What to study?

**Dave22** · 21-08-2007, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by nasira

Hi,

Right, I'll get straight to the point.

I already have 2 A*s and 1 A from exams I took last year. The rest of my GCSE results come out on Thursday (fingers crossed for all A's and A*'s) and in the afternoon I have to enrol at 6th form. I'm part of the Academic Fellowship Programme at the 6th form I am going to so there is a chance for me to do 5 A-Levels or maybe just the usual 4.

At first I'd chosen Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Psychology but since then I've changed my mind a little.

I definitely want to take Biology and Chemistry, and possibly Physics now. So for the remaining I was thinking Mathematics, but I want to do Psychology as well.

At the moment, all I know is that I want to study Medicine but I'm not sure about which field yet so I don't know which subjects it would be best for me to take.

Is it sane to do 5 A-Levels or would I be putting too much pressure on myself?

If my timetable only allows me to take 4 A-Levels then which 2 should I choose from Mathematics, Physics and Psychology?

I personally would never consider 5 or 6 A-levels. I considered doing 4 (physics, biology, chemistry and religious studies) at A2 but realised it put me at no advantage than doing 3. My advice would be to do 3, as all med schools (accept probably Oxbridge as they always are the exception), only require 3. Why not focus the effort you have to put into another 2-3 A-levels into a load of work experience? I strongly believe much more work experience or a medical related research project would be of considerably more value to your application than more A-levels, which just show you are more intelligent than other candidates.

I think it would put too much pressure on yourself. Picture year 13, trying to manage 5 a-levels, a personal statement, possible interview prep, work experience..

**Fried_Rice** · 21-08-2007, 11:02 AM

I think it depends on how your timetable is set up in school, and how many free periods you get if you 'only' do four.
I did four A levels, but only had three subjects timetabled in year 13, because I'd been in accelerated maths. I can honestly say I was incredibly bored of all the frees I had when I did three subjects, however, when I did four subjects and at least had a few frees a week, I felt that was better, because it does take a load of your work load at home as you can do your homework in school, thus leaving home time free for work experience, extracurriculars etc etc.

If you want to do 5, go ahead, please do realise that medical schools are looking for well-rounded individuals and if doing 5 in any way impacts on your extracurriculars, work experience, volunteering etc etc then it is definitely not worth it. An extra Alevel or two will in no way make up for any weaknesses in other parts of your personal statement, so beware of this.

However, if you can pull off everything along with 5 Alevels then good for you, and go for it.

**Miss Monkey** · 21-08-2007, 12:01 PM

I took AS Human Biology, Chemistry, Maths, History, ICT, Critical Thinking and General Studies (as well as went to the classes for AS Spanish) and I managed... but god knows how. I'm not naturally overly smart and really have to work for my grades so it was a lot of work.

This year I dropped the Human Biology (not by choice, there weren't enough people in the class and I didn't fancy teaching myself), General Studies and Spanish, and have found the work much more manageable and come out with all As.

Maybe give all five a go, and then if it gets too much, drop one. In my opinion it's better to get say AAA than AABBB, but then again others may feel differently. It is said it won't make a difference to your med application, so only do the subjects if you really want to.

Good luck!

**nasira** · 25-08-2007, 07:45 PM

Dave, Rice and Miss Monkey: thanks for the replies. Nice to know everyones personal opinions on doing extra A-Levels.

At the moment I have got it all balanced out (I hope), in my free time I'll be doing work experience at the hospital once my crb check comes through and after the health assessment, and they are really supportive over there so I don't think doing 5 will interfere too badly with everything else in my life.

Went to enrol on Thursday, managed to get all 5 (Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics and Psychology) to fit into my timetable. My teachers have stressed that if at anytime it gets too hard then I should just drop one without thinking that I'm letting them down or anything. And that's exactly what I am going to do.

I won't be continuing with all 5 at A2 Level, hopefully by then I'll be able to decide which one I should drop. I'm feeling pretty confident about them now, think I'll be able to manage them at AS Level.

Thanks again to everyone.

**minnie1** · 25-08-2007, 07:55 PM

Nasira, what did u get at GCSE? Good luck with your studies.

**nasira** · 25-08-2007, 07:59 PM

I got 3 A*'s and 7 A's.
Saw your results in another thread, well done chick!
And best of luck to you aswell.

**minnie1** · 25-08-2007, 08:04 PM

wow, u did well!
Thank you.
It turns out my teachers were wrong, they were my predicted grades. I didn't get B's. Where do you hope to go?

**nasira** · 25-08-2007, 08:13 PM

Wow, no B'S? So what exactly did you get?

They usually are wrong at predicted because the teachers want you to push your grade up when you sit your actual exam. My English teacher gave me a low predicted grade to motivate me. I guess it worked.

I live in Greater Manchester so I'm aiming for the University of Manchester. The med school there is really good and its close to home so I guess that's a bonus. Plus, being an Asian girl, my parents wouldn't be too comfortable with me studying somewhere further and personally, I think I'd miss my family too much aswell. Where will you be applying?

Eitherways, still two years for that yet, gotta get through A-Levels first.

**minnie1** · 25-08-2007, 08:17 PM

Im asian too but my parents havent got a choice where i can go! My nearest uni bham wants at least 7A*. I got 4A* and 9A. I pleased with that. My English teacher also gave me a low predicted grade. I guess english just isn't our subject. Going to work v hard for A levels. Am doing Maths, Chem and Bio.

**nasira** · 25-08-2007, 08:27 PM

Wow, you did alot of GCSE's. Maximum I could do at my school was 10 plus Prep for Working Life. Private School so they didn't have many of the extra subjects available. Just got their V.A status now and will be government funded from September, just my luck!

Shame about bham uni, where else are you hoping to get in then?

Yup, takes alot of hard work to get into Medicine. I'll be doing those three aswell. If we need any help I guess we can just ask eachother.