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Original poster

A levels for medicine

34 replies

Spaghettionaspoon · 27/08/2019 11:19

Dd has to pick her a level options tomorrow and is struggling at the moment as she wants to do medicine and so has always said that she’d do biology chemistry and maths with an AS in either Spanish or an EPQ but has started toying with the idea of biology chemistry and history with an AS in maths this morning. She really loves history and unfortunately her school doesn’t offer it as an AS but is sure she wants to study medicine and so doesn’t want to put herself at a disadvantage in applying. Would not having the full maths a level do this? We know the unis say that maths isn’t necessary if have biology and chemistry but we’re wondering if it’s a sort of unwritten preference

OP posts:
Michaelbaubles · 27/08/2019 17:10

We’ve been enrolling students today and the advice from the principal was that aspiring medics should do maths, biology and chemistry to have the best chance. And that they’re better with three A-levels than 4.

naoch4n · 27/08/2019 17:09

If she is good at maths and enjoys it then definitely take it over history. If she would get a much better grade in history then take it, but maths is definitely preferred I think. Everyone I know that wants to take medicine does maths.

berlinbabylon · 27/08/2019 15:12

I didn't realise AS levels were still a thing. Sounds like the perfect solution.

Ohwiseone · 27/08/2019 14:56

My son is going into his third year at Nottingham studying medicine. He did Chemistry, Biology and Maths A-levels, Spanish As level and an EPQ on phantom limb pain and neural pathways (or something like that!) his best friend on the course did Chemistry, Biology and Geography as this was a subject he really enjoyed and knew he’d get the highest grades in.
So I’d say as long as the 3rd subject is one they really enjoy and will attain a high grade in, I don’t think not having maths will in anyway impede your dds chances.
Good luck to your daughter, I wish her well For the next 2 years

Original poster
Spaghettionaspoon · 27/08/2019 13:11

If she did biology chemistry and history she’d do an as level in maths instead of an EPQ

OP posts:
berlinbabylon · 27/08/2019 13:10

Does her school/college offer core maths as an enrichment activity? She could do that alongside biology, chemistry and history rather than the EPQ (as well as might be too much work but she could weigh that up).

Original poster
Spaghettionaspoon · 27/08/2019 12:47

lionfish they are! Seems like such a huge, future-deciding decision to make in a day with no experienced teachers to talk to. Dd thinks she’s much more likely to do very well in history than maths as although she did excellently in both at gcse feels she may trip at a level level.
She’s doing a lot of hanging around me as if she’s looking for me to give her the perfect advice but just don’t have it Sad

OP posts:
lionfish · 27/08/2019 12:03

We've been having similar conversations with DD @spaghettionaspoon. She also wants to do Medicine but isn't keen on doing Maths. The overwhelming advice she's been given is to do what she's most likely to get the grades in rather than choosing the 'right' subjects. I know of students who have gained places this year at various Medical Schools without Maths so it must be possible. Good luck to your DD, they're making such huge decisions aren't they?

sleepismysuperpower1 · 27/08/2019 11:27

I think personally i would go for full a level maths, just because from what i understand, a lot of applicants have this so it might be seen as a disadvantage? i'm not too sure but thats my perspective on it x