GCSE Options.....feel sorry for DD

I can't recall specifics now, but she checked it at the time and re-did her physics. Apart from anything else, studying the subject in more depth can only be useful if someone wishes to pursue a career in any kind of science - they're all related.

I'm currently looking at medical school requirements for a mentee - some of them specify a number of GCSE points from a limited range of subjects so triple science would be a huge advantage there. I also found one school specifying that they must have a grade C in a MFL GCSE for medicine! That was quite a surprise.

I'm sure you're right bertrand-and I'm sure that's why unis don't require triple science GCSEs, even for medicine and vet medicine.

Just noticed a correction to my post about failed to post. It should say for vet med unis require a/b's in maths and science (at least double award) depending on exactly which uni it is.

Anyone thinking of doing science a levels should do triple if they can, but it isn't strictly necessary.

Wouldn't it be discriminatory to ask for qualifications that many kids aren't in a position to get? Particularly as disadvantaged children are more likely to go to schools that only do double science?

Which universities bubs? All the courses I've looked at require an A in GCSE maths and either an A in physics or double award science of the student isn't doing a level physics. Not all schools offer triple science GCSE so I'd be very surprised if physics GCSE was on the entry criteria.

I respectfully disagree- triple science definitely keeps more options open. Some universities for example may specify that if Physics is not offered at A-level then a candidate must have at least a B in the subject at GCSE level. I've had students come to me for work experience hoping to study veterinary medicine at university, only for me to point out that they don't meet the entry requirements without that physics GCSE. One student ended up doing it in their own time alongside AS levels.

triple science keeps no extra options open...both double and triple science contain all 3 sciences. The question is will she cope with the triple science workload on top of the new GCSE changes. If yes go for it.

I think that triple science will keep more options open for her, than another arty or humanities subject.

So, then it definitely sounds like the OP should follow this "recipe" when faced with a form and an intimidating choice.

"I presume these schools have sussed out how to keep children's options open. That means maths, english, triple, science, a MFL, a humanities subject and a social science subject. Is she willing to do that? I think it sounds like a lot of work, but probably worth it if she is motivated and capable."

But that's broadly what top set kids do in most schools- some don't do a MFL and some do double instead of triple science. But that is a perfectly normal workload.

Hi Verbena, your post is interesting. So I thought, if you were at some of the most prestigious schools, where they would really guide your DD, what would they be advising? So, I looked up NCLS, JAGS, CLSG, SPGS, and HBS to see what their GCSE advice/rules were. I couldn't find any info from NCLS and JAGS, but I did find a common trend in the other three, which may or may not be helpful to your DD (I assume working in zoos is pretty sought after, so the courses will be competitive.)

CLSG:
Girls encouraged to take 10 GCSEs
Must take: English, English Literature, Maths, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, one MFL and one Humanities subject.

SPGS:
Girls encouraged to take 11 GCSEs
Must take: English, English Literature, Maths, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, one MFL.

HBS:
Girls encouraged to take 11 GCSEs
Must take: English, English Literature, Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, one MFL, either Geography or History, and one creative subject (Drama, Music, Art or Design and Technology).

I presume these schools have sussed out how to keep children's options open. That means maths, english, triple, science, a MFL, a humanities subject and a social science subject. Is she willing to do that? I think it sounds like a lot of work, but probably worth it if she is motivated and capable.

"it's very hard to choose which GCSE path to take unless you pretty much choose your career now!"

I don't agree. Surely everyone doing GCSEs will take maths, English and either double or triple science? So unless you specifically want to be a linguist or a historian, the other subjects you take don't matter that much- the core group will open most doors.

It's not just about being accepted onto the course you want either. Having a reasonable level of chemistry knowledge makes learning about and understanding lots if aspects of biology much easier. Even if you are accepted onto a course you can find lack of knowledge (maths in my case but chemistry for some of my year) limits your options, or at the very least makes life harder than it needs to be. "X for biologists" type courses are better than nothing but don't really fill the gap ime.

it's very hard to choose which GCSE path to take unless you pretty much choose your career now!

