Another A level one - just one Science?

[usedtobeboss3]

DS is currently choosing his A level subjects - so far definitely Music, probably Spanish (his best subjects, and the ones he enjoys more than any others) - and one other. Biology is potentially in the mix - he likes it and is good at it, but I'm concerned about the wisdom of doing one science on its own. Is it harder to do one science subject? He should be aiming for 8s and 9s in virtually all subjects, if that makes a difference - and Maths, Chem and Physics are definitely not contenders for A level. To complicate matters, he doesn't think he wants to go to university but instead go straight into the forces...

My did is studying Biology, Psychology and Maths.
She says that there's a surprising amount of chemistry in biology and there isn't massive amount of extra maths - statistical stuff like standard deviation. She says that not everyone in her class takes maths

I would enthuse about History. Keeps more options open than Psychology should he need plan B. Why doesn’t he want post degree? Lots of officers go in with degrees now.

Yes, he says he doesn't want to be an officer, he wants to be an 'ordinary' commando at the coal-face, as it were. Am hoping school and CCF might be able to make him see sense...

Honestly if that's where his passion lies then maybe you should go with it. There will be nothing to stop him gaining extra qualifications, including a degree in future years if he should change his mind. Certainly the more resistance and alternative suggestions you provide, the more he may dig his heels in. There's also the possibility that he is right.

Do the army/forces still sponsor students doing degrees? They certainly used to. They definitely sponsor post grad too. Has he ambition to go further than being a squaddie? As far as I’m aware, marines officers get their hands dirty, as it were, big time. He should perhaps investigate all levels of entry. Not saying what he wants is wrong though.

We certainly won't stop him - but that doesn't stop us worrying and believing it's not the best decision! He's a talented musician, an able linguist and an excellent all-rounder - there are so many things he could do! He's done a lot of research, and talked to a current marine (who advised him to get a degree...).

Hi @usedtobeboss3 , thanks for the advice you gave me pre lockdown one. The school's careers advice for sixth formers is excellent, and there are weekly sessions. Why don't you speak to the head of sixth for to get a steer on the combination of subjects. As you already know, music is excellent at the school, and I think sixth formers have a lot of fun musically.

OP, MNers are very keen on "standard" combinations of subjects whereas in reality universities are much more open than you think they are, and there's always the option of contacting the admissions tutor to talk things through if you want to do a course which is perhaps not reflected in your A level choices.

Music, spanish and biology show a breadth of ability and an open-minded admissions tutor would accept that combination for a lot of subjects - politics has been mentioned, geography doesn't require a geography A level and obviously a lot of courses follow on from biology without needing other sciences. Liberal arts degrees would work, too.

(though I did history A level so would never knock it - but biology may open more doors)

Hi @Soma - I hope your DD has settled in and is enjoying school life!
Yes - we've got conversations booked with a few members of staff this week, so hopefully those will help. Music A level seems to be the one that won't change whatever happens, even though it's of limited 'use' because he has so much fun in the music school!
(I seems to be both usedtobeboss and usedtobeboss3 at the mo - due to password muddles...)

Voice and organ sound like music could be a serious plan B. How good is he? Could he be interested in an oxbridge organ scholarship? There are university officer corps, maybe that is something he could find out about too. Did he start cadets last year or was he involved in it earlier - after the year we've had he won't have gained as much from CCF as he normally would have. My DD had been trying to get on leadership courses for two years and finally got one for the summer ... DS on the other hand (same age as yours) was grateful to get out of any more than he'd already had to do lol.

In your shoes I'd be focussing on encouraging information gathering while being as accepting of his preferences as possible. Good luck!

@PresentingPercy

Do the army/forces still sponsor students doing degrees? They certainly used to. They definitely sponsor post grad too. Has he ambition to go further than being a squaddie? As far as I’m aware, marines officers get their hands dirty, as it were, big time. He should perhaps investigate all levels of entry. Not saying what he wants is wrong though.

Yes, they do. They also have a sixth form scholarship of £3k in year 13 that guarantees a university scholarship and place at Sandhurst after uni.

Another alternative would be to study and join as a marines reservist (or SAS reservist) while he is at uni.

@usedtobeboss3 / @usedtobeboss , DD is having a wonderful time, and enjoying getting to know her year group bubble. The music school is outstanding! I agree with @puffinkoala , Mners only seem to recommend standard subjects, and think music is limiting, which it isn't. Only on MN is A level biology limiting. You and your DS should have access to one of the university destination platforms, which will spit out dozens of degree courses, depending on his combination.

Great info on scholarships ! That’s what I would investigate then. Surely better earnings and more responsibility will come his way?

Most geography courses, former polys included, prefer geography A level for a geography degree. At many it will be required. At a handful, it won’t matter. But if he doesn’t want to do the A level, why would he do a geography degree?

Again - thanks for all the useful comments and suggestions.
As far as I'm aware, the scholarships and sponsorships are only for the army, not for the marines.
@Pythonesque - he could well be good enough for an organ / choral scholarship, which is partly why we're a tiny bit frustrated that he's relucatnt to consider university first; we think he may come to regret it. I did recently suggest to him (again) that uni isn't just about studying, and is more about maturity, independence, singing in a choir, playing some football, carrying on CCF etc... If he did go, I think he'd find something like linguistics, amercian studies, liberal arts or IR interesting and fulfilling - and even useful.
@Soma - so glad your DD is enjoying it! It's a very special place

It's not the music A-level that is limiting @Soma, it's the combination, particularly biology without another science. Taking just one science rules out science degrees and choosing biology over history or another essay based A-level rules out (the many) courses that require an essay subject.

I think what most people (and the OP) are saying is that he really ought to have a plan B just in case and pick his A-levels accordingly or at least keep his options open as much as possible.

Both Oxford and Cambridge have marines reserve detachments @usedtobeboss3...

ooh - thanks @orangenasturtium - that's very interesting!

Biology A level is madly difficult.

Royal Navy and Marines sixth form scholarships @usedtobeboss3:

www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers/joining/funding-and-scholarships/a-level-scholarship

Ah - thank you @orangenasturtium!

Don’t do linguistics. Do the MFL. Far more useful!