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HELP!!

I would like to go to UCL for medicine, but I would like to take IB instead of a-level because there aren’t many good a-level schools around me but the IB school has much better resources. I’m predicted a 7 for biology 8 for chemistry 8-maths 7-English’s. I know I can achieve higher than these predictions. So what should I do IB or A-levels?? Recommendations? Also, how can i become more motivated and productive?
(edited 9 months ago)
Reply 1
Hi, if you're pretty good at all your subjects and organised then the IB is a fab course and will definitely prepare you for medicine well. Obviously, getting into medicine is super difficult so if you think you need more time to focus on your subjects then A levels is the way to go. I'm thinking about UCL for medicine too and do the IB (and my friend in the year above already got a place), it's doable but you need to be super organised! :smile:
Reply 2
Original post by lau321
Hi, if you're pretty good at all your subjects and organised then the IB is a fab course and will definitely prepare you for medicine well. Obviously, getting into medicine is super difficult so if you think you need more time to focus on your subjects then A levels is the way to go. I'm thinking about UCL for medicine too and do the IB (and my friend in the year above already got a place), it's doable but you need to be super organised! :smile:
Thank you!! I think I might do the IB and just sacrifice my summer😭
Reply 3
Original post by txn1_a
Thank you!! I think I might do the IB and just sacrifice my summer😭

The summer between IB Y1 and Y2 would be super busy ... writing Extended Essay, Chem IA, Bio IA and studying for your UCAT. So be forewarned that it would be full ON. You have to be committed to the IB Dip and to qualify for UCL Medicine, you will need min 19 in your HLs 7 and 6 in HL Bio and HL Chem in any order, meaning 766 (getting a 5 would not meet min of 19)

It would take you more than one summer but consistent work throughout.
Reply 4
Original post by BubblesBB
The summer between IB Y1 and Y2 would be super busy ... writing Extended Essay, Chem IA, Bio IA and studying for your UCAT. So be forewarned that it would be full ON. You have to be committed to the IB Dip and to qualify for UCL Medicine, you will need min 19 in your HLs 7 and 6 in HL Bio and HL Chem in any order, meaning 766 (getting a 5 would not meet min of 19)
It would take you more than one summer but consistent work throughout.

Thanks for the information!! But I’m really dedicated to the course I want to do, so I have no problem giving a lot up! After all, the struggle is worth the reward! Also, how many hours do you think I should study during the summer per day??
Reply 5
Original post by txn1_a
Thanks for the information!! But I’m really dedicated to the course I want to do, so I have no problem giving a lot up! After all, the struggle is worth the reward! Also, how many hours do you think I should study during the summer per day??

You're most welcome!

Do not burn out. Whilst you will need to do work during the summer break, you will also need to sleep well. I have not had to do an all-nighter (yup, never had to) ever in the 2 years of IB. Sleep is sacred, and this knocks out 8-9 hours a day. I think on average, I did about 2-3 hours before lunch, and another 3-4 hours for the rest of the day. The days I set out to research and write my EE or IAs, I had no time to study and make my notes. So I had to balance my workload.

Believe me when I say this - get your EE almost 80-90% complete when you send it to your supervisor for feedback. IAs should be 100% complete (if you treat them as a draft in every sense of the word, you won't get meaningful feedback).

So yeah, know that you will always have several things ongoing all at once (all with diff degree of completion) but when you are committed, you will excel!
Reply 6
Original post by BubblesBB
You're most welcome!
Do not burn out. Whilst you will need to do work during the summer break, you will also need to sleep well. I have not had to do an all-nighter (yup, never had to) ever in the 2 years of IB. Sleep is sacred, and this knocks out 8-9 hours a day. I think on average, I did about 2-3 hours before lunch, and another 3-4 hours for the rest of the day. The days I set out to research and write my EE or IAs, I had no time to study and make my notes. So I had to balance my workload.
Believe me when I say this - get your EE almost 80-90% complete when you send it to your supervisor for feedback. IAs should be 100% complete (if you treat them as a draft in every sense of the word, you won't get meaningful feedback).
So yeah, know that you will always have several things ongoing all at once (all with diff degree of completion) but when you are committed, you will excel!
Thank you so much!! This is so helpful 😊!
Also, if you don’t mind me asking, have you finished IB or are you doing the exams now?
Reply 7
Original post by txn1_a
Thank you so much!! This is so helpful 😊!
Also, if you don’t mind me asking, have you finished IB or are you doing the exams now?

Yes, I have finished IB! Was from M23. 45/45!
Reply 8
Original post by BubblesBB
Yes, I have finished IB! Was from M23. 45/45!

WOW THAT’S AMAZING!!
I really hope I can get the same!
What subjects did you take??
Reply 9
Original post by txn1_a
WOW THAT’S AMAZING!!
I really hope I can get the same!
What subjects did you take??

Work hard and you can too! HL Chem Bio Psych SL Eng A LL Spanish Ab Initio Math AA
Reply 10
That's genuinely so impressive!

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