Help with doing Medicine

**House Jr.** · 05-01-2010, 04:07 AM

Originally Posted by thundaboltz

I'll definitely do my best at getting some sort of medical work experience.

Anything else I can do to help my chances? Dunno if its relevant, but at GCSE I got A*AAAAAABC. A* RE, AAAAAA Lit, Lang, Bio, Chem, Maths, History. B Physics and C in Art.

voluntary work over a long period helps as well.

your GCSEs shouldnt limit you as long as you watch out for the unis which are obsessed with A8s like birmingham and oxbridge.

**thundaboltz** · 05-01-2010, 04:20 AM

I've been thinking about the possibility of doing A level Chem in a gap year and I realised it doesn't matter about the whole one sitting thing.

From my understanding that's just so the university can see you can cope with the workload of taking 3 full A levels and an AS in two years, and I will have done that. The Chemistry A level will be on top of that.

**Gizmo says -** · 05-01-2010, 04:51 AM

aye, but mek sure they get your meaning. they may misunderstand you easily. a letter might be in order to tell them of your odd application in advance.

now goo luck, thundapants!

**thundaboltz** · 05-01-2010, 04:58 AM

Good idea mate, I'll definitely write to all the Unis I apply to beforehand.

If I'm lucky it wont come to that, and I'll get on a medicine course without needing chemistry a level.

Going to sleep now, any further suggestions/advice will be well appreciated, I'll look again here tomorrow.

**Rippy** · 05-01-2010, 10:31 PM

Yeah just check with universities about those GCSEs. There are several universities you may wish to avoid.

**they_call_me_pg** · 06-01-2010, 12:17 AM

Just thought i would add something in regards to work experience. It really is quality rather than quantity. Don't let work experience/volunteer work get in the way of your school work. I only had a weeks work experience in a hospital and arranged a meeting with the local GP. I also attended a medical careers talk in the local hospital. Compared to other people on this site who have masses of work experience/volunteer work I have peanuts. But if you are able to expand on everything you see and relate it back to a career in medicine it is plenty (you will understand when you go to write your PS). I may be wrong with regards to specific universities but that is what I did and I got offers for my 2 favourite universities and an interview from the 3rd (still to hear from the 4th).

**thundaboltz** · 06-01-2010, 01:13 AM

I haven't spoken to my school yet, but I've spoken to a year 13 I know and I'll definitely be able to do AS Chemistry on top of my three A2s next year.

That way I have a much wider range with applying to uni, as quite a few only need chemistry up to AS.

Do you guys think getting a teacher to predict me a grade in AS Chem will be a problem, as I'll have no experience it at until then, apart from an A at GCSE.

Are you even able to put down an AS you haven't finished yet on a UCAS form when applying to Uni?

**minnako** · 30-01-2010, 12:52 AM

Either way, if you drop anything, make sure you declare everything you've done to the universities* because they can turn down applications if they feel you haven't been honest with them, especially if you drop something whilst applying.

Work hard, do work experience, make sure your statement reveals what you learned, not just what you did. Get whatever advice from others (preferably with PS writing experience) you can, even one of those application to medicine books, as some of them are really good at explaining how to write a great personal statement. A good statement will always be in your favour.

*the notable exception being non-certificated less than successful module grades or something, if they don't already know them these days...

**cookie_monster** · 31-03-2010, 02:09 AM

Be careful applying to conventional courses... as someone said above, yes some don't require chemistry at A level, but the majority want biology AND chemistry at at least AS. My advice would be to very very very carefully check all the entry requirements. It's going to be tougher still next year, and med schools will have too many applications to be that sympathetic. So scour the exact wording of the requirements very carefullyt and if you are unsure about whether you are eligible to apply or not, email the universities before september! That way you show your interest without wasting any applications!!

Good luck!