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Original poster

E grade at AS Level Chemistry-should medicine dream be forgotten?

84 replies

zara77 · 23/08/2012 14:29

Hi Everyone
Really need some honest advice. My dd got an E grade at Chemistry AS Level. She got 1 A,2 B in other subjects. She had her heart set on medicine. But we have looked online and most medical schools require Chemistry. Post Grad Medicine is tough to get into,so she is a little lost. Her school recommends, her playing to her academic strengths and pursue a totally different degree. I don't really want her to do 4 A Levels but am getting the Chemistry remarked. My dd wants to resit the exam but i am concerned too much focus on one subject will let her down in her other subjects.
Should we follow the Schools advice? Would a tutor in Chemistry make a difference?
Thank you all in advance for your input.
Zara

OP posts:
InkyBinky · 23/08/2012 15:36

It would be very difficult indeed with an E at AS chemistry as there is too much solid competition and grad entry is a well known minefield and ridiculously competitive. Probably best to look at each Uni's requirements with a fine toothcomb just to double check, but it doesn't sound good to me. Dont suppose she did her UKCAT and scored amazingly, as that might offset it a little?Confused
Did she just do badly in the June exams or were her Jan modules poor too?

Are there any access courses where you live?
If she struggles with chemistry then medicine is going to be a huge challenge.

What about studying medicine abroad?
Good luck with whatever she decides.

Original poster
zara77 · 23/08/2012 15:21

Dillyprice-she was predicted B for AS Level-we are getting it remarked,her course work was 85%.

OP posts:
phlebas · 23/08/2012 15:21

someone who struggles with A level chemistry would have a really hard time with medicine - the first year has an awful lot of chemistry.

When I applied (long time a go) chemistry was the most important subject - my sister is applying this year & has just got a B in chemistry at AS - she's resitting as she really needs an A to stand much of a chance :(

Original poster
zara77 · 23/08/2012 15:18

Thank you all for the honesty, can she do post grad medicine-if she does a language degree?

OP posts:
DilysPrice · 23/08/2012 15:17

Depends why she got an E. What are her other subjects, what was she predicted, was there coursework, what does she think went wrong?

If her A grades are in Eng Lit and Histort and she's just crap at Chemistry then unfortunately Medicine may be out of the question. But there may be another explanation - investigate and see how the remark goes.

ewee · 23/08/2012 14:49

To be brutally honest, Medicine is highly competitive; dd has no chance.

JollyHockeyStick · 23/08/2012 14:48

Even if she is tutored, then she would struggle a lot when she got to Uni. A huge amount of 1st year medicine is to do with chemistry.

Sorry.

axure · 23/08/2012 14:45

Sorry 3xA2 at A plus one AS at A

axure · 23/08/2012 14:43

They will probably take her AS grade into account if she applies to do medicine, and some won't accept resit grades. Getting from AS E to A2 A would be a lot of work. DS got AS B in chemistry but gave up further maths to concentrate on getting an A, which paid off. He needed 3xAS at A plus one A2 at A for dentistry. He has friends who are doing Biological Sciences, with a view to doing Medicine post grad, but it means 8 years of study in total, so potential huge debt.