Keep options open with A levels in Maths, Physics, Biology and.. ?

[O2HaveALittleHouse]

Hi,
I have a year 11 DC who wants to keep her options open because she really doesn't know what she wants to do yet (August born so very young!). For university she is thinking of engineering, physics or possibly IT but has no real focus at this point.
She enjoys physics (predicted 9), maths (8), biology (9) and would like to do a 4th subject even though it's not that common at her state school. She doesn't really like chemistry having had poor teachers from the start and really likes history (predicted 9).
Her state school isn't great at careers advice and have said the above choices are great for either engineering or science but some googling suggests she should also do further maths for physics or computer science at the top tier universities like Imperial, Oxbridge and Durham. Likewise without chemistry, Biology is off the cards at most universities. I am worried her school are giving her poor advice. There have been no parent teacher meetings or A level choice seminars so I can't ask any questions.

So would she be better doing history because she loves it (as do I!) or taking chemistry to keep her options option in future?

It depends what you want to study. Psychology isn’t useful for Engineering!

There are not many Environmental Engineering stand-alone degrees. The engineers DH employs as environmental engineers have civil engineering degrees and qualifications, mostly. I think one initially did general engineering. Anyone interested in this field can specialise if they wish without doing a specific environmental engineering degree - which is a relatively modern addition to the engineering degree menu!

"It depends what you want to study. Psychology isn’t useful for Engineering!" Yes that is true but...

In my opinion some subjects are useful for "life" while others are mainly of use for a specific uni course. But then I don't like the English school system anyway which is so narrow.

Do Universities really not take into account all 4 A levels? I understand that offers are generally based on achieving 3 A star or whatever grades, but I wonder if these might be a little lower to take account the higher workload?

My dc took 4 A levels (not including FM) and she received relatively 'easy' offers. Lower than those of her friends who did 3 A levels. So perhaps the Unis liked the breadth of the 4 subjects?

@blubells

Do Universities really not take into account all 4 A levels? I understand that offers are generally based on achieving 3 A star or whatever grades, but I wonder if these might be a little lower to take account the higher workload?

My dc took 4 A levels (not including FM) and she received relatively 'easy' offers. Lower than those of her friends who did 3 A levels. So perhaps the Unis liked the breadth of the 4 subjects?

I believe that that is not the case. Well done to your dd but maybe it was due to other factors tbh.

That's interesting, @blubells. I have heard of Schools making attractive offers to lure attractive students, so I wonder with @clary whether other factors were involved.

With linear exams, four A-Levels pending is unlikely to be the deciding factor on a three A-Level offer by cynical old admissions tutors unless the university and the pupil's school have such a close relationship that the university is confident all four exams will be sat. An Imperial admissions tutor once told me that this is why when four A-Levels are presented, the offer is made on all four. (Admissions tutors miss AS certification which allowed for more subtle offers.)

*@TizerorFizz, thank you for the clarification about Env/Civil Eng.

I do agree with all the PPs who have pointed out that Maths and FM
are mutually reinforcing and Maths, FM (with Mechanics) and Physics
even more so. At this point, if OP's DD is going to stick with three A-Levels I think it is a question of what she will enjoy most.

I’ll type that again!! Oxford wanted 3 of DDs 4 A levels to be AAA. They didn’t ask for AAAA or AABB. They wanted 3 and specified 2 of the subjects.

Oxford has a different approach to Cambridge, and Cambridge appears to take a different approach for STEM compared with humanities.

Did this daughter apply for engineering. If so how recently. The landscapehas changed, not least with increasedinterest from international students.

@TizerorFizz that's interesting. I wonder whether the implication is that three A-Levels would have sufficed?

OP,

An argument I don't remember seeing for doing just three A-Levels is that it gives the pupil a greater chance to keep up with her studies week by week with time remaining for the external activities she values. (This is a good time to acquire a sport, hobby, pastime or volunteering activity if she doesn't have one. That is a great way to break the ice at uni.)

My best approach with anxious personal tutees at uni was always to get them to focus on achieving their best week by week (reasonably interpreted, whilst discouraging perfectionism) but making sure also to have external activities for balance. This way they end up with better course marks than if they focus on a certain mark as the goal, and they carry over the knowledge they need going forward more effectively.

I feel sure the same is true for A-Level study. Furthermore, it sounds like your DD will gain confidence if she begins uni with a very strong grasp of the material from any required/recommended A-Level subject - and she has the ability to acquire that. Consistent, serious but relaxed learning is the best path to this goal. The fourth A-Level adds stress for most pupils though I am not implying your DD would necessarily be one of them.

My eldest is studying Physics. He did 4 A levels, Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Chemistry. He says the first three worked well
together, lots of cross over skills and knowledge. My youngest is doing very similar, swapping Chemistry for Biology. He loves biology and sees it as his bonus subject. He’s hoping to study Maths at university. I’m aware of lots of students, including one studying Geography at Cambridge, who are reading a subject that they did not take at A level. Sometimes, I think, we get too caught up in their A level choices and think they’ll restrict their university choice. My advice is have one eye on the future but don’t over think it. It’s always possible to pick up another A level, post school and pre Uni, at college if they suddenly realise their dream course insists on a specific subject.