[AP1992]

Hi, I realise that this sort of question must be posted on this site all the time, but I am after some help regarding my A-Level choices...

I am currently preparing for my GCSEs (in which I am predicted nearly all A's and A*'s) and would hopefully like to continue into a career in Law.

At the moment my A-Level choices are English Lang, Psychology, Law and Geography. Would these be appropriate for the sort of career I wish to pursue and to gain entrance into university? What other options should I possibly consider?

I have been reading about "soft" A-Level choices as well, and don't know if any of my choices fall under this category?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers.

[jelly1000]

Originally Posted by AP1992

Hi, I realise that this sort of question must be posted on this site all the time, but I am after some help regarding my A-Level choices...

I am currently preparing for my GCSEs (in which I am predicted nearly all A's and A*'s) and would hopefully like to continue into a career in Law.

At the moment my A-Level choices are English Lang, Psychology, Law and Geography. Would these be appropriate for the sort of career I wish to pursue and to gain entrance into university? What other options should I possibly consider?

I have been reading about "soft" A-Level choices as well, and don't know if any of my choices fall under this category?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers.

Personally I would say your subject choices aren't the best for Law, as good universities want law candidates to be doing at least one strong essay subject, so if you are aiming for the top uni's you should do either history or english lit. About these "soft subjects" these are ones universities consider less suitable, and psychology, english lang and law would be considered so. Many universities apparently disilke students taking law. Dont though be forced to take a subject you don't want to, and one "soft" subject wont do any harm.

[little_k]

I'd consider history in your position, but that is just my opinion

[Malsy]

The only respected A level there is Geography. If you want a chance, change Lang to Lit, and choose only one out of Psych and Law (more so Psych) and substitute in replace of either one you change a respected subject such as History

[SoapyDish]

You don't have to do a law degree to become a lawyer afterwards. Some law firms will take you with nearly any degree and give you the necessary training. Sorry ifit sounds vague but I don't know for sure :P

Echoing jelly1000's comment that you'll probably need an essay subject, like history or English lit. Depending on the university, the first three choices could be seen as soft. This website has the list of subjects that Cambridge say "provide a less effective preparation for our courses". Your ones aren't on there, so they're not seen as just doss subjects, but you should look at prospectuses for universities you might be interested in. They might have different required and desired subjects than you thought; for example, many medical schools don't actually require you to have a full A-level in biology, even though you might think they would. My friend wants to do food science, and didn't find out until time came round for applying, that she needs an A-level in chemistry, so she has to stay on for a year 14 to do it. You don't want to be in that position, left behind while all your friends go off to uni.

Long rambling paragraph, sorry!

[im so academic]

Originally Posted by AP1992

Hi, I realise that this sort of question must be posted on this site all the time, but I am after some help regarding my A-Level choices...

I am currently preparing for my GCSEs (in which I am predicted nearly all A's and A*'s) and would hopefully like to continue into a career in Law.

At the moment my A-Level choices are English Lang, Psychology, Law and Geography. Would these be appropriate for the sort of career I wish to pursue and to gain entrance into university? What other options should I possibly consider?

I have been reading about "soft" A-Level choices as well, and don't know if any of my choices fall under this category?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers.

English Lang - do not do this English - do English Lit
Psychology - no, not respected - do the closest most respected alternative - Biology
Law - NO, does not help your app., not respected, could even be a disadvantage - switch to history
Geography - fair enough, respected

so do:

English Lit
Biology
History
Geography

nice choices, but would be even better if you could swap geography for chemistry - but these four should be good for law

[Good bloke]

Originally Posted by im so academic

English Lang - do not do this English - do English Lit
Psychology - no, not respected - do the closest most respected alternative - Biology
Law - NO, does not help your app., not respected, could even be a disadvantage - switch to history
Geography - fair enough, respected

so do:

English Lit
Biology
History
Geography

nice choices, but would be even better if you could swap geography for chemistry - but these four should be good for law

Just remind me how many GCSEs you have, will you? And how many A & AS levels you have taken? If you don't have any, go and find the forum in which you can give advice about the 11+.

[Longorefisher]

Originally Posted by AP1992

Hi, I realise that this sort of question must be posted on this site all the time, but I am after some help regarding my A-Level choices...

I am currently preparing for my GCSEs (in which I am predicted nearly all A's and A*'s) and would hopefully like to continue into a career in Law.

At the moment my A-Level choices are English Lang, Psychology, Law and Geography. Would these be appropriate for the sort of career I wish to pursue and to gain entrance into university? What other options should I possibly consider?

I have been reading about "soft" A-Level choices as well, and don't know if any of my choices fall under this category?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers.

