Advantages of doing 5 AS levels?
Discussion for A-Level students and for those choosing their A-Level subjects.
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Advantages of doing 5 AS levels?I'm currently doing 4 AS levels in Chem, Bio, Maths and History, and yes I am hoping to do medicine. I will probably do all 4 to A2.
Anyway, most people in my year do either 3 or 4 AS levels, except for one boy who is doing 5.
He specially requested to do 5, and due to timetabling he was lucky that it fitted in. He is also hoping to do medicine.
My question is this, will him doing 5AS levels put him at a big advantage over me in applying? (Not specifically him, but others like him.) Because he does more AS levels?
He is doing Chem, Bio, Maths, Phys and French if that adds anything.
I considered requesting to do 5, but it was very likely that it wouldn't fit in (small school) and also, there was no other subject I was genuinely interested in taking, and I thought it would be an unnecessary workload and that my time would be better spent doing other things (i.e. I have some excellent work experience lined up.)
I have read the following interpretations:
-It shows academic breadth
-It shows extra academic ability
However;
-As many people cannot do 5, it is unfair to use this against them
-French has no relevance to his course
-As a result he will probably not get as good work experience, voluntary work, extra-curricular stuff done.
-If he doesn't get AAAAB it probably wasn't worth it.
I got 9A* and an A at GCSE, so I personally think this should show a wide range of ability? Also the fact that I am doing History shows I'm not only able to do Science.
Genuine replies only please, all replies are appreciated
Thank you.
P.S. I am not one of the people who constantly posts in those "Am I good enough" forums. This is my first post and comments such as "You don't have 59A*s at GCSE and 17As at AS level? You have no chance!" Are not appreciated. -
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Re: Advantages of doing 5 AS levels?Haha, pretty much :P(Original post by Zhy)
Bragging rights
Do 5 if you think you can handle it, it may broaden your understanding, but probably won't benefit you in terms of getting into uni, as offers ar eonly based on 3 A levels... -
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Re: Advantages of doing 5 AS levels?The ONLY advantage he has is that he has a wider choice of courses he can study - if you only need bio and chem for medicine to A2 then go for that and then do the others that you actually enjoy.
He is only making things more difficult - he already knows he wants to do medicine, will already know what he needs to get into medicine, so why add even more work into the equation!?
If he didn't know he wanted to do medicine I would have said he would then have the qualifications for other courses, for example maths/french if you get me, but in my opinion he is going to regret it when the exams start to come around and he can't fit it all in.
Stick to your 4, if you want to do them all at A2 then great, if not, why bother?!
You'd be better off with 3A's at A2 than say AABB because you had too much work. :-)
Hope this helps! Good luck! -
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Re: Advantages of doing 5 AS levels?It doesn't help in applying to unis or in anything else, and it could even be harmful since the extra work could cause him to get lower grades or if he takes more than 3 to A2 unis might make a harder offer (like offering AAAB instead of AAB, it's obviously harder to get 3 As than 2).
I actually did 5 ASs plus General studies AS, so 6. The general studies wasn't optional at my college, and I took 5 purely because I really couldn't decide between them which one to drop and I was interested in them all. I'm in y13 now and taking 4 + general studies, because again I like all my subjects and don't want to drop any, and general is compulsory. At AS I got 5As and a B, but if you think about it having 5As sounds better than 5As and a B so in doing an extra one I have technically disadvantaged myself but I don't regret it because I enjoyed my subjects. -
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Re: Advantages of doing 5 AS levels?He will have exactly the same advantage over you as you will have over people taking 3 A2 courses (If you do indeed continue and take 4).......(Original post by thoy)
I'm currently doing 4 AS levels in Chem, Bio, Maths and History, and yes I am hoping to do medicine. I will probably do all 4 to A2.
Anyway, most people in my year do either 3 or 4 AS levels, except for one boy who is doing 5.
He specially requested to do 5, and due to timetabling he was lucky that it fitted in. He is also hoping to do medicine.
My question is this, will him doing 5AS levels put him at a big advantage over me in applying? (Not specifically him, but others like him.) Because he does more AS levels?
He is doing Chem, Bio, Maths, Phys and French if that adds anything.
I considered requesting to do 5, but it was very likely that it wouldn't fit in (small school) and also, there was no other subject I was genuinely interested in taking, and I thought it would be an unnecessary workload and that my time would be better spent doing other things (i.e. I have some excellent work experience lined up.)
