A level subject dilemma

why do you think taking 4 a levels is a bad idea?

I've been told quite often that it's not a good idea and a waste of time, considering that universities only require 3. That this time could be spent on supercurriculars, improving uni applications and grades in my other subjects.

And that it's also difficult to keep up with 4.

Honestly a lot of schools and teachers think that a 4th a level looks really good but it doesnt

At the end of the day, you need 3 a levels to apply for medicine and they only look at your top 3.

If you genuinely think you can handle 4 a levels and it wont affect your grades, then by all means go for it.

However, if you cant balance those along with any other commitments you need to apply for medicine, then i would advise dropping it so you can get the best grades and application in for medicine.

i think it should be a decision you make with your teachers (and parents). If you and they are confident that you can handle the workload then why not? If the things you've listed are a genuine concern of yours then fine. But assuming that you're in year 12 then you've got time to make your decision.
If it helps I did 4 A Levels (not counting general studies) and I'm currently studying medicine, and sometimes regret not doing french as a 5th subject. I appreciate that that is not the norm but just know that it is doable

Honestly a lot of schools and teachers think that a 4th a level looks really good but it doesnt

At the end of the day, you need 3 a levels to apply for medicine and they only look at your top 3.

If you genuinely think you can handle 4 a levels and it wont affect your grades, then by all means go for it.

However, if you cant balance those along with any other commitments you need to apply for medicine, then i would advise dropping it so you can get the best grades and application in for medicine.

I've spoken both to my teachers and parents. My teachers seem to think I could handle it, and said that ultimately the decision was mine, but my parents said that it would be better to just drop it and focus on science/medicine if that was my goal.
I am in Year 12, however our college has a deadline for dropping a subject. The deadline is in about a week or 2, and if you do not drop the subject then you have to see it through to year 13 (unless there are exceptional circumstances).

That's the thing, I genuinely don't know whether I could handle it because right now I'm managing well and enjoying all the subjects. However I haven't been given time to see how difficult the subjects get, or whether I will be able to manage my time later in the year when I have more work to complete. I just can't judge the workload and content from the first couple of weeks of college and I really don't know what to do, because I'm worried that two languages is going to make it seem like I'm not serious about medicine.