do i still stand a chance

so i was involved in an accident in october last year, suffered from a brain haemorrhage, really affected school life at first didn’t know who my parents were. i really want to go into medicine and unfortunately will no longer get the ‘normal’ gcse grades to do so. i have been granted access arrangements and will apply for special consideration but it’s impossible for me to be at 7-9 in every subject. hypothetically if i achieve good a levels and a good UCAT score, do i still stand a chance?

I’m sorry to hear about your accident, but i’m glad you’re still preserving. 🙂 If you try your best absolutely; maybe the accident allows for you to be classed as contextual - i’m not sure tbh but if i was in your position i’d try my absolute best and contact unis or ucas to see about being contextual. Good luck!! and it’s so admirable that you’re still going for medicine!!

thanks so much for your response! as a year 11 would it still be appropriate for me to contact unis or should i wait till sixth form?

so i was involved in an accident in october last year, suffered from a brain haemorrhage, really affected school life at first didn’t know who my parents were. i really want to go into medicine and unfortunately will no longer get the ‘normal’ gcse grades to do so. i have been granted access arrangements and will apply for special consideration but it’s impossible for me to be at 7-9 in every subject. hypothetically if i achieve good a levels and a good UCAT score, do i still stand a chance?

thanks so much for your response! as a year 11 would it still be appropriate for me to contact unis or should i wait till sixth form?

Trust me, there is plenty of time, and if you were already achieve grades 7-9 or were on track for this, it’s definitely possible.
But, if your accident has left permanent damage or side effects that affect your memorise, concentration, ability to study etc- I’d be surprised and upset if you weren’t allowed a contextual offer.
That accident was out of your control, and I have no doubt that if it didn’t happen you’d be able to achieve those grades without much issue. So, I don’t see why, if end of getting a mix of 5-7, it would be obvious to a university that under better circumstances you would have achieved higher grades.

contacting them now shouldn’t be of any harm

i’m gonna go for it, contact my preferred unis now and see if i get a response

yes!! good luck!! they might take a while to respond since they’re busy this time of year with applications

so i was involved in an accident in october last year, suffered from a brain haemorrhage, really affected school life at first didn’t know who my parents were. i really want to go into medicine and unfortunately will no longer get the ‘normal’ gcse grades to do so. i have been granted access arrangements and will apply for special consideration but it’s impossible for me to be at 7-9 in every subject. hypothetically if i achieve good a levels and a good UCAT score, do i still stand a chance?

Yes you have a good chance. If GCSEs do not go as well as you have hoped then applying to Oxbridge, King's, Keele and other universities that weigh GCSEs is not advisable. Many universities such as Imperial and UCL do not care about your GCSEs (only need to get 7s in maths and english)

i will probably achieve a 7 in maths but maybe not in english, do you think there would be consideration due to the accident? Do you know what UoB would require?

sorry what is UoB ?(I'm guessing university of Buckinghamshire). If you do not achieve a 7 in English you can always do a resit. I'm not sure if there is consideration but contacting the university is the best way to go. Of course there is something called a contextual admission (get in with lower requirements) for unis and your circumstance can fall under this but always check uni website

Yes, i’ve had various family members go there. I will definitely get in touch with my preferred unis and see what they think, thanks for your responses

I woul wait until you get your grades and even then your school may advise waiting.