What is the best choice for my future medicine application

Hello everyone I’m an aspiring medic who is currently in year 12 doing 4 A-Levels in Biology Chemistry Spanish and Maths

I know doing 4 is a lot so I am currently doing my AS Level in Biology but very one keeps telling me that it will hinder my application to medicine but I know that chemistry and maths should be enough as that is what is Atleast required on the Unis I am thinking about (Leeds, MCR etc I really enjoy biology but I find in terms of time and the quality of the teaching at my school I do a lot of work more independently than my other subjects so I decided to do an AS and I am currently getting good grades in all 4. Also if I drop it how do I explain myself in interviews. What do you guys think, I would appreciate any feedback.

Hello everyone I’m an aspiring medic who is currently in year 12 doing 4 A-Levels in Biology Chemistry Spanish and Maths

I know doing 4 is a lot so I am currently doing my AS Level in Biology but very one keeps telling me that it will hinder my application to medicine but I know that chemistry and maths should be enough as that is what is Atleast required on the Unis I am thinking about (Leeds, MCR etc I really enjoy biology but I find in terms of time and the quality of the teaching at my school I do a lot of work more independently than my other subjects so I decided to do an AS and I am currently getting good grades in all 4. Also if I drop it how do I explain myself in interviews. What do you guys think, I would appreciate any feedback.

Hello everyone I’m an aspiring medic who is currently in year 12 doing 4 A-Levels in Biology Chemistry Spanish and Maths

I know doing 4 is a lot so I am currently doing my AS Level in Biology but very one keeps telling me that it will hinder my application to medicine but I know that chemistry and maths should be enough as that is what is Atleast required on the Unis I am thinking about (Leeds, MCR etc I really enjoy biology but I find in terms of time and the quality of the teaching at my school I do a lot of work more independently than my other subjects so I decided to do an AS and I am currently getting good grades in all 4. Also if I drop it how do I explain myself in interviews. What do you guys think, I would appreciate any feedback.

I would personally advise against dropping biology - it’s going to give you quite a steep learning curve once you start your degree and is also likely to result in an offer with a higher grade tariff (check the unis’ websites for this). Not to mention for Leeds, I’m pretty sure you need to do the BMAT and continuing on with biology for A2 will definitely help with that. If I were you I would probably drop either maths or Spanish, whichever you enjoy least.

That said, I come from Northern Ireland where we do an AS in all our A-Level subjects in lower sixth and then sit A2 exams in upper sixth to convert them to the full A-Level, which gives us a lot more flexibility than some of the English schools where you sit everything in upper sixth. So I apologise if I’ve given you this advice only for it to be pointless.

If your only choice is between dropping biology and doing 4 A-Levels and you’re certain that the medical schools you want to apply to will accept you with AS biology then I would say that it’s just key to come up with an explanation for dropping bio that doesn’t sound critical of your teachers/school (even if the teaching quality is not what you hoped for) and trot that our at interview if they ask.
Best of luck

Hey! I'm sorry I won't be useful in responding to your question, but I had a few questions, if that's okay! I'm conflicted between taking A Level Spanish or Further Maths as a fourth subject (in addition to Biology Chemistry Maths), or not take a fourth subject at all. I was wondering how you are dealing with taking four subjects, and if you would say Spanish has helped in applications or any other aspect? Thank youu and I'm so sorry again for literally adding no response to your question 😭

Leeds require both chemistry and biology:
https://courses.leeds.ac.uk/5580/medicine-and-surgery-mbchb#entry

Not OP but if this is for medicine check the entry requirements thread to check how many require 4 A levels (I think its zero) and even how many say it will be an advantage (again a very very small number if any as far as I can remeber most say they wont take account of a 4th at all). Check combinations often excluded like biology/human biology etc.

There are also very very few that require Biology / Chemistry and maths. Most want chem/bio or both.

For many the third one is an academic one of your choice (although careful here if doing a modern language one in your native language as this may not always be counted as a third.)

