5 A-levels or 4 + EPQ for Medicine at Oxford

Hey guys,
I am currently doing my GCSEs (predicted seven 9s and two 8s) and I have to choose my A-level choices. I want to study medicine at Oxford and I am thinking of choosing Biology, Chemistry, Sociology, and Economics - I am really passionate about advocacy and mental health and I aspire to pursue a career in healthcare and medtech entrepreneurship.
I might also do either Maths or an EPQ - I struggle with working on long-term projects and deadlines, so I'm not so sure about the EPQ but I've heard that an A* in it can show important skills like time-management, as well as passions and interests outside (or linked to) the curriculum.
I am also really good at maths, but I don't really like it that much (but it will be crucial for me if I choose to go into finance instead of medicine).
I know that Oxford Medicine requires Chemistry and either Biology or Maths or Physics, so I did some more research and I saw on the website of the LAE (London Academy of Excellence) Sixth Form (which received 62 Oxbridge offers this year), that "Maths A Level is not a required subject for Medicine.
In fact, swapping Maths for a non-science A Level subject makes students stronger applicants. This is because of the skills needed in the interviews and in the relevant university admissions tests (BMAT & UCAT). Geography, History or languages A Levels are an excellent choice in this regard. Empathy is the key skill that is needed at interview: Philosophy and English Literature are therefore also very strong A Levels to consider."
Can I please hear some of you guys' thoughts on this? Should I choose 5 A-levels to keep my options open OR should I just do 4, and not do maths? Should I do an EPQ and is it really worth the time commitment?

Don't do 5 but definitely do maths - switch it for sociology or economics

Hey guys,
I am currently doing my GCSEs (predicted seven 9s and two 8s) and I have to choose my A-level choices. I want to study medicine at Oxford and I am thinking of choosing Biology, Chemistry, Sociology, and Economics - I am really passionate about advocacy and mental health and I aspire to pursue a career in healthcare and medtech entrepreneurship.
I might also do either Maths or an EPQ - I struggle with working on long-term projects and deadlines, so I'm not so sure about the EPQ but I've heard that an A* in it can show important skills like time-management, as well as passions and interests outside (or linked to) the curriculum.
I am also really good at maths, but I don't really like it that much (but it will be crucial for me if I choose to go into finance instead of medicine).
I know that Oxford Medicine requires Chemistry and either Biology or Maths or Physics, so I did some more research and I saw on the website of the LAE (London Academy of Excellence) Sixth Form (which received 62 Oxbridge offers this year), that "Maths A Level is not a required subject for Medicine.
In fact, swapping Maths for a non-science A Level subject makes students stronger applicants. This is because of the skills needed in the interviews and in the relevant university admissions tests (BMAT & UCAT). Geography, History or languages A Levels are an excellent choice in this regard. Empathy is the key skill that is needed at interview: Philosophy and English Literature are therefore also very strong A Levels to consider."
Can I please hear some of you guys' thoughts on this? Should I choose 5 A-levels to keep my options open OR should I just do 4, and not do maths? Should I do an EPQ and is it really worth the time commitment?

Why maths though? Is it really that important?

Only Cambridge and maybe one other uni requires 3 stem subjects. So if you won’t enjoy or dont think you can get the A/A* in maths compared to something don’t do it, unless you’re considering Cambridge

So not doing maths would be fine for Oxford medicine right?

