A Level Choices

[youngatheart1]

DS is in Year 11 and we recently attended a 6th form evening to start to prepare for A levels choices. DS wants to go into law and had virtually made his choices English Lit, History, Physics and either Spanish or German, but after a discussion with one of his teachers he has been told that unless he wants to study medicine and do 2 sciences, his science choice is a waste and he would be better doing both languages, he is top of the year in both, this seems a great idea to me as he really gets languages, he is 2nd in year in Latin and to my mind languages would help him work anywhere in the world. Am I right, are his choices good ones, will they get him into say Cambridge or Oxford, he is predicted 11A* at GCSE (not being a show off just how it is, not sure where he gets his talent from) his tutors believe he will have no problems continuing all 4 subjects as he has already started German AS level. I have tried to look up the best choices for Law and all suggest English and History but nothing else. Any guidance appreciated.

[skylark2]

A levels are a lot harder than GCSEs.

But there's a big difference between a child who works like stink to get a GCSE B (who will probably struggle at A level) and a child who coasts, doesn't revise as much as they should, doesn't read the paper properly, and still gets a GCSE B (who will be fine provided they pull their socks up).

[antimatter]

Re: studying degree and becoming a lawyer
from what I have been reading most important are 2 issues - he gets to choose degree where he can get highest degree (aiming at FIrst)
and is able to write very well in English

there was a thread few months ago where one of mumsnetters was explaining about importance of being able to write flawlessly in English by future lawyers

[notweeting]

DS did Maths, Physics, English &History. He had A* in all of them at GCSE. He found the maths the most time consuming almost to the detriment of his other subjects, so he dropped it. He went on to do law at imperial college.
He did try Oxford, but what they don't tell you at schools/colleges is that Oxford are not just seeking top grades, they want intuitive candidates who can think on the spot. There has to be a natural flair which a very small percentage of people have.

[Pumpkin14]

Not sure if this has already been said here, but I think that a mix of humanities (essay-based) and science/analytical subjects is preferred for Law applications. It demonstrates a range of skills. A language is great for Law too, since many Law degrees (including Cambridge and Oxford) have year abroad options. This also gives the possibility of following it up with a specialisation in European Law. Also, doing Physics at AS/A level without Maths isn't a problem at all, if the student has a strong foundation in Mathematics and enjoys the subject. The lack of Maths at A-level will not hamper success in Physics in any way.

[youngatheart1]

Thanks for the replies, beginning to understand now what we will be up against, DS is keen on the idea of the year abroad hence his language choices, his school is really great at getting the kids to be open and vocal and sometimes a little too opinionated, he has been in the debating society for the past couple of years and attended a debate at cambridge which he enjoyed and also attended a young lawyers course in the summer hols at london uni which cemented his choice of career path. We are keeping him grounded that Oxbridge may not suit him, his school does sort of push for these unis but he does understand there are other great ones out there.