Dropping Biology at A2?

[Hughman]

I expect most places will still look at the religious studies / media studies / Business studies / African studies etc. in an unfavourable light.

With Cambridge leading the way by openly saying that easy subjects won't get in, I wouldn't trick yourself into thinking that other universities don't have an opinion regarding if you took maths/physics or textiles/woodwork even if they don't say they do.

(Discalimer: If (as in the past) someone tries to argue that textiles is just as hard as physics and that they just different I will find your egalitarian ass and end it)

Religious Studies is the only 'studies' subject that doesn't really count as 'weak'. All subjects are meant to be taxing, but some subjects will tax academia more than others.

[Arch_Angel]

Can't say I agree there, but you may be right, I never applied through A levels, but i'm fairly savvy with how the system works (ie: how they discriminate against people that have taken easy options).

As far as I can tell it's a soft option that would have been better filled with pretty much anything apart from another "studies".

[BeanOfJelly]

I would say not to drop Biology. It seems hard at the beginning of AS (I couldn't wait to drop it) but by the end of the first year I was used to the workload of it and it's now one of my strongest subjects. You can choose Unis that don't require it (I don't know how much they secretly require it) but it will help you with the independent note-making ur gonna have to do at uni.
Also, follow AA's link: it lists which medschools want what so you can find out where to apply if you do drop bulgy.
I'd say only drop it if you get to the end of AS and hate it.

[Kinkerz]

That's what you think. But I've talked to doctors and other admissions tutors outside of open days. They've all said you'd be foolish not to take 3 sciences to A2.

I doubt that all of them have said that. I reckon the ones that think more traditionally about Medicine may believe that... Doesn't necessarily mean it's fact either.

The vast majority of Oxford, Imperial, UCL, Bristol, Birmingham, Nottingham, Newcastle and Edinburgh are going to have 3 science subjects.

That isn't necessarily causation. That's just because most people applying to Medical School do Biology, Chemistry and Maths/Physics - it does not mean that those admissions select applicants with three sciences. Plenty of people get interviews/offers from those places with just two sciences every year.

There is a big difference between a university 'considering your application' and 'giving you an offer'.

If they're considering your application, they're deciding whether to invite you to interveiw or give you an offer - you need consideration to get to the next step. Comparing consideration to getting an offer/interview is like comparing apples and oranges.

[Hughman]

I doubt that all of them have said that. I reckon the ones that think more traditionally about Medicine may believe that... Doesn't necessarily mean it's fact either.

That isn't necessarily causation. That's just because most people applying to Medical School do Biology, Chemistry and Maths/Physics - it does not mean that those admissions select applicants with three sciences. Plenty of people get interviews/offers from those places with just two sciences every year.

If they're considering your application, they're deciding whether to invite you to interveiw or give you an offer - you need consideration to get to the next step. Comparing consideration to getting an offer/interview is like comparing apples and oranges.

First Paragraph: Every single doctor, nurse and dentists I've had contact with and asked them the question has take all 3. This includes a fairly young nurse.

Second Paragraph: True, but I'd imagine the ratio of acceptances for 2 sciences is lower than the ratio for 3 as well. Defiantly is for Oxbridge and Imperial.

Third Paragraph: That's not the point - they'll 'consider' it, but you're going to have a much harder time of being accepted.

[Kinkerz]

First Paragraph: Every single doctor, nurse and dentists I've had contact with and asked them the question has take all 3. This includes a fairly young nurse.

Firstly, what the hell do (the majority of) nurses know about Medical admissions? Very, very little! Not enough to advise subject combinations that's for sure.
And as for the doctors and dentists, most of them have been out of the admissions malarky for so long that the grade requirements are now different. They probably know what admissions was like when they were applying or during their time at Medical school, but who says they're experts for the current admissions system? Obviously there will be some that are clued up, but even the ones that sit on interview panels won't always know much about subject combination preferences (clearly assuming this, but...).

Second Paragraph: True, but I'd imagine the ratio of acceptances for 2 sciences is lower than the ratio for 3 as well. Defiantly is for Oxbridge and Imperial.

Well yes, for Oxbridge and Imperial of course. That's a known fact. Plus they're BMAT universities, so people who do 3 sciences are likely to perform better on that, all be it not necessarily on the essay question, but most scientists can string together a nice essay.

Third Paragraph: That's not the point - they'll 'consider' it, but you're going to have a much harder time of being accepted.

Well maybe so. But if they're considering your application it means you've still got a chance, no?

[Arch_Angel]

You have, of course, but you've got a better chance if you do 3

[Kinkerz]

you've got a better chance if you do 3

At some institutions yes, at most institutions no.

[Arch_Angel]

If I was looking for the best applicants to fill my medical school with I would consider the strength of an application in which three top tier subjects were taken to be better than one with 2 and an easier one.

Only fair right?

Essentially you're trying to impress them and surely doing three hard ones is more impressive than doing two?

I'm not looking to scare anyone that isn't doing three science A levels mind, just saying...

[Baki]

Let me just interject and say that UCL stated in ther perspectus that they like students who take 2 science subjects and one art/non-science subject (like Modern Foreign Languages etc...) to show diversity.

That said, Oxbridge like their 3 science subject students.

@The OP: Why would decide you're going to drop Biology without even doing the whole AS yet.

I mean if you don't like Biology then Medicine might not be for you.