is it easy to become a doctor

I dont know what career path to take, and i need to make decisions regarding a levels. for my gcse i have been getting predicted two 6s rest 8s and 7s and one 9. Does it look like I'm capable of being a doctor.

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 1

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

There's nothing to suggest you couldn't apply to medicine successfully based on your GCSEs alone - not to mention not all medical schools even score GCSEs. Of course becoming a doctor and being a doctor are two different things. I think the general consensus is that being a doctor is hard, at least early in ones career. So you do need to consider that medicine is more than simply being admitted to the medical degree (granted that is a major barrier initially) and you do need to be committed to it in the long run.

If you do feel you are so committed though there's no reason you couldn't successfully apply if you take the correct subjects (you can read about UK medical school A-level subject requirements here: https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5611422 ) and get AAA or above predicted grades and do well in the UCAT and prepare well for the interview and undertake appropriate work experience or volunteering in a caring role and reflect on those experiences.

Fortunately if you do decide against medicine you still have plenty of options taking biology/chemistry/a third A-level of choice. Most jobs don't require you to have done any specific degree, and most degrees don't have any specific subject requirements outside of STEM fields, and those STEM subjects are widely available with a foundation year for people who did the "wrong" subjects. So you'll have plenty of choices even if you find e.g. after doing work experience later in year 12 that you aren't as keen on medicine :smile:

Reply 2

CCCU Health Rep

Official Rep

Original post by nooriiii

Hey,

When deciding what a levels to take it is important to think about what potential careers you may be interested in. However, it is also important to pick subjects that you enjoy and are passionate about as you will most likely achieve better grades in subjects you enjoy.

You are more than capable of being a doctor if you put your all into it and continue to work hard. If you know you want to be a doctor or even work in the healthcare field in the future picking science a levels will be beneficial.

We would recommend attending open/answer days at different universities and medical schools as this will help your decision and you will be able to find out more about becoming an doctor or you may have an interest in a different degree that you didn't think of.

For example. many people do not know about the profession Operating Department Practitioner. An Operating Department Practitioner play an essential role in the perioperative team and they care for patients before, during and after surgery. You'll learn how to take responsibility of managing all aspects of patient care within the operating department. This degree will take three years long to complete which is a lot shorter than an medical degree. However, as a Operating Department Practitioner you will be able to work in theatres. Check out this link to find out more about this unusual degree which includes an video which introduces you to the degree: https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/study-here/courses/operating-department-practice

You can attend open/answer days now before you start your a levels to get an idea into what degree you would like to do in the future and you will be able to ask what the entry requirements are. Check out university websites to find out when their next open/answer days are. You can also attend these in year 12/13.

It is important to find out as much as you can about completing an medical degree and becoming an doctor to make sure it is the right path for you.

If you work hard and put your all into something you will be successful in whatever path you decide to choose.

Good luck in your GCSE's and picking you a levels, remember you've got this! :thumbsup: