Helping my daughter choose A levels

[Theoryofparenting]

Hi, my daughter is in year 11 and is trying to pick A level subjects. She is predicted 3 9s and 6 8s for GCSE. She is definitely doing biology and maths as she excels at these and enjoys them. However she is stuck on what to pick as her third.

She originally wanted to do medicine, however she doesn't have a natural aptitude for it. She has to work very hard to get a good grade and finds it hard to visualise the concepts. Had a few tears about not being able to do medicine without Chemistry A level but she knows she will struggle quite a bit with it so is hesitant to take it.

She also never had a natural ability at physics. She's good at the maths stuff btw again, the concepts are hard for her to understand so she doesn't really want to do physics.

She loves geography a lot and gets consistently high grades in it, however it has a low teaching standard at the sixth form she'll be going to and she's not too keen on the exam board (Edexcel). She's also worried about it being a soft subjects and it not opening many doors.

She's worrying quite a lot about it because all of her friends know what they want to do. She's a bit stressed out at the moment as she has mocks coming up too. Does anyone have any advice on the subjects??

Also, she loves working with people (children in particular), loves learning about the world and how things work, has an outstanding mathematical ability and loves to read (mostly about biology, Geography & maths). Thank you in advance for any replies.

Sorry, when I said 'She doesn't have a natural aptitude for it' I meant Chemistry.

How about economics?

My DD has just finished Psychology A level and loved it. She did it with Biology and Chemistry and it seemed a good mix.

I wouldn't worry too much about 'soft' subjects - your DD has two strong choices there and I think this gives her some flexibility with a third. That said, there's no way Geography is a soft subject!

Geography isn't a 'soft subject' as far as I am aware, it is listed as a facilitating subject (which I think are generally subject that are attractive to universities).

However with two facilitating subjects, she doesn't need to restrict her choice to that list.

If not geography then I'd suggest Psychology as it is a very engaging subject, lots of scientific method and is a nice fit with her other two.

She's a high achiever especially with interest in science. Any third A-level that will help her get on a science course. Writing is good -- scientists write a lot! Geography would get her writing but is still sciency.

BUT, imho: I wasn't a natural at math so didn't do a mathy course at Uni, wish I hadn't been so easily detered. Actually, my math came on a lot after age 18, it just took more effort than I was used to. I shouldn't have closed that door. That's what I think of your DD thinking she's not quite a natural at Chemistry or Physics; presumably those are her 8 predictions? Still very high achieving. Let the college advise what they think she's capable of with 'only' an 8.

I was thinking psychology too, or maybe sociology? Or there's always English.

We've already ruled out psychology, sociology and English because she said they wouldn't interest her that much.

Yes, the school have predicted her 8s in Chemistry and Physics, however she's never managed to achieve above a 6 even with really hard work. It's the concepts that she struggles with, she just finds it really difficult to visualise things.

I didn't think Geography was soft but that's what her friends have been saying. I think she's mostly worried about taking geography as the teaching is a bit rubbish and she doesn't know what it could lead to.

You'll obviously get quite a few replies along the academic side, which I guess is what you're looking for. I'd say biology/geography and maths are obviously her passions/things she enjoys so maybe the options to take. Biology sits quite well with geography in my mind, and maths is never going to be overlooked.

My DD has taken non facilitating options, but they are so her and touch on various ways I can see her going career wise. Music, she's very passionate about, geography very interested in the environment and the various elements she'll learn and philosophy - she chooses to go to church, likes debates, listening to others and making her own decision. None of it goes well together, but she can work with the best course she can find when she's got a clearer indication of what she wants to do.

Also, she's shown interests in nursing, teaching and paramedic science and also general degrees to do with biological sciencey things.

Thanks ifonly, they are the 3 options she keeps reverting back to but she's so worried about the bad teachers of Geography.

She's predicted herself 3 9s (biology, Geography, maths), 3 8s (English language, English Literature, religious studies) and 3 7s (physics, Chemistry and french). Currently working at these grades apart from chemistry and physics (6).

I think biology, maths and geography is a fantastic mix of subjects and would keep a lot of doors open for different degree subjects. Would she be interested in marine biology or ocean science?

Hi Ocies. She is actually interested in marine biology/ocean science. She loves everything to do with wildlife / how the world works and is really passionate about those 3 subjects.

Do you think she should do geography despite the teaching standard? There are textbooks available, plus online resources so do you think she would be ok? That's what she's worried about the most I think.

I don't think all medicine degrees require Chemistry. It might be worth checking current requirements though as they change so quickly. DS is in yr 2 if medicine and says his biology A level has been much more relevant so far than his chemistry one

I'd definitely think about the quality of teaching. Does the school get As in Geography A Level? It it possible to find out whether previously high achieving Geography students have had external tuition?

I think a few get As, quite a few Bs. Quite a lot don't do too well but apparently there's been a lot of substitute teachers and some of these pupils don't do well across all their subjects. The normal teacher has 11 years experience though, so not sure what to make of it.

Oceanography is fantastic career ... they have the best field sites: Canaries, Hawaii, Great Barrier Reef, San Diego

What other A-levels are offered at this school?

Any MF language is good, too.

Dd is always reading about the great barrier reef She's obsessed with it!

They offer business, computer science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geography, maths, Further Maths, Psychology, sociology, PE, English language, English Literature, French, Spanish, German, art, photography, textiles, history, religion and ethics, statistics and drama. Barely any of these appeal to her.

As for the MFL, she plans to continue learning French in her spare time whilst in sixth form.

I think she should consider moving 6th forms, if the geography standard of teaching / board isn't up to scratch. There must be other options even with a bit of a journey? My DD travelled for an hour each way for 6th form to get the subject combination she wanted.

Also, if she can get those grades she should be considering at least starting with 4 subjects.
e.g. Maths, Further Maths, Biology, Geography
or Maths, Biology, Geography, Sociology (which I think might be a good fit)
At our local 6th form those with top grades still start with 4 (or even sometimes 5 if it includes double maths)

If she wants to do science then statistics is an excellent choice -- lots of stats in biology and stats in the image processing required for image processing (oceanographers do lots with satellite images). DT isn't a crazy choice, either. You have to design & repair your own lab equipment work on an Antarctic research ship.

DD, yr11, triple sci student, Ed-Excel - says that "they" are getting their results back from (National?) mocks that everyone did back in May.

If those results are back soon, maybe then you'll have a better idea if she's really on course to a 6 on chemistry/physics or if the predict 8s are possible? Around here, I think deadline to apply for 6th forms is January 2018.

(MN keeps seizing on my lappy, soz)

Southampton university offer marine biology with oceanography ( based at the National Oceanography Centre). My ds did single honours oceanography there. Entry requirements are ABB in biology and one from chemistry, physics, maths, geography, geology, environmental science.