Read the entry requirements doc on thr medical schools council website and see what you think.

Does your school do EPQs in year 13? I have seen several med schools that do a reduced offer if you do 3 A levels and an EPQ when you wouldnt get a reduced offer or preference for 4 A levels. Something to think about.

Good luck.

Hello everyone I’m an aspiring medic who is currently in year 12 doing 4 A-Levels in Biology Chemistry Spanish and Maths

I know doing 4 is a lot so I am currently doing my AS Level in Biology but very one keeps telling me that it will hinder my application to medicine but I know that chemistry and maths should be enough as that is what is Atleast required on the Unis I am thinking about (Leeds, MCR etc I really enjoy biology but I find in terms of time and the quality of the teaching at my school I do a lot of work more independently than my other subjects so I decided to do an AS and I am currently getting good grades in all 4. Also if I drop it how do I explain myself in interviews. What do you guys think, I would appreciate any feedback.

I would personally advise against dropping biology - it’s going to give you quite a steep learning curve once you start your degree and is also likely to result in an offer with a higher grade tariff (check the unis’ websites for this). Not to mention for Leeds, I’m pretty sure you need to do the BMAT and continuing on with biology for A2 will definitely help with that. If I were you I would probably drop either maths or Spanish, whichever you enjoy least.

That said, I come from Northern Ireland where we do an AS in all our A-Level subjects in lower sixth and then sit A2 exams in upper sixth to convert them to the full A-Level, which gives us a lot more flexibility than some of the English schools where you sit everything in upper sixth. So I apologise if I’ve given you this advice only for it to be pointless.

If your only choice is between dropping biology and doing 4 A-Levels and you’re certain that the medical schools you want to apply to will accept you with AS biology then I would say that it’s just key to come up with an explanation for dropping bio that doesn’t sound critical of your teachers/school (even if the teaching quality is not what you hoped for) and trot that our at interview if they ask.
Best of luck

Hi @AliMousavi05

I hope you are well

This is a completely personal decision and you should consider what is right for you, what you enjoy and what the universities you are applying to require. I would recommend dropping one A-level if you are finding it stressful as I think A-levels are hard enough with three!

Personally, I would recommend dropping Spanish as I feel Biology, Chemistry and Maths do really well together as an inspiring medic. For example, at Edge Hill we require both Biology and Chemistry for our Medicine course. So, it may be best to keep your options open by continuing with you A-levels in Biology, Chemistry and Maths. Of course this is just my advice and it is important that you take your time to consider what is right for you

I hope you this is helpful!

Katie - Educational Psychology student

Leeds require both chemistry and biology:
https://courses.leeds.ac.uk/5580/medicine-and-surgery-mbchb#entry

Hey! I'm sorry I won't be useful in responding to your question, but I had a few questions, if that's okay! I'm conflicted between taking A Level Spanish or Further Maths as a fourth subject (in addition to Biology Chemistry Maths), or not take a fourth subject at all. I was wondering how you are dealing with taking four subjects, and if you would say Spanish has helped in applications or any other aspect? Thank youu and I'm so sorry again for literally adding no response to your question 😭

Hi!!
If you are going to drop one, I'd recommend not dropping biology as it'll really help you with the medicine course itself. Drop either maths or spanish, the one you find harder (ignore those people saying that maths is better for a med application as this is absolutely not true!!!).
I did those same 4 a levels when when i was applying and always considered dropping maths.
However, if you still decide that the biology a level isn't for you, then its best to drop it to maximise your chances of 3 As.... thugh it will limit your choice of med unis
hope this helps!!

I do feel like maths is a lot of homework

If you are thinking about medicine do not take further maths as many medical universities do not count maths and further maths as seperate subjects as for Spanish I personally love it because it is a break from all the science and not as hard but it is difficult to revise for and a lot of new vocab. I am dealing quite well with four but everyone advises me to drop one as it is not required.