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Help: A levels and top schools

Hi everyone! I've been feeling a bit off about my subject combination (can't change that now) but I was wondering if there's any cause to truly worry. I want to study law and my combination is Literature, Economics and Sociology. I was considering doing History before I started, but we are not allowed to do History and Economics in my school (don't ask why it's just the structure) and I truly love Economics and I'm sure I'd do well so I picked it and I do not regret it. (and, important to note: the record of good History grades at my school isn't the best) However, I picked Sociology as my third because there honestly weren't many options I was keen on. I've never done it before, but I've honestly been doing quite well and I actually do enjoy it. However, I've seen so much negativity online about the subject and how not up to par and not regarded by top unis (but I've seen it on Cambridge and LSE's lists) I'm scared that sociology may ruin my application?? Everyone says grades matter for law and not subjects but I'm beginning to doubt myself. I know I have literature which is a strong subject for law (and I love it), but still.. I'm so far gone and I don't want to have regrets. I know there's not much to be done, but I've decided to take the IPQ (CIE version of EPQ) as something to make me stand out/ boost my application. I'd like your thoughts on my dilemma. Thanks guys.
(edited 11 months ago)

Reply 1

Original post
by valerieeee
Hi everyone! I've been feeling a bit off about my subject combination (can't change that now) but I was wondering if there's any cause to truly worry. I want to study law and my combination is Literature, Economics and Sociology. I was considering doing History before I started, but we are not allowed to do History and Economics in my school (don't ask why it's just the structure) and I truly love Economics and I'm sure I'd do well so I picked it and I do not regret it. (and, important to note: the record of good History grades at my school is low) However, I picked Sociology as my third because there honestly weren't many options I was keen on. I've never done it before, but I've honestly been doing quite well and I actually do enjoy it. However, I've seen so much negativity online about the subject and how not up to par and not regarded by top unis (but I've seen it on Cambridge and LSE's lists) I'm scared that sociology may ruin my application?? Everyone says grades matter for law and not subjects but I'm beginning to doubt myself. I know I have literature which is a strong subject for law which I love, but still.. I'm so far gone and I don't want to have regrets. I know there's not much to be done, but I've decided to take the IPQ (CIE version of EPQ) as something to make me stand out/ boost my application. I'd like your thoughts on my dilemma. Thanks guys.

1) that epq is gonna make the personal statement really shine, so congrats for choosing that
2) Grades are grades, so long as you're including the subjects that the unis ask you too, they shouldn't be waving away your offer just cuz you picked a certain subject. So long as you get them grade requirements, it'll be fineeee.
3) If the History wasn't going well, it's a good thing u left it, else it would be a hindrance your entire A levels.
4) About the epq, just make sure you stay ontop of things. I took one too, I let it slip, I had to write it up during summer in one week.
5) Don't doubt yourself either, the fact you're going to the length of asking shows you're resourceful - like most of the Russel Group applicants we got at my 6th form. You'll get to law just fine.

Best of luck with your studies!

Reply 2

Original post
by Rareficwabaca
1) that epq is gonna make the personal statement really shine, so congrats for choosing that
2) Grades are grades, so long as you're including the subjects that the unis ask you too, they shouldn't be waving away your offer just cuz you picked a certain subject. So long as you get them grade requirements, it'll be fineeee.
3) If the History wasn't going well, it's a good thing u left it, else it would be a hindrance your entire A levels.
4) About the epq, just make sure you stay ontop of things. I took one too, I let it slip, I had to write it up during summer in one week.
5) Don't doubt yourself either, the fact you're going to the length of asking shows you're resourceful - like most of the Russel Group applicants we got at my 6th form. You'll get to law just fine.
Best of luck with your studies!

Thank you so much for your feedback! I know I might sound like I'm spiralling lol but truly I needed reassurance that sociology wasn't a bad a level. And I keep thinking about History though, basically you're saying that A's matter, and sociology over history won't set me back. About the IPQ, my school has never done it before so I'm going to be the first and I'll have to talk to them about setting it up. I don't think there will be an issue with that but if for any reason there is, do you think achieving A*'s in my current subjects will be enough?

Reply 3

Original post
by valerieeee
Thank you so much for your feedback! I know I might sound like I'm spiralling lol but truly I needed reassurance that sociology wasn't a bad a level. And I keep thinking about History though, basically you're saying that A's matter, and sociology over history won't set me back. About the IPQ, my school has never done it before so I'm going to be the first and I'll have to talk to them about setting it up. I don't think there will be an issue with that but if for any reason there is, do you think achieving A*'s in my current subjects will be enough?


Dw about the spiralling, pretty sure it's impossible to get through a levels without doing it once or twice or thrice.

Yeah grade is what should matter, I ain't heard of no uni denying entry cuz someone picked a certain a level.

IPQ thingy, dayyyyyym first person? Well if u get it up n going congrats to you, and the unis will love it.

As far as what to achieve is concerned, if you get A* in all of em that's... that's like beyond impressive. But really all you need is whatever the course asks for. If its at like King's or smth n they ask for A*A*A, then get A*A*A - personally I wouldn't push myself to get the triple A* ontop of on IPQ, buuuut I'm also kinda maybe a lil lazy and complacent with ABB.

Just to reiterate, the spiralling is like ... 100% normal. It shows you really do care as well.

P.S. If u don't get the IPQ grade reduction, and the course asks for 3 A*, then yeah. Yeah you’ll have to get 3 A* to go to that uni. But the highest grades for Law I've heard is A*A*A. I'd personally look into a uni that offers law at grades you can defo get, n then put that as your insurance.

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