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Help with S6 subject choices

Hi, I'm currently in S5 undergoing my S6 subject choices. I'd like to study Dentistry at Glasgow Uni ideally, but I'm open to other unis as well as I'm aware how competitive it is.
I'm torn between picking -

Advanced Higher Chemistry
Advanced Higher Maths
Advanced Higher Biology

or

Advanced Higher Chemistry
Advanced Higher Biology
Higher Psychology (crash)
Human body college course (SCQF level 8)

or

Advanced Higher Chemistry
Advanced Higher Biology
Human body college course (SCQF level 8)

My 2 friends who are applying for medicine are going for the first option, but I am worried about the workload as they are quite taxing subjects. I'm predicted 5 A's at Higher, and I'm pretty sure I COULD achieve 3A's at AH, but juggling a part time job, volunteering, and sports plus 3AH's may be too much, even if I do well in school. Psychology is just something that I am interested in, and wanna learn more about.

Reply 1

Hi. If you want less of a workload, I suggest going for option two or three, however you should double-check entry requirements to make sure you don't need three advanced highers. I hope this helps. 😊

Reply 2

Original post
by glycolofreak
Hi, I'm currently in S5 undergoing my S6 subject choices. I'd like to study Dentistry at Glasgow Uni ideally, but I'm open to other unis as well as I'm aware how competitive it is.
I'm torn between picking -
Advanced Higher Chemistry
Advanced Higher Maths
Advanced Higher Biology
or
Advanced Higher Chemistry
Advanced Higher Biology
Higher Psychology (crash)
Human body college course (SCQF level 8)
or
Advanced Higher Chemistry
Advanced Higher Biology
Human body college course (SCQF level 8)
My 2 friends who are applying for medicine are going for the first option, but I am worried about the workload as they are quite taxing subjects. I'm predicted 5 A's at Higher, and I'm pretty sure I COULD achieve 3A's at AH, but juggling a part time job, volunteering, and sports plus 3AH's may be too much, even if I do well in school. Psychology is just something that I am interested in, and wanna learn more about.

the scqf dont hold prestige like the general highers do. Do 2 if it excessive because dundee has higher lenincy if glasgow your shoving your face at high end. Its not worth it to sacrifice your passion and happiness if workload is too high. Psycology was also what i was intrested but i am a bit glad i didnt take it because pass rate are ridicolously low. That A youre aiming but you can fail. dont do psycology if youre looking relistically from analytical view. The last option seems flexible and beatfully manigable but the scqf 8 qualification is not valued very much with university in general. The scqf8 qualification is more like additional extracurricular activty rather than a full subject. The scqf8 is like just an additional upgrade rather than an actual new weapon. So scqf8 qualification are not very valuable compared to general higher subject conclusively. If you prioritise your passion and your heart, then son choose option 4. However, if you want to get into medicine even if you find that you actually dont want to do it inside you then choose option1. for doing medicine option 1 is best

Reply 3

Original post
by glycolofreak
Hi, I'm currently in S5 undergoing my S6 subject choices. I'd like to study Dentistry at Glasgow Uni ideally, but I'm open to other unis as well as I'm aware how competitive it is.
I'm torn between picking -
Advanced Higher Chemistry
Advanced Higher Maths
Advanced Higher Biology
or
Advanced Higher Chemistry
Advanced Higher Biology
Higher Psychology (crash)
Human body college course (SCQF level 8)
or
Advanced Higher Chemistry
Advanced Higher Biology
Human body college course (SCQF level 8)
My 2 friends who are applying for medicine are going for the first option, but I am worried about the workload as they are quite taxing subjects. I'm predicted 5 A's at Higher, and I'm pretty sure I COULD achieve 3A's at AH, but juggling a part time job, volunteering, and sports plus 3AH's may be too much, even if I do well in school. Psychology is just something that I am interested in, and wanna learn more about.

As above, doing 3 advanced highers or even a college course as well won't help you out, it is essentially a waste of your time. I would recommend you do AH bio and Chem as they are required by the uni, as well as the higher Psychology, then as many free periods as possible. My school does a volunteering award for S6s, which is essentially an extra 6 free periods a week as you only needed to do like 20 hours of volunteering to complete it, so look into if your school has anything like this.

However, if you want to apply down south, you will need the 3AHs, so keep this in mind if you want to go to apply to an English uni.

I've gotten into 3 medical schools so far, each only requiring 2Bs at AH as their condition (same for Scottish dental schools), so don't put more stress than needed on yourself. Doing work experience, volunteering, the ucat, interviews etc. takes a lot out of you so keep school as simple as possible. Oh yeah, get 5As at Higher!!! and do your best in the ucat (it is horrible but you will survive!)

Best of luck!

Reply 4

Original post
by glycolofreak
Hi, I'm currently in S5 undergoing my S6 subject choices. I'd like to study Dentistry at Glasgow Uni ideally, but I'm open to other unis as well as I'm aware how competitive it is.
I'm torn between picking -
Advanced Higher Chemistry
Advanced Higher Maths
Advanced Higher Biology
or
Advanced Higher Chemistry
Advanced Higher Biology
Higher Psychology (crash)
Human body college course (SCQF level 8)
or
Advanced Higher Chemistry
Advanced Higher Biology
Human body college course (SCQF level 8)
My 2 friends who are applying for medicine are going for the first option, but I am worried about the workload as they are quite taxing subjects. I'm predicted 5 A's at Higher, and I'm pretty sure I COULD achieve 3A's at AH, but juggling a part time job, volunteering, and sports plus 3AH's may be too much, even if I do well in school. Psychology is just something that I am interested in, and wanna learn more about.


Do option 2! A balance of workload, entry requirements and personal interest.

Reply 5

Original post
by stilllearning123
As above, doing 3 advanced highers or even a college course as well won't help you out, it is essentially a waste of your time. I would recommend you do AH bio and Chem as they are required by the uni, as well as the higher Psychology, then as many free periods as possible. My school does a volunteering award for S6s, which is essentially an extra 6 free periods a week as you only needed to do like 20 hours of volunteering to complete it, so look into if your school has anything like this.
However, if you want to apply down south, you will need the 3AHs, so keep this in mind if you want to go to apply to an English uni.
I've gotten into 3 medical schools so far, each only requiring 2Bs at AH as their condition (same for Scottish dental schools), so don't put more stress than needed on yourself. Doing work experience, volunteering, the ucat, interviews etc. takes a lot out of you so keep school as simple as possible. Oh yeah, get 5As at Higher!!! and do your best in the ucat (it is horrible but you will survive!)
Best of luck!

Thanks for your help, the college course is kind of a filler subject in a way, as my school requires you do 4 subject unless you're doing 3 Advanced Highers. It's only 2 periods a week, and I assume it'll be easier than doing another higher.

Reply 6

Original post
by glycolofreak
Thanks for your help, the college course is kind of a filler subject in a way, as my school requires you do 4 subject unless you're doing 3 Advanced Highers. It's only 2 periods a week, and I assume it'll be easier than doing another higher.

Oh yeah, that sounds alright then. Essentially just pick whatever will give you the easiest ride as at max you'll be getting 2Bs at advanced higher as your condition, so nothing else really matters.
I also know this is very obvious, but try your very hardest to get 5As in your highers, leave nothing to chance in your revision. I have known multiple people applying to med, got 5As in their prelims, but then they stopped studying as hard and couldn't replicate it in the final exam, so they couldn't even apply.
I would say I'm not trying to scare you, but in a sense I am 😅, try your very hardest and you will do it! Best of luck!

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