Resit or graduate entry?

[elgarde]

I got ABB in my A-levels - missing an A in biology by 2 marks!! I'm getting an urgent remark and if it is successful i can go to birmingham this year, but if not i'm trying to figure out my options. I've been offered to do biomedical sciences (or something like that) at birmingham instead - does anyone know if it would be better to reapply to medicine as a graduate or by re-sitting my a-levels with mitigating circumstances? I don't know which is more likely to get me a place on the medical course...help please!!

xx

[NV05]

Resit resit Resit resit Resit resit Resit resit Resit resit Resit resit Resit resit Resit resit Resit resit Resit resit Resit resit Resit resit Resit resit Resit resit!!!!

You're much more likely to get into medicine as a resitter than as a gradaute.

I know how gutting missing grades is from last year and good luck with that remark! Many places will consider you with extenuating circumstances.

[amy2705598]

Hopefully they'll up your marks. Same thing happened to me, can't remember how many marks short of an A grade in Biol I was, but they awarded me something like 5 extra marks and I got the A. Good luck

I didn't apply to medicine first time round, and I'm now finishing off a Genetics degree. I wish I had applied the first time, you're much more likely to get in. Even if you have to spend this year doing a resit, you'll still be finished quicker.

I would definately resit, good luck

[Yixian]

How do you get things remarked?

[elgarde]

Just ask your school to fax the exam board.
Thanks everyone for your advice, Even though my grades aren't that bad, the whole thing has put a total downer on my results and makes me feel like they are terrible and i've failed cos i haven't QUITE got in! So frustrating it's unbelievable!
I figure i have a few options though and have been figuring out how long it would take to do each - maybe this will help other people who are in a similar situation:
Get in straight away ofr 2006 if remarks are successful: 6yrs with intercallated degree
Gap year and retake and get for 2007: 7yrs with intercallated degree
Do medical biochem (or some other degree that they have offered me) then graduate medicine course (no intercallated degree required) : 7 yrs
Do medical biochem then get into normal 5 yr course: 8yrs

So i figure, there is a 2 year difference in the time between my preference (getting in straight away) and having to do it the long way around. I guess it's not as bad as it seems - what's two years in a life time?

[Dan1979]

You are of course assuming that you'll get a place as soon as you apply, either after retakes or after another degree, and an even bigger assumption that you'll get a place on the extremely competitive GEP courses..!

Bear in mind also that taking another degree before medicine will mean your fees will need to be paid every year up front, making financial survival very hard and increasing your final debt substantially.

[kerry]

You poor thing - must be really hard missing your grade by so few marks. I would definitely try again with your A levels if you can.

If you have extenuating circumstances and have just missed your A grade, is it worth your school contacting them to explain your situation?

I am a graduate going into medicine and you are SO much worse off financially. No money except for the 4400 loan. It's hard!

[elgarde]

I can but the problem is that I didn't send a cover note with my june exams as it happened so unexpectedly the week prior to my exams so i don't know if it will count..?
It sounds like retaking is the better option, time-wise and financially but i'm still considering it.
Can anyone tell me if you 'miss out' the stuff that you have covered on your previous health/science based course when you enter the GEP course? And how hard is it to get on to?

[Nobody said med was easy]

Hi everyone, I have a real sob story for you and I would really appreciate your help. I myself am in a situation of whether to resit or do biomedicine but my case is slighlty different. I achieved nothing but A*s and As in my GCSEs and was full steam ahead for medicine however in year 12 and 13 of studies at my college I suffered. I lost 2 supporting family members who were my pillar of strength, both within 6 months of each other and within days of my exams starting. I was devastated, and as you can imagine my grades suffered. My teachers assumed this was my peak, that that was what I was capable of and so gave me poor references and predicted grades. I somehow got a conditional offer at St Georges for AAB. I got my A level results back and as I suspected I achieved a miserable CCC. I was and still am devastated as I know this is not my capability but the result of the appaaling 2 years I have had. Now I have to decide whether to resit Chemistry, Biology and Maths in 1year or do biomedicine. Please help, do you know of anyone who was in a similar situation and how they coped, what their next steps were?

[Nobody said med was easy]

Hi everyone, I have a real sob story for you and I would really appreciate your help. I myself am in a situation of whether to resit or do biomedicine but my case is slighlty different. I achieved nothing but A*s and As in my GCSEs and was full steam ahead for medicine however in year 12 and 13 of studies at my college I suffered. I lost 2 supporting family members who were my pillar of strength, both within 6 months of each other and within days of my exams starting. I was devastated, and as you can imagine my grades suffered. My teachers assumed this was my peak, that that was what I was capable of and so gave me poor references and predicted grades. I somehow got a conditional offer at St Georges for AAB. I got my A level results back and as I suspected I achieved a miserable CCC. I was and still am devastated as I know this is not my capability but the result of the appaaling 2 years I have had. Now I have to decide whether to resit Chemistry, Biology and Maths in 1year or do biomedicine. Please help, do you know of anyone who was in a similar situation and how they coped, what their next steps were?