GCSE Options.....feel sorry for DD

[Verbena37]

DD is in year 9 and we have their options evening tonight. We've already had the literature for each subject along with the form and DD is so anxious and stressed about it all now.

So their form says choose one from option A (geog, hist or triple science) and three from option B and a reserve. Bless her, she just doesn't know what she really wants to do with her life but if she chooses one path (relating to zoos), she would need A level biology and to take triple science. If she doesn't go down the zoo route, she won't need to take triple. But how on earth, aged 13, are they supposed to know.

We are telling her to try and keep it as broad as possible but it's very hard to choose which GCSE path to take unless you pretty much choose your career now!

it's very hard to choose which GCSE path to take unless you pretty much choose your career now!

I don't think that this is true if you are good at/like science. If you do science GCSEs and A levels you can still do things like law at university. The same doesn't hold true for say doing law and history A levels, and then wanting to study medicine or pharmacy. If she has the capability and interest in triple science, I'd suggest she does it.

As others have said, science is never a waste. Life is much easier if you are good at it as it keeps more doors open to you.

It's not just about being accepted onto the course you want either. Having a reasonable level of chemistry knowledge makes learning about and understanding lots if aspects of biology much easier. Even if you are accepted onto a course you can find lack of knowledge (maths in my case but chemistry for some of my year) limits your options, or at the very least makes life harder than it needs to be. "X for biologists" type courses are better than nothing but don't really fill the gap ime.

"it's very hard to choose which GCSE path to take unless you pretty much choose your career now!"

I don't agree. Surely everyone doing GCSEs will take maths, English and either double or triple science? So unless you specifically want to be a linguist or a historian, the other subjects you take don't matter that much- the core group will open most doors.

Hi Verbena, your post is interesting. So I thought, if you were at some of the most prestigious schools, where they would really guide your DD, what would they be advising? So, I looked up NCLS, JAGS, CLSG, SPGS, and HBS to see what their GCSE advice/rules were. I couldn't find any info from NCLS and JAGS, but I did find a common trend in the other three, which may or may not be helpful to your DD (I assume working in zoos is pretty sought after, so the courses will be competitive.)

CLSG:
Girls encouraged to take 10 GCSEs
Must take: English, English Literature, Maths, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, one MFL and one Humanities subject.

SPGS:
Girls encouraged to take 11 GCSEs
Must take: English, English Literature, Maths, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, one MFL.

HBS:
Girls encouraged to take 11 GCSEs
Must take: English, English Literature, Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, one MFL, either Geography or History, and one creative subject (Drama, Music, Art or Design and Technology).

I presume these schools have sussed out how to keep children's options open. That means maths, english, triple, science, a MFL, a humanities subject and a social science subject. Is she willing to do that? I think it sounds like a lot of work, but probably worth it if she is motivated and capable.

"I presume these schools have sussed out how to keep children's options open. That means maths, english, triple, science, a MFL, a humanities subject and a social science subject. Is she willing to do that? I think it sounds like a lot of work, but probably worth it if she is motivated and capable."

But that's broadly what top set kids do in most schools- some don't do a MFL and some do double instead of triple science. But that is a perfectly normal workload.

So, then it definitely sounds like the OP should follow this "recipe" when faced with a form and an intimidating choice.

I think that triple science will keep more options open for her, than another arty or humanities subject.

triple science keeps no extra options open...both double and triple science contain all 3 sciences. The question is will she cope with the triple science workload on top of the new GCSE changes. If yes go for it.

I respectfully disagree- triple science definitely keeps more options open. Some universities for example may specify that if Physics is not offered at A-level then a candidate must have at least a B in the subject at GCSE level. I've had students come to me for work experience hoping to study veterinary medicine at university, only for me to point out that they don't meet the entry requirements without that physics GCSE. One student ended up doing it in their own time alongside AS levels.

Which universities bubs? All the courses I've looked at require an A in GCSE maths and either an A in physics or double award science of the student isn't doing a level physics. Not all schools offer triple science GCSE so I'd be very surprised if physics GCSE was on the entry criteria.

