Next Steps Fortnight Nov 2011 How do I choose my A-levels? Mrs Bennett: Assistant Headteacher Director of 6 th form Director of 6 th form Mrs Berry: Assistant Director of Sixth Form

Choosing A-levels Make the right choices so that you can enjoy the next 2 years and be successful enjoy the next 2 years and be successful achieve your long –term goals achieve your long –term goals Make informed decisions

What do you enjoy? –more likely to work hard –more likely to stick with it when it’s hard! –more likely to lead into a career that you enjoy

What are you good at? A-levels are harder than GCSE! Hard to stay motivated if you are constantly failing, even if you work hard. Hence We normally expect you to have B grades or more in the subjects you want to carry on with. New A level subjects? (eg psychology, economics, sociology etc ) Get B grades in related subjects.

The Next Steps presentations will have told you more about any –particular skills needed –specific or different entrance requirements

What do I want to do in the future? Some careers and some university degrees need particular combinations. Some of the highest ranking universities publish lists of subjects that they think are better preparation for Higher Education. (= Subjects that they perceive to be more “academic”.) (= Subjects that they perceive to be more “academic”.)

Things change! University requirements and expected grades change. University requirements and expected grades change. ( The job market changes. The job market changes. Your ideas might change! Your ideas might change! Have a plan but try to keep a range of options open. Have a plan but try to keep a range of options open.

University Guidelines… Medicine, Dentistry, Vet Sci (Both chemistry and biology strongly advised. Maths can also be helpful. Maths can also be helpful. A 4 th and quite different subject is welcomed by many medical schools. A 4 th and quite different subject is welcomed by many medical schools.Engineering Maths and physics normally needed. (+chemistry for chemical engineering.)

University Guidelines… Computing Maths often needed to at least AS level Psychology Some (not all) courses prefer 1 or 2 science A-levels. This could include psychology A-level.

University Guidelines… Economics Maths is preferred or required at some universities. Architecture Preferably maths or physics. Art or Design portfolio is essential.

Law: what Cambridge says “Good applicants tend to have taken subjects that develop a careful, analytical approach… … applicants with backgrounds in Maths and Science perform as well as those who have studied humanities …mixed combination of subjects can be good (demonstrates a range of skills, ability to write is important!) …no requirement to have studied law at A-level. Those who have done law A-level have no special advantage once they have started their courses either.”

And the obvious! French at uni? Take French! History at uni? Take History! This uni advice will be in the prospectus.

Not sure about what you might want to do in the future? Not sure about what you might want to do in the future? Not sure which subjects to choose? Not sure which subjects to choose? Some subjects appear in the entry requirements/preferences for lots of different university courses. Some subjects appear in the entry requirements/preferences for lots of different university courses.

If you are good at them and if you enjoy them, it may be an idea to include 2 of these in your 4. Maths, Further Maths English BiologyGeography ChemistryHistory PhysicsLanguages

Do GCSE grades matter for university? Increasing competition for places. Increasing competition for places. More universities now select on the grades you get at GCSE in addition to A level grades. More universities now select on the grades you get at GCSE in addition to A level grades. All universities require you to have at least a C grade in Maths and English whatever subject you are applying for. All universities require you to have at least a C grade in Maths and English whatever subject you are applying for.

Recap choosing subjects What do you enjoy? What do you enjoy? What are you good at? What are you good at? What might you do in the future??? What might you do in the future??? Choose 4 subjects. Choose 4 subjects. (A few very able students may wish to do 5 subjects. If this is something you are interested in, we will advise you.) (A few very able students may wish to do 5 subjects. If this is something you are interested in, we will advise you.)

More subject information… My Computer/Shared Resources/ Sixth Form Courses –Subject leaflets/flyers for all the subjects we will be offering –Power point presentations Eaton Bank Sixth Form Website: Course descriptions Course descriptions “ Informed Choices”: Russell Group Guide to making informed decisions. ( Of particular interest to students aspiring to the higher ranking universities.) “ Informed Choices”: Russell Group Guide to making informed decisions. ( Of particular interest to students aspiring to the higher ranking universities.) : check preferred combinations for university

More help? Talk to teachers and students Sixth Form Website Open Evening 7pm Thursday 10 Nov, next week –Prospectus –Applications soon after Meeting with senior staff to discuss your application and subject choices