I have read the following interpretations:
-It shows academic breadth
-It shows extra academic ability
However;
-As many people cannot do 5, it is unfair to use this against them
-French has no relevance to his course
-As a result he will probably not get as good work experience, voluntary work, extra-curricular stuff done.
-If he doesn't get AAAAB it probably wasn't worth it.
I got 9A* and an A at GCSE, so I personally think this should show a wide range of ability? Also the fact that I am doing History shows I'm not only able to do Science.
Genuine replies only please, all replies are appreciated
Thank you.
P.S. I am not one of the people who constantly posts in those "Am I good enough" forums. This is my first post and comments such as "You don't have 59A*s at GCSE and 17As at AS level? You have no chance!" Are not appreciated.
No advantage .. -
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Re: Advantages of doing 5 AS levels?I understand that in theory, it will not help him in getting an offer and that it will indeed make it more difficult for him, but don't you think that it does look very good on his application, especially because he is the only person in our college doing 5??(Original post by dr.phalange)
The ONLY advantage he has is that he has a wider choice of courses he can study - if you only need bio and chem for medicine to A2 then go for that and then do the others that you actually enjoy.
He is only making things more difficult - he already knows he wants to do medicine, will already know what he needs to get into medicine, so why add even more work into the equation!?
If he didn't know he wanted to do medicine I would have said he would then have the qualifications for other courses, for example maths/french if you get me, but in my opinion he is going to regret it when the exams start to come around and he can't fit it all in.
Stick to your 4, if you want to do them all at A2 then great, if not, why bother?!
You'd be better off with 3A's at A2 than say AABB because you had too much work. :-)
Hope this helps! Good luck! -
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Re: Advantages of doing 5 AS levels?Don't listen to people saying theirs no advantage. Obviously their is an advantage when applying to top universities among competitive courses, for example Economics. It clearly shows you have the ability to handle the extra workload.
(although the overall grades you get matter more, therefore make sure you get good grades. If taking the extra AS affects your overall grades within the other subjects, then I suggest you drop it)Last edited by phx; 02-10-2011 at 01:05. -
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Re: Advantages of doing 5 AS levels?This is what bothers me see. I mean it obviously has to pose some advantage, but considering nowhere asks for it and the fact that many people can't do it makes it seem unfair.(Original post by phx)
Don't listen to people saying theirs no advantage. Obviously their is an advantage when applying to top universities among competitive courses, for example Economics. It clearly shows you have the ability to handle the extra workload.
(although the grades you get matter though so make sure you get good grades. If taking the extra AS is affecting your overall grades and other subjects then I suggest you drop it)
You see? There are two very strong arguments for both sides. -
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Re: Advantages of doing 5 AS levels?when i did 5 as level subjects, the main advantage to me was that i really enjoyed each one. I did bio, chem, phys, maths and further maths. I think universities might look on it favourably as it shows you're a hard worker, but that wasn't my reason for doing it.
on the other hand though, I got no free periods, more work and more exams. I'd say go for it if you WANT to do the extra subject, but dont bother if you dont really fancy it. unis wont factor it in a huge amount. -
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Re: Advantages of doing 5 AS levels?Yes, it might look amazing, but at the same time it's unnecessary and if you carry on 4 to A2 level then that looks pretty good as well! A lot try for medicine with just 3 A2's. I think he is putting a lot of pressure on himself.(Original post by thoy)
I understand that in theory, it will not help him in getting an offer and that it will indeed make it more difficult for him, but don't you think that it does look very good on his application, especially because he is the only person in our college doing 5?? -
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Re: Advantages of doing 5 AS levels?5 AS Levels means nothing if he doesn't get high grades for them. If your applying for jobs, they only consider A Levels, not AS levels. Also depends on the subjects too. Traditional or non-traditional? What university is he considering to apply?(Original post by thoy)
I'm currently doing 4 AS levels in Chem, Bio, Maths and History, and yes I am hoping to do medicine. I will probably do all 4 to A2.
Anyway, most people in my year do either 3 or 4 AS levels, except for one boy who is doing 5.
He specially requested to do 5, and due to timetabling he was lucky that it fitted in. He is also hoping to do medicine.
My question is this, will him doing 5AS levels put him at a big advantage over me in applying? (Not specifically him, but others like him.) Because he does more AS levels?
He is doing Chem, Bio, Maths, Phys and French if that adds anything.
