A-levels for Medicine

[Clovie]

My dd has just enrolled at college. She wanted to do 4 A-Levels in history, maths, biology and chemistry, but after enrolment today she is now very unsure. She is a high achiever (all 8 and 9 in GCSE) and wants to do medicine. She was told at her enrolment that 4 subjects is too much and she’d be better concentrating on 3. She is now panicking about which subjects to choose and only has until Thursday to decide. Any recommendations? It’s hard to know whether she should stick with maths or show that she’s more rounded and choose history.

The two I would say she most needs to keep are maths and chemistry

Then whichever she fancies of the other two

Drop history. Keep chemistry, biology and maths. They’re the standard “medic” a levels. Medical schools aren’t interested in history.

Drop history. It won't help her with her medical studies.

Biology and Chemistry are the most important followed by another strong subject, I’d go for whichever she will easily achieve the highest grade in.

Def needs chemistry and maths. I would lean towards biology.

She has to do Biology and Chemistry, then pick whichever she'll get an A grade in.
Having said that I think some Unis (Cambridge) may prefer maths so if I were you I'd check the requirements.
My daughter is

Both RG Unis near me require Biology and Chemistry, no mention of Maths.

I guess she should stick with biology, chemistry and maths then. It seems such a shame for her to have to drop history, which she loves. She can do a history extension or do history for her extended project I suppose.

When I was doing my A-Levels (I’m 39) it was perfectly normal to do 4 subjects, I knew a few people doing 5. I guess things change.

Sorry pressed send my mistake.

My daughter is applying for Vet Med do we're in a similar situation.

Doing biology and chemistry will keep the widest range of options open for medicine, although there are plenty of medical schools that only require one of these (and one that doesn't require either). If she does these two it doesn't matter whether the third is maths or history, unless she wants to apply to Cambridge: she should do whichever she thinks she'll get the better grade in.

In terms of preparation for university study I'd say history is probably better, as so many medical students struggle with academic writing. Many people would disagree with me, though.

Def needs chemistry and maths.

This is incorrect.

I am a Science teacher and can tell you that she will need chemistry, biology and either physics or maths. There are a small handful of universities that do not require maths or physics but they are in the minority.

Chemistry, biology and maths is a classic combo for medical school application for a reason.

We’ve had a good look and most need chemistry and maths/biology/physics plus one other subject. The trouble is she is quite set on Oxford, which doesn’t require biology, but if she doesn’t get in she will probably stay at home (Southampton) and they require chemistry and biology. She equally loves history and maths, but she is going to have to choose.

@NoNotHimTheOtherOne

Def needs chemistry and maths.

This is incorrect.

There is a difference between what is absolutely required

But there is also what is most widely seen as desirable and of the 4 subjects OP lists, chemistry and maths are the most useful (and chemistry is the most frequently absolutely required)

Does she have a short list of where she would like to study? Do any of those places have formally required subjects, or it is more a case of looking at the most useful?

The other thing she needs to start looking at now is getting some useful volunteering, work experience underway. If that's still difficult because of covid, then look at online courses (try places like FutureLearn, which is an offshoot of the OU)

The only one she needs is chemistry. There are resources on line that show each medical schools requirements. Some ask for biology.
See the Student room forums for advice.

I don’t think any ask for maths and in fact some medical schools like subjects like history as it shows a more rounded set of subjects.
They don’t count maths and further maths as 2 separate subjects and also don’t count general studies.
They will also usually take Welsh bac or Epq.

Having had 2 dc go to med school I would say apart from chemistry chose subjects she thinks she will achieve the best grades in and will enjoy.

She should only do maths if she is pretty sure she will get an A/A*

Sorry -slow typing, so cross-post

I did history, chemistry and biology and got into medicine. If she loves history do that instead of biology or maths depending on the requirements of where she wants to apply. Two of the ones i applied to said they liked people doing different subjects as the require different sills and show passion in different areas

Hi! I’m a senior sixth form tutor (and a biol and chem teacher). Many students in my school goon to study medicine and/or apply to oxbridge (I don work in a private or selective school before anyone makes assumptions!!) I would strongly recommend dropping history. Even if universities say they don’t require certain subjects, they will still use it as part of the selection process. Chem + either biol/maths will definitely be required, but most medical schools will look more favourably on students having both Biol and Maths over History in my experience. I hope that helps!! 😊

I am a Science teacher and can tell you that she will need chemistry, biology and either physics or maths. There are a small handful of universities that do not require maths or physics but they are in the minority.

This is also incorrect.

No medical school requires maths or physics. The only one that comes close is Cambridge, where it is very difficult to get in without three from biology/chemistry/maths/physics.

See www.medschools.ac.uk/media/2877/entry-requirements-document-2022-digital.pdf

Even if universities say they don’t require certain subjects, they will still use it as part of the selection process.

No they won't. Please stop spreading misinformation.

If she's up to it, do the four. Obv math, chemistry and biology are the best of the four, but medicine is competitive, so if she can genuinely cope, having four subjects will give her an edge over others.

Btw I'm fairly young - of an age where the "norm" had indeed dropped to three - but everyone who I know went to medical school did a fourth (one person did his maths PT in college cause his sixth form wouldn't let him do the fourth subject - he's a consultant neurologist now)

*don’t and go on

Apologies for my typing errors!! 🙈

Also wanted to say there’s no real advantage in doing more than 3 A levels, because universities only make offers based on 3 subjects. Students are much better off putting their efforts into achieving 3 excellent grades IF university is their ultimate goal. So the college has advised her correctly with that. Again, I hope that helps!!

I would ignore them and keep 4 including history. No I'm not a teacher or a uni academic. Medicine is a hard road for application but there is no harm in keeping an A level for sheer love. If she struggles she can always drop it.

My son is doing 4 hard a levels and what I have done is not worry about him getting paid work as well.

Dd did 4, it's quite possible if they are driven. Schools don't like it because they have to pay for the extra costs!