Trying to get into medicine

4

I’ve recently started sixth form and I’m extremely anxious for next year. I haven’t had the best GCSE’s due to some circumstances. I genuinely wanna get into medicine as I really find it fascinating, specifically into being a neurosurgeon (I know it’s a really competitive and complicated specialty). My GCSEs are 8775(55)44 and a M2 in health and social care BTEC. I’m worried that I won’t be able to achieve well in my A levels due to recent AP’s. I’ve been looking into other options such as neuroscience or biomedicine but I’ve read that they both seem really competitive to go from them into medicine. I qualify for many foundational years and access to university programs (such as York, Sheffield, Leeds etc) I’m really determined into getting better A levels and improve from my GCSEs. As someone with such GCSEs, is there a chance of going into medicine if I work hard enough for better grades in A levels and a good UCAT score?

Reply 1

meowmeow:33

OP

4

Original post

by meowmeow:33

I’ve recently started sixth form and I’m extremely anxious for next year. I haven’t had the best GCSE’s due to some circumstances. I genuinely wanna get into medicine as I really find it fascinating, specifically into being a neurosurgeon (I know it’s a really competitive and complicated specialty). My GCSEs are 8775(55)44 and a M2 in health and social care BTEC. I’m worried that I won’t be able to achieve well in my A levels due to recent AP’s. I’ve been looking into other options such as neuroscience or biomedicine but I’ve read that they both seem really competitive to go from them into medicine. I qualify for many foundational years and access to university programs (such as York, Sheffield, Leeds etc) I’m really determined into getting better A levels and improve from my GCSEs. As someone with such GCSEs, is there a chance of going into medicine if I work hard enough for better grades in A levels and a good UCAT score?

Any advice whether it’s harsh or not would be absolutely amazing

Reply 2

junior.doctor

18

You will need to ensure you meet minimum entry criteria for the universities you want to apply to. As you cannot compensate elsewhere in your application for being below minimum in another area - any minimum criteria not met will automatically result in rejection. If any of your 4s or 5s GCSE grades are in English, maths or science then this will likely involve GCSE resits. You will need to apply carefully and pick universities that don’t count GCSEs too heavily within their scoring criteria. I assume you are doing appropriate A-levels for medicine? Take advice and feedback from your teachers as to how you’re doing and how to achieve the best grades you can. Look at work experience and other extracurricular activities that demonstrate leadership, teamworking etc. Best of luck to you.

Reply 3

meowmeow:33

OP

4

Original post

by junior.doctor

You will need to ensure you meet minimum entry criteria for the universities you want to apply to. As you cannot compensate elsewhere in your application for being below minimum in another area - any minimum criteria not met will automatically result in rejection. If any of your 4s or 5s GCSE grades are in English, maths or science then this will likely involve GCSE resits. You will need to apply carefully and pick universities that don’t count GCSEs too heavily within their scoring criteria. I assume you are doing appropriate A-levels for medicine? Take advice and feedback from your teachers as to how you’re doing and how to achieve the best grades you can. Look at work experience and other extracurricular activities that demonstrate leadership, teamworking etc. Best of luck to you.

Thank you so much for the reply, and yes I’ve appropriate a levels for medicine (bio,chem and psych). Sadly the double 5 is my grade for science and I was only 2 marks of a 5 in maths, as I’ve done the foundation paper and I plan to study the higher paper content and resit both of my science and maths if I achieve between B’s to A’s in my mocks to get a good predicted grade in beginning of year 13. I’ll talk with my teachers once I’m back in school and will be also talking to a careers advisor for more help. I aim to pick unis with foundational years or that have an “access” programs.

Reply 4

Admit-One

Universities Forum Helper

21

Why not just apply for med programmes that weight GCSE's less heavily?

Reply 5

meowmeow:33

OP

4

Original post

by Admit-One

Why not just apply for med programmes that weight GCSE's less heavily?

I’m planning to as I’ve only just started year 12. But that’s just my plan if god forbid my GCSEs or A levels are not enough, I just want to enter Uni with good grades. I’m aware of programs such as Uni of Leicester has a course for medicine with a foundation year that requires BBB and typical grade 5s for maths ,science and English

Reply 6

Admit-One

Universities Forum Helper

21

Original post

by meowmeow:33

I’m planning to as I’ve only just started year 12. But that’s just my plan if god forbid my GCSEs or A levels are not enough, I just want to enter Uni with good grades. I’m aware of programs such as Uni of Leicester has a course for medicine with a foundation year that requires BBB and typical grade 5s for maths ,science and English

I just think a FY is going to be a waste if the only hindrance to your application is some mixed GCSE's. You can find 4 options that weigh them less heavily and save yourself a year and a huge amount of money.

Reply 7

meowmeow:33

OP

4

Hopefully I’d be able to find 4 options, now I’m just focusing on getting good predicted grades and also planning to get a part time job or going to a virtual extracurricular activities or programs. Thanks for the advice :smile:

Trying to get into medicine

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