Career advice - medicine or law?

[Guest]

First, think very carefully about A Level choice. I really recommend you have a look here, and download the 'Informed Choices' pdf. For medicine, A level chemistry and biology are essential, plus maths and/or physics. Further maths could be useful. Psychology, as a bonus, but have the other subjects in place first. You must demonstrate commitment to the subject. ETA: and study carefully the entrance requirements for the universities you're interested in.

 

I don't know about law, but if your daughter would like to study medicine, it might be worth her while getting some volunteer experience. ...

This is absolutely essential. Everyone will meet, and likely surpass, the academic entrance requirements, and the competition for places is such that selection panels will be looking for a) ways to differentiate between equally academically excellent candidates, and b) ways to quickly establish a short list.

 

Selection panels are aware of the difficulty in obtaining relevant work/voluntary experience, and these days having contacts available to secure placements is not as advantageous as it might appear: they're looking for evidence of the student's own motivation and commitment, not of who you know. Volunteer work in care homes, hospices and so on should be sought out as soon as possible. Hospices often have ward volunteer schemes which have the additional advantage of demonstrating very quickly whether you're cut out for working in medicine. Here's an example of such a scheme (not in Sheffield, but it gives you an idea of what's involved in a well-run scheme).

 

You also want to think about volunteer work beyond that directly related to medicine: the panel will be looking for evidence of self-confidence, team work and leadership skills. So evidence of studying piano to grade 8 is less important than using those musical skills to organise a music workshop for a youth group, for example. The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme is another possibility.

 

Don't even consider medicine unless you are academically excellent, of strong constitution, outgoing and able to get on with all sorts of people. Sensitive flowers will wilt under the pressure.

 

Good luck!

 

---------- Post added 27-06-2016 at 09:02 ----------

 

... do not do them unless you are certain to get grade A or B. ...

For medicine, A* or A.

- do not do them unless you are going to University or onto a vocational course.

- do proper 'A' levels at a 'proper' school.

- a generalization but medicine requires chemistry and maths/physics, the biology you need will be taught. ...

It would be a profound mistake to not offer biology or human biology beyond GCSE.

 

For all entrance requirements, always assume that they're the bare essentials. Medicine is extremely competitive; if the entrance requirements say AAA, aim for at least one A*, preferably in chemistry.

Edited June 27, 2016 by Guest
changed 'would' to 'could'.

[alchresearch]

Given the way the NHS is going I wouldn't consider a career in medicine at the moment, unless she plans to emigrate to NZ or somewhere.

 

What do you mean? It will be flooded with £350 million a week soon. There's never been a better time!

[Cyclone]

And the media has entirely stopped following the junior doctors dispute with the government, so that must have all been solved amicably.

[Annie Bynnol]

Sheffield University -The Medical School

Entry 2017-Academic Entry Requirements

 

"Our offer for subjects taken as A Level is AAA to include Chemistry and one other science (Maths, Physics, Biology or Psychology). Applicants who do not yet hold A Levels at the time of application must have predicted grades of at least AAA. Please note the following:

•The three A Levels should be studied for no longer than two years, must be passed on the first attempt and must all be taken in one sitting.

..."

 

Oxford University-

"Candidates are required to achieve at least a grade A in both Chemistry and at least one of Biology, Physics or Mathematics."

 

For many, many years Chemistry has superseded Biology as the essential 'A' level for medicine. My suggestion is that if Biology is offered then so should Physics or Maths so that the essential mathematical side is covered.

 

Medical Schools will receive many applicants with the same projected grades so the candidate will need "something else". Biology is a very time consuming course because it is practical, it has very little overlap.

The biochemistry elements of Medical courses has the starting point as Chemistry not Biology.

Chemistry+Maths/Physics allows them to do English and releases time for a 4th 'A' level to enjoy/show their interests ' Art, Music, German, etc. This broad range also allows for a change of direction when interests or prospective grades change.

 

Of course an outstanding Biology student who at interview displays an enthusiasm and deep understanding of Biochemistry together with the required mathematical skills may well meet the criteria.

[blackydog]

My daughter has just completed her GCSE's and is considering her future plans/choices for A Levels.

 

She has always expressed an interest in medicine but has recently been considering law.

 

Is there anyone working or studying in medicine or law who could give her an insight into either of these careers?

 

if so, please get in touch

 

Both sound very intensive, both in achieving the grade and then in the actual work. How is the work life balance with this sort of job?

Medicine sounds very rewarding when you get it right though.

Has she no other interests? eg finance, IT or possibly engineering?

[Guest]

...For many, many years Chemistry has superseded Biology as the essential 'A' level for medicine. ...[snipped for space]

Chemistry has always been the prime A Level for studying medicine. The core subjects have always been chemistry, biology and physics/maths. In practical terms, if you offer, say, English at A Level instead of biology, you will have a more difficult job at the med school interview justifying your choice. You're applying to study medicine, so you need to do everything possible to maximise the impression that you're committed to, and profoundly interested in, that subject. You do that by demonstrating that your choice of your core subjects is governed by your interest in, for example, biological systems, not Jane Austen and Keats.