Hey guys,
I am currently doing my GCSEs (predicted seven 9s and two 8s) and I have to choose my A-level choices. I want to study medicine at Oxford and I am thinking of choosing Biology, Chemistry, Sociology, and Economics - I am really passionate about advocacy and mental health and I aspire to pursue a career in healthcare and medtech entrepreneurship.
I might also do either Maths or an EPQ - I struggle with working on long-term projects and deadlines, so I'm not so sure about the EPQ but I've heard that an A* in it can show important skills like time-management, as well as passions and interests outside (or linked to) the curriculum.
I am also really good at maths, but I don't really like it that much (but it will be crucial for me if I choose to go into finance instead of medicine).
I know that Oxford Medicine requires Chemistry and either Biology or Maths or Physics, so I did some more research and I saw on the website of the LAE (London Academy of Excellence) Sixth Form (which received 62 Oxbridge offers this year), that "Maths A Level is not a required subject for Medicine.
In fact, swapping Maths for a non-science A Level subject makes students stronger applicants. This is because of the skills needed in the interviews and in the relevant university admissions tests (BMAT & UCAT). Geography, History or languages A Levels are an excellent choice in this regard. Empathy is the key skill that is needed at interview: Philosophy and English Literature are therefore also very strong A Levels to consider."
Can I please hear some of you guys' thoughts on this? Should I choose 5 A-levels to keep my options open OR should I just do 4, and not do maths? Should I do an EPQ and is it really worth the time commitment?

Hey guys,
I am currently doing my GCSEs (predicted seven 9s and two 8s) and I have to choose my A-level choices. I want to study medicine at Oxford and I am thinking of choosing Biology, Chemistry, Sociology, and Economics - I am really passionate about advocacy and mental health and I aspire to pursue a career in healthcare and medtech entrepreneurship.
I might also do either Maths or an EPQ - I struggle with working on long-term projects and deadlines, so I'm not so sure about the EPQ but I've heard that an A* in it can show important skills like time-management, as well as passions and interests outside (or linked to) the curriculum.
I am also really good at maths, but I don't really like it that much (but it will be crucial for me if I choose to go into finance instead of medicine).
I know that Oxford Medicine requires Chemistry and either Biology or Maths or Physics, so I did some more research and I saw on the website of the LAE (London Academy of Excellence) Sixth Form (which received 62 Oxbridge offers this year), that "Maths A Level is not a required subject for Medicine.
In fact, swapping Maths for a non-science A Level subject makes students stronger applicants. This is because of the skills needed in the interviews and in the relevant university admissions tests (BMAT & UCAT). Geography, History or languages A Levels are an excellent choice in this regard. Empathy is the key skill that is needed at interview: Philosophy and English Literature are therefore also very strong A Levels to consider."
Can I please hear some of you guys' thoughts on this? Should I choose 5 A-levels to keep my options open OR should I just do 4, and not do maths? Should I do an EPQ and is it really worth the time commitment?

Hey guys,
I am currently doing my GCSEs (predicted seven 9s and two 8s) and I have to choose my A-level choices. I want to study medicine at Oxford and I am thinking of choosing Biology, Chemistry, Sociology, and Economics - I am really passionate about advocacy and mental health and I aspire to pursue a career in healthcare and medtech entrepreneurship.
I might also do either Maths or an EPQ - I struggle with working on long-term projects and deadlines, so I'm not so sure about the EPQ but I've heard that an A* in it can show important skills like time-management, as well as passions and interests outside (or linked to) the curriculum.
I am also really good at maths, but I don't really like it that much (but it will be crucial for me if I choose to go into finance instead of medicine).
I know that Oxford Medicine requires Chemistry and either Biology or Maths or Physics, so I did some more research and I saw on the website of the LAE (London Academy of Excellence) Sixth Form (which received 62 Oxbridge offers this year), that "Maths A Level is not a required subject for Medicine.
In fact, swapping Maths for a non-science A Level subject makes students stronger applicants. This is because of the skills needed in the interviews and in the relevant university admissions tests (BMAT & UCAT). Geography, History or languages A Levels are an excellent choice in this regard. Empathy is the key skill that is needed at interview: Philosophy and English Literature are therefore also very strong A Levels to consider."
Can I please hear some of you guys' thoughts on this? Should I choose 5 A-levels to keep my options open OR should I just do 4, and not do maths? Should I do an EPQ and is it really worth the time commitment?