Wouldn't it be discriminatory to ask for qualifications that many kids aren't in a position to get? Particularly as disadvantaged children are more likely to go to schools that only do double science?

I'm sure you're right bertrand-and I'm sure that's why unis don't require triple science GCSEs, even for medicine and vet medicine.

Just noticed a correction to my post about failed to post. It should say for vet med unis require a/b's in maths and science (at least double award) depending on exactly which uni it is.

Anyone thinking of doing science a levels should do triple if they can, but it isn't strictly necessary.

I can't recall specifics now, but she checked it at the time and re-did her physics. Apart from anything else, studying the subject in more depth can only be useful if someone wishes to pursue a career in any kind of science - they're all related.

I'm currently looking at medical school requirements for a mentee - some of them specify a number of GCSE points from a limited range of subjects so triple science would be a huge advantage there. I also found one school specifying that they must have a grade C in a MFL GCSE for medicine! That was quite a surprise.

"'m currently looking at medical school requirements for a mentee - some of them specify a number of GCSE points from a limited range of subjects so triple science would be a huge advantage there. I also found one school specifying that they must have a grade C in a MFL GCSE for medicine! That was quite a surprise."

Is this in the UK? Because both the GCSE points and the MFL thing both seem a bit odd..................

some of them specify a number of GCSE points from a limited range of subjects so triple science would be a huge advantage there.

It isn't though. Applicants who don't have triple science would have another GCSE counted instead. Actually you could argue that it is easier to get a's in some other subjects than in triple science because of the way many schools teach it (science teacher here) so for some students it may even be better to do double award!

I don't disagree that students planning on a science career should take triple science if they can but it is simply not correct to suggest that universities will put students who don't have it behind those who do.

Which is the medical school that asks for GCSE MFL?

It's ucl Bertrand. To be honest, most students will be doing a language so I don't think it would cause a big problem, especially given that the vast majority of med schools don't require it.

The sciences are a good base though. Ds2 is the same school year as your dd and he wants to do triple science. Mind you his career choices at the moment are medicine or engineering.

I did history, biology, English literature and English language A levels. Many moons ago (I'm 39 now) no one ever suggested I had to have maths or science. I am a qualified midwife although no longer work as one.

Purple, I think I am right with this -

UCL are unusual in that I believe they want all u/g (not just Medicine) to have min GCSE C in an MFL. However, this isn't a show stopper as if you haven't done one at school / 6th form college, there is the opportunity to do a course whilst you are UCL. So it is designed not to disadvantage those who haven't done it at school.

Verbena
ART ART ART ART

Apologies for shouting and bold .

I have to ask why is your DD taking art? If she is taking it as the fun subject she needs to re-think, it takes up a huge amount of time and there is a shit load of pressure.

If her art teacher is pushy (and if they are any good they will be) your DD will be bombarded with work and catchups + the final exam is an all day (possibly two day) practical exam.

Just checked - here, if you are interested Bertrand from their website

Foreign language requirement

UCL encourages intercultural awareness in all its students, and considers experience of learning a foreign language a vital element of a broad and balanced education. UCL wishes to ensure that all of our graduates have had some experience of exploring another culture through language - but we are concerned to ensure that our admissions requirements do not disadvantage those who did not undertake language study to GCSE or above at school.

UK students who do not have a GCSE grade C or equivalent in a foreign language (other than Ancient Greek, Biblical Hebrew or Latin) on admission to UCL will be required to acquire an equivalent level of language proficiency once they are enrolled with us. This will either be through study for a specially designed certificate at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education (CLIE), or by taking a 0.5 CU (course-unit) course in a language as part of their degree programme.

I'm not an expert hocus but going off what's on their website I think you're right. Most unis will bend over backwards to encourage bright students from disadvantaged backgrounds to apply and will help them sort out any problems with subjects that were beyond their control.

Cross posted with you hocus. Your answer is better than mine!

That's really interesting. I can't decide whether it's a good idea or not!

I have heard the same thing about art from several parents/teenagers I know in real life. Apparently DT is a time suck too. So only do it if your interest is very, sincere!