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Should I give up apply to medical school?

Hey everyone, I recently got my gcse results (they aren’t that good) and I’ve always always always wanted to be a doctor however I’m not sure if I’ve done well enough for GCSEs. I got: A 6-6 in science A 7 (and distinction) in English lang A 5 in eng lit (which I’m a bit bummed off about considering I hadn’t got a single 7 in the past 2 and a half years) A 5 in maths (but am resitting it so it’s hopefully a 6 in November) A 6 in geography A 6 in music (2 off a 7 so have requested a remark) A 5 in comp sci A 5 in latin For my A levels I’ll be doing bio chem and geo (however might swap this out for physcology however mum wants me to do all 4 a levels) I went to a state school if it’s anything of importance I’ve already done a few days of work experience at my local GP and care home. Do you guys think I have any chances of getting into medicine? Or should I give up? Medicine is honestly something I’ve dreamed of doing as a kid so I’d be gutted if I can’t get in Thanks

Reply 1

No University requires or prefers 4 A levels - stick with 3. Remember, AAA will always look better than ABBB and that could cost you a Uni place. And, you mother isn't applying for Uni - you are.

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Applying for Medical School - Online Course - FutureLearn
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Exploring Everyday Chemistry - Online Course - FutureLearn
Exploring Anatomy: the Human Abdomen - Online Course
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Reply 2

Original post
by Gigi67891
Hey everyone, I recently got my gcse results (they aren’t that good) and I’ve always always always wanted to be a doctor however I’m not sure if I’ve done well enough for GCSEs. I got: A 6-6 in science A 7 (and distinction) in English lang A 5 in eng lit (which I’m a bit bummed off about considering I hadn’t got a single 7 in the past 2 and a half years) A 5 in maths (but am resitting it so it’s hopefully a 6 in November) A 6 in geography A 6 in music (2 off a 7 so have requested a remark) A 5 in comp sci A 5 in latin For my A levels I’ll be doing bio chem and geo (however might swap this out for physcology however mum wants me to do all 4 a levels) I went to a state school if it’s anything of importance I’ve already done a few days of work experience at my local GP and care home. Do you guys think I have any chances of getting into medicine? Or should I give up? Medicine is honestly something I’ve dreamed of doing as a kid so I’d be gutted if I can’t get in Thanks


Definitely don't do 4 A levels. Maybe do an EPQ. Look on university websites for minimum GCSE requirements as most medical schools just require you to meet surpass or achieve these requirements. It's definitely not over if you don't pass these requirements. Graduate entry medicine exists. Where you do you're degree then apply to medicine. My recommendation is that you really focus on you're a levels and achieve high grades if you're not able to apply to undergraduate medicine.

Reply 3

I’d suggest focusing on your A levels before making a final decision. High grades are the most important thing for medical schools, and without them, the application process is much harder. If things don’t work out the first time, there’s always graduate entry or other alternative routes. Medicine is a long journey, but not getting in straight away doesn’t mean the door is closed.

Reply 4

You are going to need to get at least a 6 in your maths GCSE resit. But also you are low on your GCSEs for most medical schools. But perhaps more relevantly, is there a specific reason you think you might have got these grades? Did you not work/revise/had disruption/illness? If you think you worked hard then it may be that it would be a stretch to get the A levels grades necessary - and after that cope with the academic demands of medical school. Some people do mature and find they can apply themselves more between GCSE and A levels but most people don’t move from lower GCSE grades to very high A level grades. For that reason, I would also step back a bit and consider what other careers might interest you if the necessary uplift looks like it won’t happen.

Reply 5

Hey, I have some good news for you - a lot of the schools don't take GCSEs seriously. Some of the top ones do like Oxbridge and Imperial but not all, so don't lose hope. Keep your A-level grades up, do WEx and work extremely hard in Year 12 and you'll get into Med school. Good luck!

Reply 6

Original post
by Afeef Khan
Hey, I have some good news for you - a lot of the schools don't take GCSEs seriously. Some of the top ones do like Oxbridge and Imperial but not all, so don't lose hope. Keep your A-level grades up, do WEx and work extremely hard in Year 12 and you'll get into Med school. Good luck!

Those that don’t weigh GCSEs still have a minimum GCSE requirement.

Reply 7

Original post
by FiBox
Those that don’t weigh GCSEs still have a minimum GCSE requirement.

Yeah, thats true but thats mostly for Eng and Maths and since shes resitting maths that won't be an issue

Reply 8

Original post
by Afeef Khan
Yeah, thats true but thats mostly for Eng and Maths and since shes resitting maths that won't be an issue

They often require five GCSEs at 7 or above.

Reply 9

Original post
by Afeef Khan
Yeah, thats true but thats mostly for Eng and Maths and since shes resitting maths that won't be an issue


Hey if i resits for improvement would that be accepted

Reply 10

Original post
by Gigi67891
Hey everyone, I recently got my gcse results (they aren’t that good) and I’ve always always always wanted to be a doctor however I’m not sure if I’ve done well enough for GCSEs. I got: A 6-6 in science A 7 (and distinction) in English lang A 5 in eng lit (which I’m a bit bummed off about considering I hadn’t got a single 7 in the past 2 and a half years) A 5 in maths (but am resitting it so it’s hopefully a 6 in November) A 6 in geography A 6 in music (2 off a 7 so have requested a remark) A 5 in comp sci A 5 in latin For my A levels I’ll be doing bio chem and geo (however might swap this out for physcology however mum wants me to do all 4 a levels) I went to a state school if it’s anything of importance I’ve already done a few days of work experience at my local GP and care home. Do you guys think I have any chances of getting into medicine? Or should I give up? Medicine is honestly something I’ve dreamed of doing as a kid so I’d be gutted if I can’t get in Thanks

I take chem, bio and psychology and I definitely like psychology a lot, its easy to get high scores in it (in my opinion). I think your GCSE grades are on the lower side but you are not out in terms of applying to medicine. I suggest you focus on year 12 and try do well in all your tests so that you can get a high predicted grade (since this is what is needed to apply) and then try get high A level final grades also.

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