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A Level Choices
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anna_c_100
"half the people don't get the STEP grades"
Is it really that many? That's terrifying! Do they usually let you in anyway if you almost make the grades, or do they not? That puts me off Cambridge maths so much - there's a 50.50 chance you won't make it in after your offer!
Is it really that many? That's terrifying! Do they usually let you in anyway if you almost make the grades, or do they not? That puts me off Cambridge maths so much - there's a 50.50 chance you won't make it in after your offer!
Well not quite that bad, but if you look at the maths offers to admissions stats they are much worse than most other subjects so Maths is over-offered on.
http://www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/statistics/subjects.html
mom1
Well not quite that bad, but if you look at the maths offers to admissions stats they are much worse than most other subjects so Maths is over-offered on.
http://www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/statistics/subjects.html
http://www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/statistics/subjects.html
Actually, according to that, it's about 40% who fail to get the grades, so "half" wasn't far off the mark.
On t'other hand, 37% of maths applicants got an offer, compared to about 32% of history applicants. So contrary to what I wrote (I said it was 2nd hand info), there's not really significantly more chance of getting an offer in maths.
anna_c_100
Is it really that many? That's terrifying! Do they usually let you in anyway if you almost make the grades, or do they not? That puts me off Cambridge maths so much - there's a 50.50 chance you won't make it in after your offer!
Wrong. It means that statistically, the chances of any given applicant not making his STEP grades are 1/2. Your individual chance of success isn't determined by those statistics, though; whether you pass or not will only depend on your skill at maths (and your being prepared for the sort of questions that might come up, I suppose), not on average success rates. So if you're a brilliant mathematician, there's no reason why you should let that put you off applying.
this is what you do:
yr 12: maths, physics, history, english @AS
having decided which road to go down you then have the choice of:
yr 13: maths, history, english @A2
or
yr 13: maths, physics, english @A2, AS further maths
not sure whether doing AS further maths forces you to take paper III in STEP. I don't think it does
yr 12: maths, physics, history, english @AS
having decided which road to go down you then have the choice of:
yr 13: maths, history, english @A2
or
yr 13: maths, physics, english @A2, AS further maths
not sure whether doing AS further maths forces you to take paper III in STEP. I don't think it does
"yr 13: maths, physics, english @A2, AS further maths"
Our school is bad enough about letting you do 4A2s - they definately wouldn't let someone do an AS in year 13. At the moment, I'm thinking of doing Maths, Further, History and English. I still have a time to decide though so I think it just depends on what I enjoy in the next few months - if I start to go off Maths, for example, then I'll probably decide not to do Further Maths and change to Physics or Latin. Oh well - I'll see.
Our school is bad enough about letting you do 4A2s - they definately wouldn't let someone do an AS in year 13. At the moment, I'm thinking of doing Maths, Further, History and English. I still have a time to decide though so I think it just depends on what I enjoy in the next few months - if I start to go off Maths, for example, then I'll probably decide not to do Further Maths and change to Physics or Latin. Oh well - I'll see.
The problem is the way some schools timetable it - at my school there are 5 offer blocks and it took much begging and pleading on the part of one girl in my year to be able to take 5AS levels (6 if u inc GS), they only let her because she got straight A* at GCSE and well she got one free every fortnight and due to the phenomenal amount of ECs she was doing worked herself to the bone last year and earned herself a C in a subject as a result - perhaps it was because she chose the wrong options for her, she hadn't really liked physics that much at GCSE anyway.
I strayed a little off point there but what i meant to say in this now slightly long post is that some schools dont have the room in their structure to do extra subjects especially if you do them out of the normal order of things and however amazing you are they can take a lot of convincing - the person that does our timetables has enough trouble trying to do it for every one doing 3A2s.
I strayed a little off point there but what i meant to say in this now slightly long post is that some schools dont have the room in their structure to do extra subjects especially if you do them out of the normal order of things and however amazing you are they can take a lot of convincing - the person that does our timetables has enough trouble trying to do it for every one doing 3A2s.
