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How many A2's ?

Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 10:59 am
by daughter
Hi, I am one of the lurkers ... I have been absorbing the information and expertise and hope to contribute some of my own someday. :)
In the meantime I am hoping someone can help advise me.
DD1 is currently doing AS in French, Spanish, Chemistry, Maths and Critical Thinking. She is planning to do MFL (prob French and another) at university. She will apply to Oxbridge and I think is in with a shot - although I agree with many others in that there seems to be a lot of luck involved. She is at an Indie where they are recommending that they all (except F.maths) take just 3 A2's. She is keen to stick with the 4 (dropping CT). Any opinions gratefully received regarding how Universities (and Oxbridge) view 3 or 4 A2's.
Thanks

Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 12:55 pm
by hermanmunster
Interesting question! Most Unis only ask for three and if you do only 3 they base the offer on that but probably want to see mega marks for the 3 (nowt else they can do). If you offer 4 they ask for 4!.

Obviously Unis vary - I have seen the odd med school for example saying they have to 4 AS but not all by any means.

Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 1:29 pm
by yoyo123
My daughter only took 3 A2s and also 2 advanced extension Awards (as no A* possible then).

However if your daughter is keen to do the 4 and is prepared to put in teh work for them, then it would demonstrate she is not afraid to try. The other side of that is would she be able to do justice to all subjects? If it is a case of 3 As or 4 lower grades, then that might not look as good.

It will be a lot of work.

Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 1:38 pm
by solimum
It's still quite early to decide this - presumably she can wait until the AS results in the summer, and if she's done well in all four without feeling completley overworked there is a good case for carrying on. Certainly keeping the Maths & Science A levels will broaden her future work experience / job prospects in industry/ business

Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 2:10 pm
by hermanmunster
agreed solimum, they are a great bunch of AS / A2 levels - good for opening all sorts of doors - real all rounder!

We a currently cross eyed with choosing.. you know the "if I do this and this then I can do that but not the other".... perm any combination!!

Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 2:10 pm
by daughter
Solimum, you are right that it is quite early although they are being asked to give their 3 subjects by 10th Feb so that the timetable/option blocks can be confirmed. I am sure that after AS results they will be able to change if there is room within the timetable.

Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 1:05 pm
by mum3
Son of friend has offer from Oxford based on 3 A2s. He did 4 AS levels(got 4 x As) and dropped one. Is predicted 3 A*s and offer is for 3 As.( He's also doing General Studies but that doesn't really count, does it?? :) ).

Most of the students at my children's school take 4 ASs and 3 A2s plus General Studies. Quite a lot successful in Oxbridge applications.

Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 1:56 pm
by zee
At my DC's grammar quite a few boys take 5 full academic A2s (i.e. not general studies, critical thinking etc) and if they take extra maths modules a select few end up with 5 1/2 or even 6 A2s.

However, in almost all cases they includes maths, further maths and physics or chemistry, so there is a degree of overlap.

We were told that for Oxbridge science, medicine or dentistry they pay little attention to extra-curricular stuff, but look for ultra high academic performance and that such a large number of A2s was almost necessary to have a good chance of a place.

Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2010 3:46 pm
by KB
Oxbridge tend to look at what is the norm from the school so if it offers 3 A2s you are not penalised.
If the best students do take 4A2s they will wonder why you have not - raise questions about abiltyu to cope with pressure of work.
If MFL is the certain option then maybe just take 3 A2 & another MFL at AS or an usual language outside school?
Cambridge will make an A* offer if you get one (who knows about Oxford next year!) so do need to be careful not to over stretch.
With sciences they do prefer 4 where possible but it may be with MFL they are looking as much for eveidence of travel/use of language/ interest in literature etc?
You could try e-mailing a couple of colleges to ask for advice.
One last thought! (from experience) if the school is not set up for 4 A2 is there a danger of missing some lessons in some subjects(due to timetabling issues) & needing to do a certain amount of self-teaching?

Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2010 4:41 pm
by hermanmunster
slightly off topic... any experience kids doing AS (any subject) on their own / out of school?