...Medical Schools will receive many applicants with the same projected grades so the candidate will need "something else". ...

That 'something else' is, I agree, essential, but it should be demonstrated primarily in the range of the applicant's extra-curricular activities and, potentially, in the choice of an A Level subject in addition to the core, not in place of one of them.

 

...Chemistry+Maths/Physics allows them to do English and releases time for a 4th 'A' level to enjoy/show their interests ' Art, Music, German, etc. This broad range also allows for a change of direction when interests or prospective grades change. ...

No. Really, no. The key thing for a successful application is commitment to the subject. The fourth A Level might very well be a modern language or English, but sciences should be at the core. And you really don't want to indicate that your A Level choices have been made to allow for a 'change of direction' due to a potential shift to lack of interest in medicine!

 

You also really don't want to give the impression that you've dropped a 'time consuming' subject to make way for something else. The impression given will be that if you think that you're not up to coping with a demanding schedule at A Level, you certainly won't cope with the curriculum of a course in medicine.

 

As for Oxford, that's an excellent example of the point I made in my first post about treating entrance requirements as a bare minimum. AAA results, and Chemistry plus 'at least' one of biology, maths or physics is what will get the door open a crack; A* in one or more subjects chosen to demonstrate commitment to the course, plus a thoughtful range of extra-curricular activities, plus an excellent performance at interview, will be what allows you to push your way through the door, past the thousands of other applicants.

[alchresearch]

And the media has entirely stopped following the junior doctors dispute with the government, so that must have all been solved amicably.

 

Yep, and the public sector workers strikes have gone quiet too.

 

Funny how things get less important for the media when they feel like it.

 

Weren't the doctors and government close to a deal too?

[L00b]

If your daughter is able, through her aptitude and grades, opt for medicine.

 

This is from a legal practitioner, who is fairly well insulated from the issues highlighted by ECCOnoob above, through specialisation and seniority

 

Commonsensically, people always have, and always will, require professional healthcare skills, regardless of what laws and legal systems are in place, wherever and at any one time. I would go so far as to predict a glorious future in gerontology.

[redfox]

Law is most certainly not what it was as a profession or career.

 

Do not even contemplate entering law to do publicly funded work - its finished and not set to go anywhere but down - people do not want well educated, highly motivated and well remunerated lawyers representing properly those charged with criminal offences - too many acquittals I am afraid - they want them to prosecute obviously but haven't thought that one through (too many acquittals you see) and far far too many judicial reviews

 

There are still highly paid jobs in the corporate world but its not for all.

 

 

Medicine is a far better bet, if you can get the grades, pass the beauty parade and then complete your degree -I think it is a far more vocational career than law (not in every case but its may view) and there will always be a need for a good doctor somewhere in the world.

[wrinkly67]

No knowledge of the legal profession but some insight into medicine, gained from my son applying which albeit some time ago, I think is still relevant. Apologies if its stuff you already know.

First, it isn't just about studying the right subjects and attaining excellent grades but, also, firstly submitting an acceptable application form. This includes a personal statement, very important, as it's the first stage of your daughter presenting herself to the Uni and has to be very strong. Selling yourself through the written word isn't easy in competition with so many other applicants. Already, at this stage, numbers are pared down significantly. I'm saying this because at the age your daughter is now, my son had already done two separate two week work experiences with G.P.'s and a week at our local hospital - where he followed ward rounds with not too pleasant experiences and was extremely fortunate (?) in being invited into the operating theatre to watch major surgery. I'm sure this went some way to help his application and would suggest that your daughter puts out feelers to do the same or similar. It would also prove a very useful experience in helping her decision as to whether it really is right for her.

The application accepted, an interview followed which included accessing the interview room via a room full of cadavers! Presumably to see how many balked at this early stage.

Again, numbers are pared; if I remember correctly my son was one of about 250 out of an initial 3,000+ to be offered a place.

After all that, he never became a doctor! With a strong aptitude for Maths and a track record of "A" grades all the way through school. his A level result was a "C" and he lost his place. Nerves? Bad exam day? Whatever, that's the way it sometimes goes. So, important to have some sort of back up plan with some alternative in mind.

Ironically, my son went on to do Chemical Engineering, a heavily orientated Maths subject and gained a first class Masters Degree. He is happy and gets great satisfaction from his career and, whilst its not the most important factor, earns much more than he would as a doctor. I'm adding this because I feel its important that our young people aim high but realise that failing in one area doesn't mean life is over. It can be upsetting and it takes grit and determination at the time but it can be overcome. My very best wishes to your daughter, whatever her choice for the future.