AS dilemma - is 5 subjects too many??

[overthehill]

My ds did very well in her GCSEs (mixture of As and A*s) and thought she had put down to do 4 ASs (Eng Lit, History and Sociology at her school and French at partner school). When she got her timetable, however, she had been put down for French and German at the other school. She could do both and didn't have any great desire one way or the other, but the question is, is this wise and would she risk spoiling her chances of good grades/a good social life? She is likely to want to do English or History at university and is only just starting Sociology so this is a bit of an unknown quantity. Any advice gratefully received - thanks!

[Tigerstripes]

I would strongly advise against 5 AS levels. A very clever girl in my year 12 did five last year but consequently had no time to do the extra work I recommended her (she wants an A* in y subject - English). She did not get expected results in any of her AS subjects, including English.

[overthehill]

Update: dd went with dh to School B today as I found out by chance(no mention of it from dd's current school!) that they were having an open day: they strongly advised against five AS levels and also against 2 languages, saying that they would only recommend this in very rare cases eg if someone definitely wanted a career as an interpreter. They also said that most pupils dropped their 4th subject at A2 and felt that two languages (assuming that she kept up both of them) wouldn't demonstrate a broad range of skills. The usefulness of languages for communicating in other countries ie education rather than passing exams doesn't seem to be a factor, which I find a bit sad.

[Milliways]

My DD took Maths, Eng Lit, History, French & German AS levels and found it REALLY tough as she had no free periods and loads of homework/self study. SHe got 5 A grades but it was a real slog.

She reluctantly decided to drop History after AS and do 4 A2s as 4 essay subjects was an overload and she wanted to keep Maths as a "strong" subject.

[overthehill]

Your dd sounds a genius, Milliways, and congratulations to her!! I'm surprised you regard languages as essay subjects as I wouldn't have considered them as such but I guess it's different at A2. The thing about having no free periods also was bothering my dd as she wants to keep up with her friends too.

[Milliways]

Thanks! Maybe "essay" is the wrong term, but there was a lot of written work. She went on to a Language degree. Seems a long time ago as graduated this year and has just left home to start work.