EPQ or Further maths for medicine
What it says in the title, would an EPQ or further maths benefit a medicine application more? I've looked online but the answers I've found have been quite conflicting.
I'm doing 4 A levels including FM and I've heard it can be quite challenging (I really enjoyed FM and maths in GCSEs though).
Additionally I need to account for the fact that my school doesn't provide any help with the EPQ, so I'd be completely on my own for the entire process.
Another option would be to take both but the workload just doesn't seem doable for me, as according to the answers I've found online an EPQ will be extremely time consuming throughout the year.
Sorry for the long post, but basically I would like to know a bit more about the work loads of both options and if an EPQ is viable without help from school.
I'm doing 4 A levels including FM and I've heard it can be quite challenging (I really enjoyed FM and maths in GCSEs though).
Additionally I need to account for the fact that my school doesn't provide any help with the EPQ, so I'd be completely on my own for the entire process.
Another option would be to take both but the workload just doesn't seem doable for me, as according to the answers I've found online an EPQ will be extremely time consuming throughout the year.
Sorry for the long post, but basically I would like to know a bit more about the work loads of both options and if an EPQ is viable without help from school.
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Original post by Screamingcacti
What it says in the title, would an EPQ or further maths benefit a medicine application more? I've looked online but the answers I've found have been quite conflicting.
I'm doing 4 A levels including FM and I've heard it can be quite challenging (I really enjoyed FM and maths in GCSEs though).
Additionally I need to account for the fact that my school doesn't provide any help with the EPQ, so I'd be completely on my own for the entire process.
Another option would be to take both but the workload just doesn't seem doable for me, as according to the answers I've found online an EPQ will be extremely time consuming throughout the year.
Sorry for the long post, but basically I would like to know a bit more about the work loads of both options and if an EPQ is viable without help from school.
I'm doing 4 A levels including FM and I've heard it can be quite challenging (I really enjoyed FM and maths in GCSEs though).
Additionally I need to account for the fact that my school doesn't provide any help with the EPQ, so I'd be completely on my own for the entire process.
Another option would be to take both but the workload just doesn't seem doable for me, as according to the answers I've found online an EPQ will be extremely time consuming throughout the year.
Sorry for the long post, but basically I would like to know a bit more about the work loads of both options and if an EPQ is viable without help from school.
Original post by WorriedUser4737
I chose further maths over an EPQ when I was applying for medicine, advice for further maths, start revising for it by January at the very latest because grade boundaries may get even higher or stay high. Further math makes maths really easy at my sixth form everyone that got an A*/A in FM achieved A*s in Maths, would definitely recommend FM.
Wow quick reply! Thank you so much! This is really helpful advice especially since I'm so used to cramming for exams, definitely won't be doing it this year XD
Original post by Screamingcacti
What it says in the title, would an EPQ or further maths benefit a medicine application more? I've looked online but the answers I've found have been quite conflicting.
I'm doing 4 A levels including FM and I've heard it can be quite challenging (I really enjoyed FM and maths in GCSEs though).
Additionally I need to account for the fact that my school doesn't provide any help with the EPQ, so I'd be completely on my own for the entire process.
Another option would be to take both but the workload just doesn't seem doable for me, as according to the answers I've found online an EPQ will be extremely time consuming throughout the year.
Sorry for the long post, but basically I would like to know a bit more about the work loads of both options and if an EPQ is viable without help from school.
I'm doing 4 A levels including FM and I've heard it can be quite challenging (I really enjoyed FM and maths in GCSEs though).
Additionally I need to account for the fact that my school doesn't provide any help with the EPQ, so I'd be completely on my own for the entire process.
Another option would be to take both but the workload just doesn't seem doable for me, as according to the answers I've found online an EPQ will be extremely time consuming throughout the year.
Sorry for the long post, but basically I would like to know a bit more about the work loads of both options and if an EPQ is viable without help from school.
I feel EPQ is very challenging to balance with UCAT, as the deadline (at least at my college), occurs at the same time UCAT exams do. This made people at my school who are planning to study medicine have to prioritise the UCAT, thus risking low scores in EPQ. I would suggest FM if you are set on doing one or other, as I feel other, potentially less time consuming, super curriculars would be similarly valuable to EPQ. The only exception (if my opinion, and obvi I'm not an expert haha) would be if the unis you plan to apply to offer alternative offers if you do EPQ, in which case it becomes a lot more valuable.
(edited 1 month ago)
Original post by Screamingcacti
What it says in the title, would an EPQ or further maths benefit a medicine application more? I've looked online but the answers I've found have been quite conflicting.
I'm doing 4 A levels including FM and I've heard it can be quite challenging (I really enjoyed FM and maths in GCSEs though).
Additionally I need to account for the fact that my school doesn't provide any help with the EPQ, so I'd be completely on my own for the entire process.
Another option would be to take both but the workload just doesn't seem doable for me, as according to the answers I've found online an EPQ will be extremely time consuming throughout the year.
Sorry for the long post, but basically I would like to know a bit more about the work loads of both options and if an EPQ is viable without help from school.
I'm doing 4 A levels including FM and I've heard it can be quite challenging (I really enjoyed FM and maths in GCSEs though).
Additionally I need to account for the fact that my school doesn't provide any help with the EPQ, so I'd be completely on my own for the entire process.
Another option would be to take both but the workload just doesn't seem doable for me, as according to the answers I've found online an EPQ will be extremely time consuming throughout the year.
Sorry for the long post, but basically I would like to know a bit more about the work loads of both options and if an EPQ is viable without help from school.
I would go for an EPQ. I teach Maths and some medicine degree don't count FMaths.
