5 A-levels or 4 + EPQ for Harvard
Hey guys,
I am currently doing my GCSEs (predicted seven 9s and two 8s) and I have to choose my A-level choices. I want to study at Harvard (I am considering majoring in neuroscience) and I am thinking of choosing Biology, Chemistry, Sociology, and Economics - I am really passionate about advocacy and mental health and I aspire to pursue a career in healthcare and med-tech entrepreneurship.
I might also do either Maths or an EPQ - I struggle with working on long-term projects and deadlines, so I'm not so sure about the EPQ but I've heard that an A* in it can show admissions officers that I carry important skills like time-management, as well as passions and interests outside of (or linked to) the curriculum.
I am also really good at maths, but I don't really like it that much (but it will be crucial for me if I choose to go into finance instead of medicine - especially if I choose to do economics or a related degree in the UK).
Can I please hear some of you guys' thoughts on this? Should I choose 5 A-levels to keep my options open OR should I just do 4, and not do maths? Should I do an EPQ and is it really worth the time commitment? What would make me a stronger international applicant?
I am currently doing my GCSEs (predicted seven 9s and two 8s) and I have to choose my A-level choices. I want to study at Harvard (I am considering majoring in neuroscience) and I am thinking of choosing Biology, Chemistry, Sociology, and Economics - I am really passionate about advocacy and mental health and I aspire to pursue a career in healthcare and med-tech entrepreneurship.
I might also do either Maths or an EPQ - I struggle with working on long-term projects and deadlines, so I'm not so sure about the EPQ but I've heard that an A* in it can show admissions officers that I carry important skills like time-management, as well as passions and interests outside of (or linked to) the curriculum.
I am also really good at maths, but I don't really like it that much (but it will be crucial for me if I choose to go into finance instead of medicine - especially if I choose to do economics or a related degree in the UK).
Can I please hear some of you guys' thoughts on this? Should I choose 5 A-levels to keep my options open OR should I just do 4, and not do maths? Should I do an EPQ and is it really worth the time commitment? What would make me a stronger international applicant?
Reply 1
Original post
by Jamie2253Hey guys,
I am currently doing my GCSEs (predicted seven 9s and two 8s) and I have to choose my A-level choices. I want to study at Harvard (I am considering majoring in neuroscience) and I am thinking of choosing Biology, Chemistry, Sociology, and Economics - I am really passionate about advocacy and mental health and I aspire to pursue a career in healthcare and med-tech entrepreneurship.
I might also do either Maths or an EPQ - I struggle with working on long-term projects and deadlines, so I'm not so sure about the EPQ but I've heard that an A* in it can show admissions officers that I carry important skills like time-management, as well as passions and interests outside of (or linked to) the curriculum.
I am also really good at maths, but I don't really like it that much (but it will be crucial for me if I choose to go into finance instead of medicine - especially if I choose to do economics or a related degree in the UK).
Can I please hear some of you guys' thoughts on this? Should I choose 5 A-levels to keep my options open OR should I just do 4, and not do maths? Should I do an EPQ and is it really worth the time commitment? What would make me a stronger international applicant?
I am currently doing my GCSEs (predicted seven 9s and two 8s) and I have to choose my A-level choices. I want to study at Harvard (I am considering majoring in neuroscience) and I am thinking of choosing Biology, Chemistry, Sociology, and Economics - I am really passionate about advocacy and mental health and I aspire to pursue a career in healthcare and med-tech entrepreneurship.
I might also do either Maths or an EPQ - I struggle with working on long-term projects and deadlines, so I'm not so sure about the EPQ but I've heard that an A* in it can show admissions officers that I carry important skills like time-management, as well as passions and interests outside of (or linked to) the curriculum.
I am also really good at maths, but I don't really like it that much (but it will be crucial for me if I choose to go into finance instead of medicine - especially if I choose to do economics or a related degree in the UK).
Can I please hear some of you guys' thoughts on this? Should I choose 5 A-levels to keep my options open OR should I just do 4, and not do maths? Should I do an EPQ and is it really worth the time commitment? What would make me a stronger international applicant?
Hey, wow those GCSE results are awesome, congrats.
Personally, I'm starting an EPQ right now and although it is a ton of work, if you pick a topic you're passionate about, It ends up being quite pleasant and interesting. I think you should pick the 5 A-level since, even if you don't study medicine, maths is still a really important subject. Once you start the subjects, I you feel like it's not too overwhelming you could consider starting the EPQ, since summer would give you a great opportunity to get ahead on your EPQ. Also, if you pick the EPQ from one of the subjects you picked It could help you improve a deepen further in the topic. Eitherway, good luck!
Reply 2
10
Original post
by Jamie2253Hey guys,
I am currently doing my GCSEs (predicted seven 9s and two 8s) and I have to choose my A-level choices. I want to study at Harvard (I am considering majoring in neuroscience) and I am thinking of choosing Biology, Chemistry, Sociology, and Economics - I am really passionate about advocacy and mental health and I aspire to pursue a career in healthcare and med-tech entrepreneurship.
I might also do either Maths or an EPQ - I struggle with working on long-term projects and deadlines, so I'm not so sure about the EPQ but I've heard that an A* in it can show admissions officers that I carry important skills like time-management, as well as passions and interests outside of (or linked to) the curriculum.
I am also really good at maths, but I don't really like it that much (but it will be crucial for me if I choose to go into finance instead of medicine - especially if I choose to do economics or a related degree in the UK).