Hey guys,
I am currently doing my GCSEs (predicted seven 9s and two 8s) and I have to choose my A-level choices. I want to study medicine at Oxford and I am thinking of choosing Biology, Chemistry, Sociology, and Economics - I am really passionate about advocacy and mental health and I aspire to pursue a career in healthcare and medtech entrepreneurship.
I might also do either Maths or an EPQ - I struggle with working on long-term projects and deadlines, so I'm not so sure about the EPQ but I've heard that an A* in it can show important skills like time-management, as well as passions and interests outside (or linked to) the curriculum.
I am also really good at maths, but I don't really like it that much (but it will be crucial for me if I choose to go into finance instead of medicine).
I know that Oxford Medicine requires Chemistry and either Biology or Maths or Physics, so I did some more research and I saw on the website of the LAE (London Academy of Excellence) Sixth Form (which received 62 Oxbridge offers this year), that "Maths A Level is not a required subject for Medicine.
In fact, swapping Maths for a non-science A Level subject makes students stronger applicants. This is because of the skills needed in the interviews and in the relevant university admissions tests (BMAT & UCAT). Geography, History or languages A Levels are an excellent choice in this regard. Empathy is the key skill that is needed at interview: Philosophy and English Literature are therefore also very strong A Levels to consider."
Can I please hear some of you guys' thoughts on this? Should I choose 5 A-levels to keep my options open OR should I just do 4, and not do maths? Should I do an EPQ and is it really worth the time commitment?

So not doing maths would be fine for Oxford medicine right?

So not doing maths would be fine for Oxford medicine right?

I have an offer from Oxford for med this year and my a-levels are Biology, Chemistry and History so please don't worry about taking maths: I did an EPQ instead and it was undoubtedly a better use of my time and gave me more to talk about in my personal statement and at interview. Only thing I think is important to consider is that you will be in the minority of students without maths, so make sure you've thought about what justification you have for not taking it. In 2/3 of my interviews I was asked about why I didn't do it, so make sure you have a sensible argument prepared that isn't just "I don't enjoy maths". Personally, I spoke about how I took further maths at GCSE so I had a taste of a-level content, but that ultimately I thought I would gain a broader skill set from history as it gave me an opportunity to develop my ability to form an argument through essay-writing alongside the logic practice you get from sciences and maths. Hope that helps!

I have an offer from Oxford for med this year and my a-levels are Biology, Chemistry and History so please don't worry about taking maths: I did an EPQ instead and it was undoubtedly a better use of my time and gave me more to talk about in my personal statement and at interview. Only thing I think is important to consider is that you will be in the minority of students without maths, so make sure you've thought about what justification you have for not taking it. In 2/3 of my interviews I was asked about why I didn't do it, so make sure you have a sensible argument prepared that isn't just "I don't enjoy maths". Personally, I spoke about how I took further maths at GCSE so I had a taste of a-level content, but that ultimately I thought I would gain a broader skill set from history as it gave me an opportunity to develop my ability to form an argument through essay-writing alongside the logic practice you get from sciences and maths. Hope that helps!

Wow, could you please tell me more about what your supercurriculars looked like - as I would love to hear more!

My supercurriculars weren’t really anything unusual. The most helpful thing I did was keep a list of everything from the start of Year 12 so I didn’t forget things when writing my personal statement. I had hospital volunteering so I wrote about how speaking to patients with Alzheimer’s sparked my interest in the disease, and how it ended up becoming my EPQ topic (on emerging Alzheimer’s treatments) which linked everything together quite nicely with my PS.
The biggest piece of advice I’d give is to do things you’re genuinely interested in rather than what you think will look impressive. I started loads of books I didn’t find interesting and tbh just didn’t mention them. If you’re asked about something in interview that you didn’t actually enjoy reading, it’s much harder to show genuine passion for your subject.
Two books I really enjoyed were Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green, which I linked to my A-level History by talking about the importance of understanding the humanitarian side of medicine, and the illustrated version of The Body: A Guide for Occupants by Bill Bryson, which I originally used for GCSE Art and which ended up sparking a deeper interest in medical science. I also mentioned a few more STEM-focused things like podcasts and an essay competition I entered on malaria treatments. I think finding slightly different ways to reflect on what you’ve done (for example linking medicine with history or humanities) can help you stand out to tutors.