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Original poster

Will choosing a non-academic subject at GCSE go against dd if she applies to do something like medicine in the future?

69 replies

BitOfFun · 04/02/2010 17:31

She is a bright girl, won the History prize in year 8 of her state comp, and is now deciding on her options. She will do all the sciences, but the choice she is having trouble with is History versus Textiles.

Pros for Textiles- it's enjoyable, her friends are doing it, she will probably do quite well, and it's the only "creative" subject she would be doing.

Pros for History- she's really good at it, it's good for general knowledge, it's a solid academic subject. On the downside, she hasn't enjoyed the topics much this year, which will be focussed on further next year, and she finds the teacher she'll have a bit dull and uninspiring.

So, I have told her I will harness the wisdom of mumsnet for some perspectives- particularly if anyone knows if choice of GCSEs impacts on University options further down the line...

TIA

OP posts:
CrowAndAlice · 04/02/2010 17:42

DH did Biochemistry and has a PHD (not a medical Dr but in research iyswim). He did technical design as his 'filler' GCSE (it involved designing the ideal pen, colour charts etc.) and enjoyed the break of something totally different to his intensive science & languages.

CrowAndAlice · 04/02/2010 17:44

Can't use myself as an example i'm afraid as i was more of an arts / history type of a girl.

TrillianAstra · 04/02/2010 17:44

Depends how many more GCSEs she's doing. I imagine the answer is 'lots'.

As long as she has good grades in Maths/Sciece/English then there's no reason why one creative subject would be a problem.

If she does decide to go for medicine it's the A-levels and volunteer/weekend work that will be more important.

GothDetective · 04/02/2010 17:52

Textiles might be good suturing practice.

I really don't think it would matter, would at a-level but not gcse.

Bonsoir · 04/02/2010 17:55

Can you list all the GCSEs she is doing?

Original poster
BitOfFun · 04/02/2010 18:00

I think she's doing double english, maths, all three sciences, french, IT, RE, PE and PSE. And now has t pick between history and textiles.

OP posts:
Bonsoir · 04/02/2010 18:04

TBH, I think history and (preferably)/or geography are really important subjects for life and understanding the world around us, and I would be very wary of a child doing neither.

Can she not drop one or more of IT/RE/PE/PSE and do history, geography and textiles? Would be more interesting and more fun IMVHO.

Piffle · 04/02/2010 18:07

IT is usually compulsory as is RE... both at my sons school, are 1/2 courses

DS1 was advised by the Oxbridge visiting/recruiting team to his school about what to do for GCSES for Oxbridge and soft subjects were told to be avoided as so many excellent students have 3/4 A's or A*'s at A Level

Original poster
BitOfFun · 04/02/2010 18:07

Well the way it works is, she has to take all the above subjects and then has two options. She has already decided to use one her options as an extra science so she is doing three instead of two. And now she has one option left.

OP posts:
Bonsoir · 04/02/2010 18:10

Oh I see. Not exactly flexible, is it?

Is she very creative/artistic?

Original poster
BitOfFun · 04/02/2010 18:13

The bugger is that PE is also compulsory as the school is a specialist sports college (ie it gets hi-falutin' funding for making a big deal out of PE). I have to say I agree with Bonsoir myself, but I don't want her to feel that I've pressurised her into my own preference. Personally, I think History is a pretty core topic for avoiding general numptiness in later life- but what do I know? I'm only her mother

OP posts:
Original poster
BitOfFun · 04/02/2010 18:15

Bonsoir, she is quite academic raelly, but good at design work and writing ideas up, if a bit cack-handed at the practical excecution, iyswim...I know this is my PFB we are talking about, but I gotta be honest

OP posts:
Bonsoir · 04/02/2010 18:17

I think that, if she wants to study a very competitive subject at university, she would be much better off doing history than textiles.

