For DD who wants to study medicine- physics or History as 4?

[princ3ssconsuelabananahammock]

My dd is set on studying medicine and is currently considering A level options as is in year 11. She knows for sure she wants to do maths, biology and chemistry but is struggling with the last gap. She first thought of taking physics AS but is now exploring the idea of history. She loves history and is soso good at it but the problem is that it’s no longer offered as an AS anymore so can only choose the full A level. She’s scared that 4 a levels is too heavy a workload and she won’t be able to perform as well but is also conflicted as she really loves history (and much prefers it to physics) What do you think she should do?

Why a fourth subject? It could mean that she doesn’t get the highest grade in the three that will count for the grade requirements.

She needs to get work experience and with 4 A-levels that would be really hard to juggle.

She could take an EPQ alongside the 3?

Don`t forget she will also need to study for the UKCAT, which some students have private tuition to help them get the marks they need.

www.ukcat.ac.uk/

I would recommend speaking to some universities she's interested in. A lot are now saying that due to the new A levels they'd rather you focus on 3 fantastic a levels not adding a 4th AS.

At my college we no longer offer ASs due to the demands and climate.

However, if definitely want to do it taking into account time for LOTS of work experience and extra stud - gut instinct I would say physics but she needs to pick the one that she most enjoys and would do best at.

It is still offered as an AS Or do you mean the school is no longer offering it? In which case are they still offering physics? It's such a mainstream one to drop...

If she's serious about medicine stick to 3. Maybe Epq if school insists on a 4th.

Medicine is a highly competitive subject. Focus on getting the grades and showing a serious interest in the subject - not adding a reading/essay heavy 4th IMO. A love of history can easily be explored through reading and visiting historical places etc.

Volunteering in a nursing home, GP surgery, is also encouraged, it really is not just about the points with so few places and so many applying.

Do 3 subjects and an EPQ on something related to History. It's worth the same points as an AS but won't impact the 3 A levels as significantly as a fourth subject would. But it's all irrelevant anyway because she would likely be given an offer for 3 A levels, not points or 4 subjects.

I did 4 - most unis had biology and chemistry as a science minimum. I did those two and Geography and history because I loved them. This was in the days of ASs but I kept all of them on after I got my AS grades the wrong way round.
They may not offer history as an AS but she can always drop out before the exam if the work load is getting too much.
I personally found the history and geography kept me sane.
I had no trouble getting into medical school, with my subject choices and I survived it and am now a doctor.
If she wants to do history she should go for it.

I'd suggest she stick to three and then, as PP said, volunteer - at a hospital or hospice ideally.

It's important that she gets some hands on experience in these types of environments before committing to medicine fully - she may find she's ideally suited to patient contact, but also may not be and might opt to pursue more of a research based option.

Whatever she decides to do, I wish her all the best.

The conventional advice is to keep to only 3 A-levels.
I battled with school to let DD do 4xAlevels (also wants to apply for medicine).
It's a risk, for sure. I thought DD would be bored if she didn't do 4.

History.. couldn't she just read some very good history books for pleasure?

@titchy I mean our college isn't offering it and in our local area there's no colleges or sixth forms still offering ASs at all. They have all moved over to the new style

School doesn’t offer history as AS but does offer physics. She (and I) was under the impression that it was common practice to take 3 A levels and then an AS.
She’s definitely serious about medicine

medschoolrat is history not at all useful? I thought that it would allow her to maintain and develop essay writing abilities, is that not needed greatly while studying medicine? I have no idea

It used to be the case that you took 4 as subjects and took 3 on to full A level. But its reverted back to a 3 full A level system really.

No it's just three a levels now. ASs are mainly a thing if the past. She will need work experience to stand a chance so get her looking into that

She (and I) was under the impression that it was common practice to take 3 A levels and then an AS.

It was, but the introduction of reformed A levels last year has meant most (a lot anyway) schools and colleges now just do 3.

Very few medics have history or any other essay A level! Maths, Bio and Chem are what the majority have.

This was a long time ago but I did Chemistry, Biology, Maths and English Literature. I did the English Lit because I really liked it and I do think it was really helpful for developing my written communication skills. Also, my English teacher knew that if I had to give up one, it would be English so was really helpful with extending deadlines to let me keep on top of everything. When I went to Uni I think I had an advantage over people with less essay writing skills, but things may have changed now.

What’s changed is more challenging A levels so doing 4 when you don’t need to is a risk. You need the time for volunteering and being able to put what you have taken from those experiences on your ps. Doing history won’t help. Volunteering will.

Bio Chem are the most needed.
Maths and Physics fairly irrelevant as obviously is History. History is a rather larger workload so that may be worth taking into consideration.

Oh ... And work experience not really needed. My ds did a week in a care home and that was it.

Get her to look into dentistry instead

She got some work experience under her belt last year. But is planning to start the volunteering scheme at the local hospital weekly next year

Check with the admissions pages for medicine of the places she is interested in applying to. Two sciences and a humanity is usually completely fine and double check which sciences as there are slightly different stipulations - in fact there are some arguments that it’s better for Medicine. Also lots of medical students don’t have 3 sciences. As A-levels are now meant to be harder and given that getting some sort of work experience and doing additional selection things for Medicine including UKCAT and interviews, I’d think 3 A levels was sensible.

Why do posters insist on posting about what they did years ago and that 'it was fine for them'. The system has moved on from even three years ago. The OP needs advice about what is best for her DD now !!

Advice from Unis is currently usually three a levels to maximise grades and be able show you are serious about the subject chosen (be it medicine or anything else). Those that do 4 are usually either doing further mats as one or are exceptional students who would find more subjects easy or who thrive on a bigger workload.

Although many schools do advise starting with four so you get a chance to try more options - you may find one of your initial top three isn't as good as you thought so can drop it for your fourth choice if you end up liking that more. So she could start history and if she genuinely loves it keep it and drop maths or biology. The optimum choice for medicine though is still chemistry maths and biology - although many get in with other combinations as long as they have chemistry.