Panicking over A-level options

**mia_cinderella** · 16-11-2008, 12:41 AM

I always wanted to keep the option of medicine open, and so decided that now i'm applying to colleges i would take A-levels that would allow me to sway to either towards medicine or law; Chem, Bio, History and English Lit.
But when i went to a college open day and told them my plans, the head of science there started laying into me, saying i MUST take math if i wanted a chance in medicine, and so would have have to drop something to do it, and take it all the way to A2, ect ect. I left almost in tears, all my careful planning looked like a total shambles. Plus i hate math as a subject with a passion, though i am predicted A*. I then spent all day today trying to prove them wrong to my mother, and found this forum which kinda cheered me up since lots of people feel the way i do, but im still kinda anxious....
Is there anybody who had any problems getting into medicine without math? or is it just one of those myths?

Thanx everybody!!

xxx

**Kinkerz** · 16-11-2008, 12:47 AM

Originally Posted by mia_cinderella

I always wanted to keep the option of medicine open, and so decided that now i'm applying to colleges i would take A-levels that would allow me to sway to either towards medicine or law; Chem, Bio, History and English Lit.
But when i went to a college open day and told them my plans, the head of science there started laying into me, saying i MUST take math if i wanted a chance in medicine, and so would have have to drop something to do it, and take it all the way to A2, ect ect. I left almost in tears, all my careful planning looked like a total shambles. Plus i hate math as a subject with a passion, though i am predicted A*. I then spent all day today trying to prove them wrong to my mother, and found this forum which kinda cheered me up since lots of people feel the way i do, but im still kinda anxious....
Is there anybody who had any problems getting into medicine without math? or is it just one of those myths?

Thanx everybody!!

xxx

Lol. Medicine/Law... Made me chuckle!

I've was given an interview with A2s in Chemistry, Biology and Psychology.

You do not need Maths.

**mia_cinderella** · 16-11-2008, 01:11 AM

Medicine/Law... Made me chuckle!

im a very undecisive person. i sway one way or the other, so may as well leave it a couple of years before i make the big decision....
thanx for the reply!!
xxx

**Kinkerz** · 16-11-2008, 01:17 AM

Originally Posted by mia_cinderella

im a very undecisive person. i sway one way or the other, so may as well leave it a couple of years before i make the big decision....
thanx for the reply!!
xxx

It's just that they're so different. Surely if someone's really interested in one, they can't be particularly interested in the other. Although there will be exceptions, I guess.

The predicted A* in Maths also adds to my skepticality.

**Zedd** · 16-11-2008, 01:22 AM

From what I've seen some do want you to have maths but definitely not all of them, besides if your predicted grade is accurate then what is the problem?

**Blaction Man** · 16-11-2008, 01:41 AM

Myth, no worries

I do Bio/Chem/French myself (Psychology AS)
Your Bio/Chem stands you in good stead. A small minority of medical schools do ask for maths, or 3 sciences no less - if not at A2 then at AS - but that still leaves you with ample choice. When you start looking at universities in earnest, I'd recommend checking out their prospectuses for the specifics

From another angle, it could be said that maths might well help you in the admissions tests you'll maybe need to take (UKCAT, BMAT). But given that you're predicted A* anyway, that really isn't an issue!

**Hughman** · 16-11-2008, 01:52 AM

Originally Posted by Kinkerz

It's just that they're so different. Surely if someone's really interested in one, they can't be particularly interested in the other. Although there will be exceptions, I guess.

The predicted A* in Maths also adds to my skepticality.

Not in as many ways as you think - both involve being profession, learning a lot, talking to people, problem solving, decision making. I was always on the verge of not doing medicine and going for law instead, but unless you go to Oxbridge, you won't become a barrister, and that's the bit of law I liked.

**Hughman** · 16-11-2008, 01:56 AM

As for the original dilemma, if you're willing to go to PBL courses then you only need chemistry and biology, but I'd advise having a 3rd science to at least AS. Though you then only have 1 humanity, and even though law doesn't want any specific subject, I imagine 2 essay subjects will stand in your favour. Though maths is a 'universal' subject.

**Kinkerz** · 16-11-2008, 02:05 AM

Originally Posted by Hughman

Not in as many ways as you think - both involve being profession, learning a lot, talking to people, problem solving, decision making. I was always on the verge of not doing medicine and going for law instead, but unless you go to Oxbridge, you won't become a barrister, and that's the bit of law I liked.

My post was geared towards content rather than generic traits of a job. If you were simply using those traits you mentioned, why not go be a teacher, join the police, etc? Those traits are present in loads of jobs...

Originally Posted by Hughman

As for the original dilemma, if you're willing to go to PBL courses then you only need chemistry and biology, but I'd advise having a 3rd science to at least AS. Though you then only have 1 humanity, and even though law doesn't want any specific subject, I imagine 2 essay subjects will stand in your favour. Though maths is a 'universal' subject.

Look at Blaction Man: he has no third science, AS/A2, and has an offer from Birmingham and an interview at Nottingham - niether of which are PBL courses.
It isn't just PBL courses that only want Chemistry and Biology, infact that's all that most want. Only Oxbridge, Imperial et al. want a third science.

**Blaction Man** · 17-11-2008, 02:41 AM

Indeed, some medical schools look upon contrasting subjects favourably.

Quoting UCL Medical School (as it is now!) admissions:

"Some preference will be given to applicants who, in addition to Chemistry and Biology, offer a contrasting subject at A or AS-level. In this context the definition of a contrasting subject is one outside the traditional science subjects of Maths, Chemistry, Biology and Physics. For example: a foreign language, English Literature, History, Geography, Art, Music, Religious Studies, Design and Technology etc."

http://www.ucl.ac.uk/medicalschool/m...quirements.pdf

Honestly, whether you do all sciences, or just 3, or just bio/chem, you'll be fine