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Original poster

What do you think would be the best choices? A Levels

38 replies

needmorespace · 30/08/2015 11:57

My dtr did extremely well in her GCSEs (four A* / four A / two B grades).
Unfortunately one of her B grades was in a subject she wanted to study at A level and now cannot do that (A grade was required). As it was Chemistry, this means that applying for medicine is now out of the question - at this stage at least.

We have therefore spent a lot of time this week trying to get our heads around how we juggle her A level choices.

She was originally going to take:
Maths, Chemistry, Biology and RS (but got Bs in Maths/Chemistry despite being predicted A*s). The maths has been regraded to an A grade so this is now not a problem.

When the results originally came through, she changed her options to:
Spanish, Biology, Physics and RE.

Now that her maths has been regraded we don't know whether to change the Physics to Maths or perhaps the Spanish to Maths - or to leave things as they are.

Does anyone have any advice? Even though medicine is out of the question she would still like to have a career in a health related field - perhaps nursing or midwifery.

Any ideas on what way to go forward.

OP posts:
Original poster
needmorespace · 30/08/2015 12:55

Sleepy exactly what I think - it is like a double whammy of the course content I think so lots of re-enforcing.
Arggghhhh - it is driving us demented.

OP posts:
Original poster
needmorespace · 30/08/2015 12:54

Daffydil That is exactly the issue I have. I can't see the point of Physics as a stand alone A level without Maths (especially if she doesn't go into a health related career).

Squad She is totally fixed on RE (I wish it wasn't the case!!). She did exceptionally well in her GSCE paper (100/100) and absolutely loves it.

If it were me I would edge her towards:
Maths, Physics, Biology and RE.

But I hear the niggling voice in my head about how hard Maths at A level is and how demoralising it would be to struggle.

OP posts:
SleepyForest · 30/08/2015 12:51

Don't attempt physics without maths, it makes it twice as hard.

SquadGoals · 30/08/2015 12:49

When selecting AS Levels, I was advised by a RG admissions tutor to select 3 core subjects which underpin each other and one for fun.

I ended up with 3 language and Psychology as the one I was really keen on.

Can she not do Maths, Physics, Biology and Spanish? Or is she fixed on RE?

Daffydil · 30/08/2015 12:45

I would really avoid physics without maths.

Original poster
needmorespace · 30/08/2015 12:43

The other thing of course is that Maths and Physics sort of underpin each other don't they so would that be too STEM like?

OP posts:
Original poster
needmorespace · 30/08/2015 12:41

Thanks so far...

Everyone has seconded the thoughts we have had over the last few days since the Maths was regraded.

It is a low A grade - she was one mark away from the boundary and gained two marks in a re-marking of her scripts. She was predicated an A*/A.

She is very good at Spanish - A - excellent accent and enjoys it (along with RS - A).

I think what we are trying to do (like everyone else I suppose) is keep her options open. I would be happy for her to do Physics (A grade) and Biology (A*) if it still enabled her to pursue a career in health which is what she wants to do.

But that Maths is a great enabling subject - I wonder if Physics is in the same way?

OP posts:
YeOldeTrout · 30/08/2015 12:38

There are lots of biomed degrees run by biology depts. catching the near-miss would-be medical school applicants. I'd look at entry requirements for those

FrancesOldhamKelseyRIP · 30/08/2015 12:24

How hard did she have to work for the Maths A grade? What does her teacher say? What's her natural aptitude and accent like in Spanish?

I'm asking because whilst Maths is a fabulously useful A Level, it isn't so useful if she hits the wall and ends up with an E amongst her lovely A grades, so you need to be a little bit cautious.

GloriaHotcakes · 30/08/2015 12:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TeenAndTween · 30/08/2015 12:16

Well, if she wanted to do medicine then it seems to me she could still do something else science related. So I agree with Daffy.

IguanaTail · 30/08/2015 12:05

Agree with Daffy

Daffydil · 30/08/2015 12:03

I'd stick with maths, physics, biology and one other. Lots of science options with that combo.

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