Advice appreciated

**temp** · 07-09-2006, 11:45 PM

hi, i would like advice on how highly universities regard GCSE grades of applicants. For example if you only achieved 2-3 A grades, a few B grades and C's.
I am redoing my AS level, on second attempt achieving four A grades.
would the low gcse grades and the lost year make a big loss to my application for medicine?
I would also like to ask if i should carry more than 3 AS levels for my A2? I am prepared to work harder if it means standing a better chance with my application.

Thank you to anyone that helps.

**canoechick** · 07-09-2006, 11:56 PM

Can't really help you with the first bit, but can tell you lots of medical schools specifically say that applicants who have done more than three subject won't be at an advantage. Though saying that i decided pro carrying on all four just in case!

**allahuakbar3** · 08-09-2006, 12:04 AM

Heya
Im sorry to say that yeah..they will look at the lost year, and I dont think the additional A2s will help much (not sure tho). The gcses really depend on the unis u apply 2. Some dont regard it as a big deal, but some -unfortunately- do. good luck tho

dont lose hope tho cos the grades arent the only factors that will decide whether u get in or not.

**canoechick** · 08-09-2006, 11:34 AM

Unless of course you have some extenuating circumstances which caused you to do badly the first time?

**pepe** · 08-09-2006, 06:00 PM

I was in a similar situation to you and the lost year really counts against you.
Even though I did badly because of poor teaching and had to transfer schools etc.

You might be better off trying to do another degree and either trying to do a post graduate degree or a transfer from a biomedical course, because medicine is so competitive. if you really want to do it though a couple years more of study won't make a difference in the long run. Definitely apply for med school but I would certainly use up the other two choices on your forms on degrees you could seriously do well in and then enter a graduate entry programme, or look up uni's that offer a transfer. I know St Georges offer a transfer into the third year of medicine from the final year of biomedical sciences and i think it is Nottingham that offer a transfer after the first year again of biomedical sciences, which is very like the medicine course at a lot of schools (hopefully) but again these transfers are very competitive.

Try to get a lot of work experience and write a good personal statement and if you do go the post grad or transfer route ensure that you continue to get work experience. throughout your first degree and continue to prepare for interveiws because all that stuff still applies.

**temp** · 08-09-2006, 06:38 PM

i did have a talk with my head teacher today who explained that i dont have an excellent chance of doing medicine unless i achieve a good enough score on the aptitude test. I wanted to thank you both for your help, i will try not to lose hope and try hard to do what i really want.