What subjects should I take?

4

Hello
Currently a year 11 choosing her subjects for A and AS levels. I want to be a forensic pathologist and is planning to go into Medicine in Uni. I know I'll be doing A Maths, A Bio and A Chem but everything else is a blur(my school offer 5 subjects including RE). My options are physics, history, classic or english. I know if I want to go into Med, I should take all sciences but I really hate physics and it's not a requirement in Medicine anyways. Also I really like history and classic but none of my friends are taking it and I'll rather do something that has at least one person I know in it. English I'm not a really fan of but my closest friend is taking and my favourite teacher is teaching it so....
What do you suggest?

Reply 1

DataVenia

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

21

Original post by love_lavlavender

Hello
Currently a year 11 choosing her subjects for A and AS levels. I want to be a forensic pathologist and is planning to go into Medicine in Uni. I know I'll be doing A Maths, A Bio and A Chem but everything else is a blur(my school offer 5 subjects including RE). My options are physics, history, classic or english. I know if I want to go into Med, I should take all sciences but I really hate physics and it's not a requirement in Medicine anyways. Also I really like history and classic but none of my friends are taking it and I'll rather do something that has at least one person I know in it. English I'm not a really fan of but my closest friend is taking and my favourite teacher is teaching it so....
What do you suggest?

I would suggest that you don't need to do more than the three A levels you've already chosen: Maths, Biology and Chemistry.

If you're desperate to do more than three (or if your school / parents insist on you doing so), then pick any subject you want - as most universities will ignore it anyway.

Reply 2

lalexm

16

Original post by love_lavlavender

Hello
Currently a year 11 choosing her subjects for A and AS levels. I want to be a forensic pathologist and is planning to go into Medicine in Uni. I know I'll be doing A Maths, A Bio and A Chem but everything else is a blur(my school offer 5 subjects including RE). My options are physics, history, classic or english. I know if I want to go into Med, I should take all sciences but I really hate physics and it's not a requirement in Medicine anyways. Also I really like history and classic but none of my friends are taking it and I'll rather do something that has at least one person I know in it. English I'm not a really fan of but my closest friend is taking and my favourite teacher is teaching it so....
What do you suggest?

Pick whichever one you think you will get the best grade in, then early in year 12 drop either that subject or maths, as you are best doing 3 for medicine, and spending any spare time you have on things that are important like volunteering, a relevant EPQ, UCAT prep, super curriculars etc.

Reply 3

McGinger

20

Entry requirements for each UK Medical School - Entry requirements | Medical Schools Council (medschools.ac.uk)

Pathologist job profile | Prospects.ac.uk
Btw, you don't need a Med degree for other roles in this area :
Forensic Science - BSc (Hons) - Undergraduate courses - University of Kent
BSc (Hons) Forensic Anthropology | Undergraduate course | Liverpool John Moores University (ljmu.ac.uk)

Reply 4

username_66

11

Original post by love_lavlavender

Hello
Currently a year 11 choosing her subjects for A and AS levels. I want to be a forensic pathologist and is planning to go into Medicine in Uni. I know I'll be doing A Maths, A Bio and A Chem but everything else is a blur(my school offer 5 subjects including RE). My options are physics, history, classic or english. I know if I want to go into Med, I should take all sciences but I really hate physics and it's not a requirement in Medicine anyways. Also I really like history and classic but none of my friends are taking it and I'll rather do something that has at least one person I know in it. English I'm not a really fan of but my closest friend is taking and my favourite teacher is teaching it so....
What do you suggest?

I would suggest not thinking about what subjects your friends are taking as it will limit you, I made friends in all my classes even one where I was the only person in my year! i would also recommend just doing what is required by unis for entry but if there is a reason to take more do subjects you genuinely enjoy rather than other factors

Reply 5

sdfj

19

Original post by love_lavlavender

Hello
Currently a year 11 choosing her subjects for A and AS levels. I want to be a forensic pathologist and is planning to go into Medicine in Uni. I know I'll be doing A Maths, A Bio and A Chem but everything else is a blur(my school offer 5 subjects including RE). My options are physics, history, classic or english. I know if I want to go into Med, I should take all sciences but I really hate physics and it's not a requirement in Medicine anyways. Also I really like history and classic but none of my friends are taking it and I'll rather do something that has at least one person I know in it. English I'm not a really fan of but my closest friend is taking and my favourite teacher is teaching it so....
What do you suggest?

Don't decide on an A-Level just because your friends do/don't do it! And from what you're saying, don't do physics if you hate it, and I would say don't do English either - you'll have to put in a lot of effort independently into that subject and if you don't like it, you won't do as well.

