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PE A Level for medicine?!

Hi.. this isn't for me it's for my girlfriend becasue she's confused!

Basically, we're in Yr 11, and we're choosing our options. She wants to eventually go into medcine, but doesn't know what to take.

So far, Maths, Bio and Chem are for definate.

The fourth option is PE, however will this affect an application for medcine?! Will she be looked down upon, as I know that PE isn't a very respected subject, or will she still get a chance of going to one of the top uni's?

Another option would be to do further maths or economics psycology, or possibly french at a push, but she would really prefer to do PE because she's interested in it.

Just incase you want to know she's predicted 11 A*s and 1 A in RE.

Thanks, reply soon guys =)

Reply 1

bright star

the problem with pe is that many universities don't accept it alongside biology as there is a lot of shared material. the same could apply to the further maths along with the maths.

it'd be wise to phone around medical admissions departments to confirm their policy on things like this. it's just an extension of the idea that i can't gain credit for doing french on three different exam boards then claiming that as three a levels, only taken a bit further.

generally, i'd say don't do it but as i said, phone around see what they say. bear in mind that policy may have changed by the time she comes to actually apply though.

also tell her to start doing her work experience now!!

Reply 2

elderberry_fairies

i dont know :s-smilie:

u see, they are really fussy these days because there are alot of applicants to study medicine and limited places maybe they would prefer physics/psychology thats what other applicants have studied well done with the predictions!

Reply 3

7589200

why not do physics lol
run around in her free time...

Reply 4

Pepe Le Poosh

PE is the one time where its difficult for us to turn round with the bog standard 'Do what you enjoy most' line because some universities will not except alongside biology as bright star said.

Other than PE, and arguably further maths, any other A-level is fine, do something you enjoy and can do well in and be prepared to justify it if necessary at interview (it makes a great subject for discussion!).

I chose geography because it was a subject i'd always enjoyed and i chose to carry on with it instead of subjects that i had better GCSE grades in. It paid off at AS-level and i got 300/300.... Morale of the story... follow this advice.

Ditto to bright stars comment on work experience

Reply 5

sophtheloaf

I think they'd be critical of the academic content of the course. When I applied I think the term was a " robust, academic subject" may be offered.. Only people who can tell you for sure are the Admissions Tutors.

Good luck

Reply 6

7589200

Pepe Le Poosh

and arguably further maths, any other A-level is fine, do something you enjoy and can do well in and be prepared to justify it if necessary at interview (it makes a great subject for discussion!

do further maths - its amazing, LOADS of people have it at my uni (for med)

Reply 7

josee32

exactley loads of people have it!!! do something different...most unis only want 3 A2 so the 4th is her choice, i studied BTEC ND Sport and Exercise science and biology A2 and ive got into med this year...so it won't harm to take it! :biggrin:

Reply 8

bright star

i'm not saying it's the kiss of death, i have it. the difference is i have another AS as well.

PE is certainly academic enough, that's why there's so much biology in it. you should check it's okay before you take it or you'll be annoyed later.

Reply 9

xzincx

I took PE for A level along with Chemitry and Biology and I have had four interviews with an offer from hyms so far.

My advice is that if she does take PE that she rings the medical schools and ask them whether they except PE when it comes round to applying. The places where I applied to are hyms, Manchester, Sheffield and Keele which all said it was fine.

She should take what she enjoys most!

Reply 10

petzneo

Is P.E. the only A level that she wants to do? Because tbh if there is another one, I say that she should consider it, med schools are so iffy with things like this..

Reply 11

martin101

right PE is a bad move... in cambridges official list they look down on it (and whilst other unis dont officially acknowledge this its clearly the case). Remember you only need 3A2s so whatever the choice might be you only need it for an AS if you want. Of that list I would say either FM, economics or french. Grades dont seem to be a concern to her so I would say dont put yourself at a disadvantage from the start by choosing PE!

Reply 12

canoechick

Theres only certain med schools I can see it being a problem with (oxbridge and poss a few others). Most she'll be fine as its her 4th and if they're gonna be snobby they can just count the maths as the third (and some may even prefer over say further maths as it gives her more breadth with her subject rather than just doing science/maths - i think its imperial that told me at the time a non science is an advantage).

For her interest my a levels were bio, chem, geography and THEATRE STUDIES. I took theatre studies as it was something I enjoyed a lot and I don't regret that decision at all. I think she should do PE.

Also I believe cambridges list say its a problem if more than one of your subjects (out of 3 i believe) are on the list, and bio chem and maths would not be!

Reply 13

Becca-Sarah

I've got PE as one of my 4 A2's - Sheffield are quite pro-PE, and actually none of the uni's I spoke to had a problem with it. Oxbridge might be a tad iffy about it, but all I can say is that I got an interview to do Cambridge NatSci and they didn't seem to care, so its not Cambridge per se that disagree with PE as a subject. AFAIK, Southampton don't accept it.