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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think medicine at university is unlikely with these GCSE results?

134 replies

Beaubeagle · 15/09/2018 18:05

My DS has just entered 6th form to study A levels in two sciences and English. He is wanting to study medicine and hasn’t got a back up plan, but I’m worried he wouldn’t have a chance because of his GCSE results. He got 1 x 9, 1 x A*, 2 x 8, 2 x7 and 4x 6. Unfortunately all his sciences were 6’s, although we are looking at having them re-marked (handwriting issues). I’m really worried he won’t stand a chance applying to medical school, even if he does get AAA in A levels. I don’t want to upset him by saying this to him but I need him to be realistic. Aibu in this? I really don’t know what to say to him.

OP posts:
Wheresthel1ght · 15/09/2018 18:08

I don't see why he wouldn't get in. Has he got ideas about what uni he wants to go to?

Look at the entry requirements and then discuss with him. But seriously you sound really mean. His results are equivalent to passing everything at grade C and above, most parents would be over the moon not tearing their kid down.

BackToSquareOneSigh · 15/09/2018 18:10

There are some medical schools that care far less about GCSEs, and more about UKCAT/predicted A level grades. Your son should apply to those universities.

So Birmingham/Edinburgh would not be good choices (very GCSE heavy assessment), but Hull-York, for example, could be a good choice.

MeanTangerine · 15/09/2018 18:10

I think I'd have your reservations about medicine specifically. My figures are probably a bit out of date, but usual rule of thumb is that B (6) at GCSE results in a C at A-level.

If he wants to do medicine because he wants to help ill people, then are are thousands of different jobs which fulfil that brief, including things like the new physician associate role.

What were his highest grades in? Usually it's best to follow what you're good at.

BackToSquareOneSigh · 15/09/2018 18:11

www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/Applying_to_Medical_School_using_your_Strengths

This link explains it well - you have to apply to universities whose admission policies match your strengths.

Bluntness100 · 15/09/2018 18:12

He may struggle yes, it will depend also on his predicted grades, but medicine is very competitive. Can he resit the science ones? He will find them a doddle when he's done his first year in AS level and can resit at the same time as he takes them,

Medea13 · 15/09/2018 18:14

I think with 6s at GCSE in the sciences (hopefully he did at least do separate sciences and not the double award) it looks tricky. But it depends how he does in his AS levels having those results when he's preparing to apply will be a gauge for the universities as to what his true ability is (and i would expect him to be getting high As anything less isn't really going to cut it). If he applies and doesn't get an offer, a backup plan could be to take a gap year (and get +++ work experience in a medical setting, in addition to the work experience he will need o get to apply for medicine) and re-apply when he has his A Level results in full -- so if he has AAA* then his GCSEs won't matter so much.

sanssherif · 15/09/2018 18:16

Please tell him to do the a levels he is the cleverest in!!
I did sciences A levels after getting B's and got a C in both subjects.
Disappointing, since I'd have got As in the best subjects.
I went to uni and got a 1st, but not in medicine.
Pursue what you're good at.

hibbledibble · 15/09/2018 18:18

Realistically, it is very unlikely sadly.

Medical schools have ample applicants with stellar grades, as well as good extra curricular activities, volunteering experience etc.

If he is very intent on applying that is up to him, but I would counsel him to think about a back up option, and also ensure that he makes himself a good applicant in other ways (lots of volunteering with sick/disabled/elderly/children, extra curricular interests and achievements, work experience)

BalloonSlayer · 15/09/2018 18:19

Not sure the English is what I'd recommend for the third subject if hoping to do Medicine tbh but happy to be corrected.

12sillypenguins · 15/09/2018 18:20

If he has struggled to get high grades at science GCSE he will be very unlikely to get them at A Level I'm afraid. However medicine shouldn't be ruled out. There are other options.

When I was considering applying to become a doctor I went on one of these courses. It was actually really useful (and made me realise it was actually not what I wanted to do at all!)

medlink-uk.net

Mamaryllis · 15/09/2018 18:21

Christ, no, don’t pursue what you are good at if it bores you to tears it makes you miserable. I can’t think of anything worse than relegating yourself to a lifetime of something just because you find it easy! Shock
I dropped my degree after the first year, because despite having a 90% plus average, it made me want to pull my hair out.
Find out what you live and work at it - figure out how you can incorporate what you live into your life. Nothing worse than fifty years of soulless 9-5 stretching ahead of you because at 15 you found it piss easy!

