Medicine application help - GCSE grades and EPQ

Hi everyone, hopefully I am posting this in the right place.

I am in year 12 right now and doing biology, chemistry, and psychology. My GCSE grades were 999888776 and I am predicted 3 A* - although I haven't had any mocks yet.

My question is basically what more can I do to add to my application? I have 2 days work experience in a hospital, amongst other various things to add to my personal statement. I am currently also thinking about dropping my EPQ because I am really far behind, and I am struggling to manage it alongside my A-levels. But I am a bit hesitant because I feel that my GCSE grades are not strong enough.
If I do drop my EPQ - I'd still like to do some other research project.

It would be great to hear from anyone with similar GCSE grades to mine who is now currently in medical school. What else can I do to strengthen my application? And should I drop the EPQ? Thank you!!

Reply 1

Uni of Southampton Students

Official Rep

Hi @unspoken-frost,

I am a current 3rd year medical student at the University of Southampton.

In terms of strengthening your application, I would look into volunteering opportunities. This could be in care home, hospice, mental health charities (7cups is an online free mental health service which you could investigate). The most important thing is what you gain from your experience. After reflecting what did you learn about communication, leadership, teamwork? These are all important skills doctors use daily.

Alternatively, if you do any sports, or if you have a leadership role in school (head boy/girl prefect, house captain), these are all good things to put on your application as you can reflect on these to demonstrate your skillset. The things you put on your application don't have to be extremely unique or different to what others may put. If you can articulate how each of these experiences helped develop the above-mentioned skills and you are able to reflect on what you learnt, it should be enough. If you would like to add others, look into books (I read When breath becomes air), MOOCS. Maybe even try to shadow a different healthcare professional (like a nurse) so you can see how the different healthcare professionals work together.

In terms of the EPQ, I personally dropped mine as I couldn't manage. If you want to have some sort of research on your application start looking into alternatives now. I do think the EPQ is a good way to introduce yourself into research and it will add positively to your application. However, it's also very important to be able to manage it alongside your A-levels.
I personally think you have a very strong set of GCSEs so don't worry about that too much. When choosing universities to apply to look at their entry requirements and apply based on your strengths. For example, which universities value GCSE grades, which universities don't look at GCSE grades etc.

I hope this helps you in making your decision. Feel free to ask any other questions you may have.
Khadija (Student Ambassador)