Choosing your A levels? Your questions answered here!

I also meant to add - any particular areas of interest for work? E.g law, healthcare, teaching?

Basically. I'm confused.

I don't know what I want to do in the future. The idea of college doesn't interest me, to me it just means more pressure for an exam which is almost meaningless just like any other exam. I could go into something vocational, but there is nothing there that interests me. I have chosen A-Levels I enjoy. And I will work hard at them. My issue is, I have no idea where my life is going. And I don't know who to believe.

I've read a number of threads on here about how the education system doesn't really prepare people for "real life". Its more get good grades, get into a good college, get good grades, get into a good University... Then bam. You're into the real world. In addition to this I'm starting realise the whole education system is basically a mess in general.

Anyhow. The A-Levels I've choose are: Geography. Economics. Philosophy. Psychology.

I choose these A-Levels carefully as there isn't much else I enjoy. So, basically, where will these A-Levels get me? If anywhere?

Do you think they are a good combination? For anyone who does these subjects, how did you find it?

Thanks.

Basically. I'm confused.

I don't know what I want to do in the future. The idea of college doesn't interest me, to me it just means more pressure for an exam which is almost meaningless just like any other exam. I could go into something vocational, but there is nothing there that interests me. I have chosen A-Levels I enjoy. And I will work hard at them. My issue is, I have no idea where my life is going. And I don't know who to believe.

I've read a number of threads on here about how the education system doesn't really prepare people for "real life". Its more get good grades, get into a good college, get good grades, get into a good University... Then bam. You're into the real world. In addition to this I'm starting realise the whole education system is basically a mess in general.

Anyhow. The A-Levels I've choose are: Geography. Economics. Philosophy. Psychology.

I choose these A-Levels carefully as there isn't much else I enjoy. So, basically, where will these A-Levels get me? If anywhere?

Do you think they are a good combination? For anyone who does these subjects, how did you find it?

Thanks.

Yes, but cant you pick a different subject to drop at A2? Perhaps a language? Further maths seems a bit dull..and med schools such as UCL require a language at AS level (If im not mistaken)

I'd personally do something else at AS.

Not what I would do...

Philosophy and Psychology are LOL subjects.

Why don't you throw some Maths in there?

They sound alright to me. From looking at 'respected subject choices' etc, I know that they're all quite good. If you enjoy them, then go for it!

Would you ever consider languages? (I'm asking because I'm a language applicant! )

Fair enough. But I don't enjoy any other subjects... I honestly don't. As for Maths, I don't mind doing Maths but I'd rather do Philosophy...

You see this is my problem. I know that the subjects I've chosen aren't that good, yet they are the only ones I enjoy. BUT. Another problems is, I am only going off what other people have told me... I have never experienced these subjects therefore I have no idea if they will get me far...?

Basically. I'm confused.

I don't know what I want to do in the future. The idea of college doesn't interest me, to me it just means more pressure for an exam which is almost meaningless just like any other exam. I could go into something vocational, but there is nothing there that interests me. I have chosen A-Levels I enjoy. And I will work hard at them. My issue is, I have no idea where my life is going. And I don't know who to believe.

I've read a number of threads on here about how the education system doesn't really prepare people for "real life". Its more get good grades, get into a good college, get good grades, get into a good University... Then bam. You're into the real world. In addition to this I'm starting realise the whole education system is basically a mess in general.

Anyhow. The A-Levels I've choose are: Geography. Economics. Philosophy. Psychology.

I choose these A-Levels carefully as there isn't much else I enjoy. So, basically, where will these A-Levels get me? If anywhere?

Do you think they are a good combination? For anyone who does these subjects, how did you find it?

Thanks.

Yes, but cant you pick a different subject to drop at A2? Perhaps a language? Further maths seems a bit dull..and med schools such as UCL require a language at AS level (If im not mistaken)

I'd personally do something else at AS.

Also, not all med schools require UKCAT or BMAT - Birmingham doesn't and there may be others.

I think it's a modern language at GCSE, not at AS.

Also, not all med schools require UKCAT or BMAT - Birmingham doesn't and there may be others.

I haven't looked at every med school, but all those I have investigated don't accept Further Maths as a third A level. I would think it is very high risk to take it, it really narrows your options and then you have to have the perfect profile for the few that might accept it. Also it leaves you no option to drop one of the other subjects if AS's don't go according to plan. My school, with a good record of getting students in to med school, encourages an essay subject for the third A level, or at the very least for the 4th AS. (I'm doing Maths, Chem, Bio and History)

If you are going ahead with FM why not take a 5th AS in an essay subject? Also, be wary if your school does the Maths A in year 12 and the FM A in year 13 - some unis won't accept A's taken in different years.

So if I was to drop further maths and take a different subject it should be an essay subject such as history and not psychology?

I am far better at maths than I am essay subjects. I'm currently on an A* in both history and maths, but I can see history being much more of a challenge for me at A-Level compared to further maths which I think I would personally find easier.

I will most probably be applying to universities near me such as Sheffield, Nottingham, Hull York Medical School etc. All of which accept maths and further maths as separate subjects up to A2-Level so that shouldn't be a problem.

If this is accruate then it looks like most universities accept further maths http://www.furthermaths.org.uk/files/medical_schools_entry_requirement_june_2011_1.1.pdf

I will also definitely not be applying to universities such as UCL, Oxford, Cambridge and Imperial because I doubt I'll be able to get in them anyway so having a language at AS-Level won't be a problem anyway. I am also studying Spanish at GCSE but it is my weakest subject.

Psychology would be fine. If you're good at maths-type subjects, what about doing Physics rather than Further Maths, since it is definitely counted as a separate subject? Although psychology would also be OK.

I'd be wary of trusting everything people say on here - it really doesn't matter if you have an essay subject or not.

Also, if you are sure enough medschools accept Maths and F.Maths separately, then you could just stick with Further Maths, although I'm not sure how much that would constrain your choices for medical school.