My school only structured 5 options blocks (and hence 5 AS chpices) but it didn't stop me doing 6 - English Lit, German, Maths, Chemistry, Physics and Further Maths (the one I took independently). As long as you're committed, intelligent and also have a real knack for the subjects you're doing, you can do 5 or more no problem.
I still had time to do wider reading, complete my DoE, and do miscellenaous other things that filled up my PS quite nicely. As Isiash_Berlin said, a little time management goes a long, long way!
I still had time to do wider reading, complete my DoE, and do miscellenaous other things that filled up my PS quite nicely. As Isiash_Berlin said, a little time management goes a long, long way!
you're really lucky that your school is that flexible - there just aren't enough hours in our school timetable
in 2 weeks we get 9hours a subject and in the timetable there are 50 hours so there is only room to do 5 full AS or A2 subjects - they fill the extra 5 ours with delights such as tutorial, general studies, and in yr12 ASDAN and PE etc
in 2 weeks we get 9hours a subject and in the timetable there are 50 hours so there is only room to do 5 full AS or A2 subjects - they fill the extra 5 ours with delights such as tutorial, general studies, and in yr12 ASDAN and PE etc
there's nothing really stopping you doing an A level entirely off your own back - ie self supported study.
Obviously I wouldn't recommend it with Maths or English (or any other "skill" subjects) but alot of History is just digesting facts and recalling them at exam, which can be done autonomously
Obviously I wouldn't recommend it with Maths or English (or any other "skill" subjects) but alot of History is just digesting facts and recalling them at exam, which can be done autonomously
alot of History is just digesting facts and recalling them at exam,
have you done history beyond GCSE? Getting into Cambridge for hisrtory without any teaching would be a tall order.
to the OP, i had the same arts/sciences dilemma as you. Unlike you, i wasn/t thinking about oxbridge at that stage and so hadn't done your impressive amount of research.
i chose physics, philosophy and english in that order, and was persuaded to do maths in case i wanted to keep up with the physics.
by the end of AS i hated physics, and couldn't decide between English, Philosophy and History of Art at uni. By the end of A levels, I hated the idea of giving up maths. Still ended up doing HoA though (lots of questions of "why maths?" in the interview - that old arts/sciences divide).
Long way round to saying that for some people indecision/changing your mind is a fact of life. It's great to plan ahead but keep an open mind.
Had you thought about philosophy? it's one of the few subjects which seems to appreciate both kinds of thinking?
I knew that history comment would get me into trouble lol.
Lemmie explain exactly what I meant. With most A levels (History included) there are two elements - the skill/technique involved and then the volume of knowledge that comes with it. What I'm saying is, whereas the skill does have to be gotten to grips with, you can learn facts at your own leisure.
So doing a 5th A level needn't require all the lessons ur school normally puts on for it - if you're prepared to put in the hours reading through the body of knowledge required elsewhere, then you could do it easily on one or two hours a week.
Lemmie explain exactly what I meant. With most A levels (History included) there are two elements - the skill/technique involved and then the volume of knowledge that comes with it. What I'm saying is, whereas the skill does have to be gotten to grips with, you can learn facts at your own leisure.
So doing a 5th A level needn't require all the lessons ur school normally puts on for it - if you're prepared to put in the hours reading through the body of knowledge required elsewhere, then you could do it easily on one or two hours a week.
anna_c_100
It's just that Cambridge lists Physics as 'Highly Desirable' in their list of suggested A Level subjects for a Maths degree - in the same league as Further Maths. And I do enjoy Physics quite a lot. They don't let you do unconventional things at our school like doing a whole A Level in a year or oven an AS in the Upper 6th so once I've decided, that's it. Also, I've heard that the theoretical component of Physics helps you in the Oxford exam and STEP.
