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4 A levels or 3 A levels + EPQ

I'm in y11 and thinking about my a level choices. I would like to go somewhere like Cambridge for medicine so would it be better to take 4 A levels or an EPQ? For me it would be bio, chem, maths, computer science or just bio, chem, maths. I love compsci but no one has gotten A*s in my school for ages so idk if I should take it. Idk what to take for the best shot at getting into Cambridge
thanks
(edited 11 months ago)

Reply 1

I think 3 A levels and an EPQ is better. You'll be able to demonstrate different skills through doing an EPQ and it can be a great way to show your passion for medicine. If you do 3 A Levels and get A*A*A* that would be better than getting a 4 A's. You don't get any extra recognition for doing 4 A levels, so it would be better to stick to three and do well in them.
Hope that helps!

Reply 2

Original post
by Skjfnvkkgj
I think 3 A levels and an EPQ is better. You'll be able to demonstrate different skills through doing an EPQ and it can be a great way to show your passion for medicine. If you do 3 A Levels and get A*A*A* that would be better than getting a 4 A's. You don't get any extra recognition for doing 4 A levels, so it would be better to stick to three and do well in them.
Hope that helps!

Thanks I was along the same lines as well tbh but I saw a video of this Cambridge med guy saying 4 a levels demonstrates 'spare capacity' or something so idk if that matters

Reply 3

Honestly I can't speak for Cambridge Uni because I haven't looked into it myself, but I'm sure that having a high score on the UCAT, doing lots of work experience/volunteering and a variety of extracurricular activities will be enough for you to stand out along with good grades.
What you could do is take all 4 at the beginning of the year and drop comp science if you find its too much. I'm taking biology, chemistry, and psychology and I think I'd go crazy if I was taking another subject lolll
Maybe it's worth speaking to a careers advisor head of sixth form at your school? They might have had students ask the same question in the past?
Hope it all goes well!

Reply 4

Original post
by Skjfnvkkgj
Honestly I can't speak for Cambridge Uni because I haven't looked into it myself, but I'm sure that having a high score on the UCAT, doing lots of work experience/volunteering and a variety of extracurricular activities will be enough for you to stand out along with good grades.
What you could do is take all 4 at the beginning of the year and drop comp science if you find its too much. I'm taking biology, chemistry, and psychology and I think I'd go crazy if I was taking another subject lolll
Maybe it's worth speaking to a careers advisor head of sixth form at your school? They might have had students ask the same question in the past?
Hope it all goes well!

Thanks so much 😊

Reply 5

I agree with prior advice. Take 4 and drop if it becomes too much. Ask in your prospective sixth form if it is possible to pick up an EPQ somewhere midway through y12. This gives you flexibility, since it means you have about half the year to decide if you want to drop, and you don't have to sacrifice the EPQ for this either in the case that you do decide to drop to 3.

Also consider very carefully what exactly your prospective degree course is looking for. Don't take any subject you are not moderately confident you will get an A* in. Additionally if you decide to take computer science, consider doing some activities that can link in and justify this choice with respect to medicine (e.g. you could try doing some supercurriculars related to computational biology or something as an example)

Reply 6

Original post
by asin09
Thanks I was along the same lines as well tbh but I saw a video of this Cambridge med guy saying 4 a levels demonstrates 'spare capacity' or something so idk if that matters

https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/medicine-mb-bchir

They cannot discriminate against students with 3 A levels ...

Reply 7

Original post
by KWad
I agree with prior advice. Take 4 and drop if it becomes too much. Ask in your prospective sixth form if it is possible to pick up an EPQ somewhere midway through y12. This gives you flexibility, since it means you have about half the year to decide if you want to drop, and you don't have to sacrifice the EPQ for this either in the case that you do decide to drop to 3.
Also consider very carefully what exactly your prospective degree course is looking for. Don't take any subject you are not moderately confident you will get an A* in. Additionally if you decide to take computer science, consider doing some activities that can link in and justify this choice with respect to medicine (e.g. you could try doing some supercurriculars related to computational biology or something as an example)

Thanks so much I Def think picking up a EPQ half way through would be easier as apparently it only takes 1-2 weeks of work

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