I considered requesting to do 5, but it was very likely that it wouldn't fit in (small school) and also, there was no other subject I was genuinely interested in taking, and I thought it would be an unnecessary workload and that my time would be better spent doing other things (i.e. I have some excellent work experience lined up.)
I have read the following interpretations:
-It shows academic breadth
-It shows extra academic ability
However;
-As many people cannot do 5, it is unfair to use this against them
-French has no relevance to his course
-As a result he will probably not get as good work experience, voluntary work, extra-curricular stuff done.
-If he doesn't get AAAAB it probably wasn't worth it.
I got 9A* and an A at GCSE, so I personally think this should show a wide range of ability? Also the fact that I am doing History shows I'm not only able to do Science.
Genuine replies only please, all replies are appreciated
Thank you.
P.S. I am not one of the people who constantly posts in those "Am I good enough" forums. This is my first post and comments such as "You don't have 59A*s at GCSE and 17As at AS level? You have no chance!" Are not appreciated.
Jobs these days barely look at your subjects at college, more rather than the minimum UCAS points 300/320 required. Although studying the course your career is related in is an advantage in obtaining an understanding nevertheless, people who take sociology, psychology, media studies, are generally tend to be easier subjects than further mathematics, physics, etc.
Hence people go to areas where they have strong ability and enjoy studying.
Work experience in your chosen career is better advantage than 5 AS Levels and it is important. So a summer placement after your first year and second year and continue to do that during university, if you do plan to go to university. In addition take a placement year at university. If your studying medicine, its a compulsory to do placement and obtain work experience for every medics shadowing at the hospital.
If you don't go to university, there are many new programmes which is A-Level leavers or School leaver which asks for high grades, e.g. AAB, ABB, etc. Some employers, design this fast route to learn and earn at the same time. Ernst and Young, accountant firm. If you do decide to do accounting.
There are downside to everything, university without any work experience right now = unemployed, give or take few months/years. Sometimes even with work experience, some are struggling to find work too as there is pay freeze occurring these two years and substantial budget cuts across local councils, etc etc.
Most jobs do ask for a degree, unfortunately but with degree fees going up. You'll have to decide between the benefits outweighing the costs.
To be honest, I need more information about your long term goals? What do you want to do for living?? Able being to know what you want to do in long term puts you at an advantage.
As HR recruitment in every business organisations will look through applicants.
Anyhow, just because he decides to do 5 AS Levels, doesn't mean you have to do the same. It's called being smart and do what you think your capable of doing. There is no shortcut in life.
Doing more subject means he studies a broad range and shows academic ability but doesn't say he can do the job whatsoever.
He is doing Chem, Bio, Maths, Phys and French if that adds anything. (Sounds like he's doing Chemical Engineering) for a degree or Medicine. Studying a foreign language is an advantage, as most firms out there ask for bilingual employees. -
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Re: Advantages of doing 5 AS levels?That is why you choose what's best for you, not what others are doing. be SMART. If your keep thinking like this and letting this bother you, and cannot make a final decision what you personally want to do.(Original post by thoy)
This is what bothers me see. I mean it obviously has to pose some advantage, but considering nowhere asks for it and the fact that many people can't do it makes it seem unfair.
You see? There are two very strong arguments for both sides.
As an employer recruiting employee, employers need someone who can make a decision, someone who's confident in their decision making, rationale and being able to analyse their situation and manage their workload whilst remaining confident, calm.
I speak with experience, as I personally did 5 AS Levels and lets say, I only had 30 minutes break everyday and extra classes after college. Can you handle that?? Though every college works differently but usually 50 minutes per lesson but teacher sometimes go further to the exact hour. -
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Re: Advantages of doing 5 AS levels?No.(Original post by thoy)
My question is this, will him doing 5AS levels put him at a big advantage over me in applying? (Not specifically him, but others like him.) Because he does more AS levels? -
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Re: Advantages of doing 5 AS levels?NONE! I seriously wouldn't recommend it unless you are V HARDWORKING and smart. You only need 4 , so maybe you should do 4 and concentrate on them. By doing 5 you will only dilute your knowlegde and time for each of your subjects. I messed up my as levels by doing 5 and now im a joke with ridiculosly bad a levels, why would you want the extra hassel, unless you didnt know which course to do, but you do. But overall its your choce.
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Re: Advantages of doing 5 AS levels?You only need 3 full A-Levels to be accepted onto a course, so it's better to start with 4, then focus on 3.(Original post by thoy)
x
3 A*'s are better than 4 or 5 A's
