Dropping Biology at A2?

[Kinkerz]

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...

Well why not do Chemistry, Maths, Physics and Latin then? Biology isn't particularly hard.

I thought impressing them was with academia/UKCAT score/Work experience + volunteering/extra curricular activities, not the combination A-levels you're doing.

Surely the A-levels you're doing are purely to prepare you for the course as much as possible.

[Hughman]

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...).

Well, someone is going to have issues with their 'Why Medicine and not Nursing.' Until you're a registar you're going to owe your ass to any nurse that's been around for more than a few years.

Yes, some of the doctors I've chatted to have been out of the loop for a while, but others are not.

But what my original point was is I can't understand how a future doctor cannot do Biology to A2.

[Kinkerz]

Well, someone is going to have issues with their 'Why Medicine and not Nursing.' Until you're a registar you're going to owe your ass to any nurse that's been around for more than a few years.

Huh? Because I suggested that alot of them don't know much about the Medical admission system I am now apparently a nurse hater. I see your logic there...
My mum's a nurse and she knows jack all about the admissons process, and equally most other nurses I've come across don't either!

But what my original point was is I can't understand how a future doctor cannot do Biology to A2.

Me too! Why would someone wish to drop Biology and then continue to a degree and career that is focused around it! Madness.

[Arch_Angel]

Well why not do Chemistry, Maths, Physics and Latin then? Biology isn't particularly hard.

If I was the admissions tutor and Biology wasn't necessary to get onto the course, then I'd see this as stronger Biology at A level isn't that difficult no, but it will come in useful for medicine.

I thought impressing them was with academia/UKCAT score/Work experience + volunteering/extra curricular activities, not the combination A-levels you're doing.

Cambridge is a testament to the fact that this isn't the case. You're right in that it's not the only factor, but it will matter. Again, perhaps this isn't always the case, as shown above with UCL, but harder is more impressive.

Surely the A-levels you're doing are purely to prepare you for the course as much as possible.

Maybe, but again if you've got AAA in Chemistry, Biology and Textiles it's not as good as AAB swapping textiles for Maths. You've shown more academic ability, right?

Either way, to the OP: if you don't like biology, why are you considering medicine?

[Baki]

If I was the admissions tutor and Biology wasn't necessary to get onto the course, then I'd see this as stronger Biology at A level isn't that difficult no, but it will come in useful for medicine.



Cambridge is a testament to the fact that this isn't the case. You're right in that it's not the only factor, but it will matter. Again, perhaps this isn't always the case, as shown above with UCL, but harder is more impressive.



Maybe, but again if you've got AAA in Chemistry, Biology and Textiles it's not as good as AAB swapping textiles for Maths. You've shown more academic ability, right?

Either way, to the OP: if you don't like biology, why are you considering medicine?

By the way, UCL want Biology and Chemistry. The third ones up in the air, oh and I think they want an AS (maybe a science one). Don't know.

BTW, this whole discussion reminds me of what my Biology teacher said about Media Studies. He said if you can't handle Biology, do media studies and watch TV all day, and see where that gets you. LOLOLOL!

[Arch_Angel]

It gets you not into medical school that's where

Que: Someone come along with Media studies A2 that's currently in medical school

[Zedd]

This isn't directly related to A2 but would Human Biology and Biology together been seen as a benefit or would it go against you as they are interchangable to some universities?

[Baki]

It gets you not into medical school that's where

Que: Someone come along with Media studies A2 that's currently in medical school

Lol, it would be fitting. But to be honest, I've done media and it's not challenging at all (not at A2 though).

This isn't directly related to A2 but would Human Biology and Biology together been seen as a benefit or would it go against you as they are interchangable to some universities?

I doubt they'd make those kind of distinctions. A-Level is A-Level.

[Arch_Angel]

Probably be seen as a bit wasted.....although I don't know.

Again my un-A level entry opinion would say that it's better than media studies, but not as good as doing something harder or more relevant...

[Hughman]

Huh? Because I suggested that alot of them don't know much about the Medical admission system I am now apparently a nurse hater. I see your logic there...
My mum's a nurse and she knows jack all about the admissons process, and equally most other nurses I've come across don't either!




Me too! Why would someone wish to drop Biology and then continue to a degree and career that is focused around it! Madness.

I didn't say nurse hater. I meant nurse ignorant :S
Your personal experience tells you one thing, mine tells me another (my best mate's parents are both senior nurses in ICU).

Lets agree to disagree.