 4 A levels - no uni requires four so I question why they want you to.

Why not go somewhere else for the Sixth form?

Most Medical universities want Chemistry and Biology as A-levels and won't care what other subjects you pick unless they are vocational subjects or things like Critical Thinking or General Studies. Some may want maths as well. I'm applying to Medical universities this year and I'm doing A-level Bio, Chem and Psychology.

see i really like the EPQ and would rather drop the fourth anyways (on the same terms of uni not needing it)

also the school is amazing and i’ve fallen in love with it (and they’re offering 100% bursary)

also the school is amazing and i’ve fallen in love with it (and they’re offering 100% bursary)

i got the email regarding choices yesterday and i’ve spoken to many admissions officers about making the third a level choice.

i know but i have this irrational fear that because 1/2 and not just a 1/3 are non-scientific will show that i don’t have a scientific aptitude??? idk

Just do 3 A levels then - it may be an amazing school but that is no reason to take on too many subjects.

No University wants 4 A levels - or will be impressed by you doing them.
And many people drop their EPQ once they have offers because alongside even 3 A levels its too much work.

AAA will always look better than BBBB - and BBBB could lose you a University place in August.

Just do 3. By the way, I would highly recommend you do Religious Studies instead of Philosophy as your third subject. It's much, much easier, extremely interesting and has a lot of philosophy in it as well (ethics). Students generally don't do as well on A level Philosophy whereas RS is considered equally reputable all the while being much simpler and more interesting. It'd also be really relevant to Medicine as you'll most likely study ethics and topical issues like Abortion and Euthanasia etc.

P.S. Only Cambridge wants a 3rd A level in a STEM subject. Ergo, don't apply there. Just do 3 and EPQ if you want to or 4 A levels but no EPQ. But, I really wouldn't recommend 4 A levels because it's not a requirement and universities will literally ignore anything more than 3 subjects.

Apart from Bio and Chem I'd say just go with whatever subjects you want-it's better to get good grades in all the subjects you do rather than doing badly because you forced yourself into doing them. You've already acknowledged that your fear is irrational-the only thing left is for you to overcome it .

congratulations!
and as someone said above, only cambridge require three stem a levels
would suggest you stick with eng lit if you enjoy it and are good at it
four a levels + epq is a lot of work but it is doable!

so i’m applying to a very private (public basically) school who want me to pick 4 a levels.

i had always thought bio, chem, philosophy+ethics and EPQ.

now there’s a fourth being thrown into the ring (and i’ve asked, everyone’s doing an EPQ so it wouldn’t constitute as a “fourth”)

do i pick maths or english lit?? i know maths would go very well together with my subjects as i want to do medicine and i am academically able, but it just doesn’t come naturally to me, and i really don’t want to do an a level in it (am currently doing further maths gcse)

but i’m aware for medicine bio, chem, philosophy and english doesn’t look too hot (or does it?)

do i stick with maths and hope i get better with time or do english (which i’m naturally quite good at and have a love for, but risk the medical application?)