In reality, can you get into Uni with 2 A Levels and 1 AS?

[fairywoods]

My DS got really mixed AS results and is now continuing with just 2 A2s and retaking 1 AS. At the moment I would anticipate his results next summer being B and C for A2s and B for AS. Frustratingly, it's not lack of ability but lack of effort and drive. He has no idea what he wants to do after school (currently not interested in Uni). His strengths lie in Art and Maths, but he doesn't want to do something like an Art & Design or Graphic Design foundation course. He's unmotivated and I'm at a loss as to how to help him. All his friends are applying to Uni and if he changes his mind and decides he would like to apply is there any chance with only 2 A Levels and 1 AS? (or could he top them up with an additional year at college if he actually becomes interested in an Art foundation course?). He doesn't even want to think about the next step after school. We've suggested college, apprenticeships, even looking for a job, but when we try to get him to talk it through he just buries his head in the sand.

I would say yes he will, obviously he won't have such a choice of places or subjects.

Fairy - he sounds just like my ds1. There's an almost impossible line to tread between not letting them continue to drift, but not making them jump into something which isn't right for them because, "they've got to do something".

My ds1 also ended up with 2 x A2 (D and E) and 2 x AS (D and E). He picked the hardest A Levels, including maths and physics, but wasn't really interested and didn't apply himself. He's got a ridiculous number of GCSEs but then lost what little interest he had in school. He did start a college course which we didn't push him into but DH suggested so DS1 just went along with it to keep the peace. But it wasn't for him. Two years later he's working in a bar whilst DS2, who is no brighter, is off to uni brandishing his A/A* grades.

If he's not running to keep up with the UCAS bandwaggon, could you let him just get his A levels then take some time to find out what he might want to do. I think as long as they're doing something they're developing life skills, earning a bit of money etc that's ok. Friends regularly tell me that it's not unusual for boys to be like this in their late teens/early twenties and then something clicks. I'm pinning my hopes on that!

To answer your original question, I'm sure he could do a foundation year at university and then do a degree - if he wanted to. But does he want to? No point if he doesn't.

stonecircle Thank you so much for your kind, understanding reply. It's just what I needed to hear. I've been coming round to the thought that maybe my DS needs to muddle through these A Levels and then get some sort of job (unless he's self motivated to do a college course). Maybe it's not that unusual for him to have no idea of what he wants to do next and there's no point pushing him to Uni if he's only going to drop out or run up a lot of debt for a mediocre degree. It's just very hard when literally everyone else in his year is going to Uni and I feel I've failed him in some way. Thanks again for your support.

As someone who works in HE (lecturer) and sees the fall-out of kids who've been pushed into degrees they don't actually want to do, my advice is to let him figure this out for himself. There's no reason why he can't do more/ retake A-levels in a few years, after a year or two out working (most likely in unskilled work, like shop or bar work) and seeing what that's like. There are also other routes into uni at a later date, such as access courses, etc.

He shouldn't go to university unless it's a positive decision. Certainly not because HE can't think of anything better to do, and YOU feel he "needs" to go.

No one needs to go to university. They should go because it's the actual thing that they want to do, rather than anything else.

Apart from other considerations, I don't want to reach students who lack drive and a basic desire to be there, and I certainly cannot inflict a student like that on other committed students in group work, and general seminar discussions.

You say his A Levels are as they are not because he's not capable, but because he lacks drive. Sorry, but from the outside, his A Levels at the moment do reflect his capabilities. Drive & application, hard work & commitment, are all part of "ability."

A properly productive gap year, working for NMW if necessary, should give him some time to mature and work out what HE really wants to do. Sometimes young people just need to get off the treadmill. They are over-examined and pushed by our current system so I'm not surprised he's lost direction. I think that sometimes, they just need a break.

Fairy - DS1 was at a grammar school so, like with your ds everyone was applying to university. It was clear after his AS results that he wasn't going to be one of them, but school still made him go through the motions of writing a personal statement and getting it approved by them - 'in case he needed it later' . I was so sad on his behalf. I blame myself for pushing him into a selective school. With hindsight it was completely the wrong place for him and he may have done better somewhere where he didn't feel bottom of the heap.

He's actually in a good place at the moment. He enjoys his bar job (has been made bar manager!), has a lovely girlfriend and money in his pocket to travel and go out. Better that than continuing to beat his head against the educational brick wall!

City and Multi thanks for your honest replies and for suggesting my DS could go back into education at a later date. I do agree he needs to figure things out himself and perhaps a job and time out is the answer rather than wasting time at college (if it's not where he wants to be). I'm certainly not pushing him to Uni, just trying to work out options.

Thank you stonecircle for your understanding, it sounds like you've been in a very similar situation. My DS wanted to stay on for A Levels (mainly I think because it's the normal route at his school and he got very good GCSEs). As you know, it's a bit tough with everyone else focused on Uni and writing personal statements. But, it's really good to hear your son is doing well now and enjoying life - fingers crossed it will work out for my DS too!