The official line is "All A levels are equal" but, as you and I well know, certain A levels do carry a reputation for being soft. Law, Psychology and English Lang do carry this reputation....

I'd personally reccomend switching Lang for English Literature, this is far more respected and is a more engaging course (In my humble opinion).

In addition, University tutors hate Law A level as they have to generally re-teach it and this could harm your application. I would switch this for something else. History could be good or maybe a science subject for some breadth in your curriculum (shows you are multi-talented).

Geography is fine and well respected. No-one would turn you down with that A level.

Finally, you are allowed one "softer" subject and the universities generally will not care. Psychology does have a lot of essay writing and would be of some use. Granted, it does have a softer reputation but universities don't mind one of these and it doesn't really need to be switched out.

I hope this helps you . Good luck!

[uk-education-blog]

geography is fine, english lang should be fine but english lit would be better. Psychology and law ironically isn't really good. Some universities can consider them as 'soft'.

I would choose politics, history, eng lit and THEN a 'soft' option. This because you would have 3 'traditional' subjects and the last choice can be anything!

[scarfcase]

It depends where you want to go.

If you want to get into a respected university you shouldn't take law or psychology.

And instead, you might want to consider history, religious studies or english lit.

English language is a good choice. Much of law involves picking around language after all.

Good luck.

[Well_Hello]

Originally Posted by AP1992

Hi, I realise that this sort of question must be posted on this site all the time, but I am after some help regarding my A-Level choices...

I am currently preparing for my GCSEs (in which I am predicted nearly all A's and A*'s) and would hopefully like to continue into a career in Law.

At the moment my A-Level choices are English Lang, Psychology, Law and Geography. Would these be appropriate for the sort of career I wish to pursue and to gain entrance into university? What other options should I possibly consider?

I have been reading about "soft" A-Level choices as well, and don't know if any of my choices fall under this category?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers.

I think "English Lang, Psychology, Law" are all soft ( you should do eng lit!). Also law a-level is strongly discouraged if you want to do this at uni, it is at too low a level.

[AP1992]

Thanks for the advice, don't currently do history at GCSE so would it still be a good idea to take it at A-level?
Plus, Exeter university (which i wish to attend for various reasons) states that it has no specified subject entry requirements...?

Cheers

[Cheryl*]

you seem clever enough from the sounds of your grades so history would be fine to do at A level even if u didnt do it at GCSE i have a friends who didnt but is now and hes doing fine

i agree with the comments about doing english lit instead of lang

in my opinion a good mix would be english lit, history, geography and religious studies

[.:excel4100%:.]

I think out of the subjects mentioned and the ones you have as prospective....you should choose english lit, history, geography as your three main A'levels and then another one which you enjoy....as long as you have the three main a'levels for ucas, other as's will be extra and could give you an edge over other applicants




p.s you dont need law to study it at uni

[jelly1000]

Originally Posted by AP1992

Thanks for the advice, don't currently do history at GCSE so would it still be a good idea to take it at A-level?
Plus, Exeter university (which i wish to attend for various reasons) states that it has no specified subject entry requirements...?

Cheers

Just to warn you that Law is a very competitive subject & Exeter a good university and therefore you cannot rest all your hopes on it. Many uni's turn away candidates with excellent GCSE & A-Levels for law. And the reason why they have no specified subject entry requirements is that uni's normally welcome people from both arts & science backgrounds.

[AP1992]

Cheers for the responses, what subjects then would be seen as essay-based?
The college i have applied for offers an English Lang/Lit course, would this be suitable as it also covers some aspects from the Language side that would appeal to me...?

[jelly1000]

Originally Posted by AP1992

Cheers for the responses, what subjects then would be seen as essay-based?
The college i have applied for offers an English Lang/Lit course, would this be suitable as it also covers some aspects from the Language side that would appeal to me...?

Lang/lit should be fine. Other essay based subjects include: History, R.S/Philosophy, Economics and Geography I believe. These are the most respected ones.

[jessiainscough]

Have you considered any of the sciences/maths? These are very respected and are perfectly fine for law (i know someone who did bio/chem/maths/econ and got into LSE/UCL). I think so long as you do well respected A levels, it doesn't actually matter what they are so much.

[goats]

iam gonna be honest with you, your choices suck. but thats only because i believe you are capable of picking better ones.

Maths
History
English Lit
Geography

i would say would be the perfect combo and would get you into ANY law uni as long as you got all A's and you have all A* and A's at gcse

[Zohair09]

ever thought about politics, economics or maybe a language?
sciences like chemistry, biology help
i think you should take maths to at least AS-level as it will leave options open