Are 3 A2 levels enough for entry into Emmanuel College in Cambridge for medicine?
It definitely wouldn’t be futile to apply. If you have the required A2 levels (Three of Bio, Chem, Phys and Maths) then you have a shot. Though academic excellence is key for medicine, you also need to be aware of the other requirements. You need plenty of work experience and volunteering to show you show leadership skills, an understanding of medicine and empathy. Also, work really hard on your personal statement and make sure it gets across how devoted and passionate you are about reading medicine. Above all, admissions will be looking for people who are really keen on medicine and really want to study it. I’ve heard this first hand from admissions tutors and medical education specialists. So if you’re 100% sure about it then you wouldn’t even consider not applying.
They ask for 3 A2’s, that’s what you need. Don’t bother with additional subjects over the 3 (unless it is further maths). And certainly don’t put an A2 at risk to get an extra AS. When it comes around to this time next year, you will find revising/learning stuff for 3 subject (including 2 sciences) tricky enough, without additional work. It might seem a good idea initially to take a lot of subjects, but it will affect your core grades. However, it is very hard to get even an interview at Cambridge, let alone for medicine, so unless you are achieving high A/A* in your AS’s, don’t be too disheartened if you don’t get a place. Sadly for you, places are becoming limited in the most competitive subject at the most competitive university. I took 6AS’s (including General Studies) and dropped down to 4A2’s and still didn’t get an inteview, so it doesn’t matter how many or what subjects you take, just the grades.
