Going to med school without A Level Chemistry

**DH2005** · 19-07-2005, 07:04 PM

Thanks for that, dude.

I came to see your place last week for the open day, and I was very taken with it. I'll certainly be applying there, provided I get the say-so from Mr Raftery - I'm taking Access to Medicine this coming year, and he requires all intending Access applicants to write to him first, to seek his approval. It's been a month now... the wait is killing me.

**Dan1979** · 19-07-2005, 07:31 PM

Good luck - interesting that he wants all Access students to write to him, I wonder what that's about. Is your Access course fairly similar in content to the premed year?

**DH2005** · 19-07-2005, 07:48 PM

King's Lynn Access to Medicine contains editted highlights of Human Biology, Chemistry and Physics A level, with a bit of Maths and Geography (don't ask me...) thrown in. I imagine the pre-med year teaches a number of similar topics.

**Dangerbird** · 19-07-2005, 07:56 PM

Ultimately you're the best person to judge your position, so it's really your decision. Perhaps talking with your teachers might give you an impartial insight?

Yeah, I'm planning on talking to teahcers but the earliest time I will get the opportunity is the start of the next academic year. I really wanted to reach a decision by the end of the summer, but whatever... We have one half-decent teacher per science department, and if I get into their class, I reckon I can manage chemistry and biology A Levels.

I'm confident enough in my academic ability to believe that with enough work, help from teachers and support from friends I will be able to get a good mark in chemistry and biology. I was talking to a family member who is a scientist who took A Level chemistry, the differecne is he's always found chemistry very interesting and incredibly easy...

Still, I have enough drive and dedication wanting to become a doctor that I'm prepared to work like hell to achieve it.

I think I'll talk to teachers next year and see which classes I would be in before I make a decision.

**DH2005** · 19-07-2005, 08:03 PM

An oustanding attitude, that belies your tender years.

You'll be fine, mate.

**Dangerbird** · 19-07-2005, 08:36 PM

Originally Posted by DH2005

An oustanding attitude, that belies your tender years.

You'll be fine, mate.

Cheers, thanks to everybody who posted in this thread for the advice, it's much appreceated.

I'll keep you all posted on how things unfold, I think I'll have a chat to the careers people about it this summer too, Connexions need something to do anyway.

**Dan1979** · 20-07-2005, 12:36 PM

DH - yeah Sheffield premed has a similar curriculum, er although perhaps marginally less geography

On the other hand, in our first week we did end up measuring the height of trees.. (long story).

Dangerbird - sounds like you've got it sussed, good luck!

**Dangerbird** · 02-09-2005, 07:58 PM

Wish me luck, it's official. I'm doing chemistry, biology, history and business studies for A Level.

A little disappointed with my GCSE results though, 4 A*s, 3 As and 2 Bs (in PE: I only took part in about 10 lessons playing sport before my heart surgery and none since. 10 lessons in a two year course where 60% of the mark is based on sporting achievement and I'm actually quite fortunate to get a B! Mind you, I got one of the top 10 marks in the country for the actual written exam;, My other B was in maths, where I only actually sat one of the exam papers. I'm going to resit the whole lot in November and hopefully boost it up to an A/A*). I was also chuffed to have gotten into the top 10 students in the country for my business studies result.

Still, if I can get two A*s in the science exams I missed then it isn't a bad set of results.

You lot reckon 6 A*s, 4 As and a B will be good enough GCSEs to stand me in good stead to be accepted into med school? (Providing my A Levels are good enough, of course)

Edit, nearly forgot... how rude of me, hope you lot all had great summers while I've been away

**Michael** · 03-09-2005, 12:32 AM

It is not geography per say. Medical Geography is more like epidemiology and its 100% relevent with loads of what I was taught in Med Geog popping up in my 1st year at UEA (North south divide, social class etc), quite interesting.

**Dangerbird** · 05-09-2005, 07:21 PM

Wish me luck, it's official. I'm doing chemistry, biology, history and business studies for A Level.

A little disappointed with my GCSE results though, 4 A*s, 3 As and 2 Bs (in PE: I only took part in about 10 lessons playing sport before my heart surgery and none since. 10 lessons in a two year course where 60% of the mark is based on sporting achievement and I'm actually quite fortunate to get a B! Mind you, I got one of the top 10 marks in the country for the actual written exam;, My other B was in maths, where I only actually sat one of the exam papers. I'm going to resit the whole lot in November and hopefully boost it up to an A/A*). I was also chuffed to have gotten into the top 10 students in the country for my business studies result.

Still, if I can get two A*s in the science exams I missed then it isn't a bad set of results.

You lot reckon 6 A*s, 4 As and a B will be good enough GCSEs to stand me in good stead to be accepted into med school? (Providing my A Levels are good enough, of course)

Edit, nearly forgot... how rude of me, hope you lot all had great summers while I've been away