Can I please hear some of you guys' thoughts on this? Should I choose 5 A-levels to keep my options open OR should I just do 4, and not do maths? Should I do an EPQ and is it really worth the time commitment? What would make me a stronger international applicant?
I am currently doing my GCSEs (predicted seven 9s and two 8s) and I have to choose my A-level choices. I want to study at Harvard (I am considering majoring in neuroscience) and I am thinking of choosing Biology, Chemistry, Sociology, and Economics - I am really passionate about advocacy and mental health and I aspire to pursue a career in healthcare and med-tech entrepreneurship.
I might also do either Maths or an EPQ - I struggle with working on long-term projects and deadlines, so I'm not so sure about the EPQ but I've heard that an A* in it can show admissions officers that I carry important skills like time-management, as well as passions and interests outside of (or linked to) the curriculum.
I am also really good at maths, but I don't really like it that much (but it will be crucial for me if I choose to go into finance instead of medicine - especially if I choose to do economics or a related degree in the UK).
Can I please hear some of you guys' thoughts on this? Should I choose 5 A-levels to keep my options open OR should I just do 4, and not do maths? Should I do an EPQ and is it really worth the time commitment? What would make me a stronger international applicant?
I mean by the looks of your ambition and how you're doing right now, why not both?
Reply 3
2
Original post
by its_hugoI mean by the looks of your ambition and how you're doing right now, why not both?
Well, I'm worried about the workload and I still want to have time to manage my initiatives and extracurriculars as well, so I'm not too sure.
Reply 4
10
Original post
by Jamie2253Hey guys,
I am currently doing my GCSEs (predicted seven 9s and two 8s) and I have to choose my A-level choices. I want to study at Harvard (I am considering majoring in neuroscience) and I am thinking of choosing Biology, Chemistry, Sociology, and Economics - I am really passionate about advocacy and mental health and I aspire to pursue a career in healthcare and med-tech entrepreneurship.
I might also do either Maths or an EPQ - I struggle with working on long-term projects and deadlines, so I'm not so sure about the EPQ but I've heard that an A* in it can show admissions officers that I carry important skills like time-management, as well as passions and interests outside of (or linked to) the curriculum.
I am also really good at maths, but I don't really like it that much (but it will be crucial for me if I choose to go into finance instead of medicine - especially if I choose to do economics or a related degree in the UK).
Can I please hear some of you guys' thoughts on this? Should I choose 5 A-levels to keep my options open OR should I just do 4, and not do maths? Should I do an EPQ and is it really worth the time commitment? What would make me a stronger international applicant?
I am currently doing my GCSEs (predicted seven 9s and two 8s) and I have to choose my A-level choices. I want to study at Harvard (I am considering majoring in neuroscience) and I am thinking of choosing Biology, Chemistry, Sociology, and Economics - I am really passionate about advocacy and mental health and I aspire to pursue a career in healthcare and med-tech entrepreneurship.
I might also do either Maths or an EPQ - I struggle with working on long-term projects and deadlines, so I'm not so sure about the EPQ but I've heard that an A* in it can show admissions officers that I carry important skills like time-management, as well as passions and interests outside of (or linked to) the curriculum.
I am also really good at maths, but I don't really like it that much (but it will be crucial for me if I choose to go into finance instead of medicine - especially if I choose to do economics or a related degree in the UK).
Can I please hear some of you guys' thoughts on this? Should I choose 5 A-levels to keep my options open OR should I just do 4, and not do maths? Should I do an EPQ and is it really worth the time commitment? What would make me a stronger international applicant?
why are you doing sociology, maths can be a much better fit. Besides if you think presenting another portfolio in the form of epq is helpful, then do so. and besides @Jamie2253 im also thinking of maybe doing uni (engineering/design) at US, do you really need EPQ to compete for US unis, and what else do you do to increase your chances to get there. I also have similar predicted grades as you
Reply 5
10
Original post
by Jamie2253Well, I'm worried about the workload and I still want to have time to manage my initiatives and extracurriculars as well, so I'm not too sure.
You got a point but by the looks of it you should try all of it for the first year, if you feel like you can't handle the workload then you can always drop it at y13 and get 4 A level grades + EPQ + AS grade
Reply 6
I got all 9s at gcse bar one.
I'm gonna be realistic (I do 4+EPQ)- It is a huge workload.
Online you'll meet superhumans who do 5 or more a levels. But in reality for me, I know there's a limit now to what i can handle
Don't do 5 definitely- Do 4 and get really really good grades in them
I'm currently predicted A*A*BB in my subjects and if I didn't do EPQ probably A*A*A*A*. It took over 125 hours of work which if spent on focused revision would've yielded brilliant results. I may catch up now that it's over, but why take the risk?
I believe US unis like extracurriculars so probably focus on that too. If you're really confident you can do the EPQ, but otherwise do 4 + extracurriculars. DO NOT do 5. Not worth it simply.
Just my 2 cents
I'm gonna be realistic (I do 4+EPQ)- It is a huge workload.
Online you'll meet superhumans who do 5 or more a levels. But in reality for me, I know there's a limit now to what i can handle
Don't do 5 definitely- Do 4 and get really really good grades in them
I'm currently predicted A*A*BB in my subjects and if I didn't do EPQ probably A*A*A*A*. It took over 125 hours of work which if spent on focused revision would've yielded brilliant results. I may catch up now that it's over, but why take the risk?
I believe US unis like extracurriculars so probably focus on that too. If you're really confident you can do the EPQ, but otherwise do 4 + extracurriculars. DO NOT do 5. Not worth it simply.
Just my 2 cents
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