I don't think that this is true if you are good at/like science. If you do science GCSEs and A levels you can still do things like law at university. The same doesn't hold true for say doing law and history A levels, and then wanting to study medicine or pharmacy. If she has the capability and interest in triple science, I'd suggest she does it.

As others have said, science is never a waste. Life is much easier if you are good at it as it keeps more doors open to you.

Ds1 wants to be a vet. The universities we have spoken to are saying, chemistry, biology and maths or physics for Alevel. Triple science will give a better foundation than double from what we have been advised.

You do need to be super careful. The course requirements the universities issue are minumum requirements. You need to think about who you will be competing against, especially on popular courses.

DD is looking at enviromental science, sport science, marine biology and physiotherapy, none of which require chemistry. But the OP needs to look at the uni websites themselves to check exactly what the unis are asking for animal science NOW rather than historically. I also was pushed to take all sciences and maths at A level many years ago but things have changed now and biology as a single science A level is far more acceptable.

Suffolkgirl1 no you don't HAVE to take a level chemistry with biology (i didn't) but you will find you can't go down many science degree routes with just biology. you'll be sent down a bio-geography route at best. fine if you don't want to do science of course but not if you want to do a biological science at university.

A level Geography is considered a science for a lot of degrees (not medicine!)

Agree triple science is never a waste. DD is taking Biology, geography and economics at A level, no problem with any of the sixth forms she looked at, and considered a good combination for the degrees she is considering, so you do not have to take A level chemistry with Biology.

You don't need 10 academic subjects! You don't, I agree, need more than 10 GCSEs, but they don't need to be all academic.

I would question whether Media studies should be classed as non academic anyway.

I don't either. I think some people have picked up the facile "any subject with "studies" in the title isn't worth the paper it's written on" idea.

DS is doing media studies- it involves analysing, thinking, discussing and essay writing. And it's a lot of fun. What's not to like?

Frankly, once you've ticked off English and maths and for those that want to do A levels, the subjects they want to carry forward, it's grades rather than subjects that are important at GCSE level. Depending on what they want to do, some kids just need evidence that they've turned up for the exam and stayed til the end, some need Cs and some need As.

The OP's DD is already considering a broad spectrum of GCSE's, from what I read above! It is not bring sniffy to say that 10 adademic subjects is just fine and you do not need 11 or 12 by adding Media Studies and another similar subject if you are already doing English Language and English Literature. Even a Maths geek will be doing 9 other subjects! No doubt children enjoy it, but it does take teaching time away from other subjects, which, for some children, could be vital. Many schools are now concentrating on the core subjects and other choices which are all taken at the end of year 11. Schools are actively discouraged from early GCSE entries, especially for children who need to spend the time on core subjects to improve their grades. An early GCSE with a C grade isn't of use nor ornament, whatever the subject. Although no doubt the children above all got A*s.

DD1 (maths geek) did Media Studies GCSE in Y9, and much to her amazement really enjoyed it (despite it not being maths ) - it gave her a practical insight into advertising lies and misleading statistics. It also reinforced the "give it a go, you might actually like it" message we'd been ramming down her throat since she was about 4, and meant she was more willing to try things she ended up loving. I don't get the sniffiness about Media Studies.

"I cannot see the point of all the Media Studies and other non essential GCSEs. Who needs them?"

Interest? Fun? A broad spread of subjects?

My DD did triple science for GCSE and then not a single science for A level as she preferred Languages and History and Politics. Doing triple science was what the top set did irrespective of A level choices or future career routes. She is now doing Law. The best advice is to check out the courses she may want to do and work back. If she no longer wants animal sciences later on, triple science never did anyone any harm! She will still have English, Geography and other subjects available. I cannot see the point of all the Media Studies and other non essential GCSEs. Who needs them? 10 GCSEs at top grades is always better than 12 GCSEs at B grades.