Anna
Anna
The Oxford exam is on pure maths so Physics doesn't really apply. Also Physics isn't considered a prerequisite or highly recommended - doing Further Maths is what counts (if you have the chance).
anna_c_100
The Maths and Philosophy course does look lovely, but the absence of any sort of applied maths is a reservation of mine. Also, the joint schools look harder to get into - for example, the acceptance rate for History and Economics is 15.2% (according to the Oxford prospectus) compared to the 30.2% rate of single honours History.
The Maths and Philosophy course does look lovely, but the absence of any sort of applied maths is a reservation of mine. Also, the joint schools look harder to get into - for example, the acceptance rate for History and Economics is 15.2% (according to the Oxford prospectus) compared to the 30.2% rate of single honours History.
The maths joint courses are almost identically competitive as the maths course - that's not to say any option is easy as it's 4 applicants per place for all of them - but the joint courses aren't any harder. But you're right in that it contains no applied maths.
Have you thought about applying to a United World College? You get a free scholarship, live with tons of international people at one of the Colleges (there are twelve worldwide, you get to nominate three, and one is in Wales, they only accept pre-sixth formers) and you study the International Baccalaureate which forces you to study quite broadly, thereby eliminating the arts v. sciences dilemma.
I found out about it halfway through Advanced Highers and was v. jealous.
I found out about it halfway through Advanced Highers and was v. jealous.
tiggerish
Have you thought about applying to a United World College? You get a free scholarship, live with tons of international people at one of the Colleges (there are twelve worldwide, you get to nominate three, and one is in Wales, they only accept pre-sixth formers) and you study the International Baccalaureate which forces you to study quite broadly, thereby eliminating the arts v. sciences dilemma.
I found out about it halfway through Advanced Highers and was v. jealous.
I found out about it halfway through Advanced Highers and was v. jealous.
Advanced Highers were a slog. I hated them.
i'm in a similar situation - i'd like to study english, chemistry or chemistry&business (obviously this last choice not at oxford/cambridge) and am starting my as levels in september.
i want to do eng lit, chemistry, maths, business studies & philosophy/psychology/critical thinking but i don't know if i should pick philosophy to complement the english, or psychology to go with chemistry (trying to keep my options open); or if i should just choose critical thinking because that's only 1 hr /wk and universities only offer on 3 a-levels anyway?
i'm just a bit worried that i don't have a subject to complement english because business studies isn't seen as a very academic subject?
please help!
i want to do eng lit, chemistry, maths, business studies & philosophy/psychology/critical thinking but i don't know if i should pick philosophy to complement the english, or psychology to go with chemistry (trying to keep my options open); or if i should just choose critical thinking because that's only 1 hr /wk and universities only offer on 3 a-levels anyway?
i'm just a bit worried that i don't have a subject to complement english because business studies isn't seen as a very academic subject?
please help!
Well I have no experience of the subjects myself, and as such make no personal judgement on them, but Business Studies and Psychology are not highly regarded, and are on the Trinity College Cambridge 'limited suitability' list, whilst Critical Thinking is on the 'not suitable' list.
I would however say that Business Studies is by no means necessary for a Business degree, so perhaps something like English Lit, Maths, Chemistry and Philosophy would be a good option.
I would however say that Business Studies is by no means necessary for a Business degree, so perhaps something like English Lit, Maths, Chemistry and Philosophy would be a good option.
Emma
blimey you have an even worse problem than the OP!
at cambridge, chemistry comes under natural sciences. 2 sciences are the absolute minimum, according to the web site;
oxford only insist on chemistry & maths but say a 3rd science or further maths is "helpful". outside of the top tier places, you'd probably be fine as chemistry is undersubscribed.
for english, you'd definitely need a second essay based subject. from your choices, philosophy is probably the best respected. if you've the sort of mind that can handle maths & english, it won't be too hard and isn't all that much work. psychology at A level is perceived by some as a subject for weaker students - it falls between being a science and essay-based. [Don't shout at me those who do it, I'm reporting not judging] a language, at least at AS, would also be helpful at many of the top unis. history is another "helpful" subject
i think you're right to be concerned about business studies - it's on the "less effective preparation" list of subjects (popularly known as the blacklist). if you decide to do business studies at uni, english and maths will get you in anyway. don't do it.
