What options might DS2 have?

[RosstopherGeller]

DS2 is Yr12. He developed severe anxiety in Yr11 (attendance was 50%). He's diagnosed ASD, also under CAMHS for anxiety and depression, now medicated (wasn't during GCSEs). His grades were lower than predicted but better than expected, given his mental health.

He wasn't allowed to do Chemistry as too low, tried Physics but has always hated it. School allowed him to drop it.

He's doing A Level Maths, and Biology. He's doing AS Further Maths but will be continuing on with it next year, so it will be a full A Level

He's very able at Maths and is predicted As
He really enjoys Biology but had a wobbly start. He's currently predicted a D.

I think it's possible he may be able to get a C in Biology.

The only person on either side of the family who went to university is my brother I've tried reading about how it works, but I'm not getting it.

To get to the point(!), what options might there be for him to go to university? Would anywhere accept him, or will he need to do an access course/another A Level?

Hi again,OP -

@Bunnyannesummers and I respond to many of the same posts, so she knows that I am Russell Group, or RG. That is a group comprising most but not all of the most research orientated universities in the UK.

Many RG universities are also highly ranked for teaching, but by no means all. And many, many other universities have pockets of research excellence. Nowadays we speak of
‘RG+’ because RG has formal membership and + is meant to denote equivalence. I think the + group will be growing!

I hope this helps a few people

I thought I'd update a bit. DS2s maths teacher rang me just to express how well DS2 is doing. She said in her and head of maths opinion, he's the most able maths pupil the school has ever had, and he should comfortably get A/A*. We had a long chat about university and she was also the first to go in her family, so that was really helpful.

Biology he has been struggling with the practicals so he's dropped them now, apparently won't effect his grade. He has Essential Tremors which causes extreme shaking. He does really enjoy the subject in itself, particularly around genetics.

He's got UniFrog access so we'll be looking at that. The school also provides a lot of support with writing the UCAS personal statement.

In himself he seems quite excited about the prospect of going to university, so we'll go with it.

Thanks for all the input, it's really helped me get my head around things

Biology he has been struggling with the practicals so he's dropped them now, apparently won't effect his grade. He has Essential Tremors which causes extreme shaking.

@RosstopherGeller is he being officially exempted from the practical endorsement on the grounds of the tremors, or just not attempting the practical assessments? It may not be univetsal, but included in quite a number of universities' entry requirements that I have seen is the requirement to have passed the practical endorsement for science subjects.

Hi All, before being quite so dismissive of AS kids at Uni away from home - it can work.

DS is diagnosed, crashed out of first year after spending the first 6 weeks of his fresher term in COVID self isolation. He graduated a couple of weeks ago.

It's never easy of course, but not impossible.

Great post, @Eightypercent Congratulations to your DS

@MarchingFrogs I've confused things, he'll be doing a maths degree (if he goes) but hopefully dropping the practical element will help raise his Biology grade, as it was making him anxious.

DS2 doesn't have the option of a local university (they don't offer anything vaguely suitable), which in some ways makes it easier, because there's no choice.

Congratulations to your DS @Eightypercent. We're not expecting smooth sailing for DS2 but generally feel it's the right route for him

@RosstopherGeller thank you, as you say it's not plain sailing. He's just got to find a job now!!! 😔

It's funny how once he's "cracked" something he's off and flying, it just takes a few years and lots of bumps along the way.

Thanks for the updates, OP. I am glad DS has decided to go with his (substantial) strengths.

OP, I think you may have been misled a bit with regard to the AS. Once upon a time, they were half an A-level but they’re not anymore- they’re a standalone qualification so even if your son does do the A2 next year for Further Maths, this will NOT count as an A level. He will have 2 A levels and 2 AS levels. Universities do not count 2 AS levels as the equivalent of an A level. You need to speak to the careers officer at his school/college about which institutions will consider fewer than 3 A levels because that’s effectively what he will have

OP, I think you may have been misled a bit with regard to the AS. Once upon a time, they were half an A-level but they’re not anymore- they’re a standalone qualification so even if your son does do the A2 next year for Further Maths, this will NOT count as an A level

No you've misunderstood. A level maths and FM are commonly taught (and probably many other subjects) the AS syllabus in year 12, then the A2 syllabus in year 13. The final A level exam is taken at the end of year 13 and will cover both years syllabus.

Great update re the maths @RosstopherGeller

I would check this with the universities about biology though.
@MarchingFrogs is correct. Even though your DS isn't planning on studying a degree with biology in universities often ask for a pass in the practical element as well.

I haven’t. AS is a one year course only, though it covers at least 30% of the A level course. You take an exam at the end and get an AS qualification. This cannot be used towards an A level. If no exam is taken, the student is in fact doing the A level course for which the exam is taken at the end of 2 years. Schools can choose to teach 50% of the A level then if the student doesn’t wish to continue, they can take the AS qualification at the end of that first year. They would not be able to change their mind though and have half of their A level ‘banked’ the next year. It doesn’t really matter here, though, as the OP’s son is doing A level Further Maths by the sounds of things

Sorry for any confusion- DS2 will be sitting Futher Maths as a full A Level next year. Apparently they stopped doing FM a little while ago and have been doing standard A Level maths, but resume FM in Yr13. At his school those doing it as an AS will take it in Yr13 too.

I'm not really sure on the Biology practical - he was told it was just a box ticked whether with or without practical- but he just can't manage it. He's predicted A* in Maths and FM, Biology is yet to be revealed, but I would guess at a C. I suppose if the practical is an issue, then it wouldn't be the right course for him.

In view of your DS’s talent in maths and interest in biology he may later be drawn to bioinformatics as a career. If he is to do a maths degree then look at look at those with modules that interface with biological mathematics and develop his computational skills. Better still if there are course options allowing modules in biology.