I need advice

2

I want to do medicine at uni so I want to study bio chem maths at sixth form. The problem is I'm torn between 3 sixth forms: beths (the school I went to for secondary school), lae and bma. I've heard bma and lae are much better than beths in terms of facilities and student progress but they are much further away from my house than beths. Also I have to take 4 subjects at bma or lae and I don't know if I would be able to handle the workload. I really don't know whether to stay at beths or to bma/lae. Can anyone help me?

Reply 1

DerDracologe

Study Forum Helper

20

So basically you’re choosing between schools where you have to take an unnecessary extra a level but the schools are better for facilities and progress or staying at your school for sixth form and taking the courses you want to do?
This is really based on several factors: how much do you like your secondary? How much do you value the assets of the new schools? Do you feel passionate about the fourth subject? Do you think you could handle the workload? Is the travel time worth it?
These are some things to consider when making the decision but ultimately it’s yours to make.
Happy to attempt to answer any questions and hope this helps a little (I dont have knowledge of these schools so cannot offer specific advice unfortunately)
Have a great day :smile:

Reply 2

George&Mary

13

Excellent advice provided above.

I cannot comment on the particular schools, but I would suggest that if you are 100% focussed on medicine then I would give that application process some thought.

It is very time consuming. Not just in year 13 with UCAT, early applications, interview prep and A levels. In year 12, to have a rounded application you will no doubt be looking at perhaps volunteering, gaining work experience in a customer service people facing job, gaining work experience in a clinical setting, getting grades for predicted A levels up, and any other extra or super curricular activities that you wish to do to aid that application. You will also want to have some free time if you are doing all that !

Think carefully about your commute time and timings. Bus train times etc. do you have the capacity to do all that as well as 4 A levels?

although it is of course possible that application processes might change in two years 4 A levels are rarely required, and 3 is the standard. An EPQ is actually of more help than a 4th A level as some unis give grade flexibility if you have an A in an EPQ.

The most important thing is to get 3 As minimum at A level and a pass in the practical. So Bio and Chem give you the most choice of med schools and the third subject not so much. Psychology is a popular choice as it often is counted as a third science bUt is a descriptive and essay based subject to give you skills that way.

Lastly, learn a bit about the schools and your home situation. Are the schools supportive and where can you do your best work. Are they used to early applicants? Doesn’t have to be med, but need to be geared up to support you.
Are they getting good results? Are they selective or independent? Are they schools which are seen as struggling or developing? T looking further ahead to actual applications your application may be treated differently if you are in a state school or a selective school. But you may do better at a selective school if greater support.

Lots of stuff to think about, the time thing is the biggie for me as I hate a bus journey! Where do you want to go? Where will you be happy?

Reply 3

George&Mary

13

Yikes, just looked at LAE for nosiness! Over 6500 people applied to go there in Sept 2024. That is a LOT!

It also says that you do 4 in year 12 and drop to 3 in year 13, which is more manageable !

Reply 4

Raszeq,.

OP

2

Original post by DerDracologe

So basically you’re choosing between schools where you have to take an unnecessary extra a level but the schools are better for facilities and progress or staying at your school for sixth form and taking the courses you want to do?
This is really based on several factors: how much do you like your secondary? How much do you value the assets of the new schools? Do you feel passionate about the fourth subject? Do you think you could handle the workload? Is the travel time worth it?
These are some things to consider when making the decision but ultimately it’s yours to make.
Happy to attempt to answer any questions and hope this helps a little (I dont have knowledge of these schools so cannot offer specific advice unfortunately)
Have a great day :smile:

I really do value the assets at bma/lae more than beths and I was thinking of taking further maths as the 4th subject if I were to go there. Even if I'm not good at it they cover the normal a level math course which will help me when I drop the subject. Also if I know I'm going to drop the 4th subject can I just not try in it and put all my focus on bio chem and maths?

Reply 5

Raszeq,.

OP

2

Original post by George&Mary

Yikes, just looked at LAE for nosiness! Over 6500 people applied to go there in Sept 2024. That is a LOT!
It also says that you do 4 in year 12 and drop to 3 in year 13, which is more manageable !

Yea it's very oversubscribed because it's well known for being a pretty high quality school

Reply 6

DerDracologe

Study Forum Helper

20

Original post by Raszeq,.

I really do value the assets at bma/lae more than beths and I was thinking of taking further maths as the 4th subject if I were to go there. Even if I'm not good at it they cover the normal a level math course which will help me when I drop the subject. Also if I know I'm going to drop the 4th subject can I just not try in it and put all my focus on bio chem and maths?

That’s absolutely an option and it sounds like you’ve decided against your secondary school. I wish you luck with your further decision! I would suggest drawing up a pros and cons list (perhaps weighted) for the schools you’re considering and working out which would be better for you- i was unsure and did this and the results were very clear which surprised me as id been quite unsure beforehand!

Reply 7

e5ya

2

Im in the exact same position as you!! Ive decided i want to leave beths and go bma tho if i get the grades because i feel like bma will support me more in getting that medicine offer and meeting the grades etc. Only thing is distance tho but you have to decide if its worth the commute or not. If you compare the a level grades from today , you can see how much BMA outperforms beths. Another thing is that beths seems to be changing a lot w the new hoy and teachers+ the chem dep doesnt seem too sound according to other 6th formers experiences. Cant speak for BMA tho but their results speak for themselves. I know im in the same position as you but i hope my advice has been somewhat helpful.

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