Reality of medicine??

I honestly really want to go to medicine
But I understand it's super competitive

My GCSE predictions:

Combined science - 99
Math - 9
English lit - 9
English lang - 8
Media studies - 8
Spanish - 9
Psychology - 9
Art - 6

(I know my art grade is bad but I'm genuinely trying my best)

If I say I was to get A*A*A* on bio, chem, math and possibly A* in EPQ,
then would it be possible me to go to UCL or along the top universities for medicine??
I know it might be to early for these concerns but I really want to know if I should lower my expectations

Also if this becomes the case, what else do I need to prepare?? (Ik I have to do UCAT but what else)
maybe a lot of volunteering? But what kind of volunteering?

And is it really difficult doing 4 subjects? or if I do it will it put me in an advantage??

Reply 1

TSR Hippocrates

Hey there, thanks for posting a question in the Medicine forum.

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Reply 2

CuriousGirl25

Original post

by Ddxb

I honestly really want to go to medicine
But I understand it's super competitive
My GCSE predictions:
Combined science - 99
Math - 9
English lit - 9
English lang - 8
Media studies - 8
Spanish - 9
Psychology - 9
Art - 6
(I know my art grade is bad but I'm genuinely trying my best)
If I say I was to get A*A*A* on bio, chem, math and possibly A* in EPQ,
then would it be possible me to go to UCL or along the top universities for medicine??
I know it might be to early for these concerns but I really want to know if I should lower my expectations
Also if this becomes the case, what else do I need to prepare?? (Ik I have to do UCAT but what else)
maybe a lot of volunteering? But what kind of volunteering?
And is it really difficult doing 4 subjects? or if I do it will it put me in an advantage??

Hello,

First of all I want to say that 2.5 years ago I had the exact same fears and anxiety as you have, and if I could go back in time i'd tell myself (and therefore you) to relax. It's going to be okay, and when you hopefully end up in med school you'll look back and realise how much you need not worry. You're clearly on it which is a great thing, focus on your GCSE's and that will put you at a great start. EPQ is super easy so I wouldn't worry, but if you're looking for an advantage then i'd suggest uni schemes. Are you contextual? If you are there are many many programmes, such as R2P scheme birmingham, student programmes at unis like Keele, Nottingham..etc and if you do these during sixthform you get guaranteed med interviews. For the top ranking med schools, as you already know getting that top UCAT will be a big key, of course work experience and some voluntary work is great under the belt. But for now, i'd say just focus on your GCSE's and see each thing one by one. Don't let it overwhelm you.

Best wishes :smile:

Reply 3

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

Original post

by Ddxb

Multiple things to flag here:

a) There is no such thing as a "top" university for medicine. All UK medical schools are accredited by the GMC which considers them equal. The only provider of graduate medical training posts in the UK is the NHS, who take the GMCs stance that all medical schools are equal, and in order to ensure no bias, blinds recruiters to your medical school.

b) Not all medical schools even score GCSEs. In fact your specific example of UCL does not score GCSEs and only has minimum requirements for GCSE Maths and English language - once you have met those requirements, you "tick the box" and thereafter GCSEs are not looked at (other medical schools have similar formats, such as Imperial; equally some weight GCSEs very much, like Cardiff and Oxford). Every medical school has their own shortlisting methodology and part of the process of applying to medicine is researching these and understanding what they are and applying strategically to those which you maximise your scoring according to that medical school's scoring methodology, to maximise your chances of an interview and offer (since as per a), all that really matters is getting into any medical school if your goal is to work as a doctor in the UK).

c) You don't get "bonus points" doing extra subjects at A-level for the vast majority of medical schools. I think there was one which still scored a fourth A-level additional points in shortlisting, I'm not sure which offhand. Taking an extra subject at A-level will convey no benefit for every other medical school and may actually leave you at risk of missing the opportunity by spreading yourself too thin and not getting the three required grades you actually need. Doing the extra A-level will not balance out doing less well in the first three.

d) A-level Maths is not required for medicine at any university* nor will it make you more likely to be accepted at almost any medical school*.

Spoiler

e) Not all medical schools require both chemistry and biology, and if one (or both) are not required there is no preference to take the other(s). That said it is usually recommended to take both at A-level just so you have a suitable range of medical schools to choose from (as taking both will give you the choice of just about every medical school in the UK).

f) volunteering or work experience in a caring role (and potentially in a healthcare environment although that is not usually specified) is normally required. The volume of volunteering/work experience done is usually not important, what matters is meeting whatever minimum quota is requierd, if a specific minimum is stated (exceeding that is not going to get you "bonus points" either as far as I'm aware) and then reflecting on it. The quality of your reflections will matter more than the quantity of work experience by all accounts.

g) Those are excellent GCSE grades. Given though these are predictions I think it's safe to say you are getting far ahead of yourself and should just focus on doing as well as you can in your GCSEs, while recognising that they aren't even important to all medical schools anyway.

Reply 4

ErasistratusV

You won't receive extra points in any medicine application if you complete 4 A levels. I would only suggest you consider taking 4 if your intention is to potentially apply to something else where other specific subjects are needed, i.e you are considering engineering and so physics, maths, chemistry and biology might be justifiable (I do not know for certain as I know little about engineering at University level).

Medical school is medical school. You will not be paid any more money as a doctor because you studied at Cambridge.

I would say that A level chemistry is potentially more important than biology for medical school. There is very little application for A level biology in medicine.

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 5

McGinger

Useful Mooc - free online course from Glasgow - Applying for Medical School - Online Course - FutureLearn
On-demand recorded talk from Leeds - UniTasterDays Ltd Event | A guide to studying Medicine at university (On Demand Recording)
And forthcoming online live webinars from Leicester - look under Virtual events (Years 7-13) - Outreach | Leicester Medical School | University of Leicester - register to be sent the link

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