A-Levels vs GCSE's

[sjk]

Afternoon everybody.

Just a quick question, I need to retake some previous academic disasters before I even consider applying for Med School and I am unsure which level of education I should take?

I have been advised by a couple of people to retake my GCSE's to bring them up to A/B's, yet some people have advised going straight in at A-Levels as these are the qualifications that matter. Now I can see the point of both arguements, however I would imagine that studying A-Levels would be better, considering it allows you to apply directly to a Uni (if you meet the entrance criteria), alternatively onto a 1 year foundation course to transfer onto a Medical degree after completion. However, I can understand that high graded GCSE's are equally as important as they are needed by many Med Schools - until I phoned an admissions office (HYMS) and they told me that GCSE's aren't specifically used to determine a person's offer, providing they have A-Levels or a degree (relevant foundation or full) as these both supercede any GCSE's that have been taking.

So now I'm confused! Is it really worth taking GCSE's if they're not that important when it comes to securing a place?

Just so you know, I intend to be doing the qualifications on either a distance/online or part time basis.

[giella]

Retaking maths and english are possibly a good idea. Some schools have weird little hang-ups about those two, same as prospective employers I suppose. Those are an indicator of your basic literacy and numeracy which is required for adulthood, supposedly as compulsory education ends at 16 in this country.
With regard to sciences however, the A levels are the same material again, for the most part, but in greater depth. Basically, you don't need to have done a GCSE in Chemistry or Biology in order to do the A-level, although it does help to have done it in the past. You're better at anything if you have experience in it.
With curriculum 2000 A levels now in operation, this is where the AS level could really work to your advantage if you're a mature student. Say you're in the middle of a two year A level course and applying to medical school. You get an A at AS level and you cash that in so that the universities can see what you've already achieved and use it as an indicator of what can be expected at A level, in the way that GCSEs would work for school leavers.
Alternatively, you get your A levels under your belt and then you apply to medical school. The medical schools see that you have met the entrance requirements, and as you're a mature applicant, they tend to take your circumstances into account. The GCSE requirement in place for school leavers would be waived in most cases as they can look at everything else that you achieved where you used the skills and education that you had to successful ends.
School leaver applicants have very little else to go on remember, as they're only 17. Medical schools take that into account given that they make up such a large proportion of their intake, but they understand that once you've led an adult life you'll have achieved things which a) school leavers haven't had the chance to do and b) prove that any shortcomings at GCSE did not stop you from doing any of that.

[icecream]

it depends what your gcse grades are, the most important in terms of applications are at least a B in maths and english language, and for some, also B or above in the sciences. However, i think durham and possibly a few others use to take Cs in maths and english language gcse, but im not sure if that is the case anymore as i havnt checked their site in a while.

[sjk]

Hiya folks,

Thanks for your consistently informative replies. I love this forum!

So the long and short of it is, do the GCSE's? As Chemistry can no longer be be studied at A-Level standard, I was considering studying Biology, Psychology and another subject (possibly Sociology). I could then use these subjects to apply onto a Foundation degree (like the one in Clinical Sciences at Bradford Uni) which then allows me to apply to several Medical Schools after Year 0 and then another opportunity after Year 1.

What does everyone think?

[giella]

I don't understand why Chemistry's out. Whatever you do, don't do Sociology. It's dull and unnecessary.

[sjk]

I don't understand why Chemistry's out. Whatever you do, don't do Sociology. It's dull and unnecessary.

Sorry, what I mean't was it wasn't possible to study on a distance learning basis and it is becoming increasingly difficult to find local colleges who offer it on a part time basis due to funding etc.

[giella]

I still think you should go with the OU. Chemistry is the one that Med Schools want. Given that you have to invest time, effort and money into doing this, I would suggest that you take the option which opens the most doors for you, not the one that limits you to only a few.

[sjk]

I still think you should go with the OU. Chemistry is the one that Med Schools want. Given that you have to invest time, effort and money into doing this, I would suggest that you take the option which opens the most doors for you, not the one that limits you to only a few.

Do you mean study for a degree and then follow the GEP route? Or do you know of an alternative route through the OU?

I think I shall give them a call tomorrow and discuss my options.

[giella]

I think I may have said this before but universities have specific course requirements from the OU. You don't have to do a full degree. York for instance requires about 120 credits in science from the OU, including Exploring Science.

[sjk]

Sounds like a good option. And an option, if I'm completely honest, I haven't really looked too much into. Thanks for your advice, I think I'll ring around tomorrow. I don't suppose you know of any other Med Schools who accept OU qualifications?