Who cares about A levels when u can get in via clinical sciences?!

[yeliab_cram]

Originally Posted by Emma_b

I dont understand how people think you dont have to do so well on your A levels for clinical sciences. Is that true =s? Im quite confused really because i thought the A level requirements for places like Bradford uni were around the same for say, Leeds medical school. I was hoping that if i dont do so well in A levels i could do clinical sciences as an alternate route for medicine, but is there a high chance of not getting into Leeds from Bradford? Also if at the end of my A level studies my results werent as good as the minimum requirements for medicine (most likely to be my chemistry grade) would there be any point in redoing all of my A levels? Lots of places i have researched don't take people who have resat outside of the initial 2 year A level courses. That is why i am not so sure whether to try to resit my A levels and do medicine that way or do a degree in something and go in as a mature student. Im trying my best for my chemistry results but also getting as much work experience in as possible because i know i will definately need that if my grades aren't as good as everyone elses. Sorry this is such a long post im just very confused about whether to carry on trying for medicine =s...

Emma,

Usual clinical science offers are slightly less than the AAB required for medicine. However only the top 20 students from the Bradford course come to Leeds - so once you are in it is highly competetive.

There are lots of potential routes into medicine. These include the bradford course or doing a BSc first and then going for graduate entry medicine. But i think you have to take one step at a time.

What stage are u at right now? Have you applied for medicine yet, if so, how sucessful were you? If not, what are you predicted grades likely to be?

[Emma_b]

im just at the end of my AS year now so ive not had my grades back yet. Im not sure how ive done (im studying biology, chemistry, psychology and french) but my main worry is chemistry, i dont know if i will even be getting anything over a C this summer, if that does happen im just going to resit next year and try my best, get a personal tutor etc. I was just a bit worried because we've stared to sort out PS now and im also worried about my AS results going onto my UCAS form because i know they arent going to be the best of results and i think then maybe universities wont accept me. That's why i was trying to think of alternate routes to get into medicine incase that happens and i dont know what to do after college yet really for getting into medicine. Also the fact that i can only apply for four places and im quite worried i wont get an offer for any of them =s

[yeliab_cram]

Its your predicted A2 grades that are generally what determine your academic potential. the rest of it comes down to your PS. Have you got plenty of work experience, voluntry work etc under your belt?

[Emma_b]

oh right well hopefully my predicted grades will be better than my actual AS grades, if your going to be rejected does it happen before the universites see your actual A level grades? voluntary work yes which will be ongoing through summer and i went to Alder Hey hospital for work experience but obviously i need lots more throughout summer and during next year at college. Would it be a better idea to use an alternate route to medicine if my A level grades werent the minimum requirement or try to completely resit them, or is that something you wouldnt be able to answer? thanks anyway

[Brooke]

Saving on transport costs for a year is completely pointless because you will have to pay a fortune to study medicine as as graduate... not to mention the huge amount of extra books and materials you would need to study two degrees instead of one. On top of that expense, you will be a student without a salary for three or more years longer than you would be if you studied medicine right away. Finally, as other people said, it is much more difficult to get into medicine as a graduate than a school leaver.

[yeliab_cram]

Emma: Yes. The university makes you an offer based on your predicted A2 grades. Now you have to meet these predictions to be able to take you place (if u get one) but that doesn't mean you will be rejected if u have 1 slightly lower grade (eg AAC) so long as it looked salvageable in A2.

If you have a good PS and look like a very good candidate despite a slightly lower AS grade, you might still be ok. I dont think you can really make a decision until you have your AS grades.

best of luck.

[Eponine_hugo]

Although the offer for clin sci is lower than for medicine, because medicine is very competative most people have A grades at A level on the course and are there because they didn't get any offers not because they didnt get the grades, therefore the competition is tough as you're competing against a group of very academically capable people and as people have said previously, the top 20 in both grades and work experience are taken.

[>Freak<]

are u sure that you'd b rejected for a place in Leeds in medicine just because u get AABB? A friend of mine, whose sister got ONLY ABB in her A levels exam(bio,chem,phy) was offered a place for medicine in Leeds last year.what's more, you've got 4 subjects!! and ur predicted result is AABB!!! Don't ever give up, i'm sure you can get a place in Leeds.

[Eponine_hugo]

Plus a quick note for the original poster - the staff from various unis inc Bradford it would seem troll these forums and their first impression of u won't be a good one if ur planning on going to Brad with the attitude of 'why bother working, I'll just transfer!'.

[CatherineT]

alrighty - guys I'm gonna admit to being confused- I'm a hist grad- 2.1 from Ed, with Arts A Levels, ABB - I applied to GEP courses last year, and for various reasons, I'm not there now and am going back around the track again! This is the first time I've heard of this Clinical Sciences route- and to be honest i'm intrigued- I was already thinking of applying for some 6 year Med courses, since this is my 2nd year, I don't really want to risk going all out for 4 year courses again and missing the boat- what you reckon - any thoughts? I dont' really know how this Clinical Sci would work- would it be in addition to my 4 choices- I emailed people on the course web, but no reply yet- please help!!