My passion for medicine drives me to aim for the highest marks in the Leaving Certificate. However, I and many of my peers feel increasingly disadvantaged by the current academic landscape, threatening our dreams of entering competitive fields such as medicine.

The deflation rate affecting this year's Leaving Certificate students, capped at just 5.5%, has exacerbated our concerns. This limitation makes it much more challenging to secure the points required for courses like medicine, which are already extremely competitive. Furthermore, this year marks the record number of students sitting for the Leaving Certificate, creating unprecedented competition.

Adding to the struggle, past Leaving Certificate students are also reapplying to college, further increasing the pool of applicants and heightening the competition for limited spots in high-demand courses. The compounded pressures of deflation, record participation, and reapplications are making academic success seem less attainable for many of us.

It's imperative that governing educational bodies reconsider the deflation policy and provide support for the 2025 cohort. Adjustments could include reconsidering the deflation cap, offering supplementary assessment opportunities, or providing additional resources to level the playing field.

By re-evaluating the policies that place unnecessary constraints on students, we can ensure a fairer and more equitable education system. It's essential to acknowledge the unique challenges facing LC students this year and provide appropriate interventions to aid our journey towards higher education.

Please support us in urging the Department of Education to address these concerns and pave the way for a balanced and fair opportunity for all students.