although offers are usually expressed in terms of 3 A levels, all decent unis expect to see 4 subjects at AS (warwick offers often specify a grade in the fourth AS too). General Studies & Critical Thinking are usually excluded (not always at York for some reason, but definitely for English). Critical Thinking is actually quite hard to get a good grade in - think I'm not the only one to get A in everything else & C in that. Your school may pressure you to take general studies too but this is to bolster their league table scores rather than for your benefit.
So in short, you need to take 4 proper AS levels. Ideally, to keep your options open, you'd need to do 5 (english lit, philosophy/language/history, maths, chem and physics/biology). But your school may not let you & it's not worth it if you risk dropping a grade (Cambridge ask for all UMS marks). If you take 4 (eng lit, maths, chem, philos), you could defer you decision till after AS, then drop the least relevant and pick up a more relevant 5th AS level in upper sixth.
Course if you were doing the IB you wouldn't have a problem...but at least you are thinking ahead which is great.
good luck
blimey you have an even worse problem than the OP!
at cambridge, chemistry comes under natural sciences. 2 sciences are the absolute minimum, according to the web site;
All Colleges are ready to consider applicants offering two science or mathematics subjects at GCE A level with, in addition, one or more non-science subject(s). Depending on subject choice, such applicants are likely to be at some disadvantage compared with applicants of comparable ability taking three science or mathematics GCE A levels, particularly in the physical sciences. Such applicants are encouraged to take an additional science/mathematics AS, the more useful combinations being:
GCE A level Biology, GCE A level Chemistry and AS Mathematics or Physics
GCE A level Chemistry, GCE A level Mathematics and AS Physics
GCE A level Physics, GCE A level Mathematics and AS Further Mathematics
GCE A level Biology, GCE A level Chemistry and AS Mathematics or Physics
GCE A level Chemistry, GCE A level Mathematics and AS Physics
GCE A level Physics, GCE A level Mathematics and AS Further Mathematics
oxford only insist on chemistry & maths but say a 3rd science or further maths is "helpful". outside of the top tier places, you'd probably be fine as chemistry is undersubscribed.
for english, you'd definitely need a second essay based subject. from your choices, philosophy is probably the best respected. if you've the sort of mind that can handle maths & english, it won't be too hard and isn't all that much work. psychology at A level is perceived by some as a subject for weaker students - it falls between being a science and essay-based. [Don't shout at me those who do it, I'm reporting not judging] a language, at least at AS, would also be helpful at many of the top unis. history is another "helpful" subject
i think you're right to be concerned about business studies - it's on the "less effective preparation" list of subjects (popularly known as the blacklist). if you decide to do business studies at uni, english and maths will get you in anyway. don't do it.
although offers are usually expressed in terms of 3 A levels, all decent unis expect to see 4 subjects at AS (warwick offers often specify a grade in the fourth AS too). General Studies & Critical Thinking are usually excluded (not always at York for some reason, but definitely for English). Critical Thinking is actually quite hard to get a good grade in - think I'm not the only one to get A in everything else & C in that. Your school may pressure you to take general studies too but this is to bolster their league table scores rather than for your benefit.
So in short, you need to take 4 proper AS levels. Ideally, to keep your options open, you'd need to do 5 (english lit, philosophy/language/history, maths, chem and physics/biology). But your school may not let you & it's not worth it if you risk dropping a grade (Cambridge ask for all UMS marks). If you take 4 (eng lit, maths, chem, philos), you could defer you decision till after AS, then drop the least relevant and pick up a more relevant 5th AS level in upper sixth.
Course if you were doing the IB you wouldn't have a problem...but at least you are thinking ahead which is great.
good luck
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