need help in subject choices

**tk_dabraniac** · 21-04-2005, 09:54 PM

Hi,
I'm currently 18 and waiting for my A-levels to start this September. I've recently come to UK...I mean immigrated....spent all my life in my own country..so I hold non-UK qualifications....which is not acceptable for medschool entry. Yes...I am thinking of being a doctor in future....so I'll be applying to London uni medschools after my A-levels.
The problem is Im really confused that what will be the most appropriate subject combination that will really impress the AD. tutors. Here are my primary choices...Chemistry(i know I must have this 1), Biology(again compulsory), Physics and Maths.
Does that sound OK...or do I need anything else...like any non-science subject??
PLEASE HELP ME OUT HERE...HOPE I GET TO HEAR FROM ANY OF U SOON!!!
CHEERS!!!

**alilel** · 21-04-2005, 10:04 PM

If those are the subjects you enjoy and you believe you can excel in then take them, they are certainly an acceptable combination for getting into medicine. Some unis prefer their applicants to have a non-science subject, Bristol being one, so you may want to check the prospectus of any uni you are particularly interested carefully.

Other than Biology and Chemistry, which whilst aren't compulsory, will maximise the range of unis you can apply to, your A level choices are up to you. Just choose what you want, I don't think it has much effect on an application. The only places who ask for more than two sciences are some Cambridge colleges.

**Cat** · 04-05-2005, 01:04 AM

As alilel said it is really up to you, If you enjoy physics and maths and are good at them then do one of them, if not choose something that you enjoy and can do well in. An essay writing subject such as psychology or history may be useful to get the essay writing skills that may be useful when you get to uni.

**Angel M** · 06-05-2005, 07:35 PM

just a piece of advice because a lot of my friends made this mistake,
dont choose subjects that you think will look good i think most unis ask for a level chemistry and some will accept bio at as level as well. however if you enjoy physics and maths than do them becuase at the end of the day you have to get the grades and you may even see a non science subject as a breath of fresh air from all your sciencey (that word dont exist) subjects,
whatever you do good luck
xxx

**quinziye** · 06-05-2005, 07:55 PM

I made the mistake of doing physics, cos i thought it would look good. But i found it soooooooooooooooooo boring, really dull, and if it had timetabled i wish i had taken soemthing like history or english instead. I got an ok mark - few points off an A at AS, but still wish i hadnt done it, and so gave it up after AS. Like the others have said, do subjects that you enjoy foryour other 2 - you will spend a lot of time doing them so you might as well enjoy it! I was told not to do psychology by some people, but have not found it a problem at all.I t is really interesting, and i got 100% in4 modules so far because i enjoy iy. I did get asked in my liverpool interview why i did psych as it wasnt considered a real science, but i foudn that i had a very good answer to this, and they seemed impressed, and also i half think they were asking as a joke.

**ottery21** · 07-05-2005, 08:48 PM

Hi! I'm an international student. I did Bio, Chem, Math and AS English and am currently holding an offer from UCL.... I'm glad I did the English cos I enjoyed it

and also I think it helped show that I can speak english reasonably well which i think was important as I'm international student... some unis do say that they prefer students with an a non-sciency subject (UCL said it in their prospectus. Are you planning to apply there? You said London schools but which ones? PS: UCL's cool!

) Anyway I chose not to do Physics mainly cos i like physics the least of the sciences and it's been fun doing the subjects I like...but I think it would have been beneficial in the future...oh well!

So it's really up to which subjects you like so pick the ones u will be willing to study for 2 years!

All the best and take care!!

**peaceful_blossom** · 07-05-2005, 09:11 PM

Random! Only do physic if you like it! I got bored sick when I did it! Glad I didnt carry it on for A2!

As everyone said chose what you like not what you think they want to see!

**Ice** · 07-05-2005, 11:05 PM

I did chem, bio, maths and RS (because I enjoyed it at GCSE) and found it was a rele big relief to doing science stuff most of the time. Also it helped me keep my essay writing skills and debating abilities in tact which are good general skills, I guess. But at the end of the day its adviseable to do Chem and Bio (firstly because they r favourably looked upon by most Med Schools and secondly because in my opinion, they complement each other in ceratin aspects). Also the other two subjects are totally up to you (but Maths also tends to help a little bit when you deal with handling data later on, but there are non-mathematicians doing chem and bio with me and they manage, so again its not compulsory). Best of luck with choosing your subjects and good luck with whatever you end up doing

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