DD - difficult A'level choice - please help

(Obviously university applications aren't for a while, but I'm trying to show that the subjects work well together and there are future opportunities with them).

DD1's school does IB. DD1 is already indicating (in Y8) that she would prefer to focus on three subjects and so go elsewhere to do A Levels in y12. I'm asking her to keep her mind open to all possibilities at the moment but she has a definite leaning to Drama. I'd be really happy for her to pursue this though she is capable of doing well in more traditional academic subjects.

There are some interesting combined degrees out there.

Music with Political Studies BA at Royal Holloway

Liberal Arts BA Hons at King's College London - you choose modules from 14 subject options which include French, History, Music, Politics and others

Or any combination of two from the above four subjects will have many universities offering courses. There is so much choice these days compared to what I remember! The combination she's thinking of is a strong set of subjects.

I do understand your concerns and see no problem with giving your DD ideas to think about. I certainly didn't realise all the choices which were available at that age.

From this year most seem to be offering 3.

DD15 is applying for 3 local 6th forms - only 1 - a grammar school - is offering 4 (with no option for AS) and most of the children are expected to drop one of the 4 during the first year.

I took French history and English.
I now work overeseas for an international organization and earn around GBP 200.000 per year.

Please don't worry about her chances of employment and let her choose what she wants to study.

(I should say that DS2 is no dimmer than DS1, so I don't think it's personal judgement of the student that's the issue here.)

Are many sixth forms still doing four A-levels, or three plus an AS? Ours seems very resistant to the idea for DS2 (despite it being completely standard three years back, when DS1 was choosing).

I'm told that the change to linear A-levels plus changes to the funding model mean that 'most' schools are now only offering three. Would be good to know to what extent this is bollocks before going to the 6th-form interviews shortly...

My son chose Maths, Economics and Politics, thinking Politics would be quite an easy option. It isn't. And he likes Maths and found it easy at GCSE but admits it is hard at A Level - luckily he has a good teacher. A Levels are such a huge step up from GCSEs that if you don't really like the subject you will find it really hard to apply yourself to the degree that you need to get a good grade. And Economics degrees (or at least the ones DS applied for at Russell Universities) have a very high entry requirement with an A in maths being standard and either another A* and A or an A and a B if contextual. I think Music, History and French is a very well rounded set of choices and if she enjoys them she will study harder and do better. There are so many courses at Universities that I am sure she will find the right one when the time comes. Best of luck to her.

All A levels are 'hard' which is why is it absolutely vital that students take subjects they like and feel comfortable with. Pushy parents who coerce their dc in to taking STEM have got a lot to answer for IMO.

History and French are excellent subjects which are highly regarded by all RGUs. So what's the issue OP? let her do the ones she wants to do. If you force her to do maths you - and she, more to the point - will regret it.

I did two of those subjects and managed to get a pretty respectable professional qualification and job so it will hardly make her unemployable or unable to afford to live!

FWIW, my father tried very hard to push me into Economics and I resisted because it was his choice not mine! Presumably the school/Sixth Form will have a parents' evening when you and your DD can talk about the options and what the subjects entail?

It's always frustrating dealing with teenagers making decisions like this. It's inevitable that someone older will think (know!) they know what would be better. All you can do is advise and then step back. If she doesn't spend enough time on French, she won't get a good grade. All you can do is tell her that. There are tons of French resources online now - there's really no excuse for her not doing enough. It's the same with music - if she thinks she's just going to stick to the syllabus, she won't get a great grade.

I'm so glad this time has passed for my children!

But I am concerned that if she doesn't feel she is a natural in maths, that might mean she doesn't end up with a high grade

Nevermind the grades, (my older two have both just done it one after the other), the workload is brutal. They got good grades but I was quite worried about the health of one of them near the end, just through late nights, and that was a keen student.

When posters are saying "hard", they really do mean extremely hard. If she's not brilliant at Maths and champing at the bit to do it, it's not worth even considering.

Please listen.

Her choices sound fine, of the three music is least useful unless she wishes to pursue it but of course learning is about much more than that.

Economics is hard IMO and very marmite, big risk taking it with no prior interest or experience with it. Many people who like and are good at maths dislike economics!

What kick-started DD's Spanish AS was doing a 3 week residential language camp in Spain after GCSEs. Perhaps you could look into something similar for French if she goes ahead. (££ though).

These are fine. Employers want good grades and many look beyond the subjects at life experiences. History and French definitely seen as solid subjects esp for law. Music is respected too. Maths at a C grade won’t be seen as positive as an A in Music.

@ Titchy

If you were going to try to talk her out of anything I would have thought that music would be the one to change. But as she is adamant on doing that I really can't see anything wrong with the other 2.

Yes maths is useful, but only if she will enjoy doing it and trying to do well. She should get reasonably competent at French by doing it for A level surely? DD did Spanish AS and can quite happily converse with Spanish speakers confidently.

It's all very well trying to keep every door open, but A levels are by their very nature specialised. You can advise, but shouldn't be arm twisting unless she's making a major mistake (such as doing 3 unrelated subjects, or subjects she'll be dire at).

She's also quite keen on living in a house, eating food, going on holidays. All things that she will very soon need to facilitate for herself.

Ah right. Didn't realise that. Yes of course she should be doing Maths and Economics A levels, followed by an Economics degree. As it's a well known fact that graduates of other subjects are unable to afford rent, food and holidays...

Stop being over involved and obsessing about the future...it's no wonder teenagers get so stressed these days!! Let her choose what she enjoys and she will be fine, now and in the future...your obsessing and stressing (if you are like this in front of your daughter), is more likely to have a negative impact on her than these subject choices...

I think a Maths A level would be useful to any student, but then it's only useful if you get a good grade. The leap from GCSE to A level is really high. Unless she got almost 100% at GCSE it's unlikely she'd get a top grade at A level. If she's applying to Cambridge she can't afford to get a low grade.

I think she's got three good subjects there and should focus on widening her learning relating to those subjects rather than taking on a fourth.