Dilemma :(

[Confuzzled_M.D]

Hey guys!

Just needed a little bit of advice. I'm in the final year of my Psychology degree, and I'm applying for 2009 entry, however 2 of the Universities I'm applying to require that I have AS Chem + Bio at B/C level. I can't apply to different Uni's because I'm restricted to London Uni's only. Sooo...I went and enrolled into 2 evening AS courses. Basically, 6 hours a week of classes..

These don't clash with my timetable, and I am only actually in Uni for lectures 2 days a week. I'm not continuing with my job either this year, so I thought I would have enough time for this? However ppl have been telling me it can't be done and that it'll be too hard to deal with because I'm in my final year. But then I know a lot of people who have part time jobs etc in their final years!

So I don't know what to do. My options are 1) Carry on with final year and 2 AS's and do my best (obviously giving priority to degree work)
2) Listen to the few who have told me I can't do it and drop out of AS levels, not apply this year but apply next year instead

Honest opinions ppl!



Edit - Ok i've just realised this thread should really be in the mature students forum...

[jennybean]

Hi Confuzzled M.D.,

Hm, was reading ur post.. it's a tricky one isn't it? Personally I say u go all out for doing as well as u can in ur degree & think abt A Levels later. I can't remember how it is for all of them, but I'm definitely sure that Barts & King's don't need those A Levels for graduate entry.

& Barts love graduate students!! Think about it.. the chance to do well in ur degree comes only once, u can take A Levels next yr, it really won't be an issue if medicine is something u really want to do. What I'm saying is, maybe you can get in without A Levels so don't even think about them just yet & if it turns out u need to them, u can spend the extra yr gettin more work experience/paid work too.

Even the slackest students got their act together in 3rd year which proves just how much effort u need - so put ur all into that! & Good luck! Oh, by the way, if u apply to King's GEP and they reject u, they'll automatically consider u for the 5 yr so I'd go with the 4yr first if I were u!

All the best, hope it all works out! jennybean

[hodiurnal]

I cant see why not, If you're upto speed in terms of degree level learning skills you shouldnt find the AS's too hard. You must know deep down whether you can do it or not, go with that buddy.

[unlikely lad]

I would say concentrate on your degree, if you take on all this work, and come out with an average grade in AS levels and pull down your degree mark to 2:1/2:2 then you will be stuffed. Is it not easier to concentrate on getting the highest degree grade possible, and then apply to different Universities such as Warwick? I am in a similair position as you in the fact that I have poor a levels, and only a 2:1. The time you spend doing AS could be spent getting some more work experience.

[Confuzzled_M.D]

They basically wanted AS levels in Chem and Bio because I'm doing a Psychology degree which pretty much has no Chem...although a lot of bio..and I didn't do Chem/Bio A-levels.

I have a feeling that all hope is about to slowly drain out of me.....

I worked my ass off all summer lol..I mean at different work placements for experience and I'd just feel like..jumping off the top of..somewhere..(only if there was a soft landing of course) if i couldn't apply this year..

[auden]

to some extent this depends on how easy/hard you're finding your degree? If you're a student who has got a first in every assignment so far and feels like you have some slack in the system, then as levels probably won't be too much - I did a full A level in chem in a year whilst working full time in a job with 8-6 hours (and most students don't do anywhere near this, even as finalists).

If you're someone who's scraping the 2:1/2:2 border then you need to focus on your degree - because getting a 2:2 would be a disaster for getting into med.

I'd go with my gut and my previous performance.

[yahooy]

I think you should go for it. Two days a week in lectures and you're not working - doesn't sound that bas to me. Even if it is, what have you got to loose? Im mean, imagine if it goes well and you get in. And if you don't there's always next year. If you leave it till then, you would have wasted this year. Best of luck!