Can you promise her a creative type holiday course or set her up with some work experience in a creative field in order to "bribe" her into choosing history?

seeker · 04/02/2010 18:20

Awful to only have 2 choices. Dd has 4 - but one has to be a language. And awful to have to do RE - dd has to do it but it's not examined and it doesn't count as an option. her school has just made ICT non compulsory as well.

For what it's worth, I'd let ehr do it if she really likes it. It looks like a really good course!

Original poster
BitOfFun · 04/02/2010 18:21

I'll work on it

OP posts:
lazymumofteenagesons · 04/02/2010 18:40

IT, PE and PSE are usually the options subjects. RE is good, but instead of the first 3 she should be doing history/geog/another language/art.
Why do they make them do such odd subjects.

Other medical applicants will have a string of A* GCSEs in the traditional academic subjects. I know it sounds tough but that is what she will be up against and they will look at the subjects, not just the grades.

Docbunches · 04/02/2010 18:40

My head tends to slightly agree with Bonsoir on this... although my heart would say let her do Textiles if that's what she really wants.

My own DD has to choose in a few months and she's only in Y8. She is desperate to be a lawyer (at the moment) and therefore her four options are probably going to be Geography, History, French and German as she feels that they will give her the best chance of good grades (as opposed to Textiles or Art which she quite likes but is not amazing at). She would like to do Dance instead of German, and I would happily let her, but her school don't currently offer GCSE Dance.

On the other hand, my DS in Y10, chose French over Graphics as an option and bitterly regrets it, even though we didn't force him and he is quite good at French.

So it's really hard to know what to do for the best and you have my complete sympathy.

lazymumofteenagesons · 04/02/2010 18:42

Actually - what is PSE ??

Original poster
BitOfFun · 04/02/2010 18:50

I don't think PSE is a proper subject...Personal Social Education...no exam or qualification, sit around watching DVDs kinda-thing!

OP posts:
MmeBlueberry · 04/02/2010 18:51

As the OP says, there are pros and cons.

History is a good subject because it requires critical thinking and analysis of evidence. It also requires a certain amount of memorisation. These are all important skills for a future doctor.

Textiles is also a good subject. It shows planning, perseverance, self-evaluation and fine motor skills.

On balance, I would opt for history, but not if your dd genuinely doesn't like it.

The most important thing is to get at least 7 A at GCSE (an A in textiles is better than a B in history). She can then make sure that her A-levels are the right ones.

GothDetective · 04/02/2010 18:53

After seeing other GCSEs then I think he should do history. Agree that PE, RE, PSE and even IT won't be viewed as strong GCSE subjects. So thats 4 already.

Intergalactic · 04/02/2010 18:55

I haven't read the whole thread but - when I did my GCSE's in 1999, I really wanted to do Media Studies and was also keen to continue with Latin. The way the school timetable was structured, this meant that I couldn't take History or Geography. Also, it was compulsory to do a design subject so I had to do Food Tech (not sure if it was compulsory across the board or just at my school?).

I went on to do Maths, Further Maths, English Lit, RS and General Studies at A-level, got four As and went to Cambridge. So, on my experience, I don't think that GCSE choices are that big a deal. I think as long as she has the maths, english and sciences, after that they will just be looking at the total number at each grade. And I think having a good mix and something creative that you are passionate about can be important.

Having said that, I do find my lack of historical knowledge embarassing. I had to confess to DH a couple of years ago that I didn't know if Stalin was a goodie or a baddie.

gerontius · 04/02/2010 18:56

It might be better to pick History now, just so that she is able to do it at A-level if she ever comes round to liking it.....

lazymumofteenagesons · 04/02/2010 18:57

MmmeB - to enter something as competitive as medicine they will look at the GCSE subjects. You don't need more than one practical subject, the rest should be the 'traditional' academic subjects, RE is included in this. The other applicants will have the core subjects plus a selection of history/geog/languages. You can have extra practical ones, but you have to have the base.

TidyBush · 04/02/2010 19:03

Does she actually want to do something like medicine at uni though?

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