Might also be a good idea to settle with 3 subjects unless you think you can handle the workload while maintaining high grades.

Reply 6

love_lavlavender

OP

4

Original post by DataVenia

I would suggest that you don't need to do more than the three A levels you've already chosen: Maths, Biology and Chemistry.
If you're desperate to do more than three (or if your school / parents insist on you doing so), then pick any subject you want - as most universities will ignore it anyway.

Thanks for the reply, but the thing is except for the three sciences, maths and history all other subjects are AS including English and I can't decide what AS subjects to take.

Reply 7

DataVenia

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

21

Original post by love_lavlavender

Thanks for the reply, but the thing is except for the three sciences, maths and history all other subjects are AS including English and I can't decide what AS subjects to take.

Very few universities pay any attention to AS level grades - so why take any AS levels alongside your three A levels? Is this something your school are making you do?

Reply 8

love_lavlavender

OP

4

Original post by DataVenia

Very few universities pay any attention to AS level grades - so why take any AS levels alongside your three A levels? Is this something your school are making you do?

Yes

Reply 9

DataVenia

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

21

Original post by love_lavlavender

Yes

Well, that's a shame.

OK. So re-reading your first post, I get the impression that you are forced to take RE at AS level, and must also take one other AS level, on top of the three A levels which you want to take (and which will actually be of some benefit to you). Have I got that right?

Your AS level choices are Physics, History, Classics and English. You also said you "really hate physics" and "really like history and classic". You seem to be suggesting that you should take English as "my closest friend is taking", even though you're "not a really fan of" it. That's not a very sensible approach. Pick History or Classics. If you're going to waste your time on a subject, it should at least be something you enjoy.

Reply 10

Mr_Pizza

14

Original post by love_lavlavender

Hello
Currently a year 11 choosing her subjects for A and AS levels. I want to be a forensic pathologist and is planning to go into Medicine in Uni. I know I'll be doing A Maths, A Bio and A Chem but everything else is a blur(my school offer 5 subjects including RE). My options are physics, history, classic or english. I know if I want to go into Med, I should take all sciences but I really hate physics and it's not a requirement in Medicine anyways. Also I really like history and classic but none of my friends are taking it and I'll rather do something that has at least one person I know in it. English I'm not a really fan of but my closest friend is taking and my favourite teacher is teaching it so....
What do you suggest?

I didn't even read your post: Pick maths biology chemistry
Have a good day, lad. :holmes:

Reply 11

DataVenia

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

21

Original post by Mr_Pizza

I didn't even read your post: Pick maths biology chemistry
Have a good day, lad. :holmes:

If you're read their post, you'd have noticed that they've already said that they're taking those very three subjects.

However, their school also requires them to take two AS levels on top of those three A levels. One of those AS level must be RE, it seems, but they're trying to work out what to do for the other AS level (which all the unis will ignore anyway, but which their school makes them take regardless).

Reply 12

Mr_Pizza

14

Original post by DataVenia

If you're read their post, you'd have noticed that they've already said that they're taking those very three subjects.
However, their school also requires them to take two AS levels on top of those three A levels. One of those AS level must be RE, it seems, but they're trying to work out what to do for the other AS level (which all the unis will ignore anyway, but which their school makes them take regardless).

Welp.

Reply 13

love_lavlavender

OP

4

Ok ok, thanks to all those who've replied to my question--it's helped a lot. But I do feel I need to clarify a few things.

1.

Yes, the main reason I would like to take English is because my friend is taking it, but she's taking Lit and (if I do) I'll be taking General, so we won't be in the same class anyways.

2.

Now, the reason my teachers have been telling me to take English is because it is highly likely Unis will want to look at as me being of Asian descent. Also, the fact that they don't really know the UK Uni system and wants me to be safe(I live in NZ). I do have an A in language IGCSE but they think it's less risky to do AS too.

Reply 14

Mr_Pizza

14

Original post by love_lavlavender

Ok ok, thanks to all those who've replied to my question--it's helped a lot. But I do feel I need to clarify a few things.

1.

Yes, the main reason I would like to take English is because my friend is taking it, but she's taking Lit and (if I do) I'll be taking General, so we won't be in the same class anyways.

2.

Now, the reason my teachers have been telling me to take English is because it is highly likely Unis will want to look at as me being of Asian descent. Also, the fact that they don't really know the UK Uni system and wants me to be safe(I live in NZ). I do have an A in language IGCSE but they think it's less risky to do AS too.

Don't do it because of your friend. I'd say listen to your teacher or follow what subject would really assist with the course you want to do in Uni. Also, deadline is tomorrow, so I don't know if you can switch now... :pizza:

What subjects should I take?

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