An EPQ gives you a topic to discuss at interview.
Original post by lawofducks123
I feel EPQ is very challenging to balance with UCAT, as the deadline (at least at my college), occurs at the same time UCAT exams do. This made people at my school who are planning to study medicine have to prioritise the UCAT, thus risking low scores in EPQ. I would suggest FM if you are set on doing one or other, as I feel other, potentially less time consuming, super curriculars would be similarly valuable to EPQ. The only exception (if my opinion, and obvi I'm not an expert haha) would be if the unis you plan to apply to offer alternative offers if you do EPQ, in which case it becomes a lot more valuable.
Yeah that was pretty much my stance on it as well, since I've read that except for helping during the interview or if you're applying for oxbridge (I probably won't) the EPQ often doesn't do too much. FM isn't really going to be that helpful either, I'm pretty much just taking it because I thought it would be interesting. Thank you this was really helpful!
Original post by Muttley79
I would go for an EPQ. I teach Maths and some medicine degree don't count FMaths.
An EPQ gives you a topic to discuss at interview.
An EPQ gives you a topic to discuss at interview.
Yes I've considered that as well, thank you for the reply! I think if my school provided help for the EPQ I might've gone for it instead of FM but honestly I'm not too sure how well I'd do on my own 😅. I've started FM and it's been pretty interesting so far, so I'll probably stick with it if I can.
Original post by Screamingcacti
Yes I've considered that as well, thank you for the reply! I think if my school provided help for the EPQ I might've gone for it instead of FM but honestly I'm not too sure how well I'd do on my own 😅. I've started FM and it's been pretty interesting so far, so I'll probably stick with it if I can.
If they offer the EPQ then they must offer teaching for it.
Original post by Muttley79
If they offer the EPQ then they must offer teaching for it.
Sorry, should've specified that they do not offer the EPQ and if I did do it I'd probably have to do it separately from the school
Original post by Screamingcacti
Sorry, should've specified that they do not offer the EPQ and if I did do it I'd probably have to do it separately from the school
Who will mark it or give you support? Not a sensible thing to try.
Original post by McGinger
You dont need either for Medicine.
And AAA will always look better than ABB 'but I could have got AAA if I hadn't wasted my time doing an EPQ'.
Think about where your efforts are actually going to pay off.
And AAA will always look better than ABB 'but I could have got AAA if I hadn't wasted my time doing an EPQ'.
Think about where your efforts are actually going to pay off.
Good point, I've only had a few lessons in math so far and since we're just reviewing GCSE material I haven't been having much trouble with it, though I am aware it will get much much harder towards the end of the first year especially with FM. I may consider dropping FM at some point but the issue with that is I may end up having to change my entire timetable and teachers, I'm sort of stuck with my decision for now XD
Original post by Muttley79
Who will mark it or give you support? Not a sensible thing to try.
Fair enough, probably won't go for the EPQ anyways XD
Original post by Screamingcacti
Sorry, should've specified that they do not offer the EPQ and if I did do it I'd probably have to do it separately from the school
You can't actually do this as a private home-based side-offering.
Mentoring and 'a presentation' is part of the EPQ process.
You can only do an EPQ if your school offers it.
Original post by Screamingcacti
Fair enough, probably won't go for the EPQ anyways XD
Stick to 3 A levels and use the time to do volunteering.
Original post by McGinger
You can't actually do this as a private home-based side-offering.
Mentoring and 'a presentation' is part of the EPQ process.
You can only do an EPQ if your school offers it.
Mentoring and 'a presentation' is part of the EPQ process.
You can only do an EPQ if your school offers it.
Oh really? Didn't know that, I haven't too much research into it since the chances of me actually taking it were so little, mostly just wanted to know if it was a possible option because some other people I know have taken it. Thanks for the info!
Original post by Muttley79
Stick to 3 A levels and use the time to do volunteering.
I am doing 4 a levels right now since I'm also taking FM, I will definitely try and use more time for volunteering though
Original post by Screamingcacti
What it says in the title, would an EPQ or further maths benefit a medicine application more? I've looked online but the answers I've found have been quite conflicting.
I'm doing 4 A levels including FM and I've heard it can be quite challenging (I really enjoyed FM and maths in GCSEs though).
Additionally I need to account for the fact that my school doesn't provide any help with the EPQ, so I'd be completely on my own for the entire process.
Another option would be to take both but the workload just doesn't seem doable for me, as according to the answers I've found online an EPQ will be extremely time consuming throughout the year.
Sorry for the long post, but basically I would like to know a bit more about the work loads of both options and if an EPQ is viable without help from school.
I'm doing 4 A levels including FM and I've heard it can be quite challenging (I really enjoyed FM and maths in GCSEs though).
Additionally I need to account for the fact that my school doesn't provide any help with the EPQ, so I'd be completely on my own for the entire process.
Another option would be to take both but the workload just doesn't seem doable for me, as according to the answers I've found online an EPQ will be extremely time consuming throughout the year.
Sorry for the long post, but basically I would like to know a bit more about the work loads of both options and if an EPQ is viable without help from school.
Hey, I'm in the same position as you! Just adding myself onto this thread to hear some advice too.
Original post by McGinger
As above, a relevant volunteer job (care home etc), and honest reflection on that, will impress far more than 'another bit of paper'.
Ahh ok, thats good to know, I've been looking for work experience recently, already have a placement for a week in December so glad to know that will be useful
Original post by unsure-student
Hey, I'm in the same position as you! Just adding myself onto this thread to hear some advice too.
Glad to know I'm not alone on this XD. Good luck with your decision!
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