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A Level - Which subject should I drop - (Imperial is my goal)

Hi! I am currently in Y12 and I'm taking Biology Chemistry Maths and Psychology. I've been recommended by peers and family to drop an A level and i am lowkey considering it. (It's between maths and psychology) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) It would lighten my work load ensuring i get better grades in my other a levels 2) Medicine Unis don't really care about 4 subjects, and there is no reasons risking my chances for getting into medicine for an extra A level. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- So my big question which should I drop? My dream is to get into imperial and I've searches online to see which subject they would prefer and i just havent found any results. So I would advice on whether I should drop maths or psychology, My grades in both of them are the same so it's not a matter or which I am better at. And while I do enjoy psychology more, I don't actively dislike maths so for the purpose of this lets assume I enjoy them equally. Which is objectively better for my chances of getting into medicine and why? (I am so torn about this and I am really confused so any and all help is greatly appreciated)
(Little thing i forgot to say i am also currently psychology prefect)

Reply 1

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Reply 2

Original post by MJmjnwhwjjwwbe
Hi! I am currently in Y12 and I'm taking Biology Chemistry Maths and Psychology. I've been recommended by peers and family to drop an A level and i am lowkey considering it. (It's between maths and psychology) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) It would lighten my work load ensuring i get better grades in my other a levels 2) Medicine Unis don't really care about 4 subjects, and there is no reasons risking my chances for getting into medicine for an extra A level. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- So my big question which should I drop? My dream is to get into imperial and I've searches online to see which subject they would prefer and i just havent found any results. So I would advice on whether I should drop maths or psychology, My grades in both of them are the same so it's not a matter or which I am better at. And while I do enjoy psychology more, I don't actively dislike maths so for the purpose of this lets assume I enjoy them equally. Which is objectively better for my chances of getting into medicine and why? (I am so torn about this and I am really confused so any and all help is greatly appreciated)
(Little thing i forgot to say i am also currently psychology prefect)

They care about both the exact same - an A is an A. No difference to your application if you get an A. So take whichever you enjoy the most and think you can get the highest grade in.

It sounds objectively that Psychology would be the better choice, I'd assume it is easier than maths for you and will remain that way throughout next year, and if you are the prefect for it, maybe you wouldn't want to lose that by dropping the subject. If you enjoy it more, that is the subject I would take.

Best of luck!

Reply 3

Original post by MJmjnwhwjjwwbe
Hi! I am currently in Y12 and I'm taking Biology Chemistry Maths and Psychology. I've been recommended by peers and family to drop an A level and i am lowkey considering it. (It's between maths and psychology) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) It would lighten my work load ensuring i get better grades in my other a levels 2) Medicine Unis don't really care about 4 subjects, and there is no reasons risking my chances for getting into medicine for an extra A level. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- So my big question which should I drop? My dream is to get into imperial and I've searches online to see which subject they would prefer and i just havent found any results. So I would advice on whether I should drop maths or psychology, My grades in both of them are the same so it's not a matter or which I am better at. And while I do enjoy psychology more, I don't actively dislike maths so for the purpose of this lets assume I enjoy them equally. Which is objectively better for my chances of getting into medicine and why? (I am so torn about this and I am really confused so any and all help is greatly appreciated)
(Little thing i forgot to say i am also currently psychology prefect)


In all honesty, it doesn't really matter! this should (hopefully) make you feel less stressed :smile:

med schools have zero prefernce over the 3rd subject, let it be maths, psychology or something unrealated like PE, it's completely up to you!

my advise is do whatever you think you can get better in

i personally did 5 alevels and i now go to med school, if you are truly passionate about both then there's no need to drop one. but you're absolutely correct in saying med school don't really care about the 4th level (or 5th in my case), i just genuinely enjoyed studying them

make sure to take care of your mental health and chose what's right for you personally

Reply 4

Original post by fluffypink12345
In all honesty, it doesn't really matter! this should (hopefully) make you feel less stressed :smile:
med schools have zero prefernce over the 3rd subject, let it be maths, psychology or something unrealated like PE, it's completely up to you!
my advise is do whatever you think you can get better in
i personally did 5 alevels and i now go to med school, if you are truly passionate about both then there's no need to drop one. but you're absolutely correct in saying med school don't really care about the 4th level (or 5th in my case), i just genuinely enjoyed studying them
make sure to take care of your mental health and chose what's right for you personally

5 A-levels is a lot! What ones did you take?
What medicine school are you at now and what did you end up getting in the UCAT?
Thanks in advance!

Reply 5

Original post by stilllearning123
5 A-levels is a lot! What ones did you take?
What medicine school are you at now and what did you end up getting in the UCAT?
Thanks in advance!

heya!

would you like me to pm you?

Reply 6

Original post by fluffypink12345
heya!
would you like me to pm you?

Yes, sure!

Reply 7

Original post by MJmjnwhwjjwwbe
Hi! I am currently in Y12 and I'm taking Biology Chemistry Maths and Psychology. I've been recommended by peers and family to drop an A level and i am lowkey considering it. (It's between maths and psychology) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) It would lighten my work load ensuring i get better grades in my other a levels 2) Medicine Unis don't really care about 4 subjects, and there is no reasons risking my chances for getting into medicine for an extra A level. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- So my big question which should I drop? My dream is to get into imperial and I've searches online to see which subject they would prefer and i just havent found any results. So I would advice on whether I should drop maths or psychology, My grades in both of them are the same so it's not a matter or which I am better at. And while I do enjoy psychology more, I don't actively dislike maths so for the purpose of this lets assume I enjoy them equally. Which is objectively better for my chances of getting into medicine and why? (I am so torn about this and I am really confused so any and all help is greatly appreciated)
(Little thing i forgot to say i am also currently psychology prefect)

I emailed imperial admissions a while ago to ask about your third subject for med. they told me they dont mind whatever you pick, as long as you meet the grade requirements :smile:

Reply 8

Original post by haliyahlwl
i’d say drop maths bc majority of med applicants do bio chem maths so you doing psych is something different you can talk ab. for med only mainly bio + chem are needed ur third doesn’t really matter

Psychology is the second most common third subject for medicine. A lot of applicants take psych, so it being different is basically a negligible factor.

Reply 9

Original post by haliyahlwl
i’d say drop maths bc majority of med applicants do bio chem maths so you doing psych is something different you can talk ab. for med only mainly bio + chem are needed ur third doesn’t really matter

Subjects don't matter as everyone that applies to med has A's/A*s in Chemistry and two others.
You don't talk about your subjects in medicine.
Biology is not required for medicine, physics or maths can be taken instead in the majority of cases.
I appreciate you are trying to help, but your answer is incorrect and has no logic behind it.

Reply 10

Original post by haliyahlwl
i’m talking about ur personal statement, generally your personal statement will have a section about your subjects and how they link to you choosing what you want to study and such. if you choose a different subject than most as your third it allows you to stand out as an applicant. also sure there are med schools which only require chem but you can apply to a greater range with biology AND vhemisyry

No, your personal statement does not have a section where you talk specifically about your school subjects.
The section you are referring to is filled with work experience and volunteering that links to transferable skills as to why you would make a good doctor.
The only subjects required for all medical schools are a mix of chemistry, then another science/maths and a 3rd subject that doesn't matter, so you can't apply to a greater range by taking psychology instead of maths.
If you were to apply to medical school thinking this was what you should do to get in, you wouldn't even get one interview.
Please stop spreading misinformation like this online, even if you are trying to help. You are wrong.

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