missed my med A-level offer. should i take a gap year OR do biomed and then grad ent?

If i want to apply to medicine should I do a gap year and resit the UCAT and my a levels(i currently have BBC so can only apply to Bristol, Southampton, Sheffield, Exeter.) My mum got diagnosed with a disease in May, had to go on lots of medication and all in all was really sick and I probably didn't study as much as I could've. Is this an extenuating circumstance? idk it feels so exploitative using my mums health for me to apply to more unis but idk a teacher suggested it.

The other option is doing biomed at King's and then going graduate entry medicine. I've heard that GEM is extremely competitive but if it's doable I'd love to. Especially as it has more unis I can apply to(as they wont care about a levels or resits)

also some general questions:
-does uni prestige matter for medicine?
-how much more competitive is GEM and what are some things I can do now to have a more competitive application
-what would u recommend i do in a gap year?

Reply 1

Admit-One

Universities Forum Helper

In brief, gap year and resit.

Considerably cheaper and easier route.

Reply 2

Scotney

Definitely gap year and resit.How did you do in your UCAT?

Reply 3

Scotney

Only 8%of GEM applicants get a place.You would be up against people with Phd's or 1st's from top unis.
Your mum's illness is an extenuating circumstances and I do hope she is feeling better.How did you get on with your UCAT?
No uni prestige does not matter for Medicine,you are all going to be trained doctors at the end of the course.Is there any chance of a remark delivering any higher grades.Your teachers can get your papers back and check for free.

(edited 3 months ago)

Reply 4

nowayy

Original post by Scotney

ngl i was really far off the A grade boundaries so i doubt it. is it too late to apply for extenuating circumstances? none of the unis that accept resits are close to me so if I apply for extenuating circumstances would it allow me to more other unis? I got 2700 last year so idk it is doable if I grind the ucat for 5 weeks.

(edited 3 months ago)

Reply 5

Admit-One

Universities Forum Helper

Extenuating circumstances (to the uni) are generally for that application cycle. If you are applying in the next then they'll typically just expect you to have retaken in the interim.

You can obviously contact them in to confirm, but I suspect they'll tell you it'll be an automatic rejection with the same grades + ext. circs.

Reply 6

nowayy

Original post by Admit-One

Extenuating circumstances (to the uni) are generally for that application cycle. If you are applying in the next then they'll typically just expect you to have retaken in the interim.
You can obviously contact them in to confirm, but I suspect they'll tell you it'll be an automatic rejection with the same grades + ext. circs.

imperial accepts resitting if I have ext circs. do u think my mums illness(autoimmune disease not cancer but it was rlly serious) would b valid or would it b a rejection even if i have higher predicted grades? (for 2025 entry)

Reply 7

Admit-One

Universities Forum Helper

Original post by nowayy

Apols, I thought you meant applying with ext. circs + your current grades.

With regards to ext. circs to permit resit grades to be considered, it's very case by case. IMO yes, serious ill health of a parent would be enough for most uni's to take into account and be pragmatic about resitting, but ultimately you'll only know by checking with them directly, (or if they have a very clear blanket policy on their websites).

Reply 8

nowayy

Original post by Admit-One

Apols, I thought you meant applying with ext. circs + your current grades.
With regards to ext. circs to permit resit grades to be considered, it's very case by case. IMO yes, serious ill health of a parent would be enough for most uni's to take into account and be pragmatic about resitting, but ultimately you'll only know by checking with them directly, (or if they have a very clear blanket policy on their websites).

thank you I'll check out their website or give them a call. is it worth asking my school about or is it only the uni that decides if its extenuating enough.

Reply 9

Admit-One

Universities Forum Helper

Original post by nowayy

thank you I'll check out their website or give them a call. is it worth asking my school about or is it only the uni that decides if its extenuating enough.

It's the uni that decides, but when you re-apply your school might need to explain your circumstances, (the uni might also ask for some evidence).

Reply 10

quick-smear

It really depends on you. If you think you would mentally manage with retaking your A levels do that. If not do another degree! Yes GEM is more competitive but many people still do it or do undergraduate medicine after their first degree. It is more expensive however you can take a year out of education to earn money for the second degree.