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No Stem A Levels a mistake?

27 replies

torbygirl · 17/10/2022 10:09

DS is currently applying for college and is leaning towards Lit, German, history and art. He is doing really well in all subjects (7+ in all end of Y10 mocks) and all his teachers have said he'd do well at their A Level. He's not sure what he wants to do ultimately but is considering law and is not excited by maths/science as he is history and lit - they are really his passions.

I'm not sure whether he wouldn't be better swapping art perhaps for maths or chemistry. He says most people drop one of the 4 and if he does drop one it would be art so no point taking a Stem just to probably drop it. He's adamant he would never drop any of the other 3 and I know they are his passions and that a language is great to have, so I completely see where he's coming from! I'm just worried about his options afterwards though.

What do others think? I'd be grateful for any opinions.

OP posts:
Testina · 17/10/2022 19:06

torbygirl · 17/10/2022 10:43

Thanks all - sounds like I should leave the decision to him really!

Well, yes 😉
He sounds perfectly capable of making it, and you risk coming across that you think STEM subjects are de facto more worthy!

Postapocalypticcowgirl · 17/10/2022 22:30

He won't be able to do a science at uni with just one science A-level, so it won't keep doors open for him.

Science A-levels are also really hard- unless he's keen and willing to put the work in, he'll likely come out with a lower grade than he would in another subject, which again won't help uni applications.

All the A-levels he has chosen are well respected subjects- and German is increasingly rare so may help him stand out from others.

There's no point in doing a STEM subject for the sake of it!

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