YetAnotherThing · 15/09/2018 18:21

An option would be to plan a gap year and apply with results. If he gets great A levels, would be fine to apply . Have scope to readjust expectations on the way if becomes obvious he won't get the grades. Fwiw I got a B in double science GCSE, but A s at A-level, went to med school (although over 20 yrs ago). If he can get an interview and is sparky results matter less. In terms of the B grades- It makes a difference where he goes to school. I think B from independent/grammar school tougher to explain away, as kids regarded as having an advantage, whereas from a comp more understanding. Good luck- all is not lost

BarbarianMum · 15/09/2018 18:22

He could always take a GAP year and apply with his actual A level grades. Then the GCSE grades wont matter so much. And if the gap year is in something related to medicine then so much the better.

Weaverspin · 15/09/2018 18:25

Most med schools are happy with two sciences at A level, plus an essay-based A level if they’re not doing a third science. My DD’s third one is history, for example, and all the open days we’ve been on say that’s fine.

And - echoing what other have said - if the GCSE grades are not the strong point, focus on the UKCAT, volunteering, work experience - and getting those As at A level!

MaisyPops · 15/09/2018 18:33

I'd also be saying it's unlikely. There are more than enough students with top grades at GCSE and a level applying every year with relevant voluntary or work experience.
I'm not sure a suite of 6s at GCSE is enough in my experience.

Original poster
Beaubeagle · 15/09/2018 18:38

I’m really not tearing him down. I think he did amazingly well and I’m very proud of him. He basically got 10 GCSE’s at grades A** to B and I know that is brilliant, but I also know that most applicants for medicine will have achieved much higher in the sciences. He did triple science and got a 6 for each. His highest grades were in English Lang, Health & Social Care and English Lit. but he doesn’t want to study English at University.

I’m just trying to understand what his options are at this stage as it’s all quite new to me.

DS’s preferred universities are Leeds, Newcastle and Manchester.

OP posts:
womanintrousers · 15/09/2018 18:38

Has he stayed at the same school with the same teaching staff? if the best they could achieve together was a 6 at GCSE I would look closely at whether his ability/revision/exam technique or teaching was the issue.

BitOutOfPractice · 15/09/2018 18:42

With the demise of ASs universities are looking at GCSE grades much more closely and sadly I think he’d struggle with those grades to get any offers for medicine

ShalomJackie · 15/09/2018 18:47

You also mentioned AAA at A levels which I don't think will be high enough for A level either.

I assuke he is doing Biology and Chemistry with his English?

Bluntness100 · 15/09/2018 18:49

As said though he can resit them in the spring.

AJPTaylor · 15/09/2018 18:49

If he is massively motivated by the idea of medicine i wouldnt discourage him.

Myshinynewname · 15/09/2018 18:50

Did he have a problem on the run up to his GCSEs or is a 6 a fair grade for him? The jump to A level is challenging even for very able students. It would be a big ask to get As at A level if his true ability is a 6 at GCSE.

Original poster
Beaubeagle · 15/09/2018 18:53

DS was predicted 8’s in his science exams so it was a massive shock when he received the 6’s. He thought he had done really well after the exams too. DS does suffer with dysgraphia and most of his exams were done on computer, but obviously for science this isn’t possible due to the workings etc. I think this may have impacted his final grade.

He is doing biology and chemistry A level along with Eng. Lang.

OP posts:
Gabilan · 15/09/2018 18:58

I wouldn't discourage him from aiming for medicine but those GCSEs, whilst good, may not be good enough.

Agree with PPs - look at the entry requirements and aim for those. The good news (sort of) is that if he aims for medicine but does not get in, he'll still likely have a good set of A levels in sciences which will stand him in good stead. He could try studying something like biochemistry, genetics or zoology instead as they are good degrees which keep your options open for a later transfer to medicine.

areyoubeingserviced · 15/09/2018 18:59

If he wants to do medicine don’t dissuade him.
Just ensure that he works his socks off for his A Levels, does lots of extra curricular activities at school eg joins organisations, public speaking etc
If his predicted A level grades are excellent and he does a good interview he will have a good chance.
Be positive