Year 12s: what, if anything, would discourage you from attending a uni open day? >>

Could I do medicine?

I’d previously been set on veterinary medicine but Ive decided to explore my options. Obviously, human medicine was one of my first ideas, but unfortunately I know next to nothing about the profession or the application process. I’m currently studying A levels in biology, chemistry and English literature. I’m aiming for AAA and I’m trying to push either English literature or biology to an A*. My GCSE grades are A*A*A*AAAB (if that’s of any relevance). Could someone please enlighten me about the medical profession, universities and the application process? Any information about it at all would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Reply 1

TSR Hippocrates

Hey there, thanks for posting a question in the Medicine forum. :biggrin:

The Medicine forum gets a high volume of questions being posted, and some of these are already answered by the resources and Megathreads that members of the community and volunteers have created. This is an automatic post which is designed to highlight these resources. Below is a list of threads and articles that could answer your question (you should be looking in the original post of the megathreads). If one of the below threads is a more relevant place to ask your question, please post a reply in that thread to ask your question. If your query is answered by one of the Megathreads or articles linked below, and you would like us to close this thread for you, please reply to this thread with just the words "thank you". A member of our team will then get it locked.

Megathreads
(Please read the first post, before then posting any further questions you have within that thread.)
The "Which Medical School Should I Apply To?" Uberthread
The Ultimate 'Am I Good Enough For Medicine?' Angst Thread
Medicine A-Level subjects queries
Work Experience and Voluntary Work

2023 Applicants:
Official Undergraduate Medicine 2023 Entry
Graduate Entry Medicine 2023 Entry
Medicine 2023 entry for resit / retake / gap year applicants
A100 Medicine for International Students 2023 Entry
Medicine Interview discussion 2023 Entry
2023 entry A100 / A101 Medicine fastest and slowest offer senders
Index of Individual Medical School Applicants' threads 2023 Entry

2024 Applicants :
Official Undergraduate Medicine 2024 Entry
Graduate Entry Medicine 2024 Entry
GAMSAT 2024 / 2025 entry discussions megathread
UCAT 2024 Entry Discussions Megathread

Other application years:
Graduate Entry Medicine 2025 Entry
Official Undergraduate Medicine 2025 Entry

Useful Articles:
GCSE Requirements for Medicine
Everything you need to know about the BMAT
Work Experience as a Graduate or Mature student
Medicine Personal Statement Advice
Medicine Personal Statement Advice (Graduate Entry)
Interview Frequently Asked Questions
MMI Medicine Interview Tips
What to do after an unsuccessful first application

If your query is answered by one of the Megathreads or articles linked above, and you would like us to close this thread for you, please reply to this thread with just the words "thank you". A member of our team will then get it locked.

Reply 2

Scotland Yard

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post by Elizabeth200

I'd start by having a look through any of the links that TSR Hippocrates posted for your benefit. The Student Room in general has a wealth of information on applying to Medicine so I'd recommend you browse us a little more. Your school also might have a Medicine society, if it does that is a great place to check out! And in terms of enlightening yourself about the Medical profession, again, check The Student Room, research online and read books about Medicine/experiences in Medicine. Some recommendations off the top of my head:

-This is going to hurt, by Adam Kay. A must-read book.
-Do no harm, by Henry Marsh
-Fragile lives, by Stephen Westaby
-When breath becomes air, by Paul Kalanithi
-War Doctor, by David Nott. It deals with medicine in conflict areas, so maybe not quite your standard doctor book but an amazing book to read all the same