A Level choices for Cadetship

[jg96ram]

I'm currently doing AS Physics, Maths with Mechanics, Chemistry and History. I'm definately going to carry on with Maths and Physics, but I'm undecided on History and Chemistry for my second year. Is there one which will be more favourable for a cadetship or does it not matter?
By the way, I want to do a Deck cadetship most likely on Cruise Ships.

[MacNeil]

Chemistry will definitely help over history!

[Hatchorder]

So long as you have the Maths and Physics and get 120 UCAS points the rest are not as important. You can choose which one to keep on with. My son did Maths, Physics and Chemistry before he joined. Choose whatever will enable you to get the bast grades overall. For example if Chemistry is a real struggle then keep on with the History if it means you will get an extra grade in Maths and Physics because you can revise them more. I am not saying History is easier than Chemistry, I am just saying do whichever gets you the best grades overall. Of course Chemistry would help you more, but only if it is not at the expense of your Maths and Physics grades.

Ian.

[chris]

good advice

[Lewis]

Chemistry has more of a perception of being a hard subject and history a soft subject. Choosing chemistry will make you look smarter all things being the same.

[GuinnessMan]

Chemistry has more of a perception of being a hard subject and history a soft subject. Choosing chemistry will make you look smarter all things being the same.

You'll only look smart if you actually get a decent grade in it. If you say you studied it and fail it, it won't exactly help you now will it?

[Lewis]

That's why I said all things being the same

[gadget123]

As you are doing maths and physics that really covers the maths and science bit of the cadetship for you.

A basic knowledge of chemistry can be useful for deckies but by AS level you have more than covered what you need to know really. On the other hand in my opinion history can also be a useful thing to have a knowledge of when working at sea (I always think its good to have a understanding of the history of the countries you visit and the people you are working with)

So what it really comes down to is what you'll get a good grade in and what you enjoy.

[jg96ram]

As you are doing maths and physics that really covers the maths and science bit of the cadetship for you.

A basic knowledge of chemistry can be useful for deckies but by AS level you have more than covered what you need to know really. On the other hand in my opinion history can also be a useful thing to have a knowledge of when working at sea (I always think its good to have a understanding of the history of the countries you visit and the people you are working with)

So what it really comes down to is what you'll get a good grade in and what you enjoy.

Yeah, doing Maths and Physics (which are my two favourite subjects) I like to think History might be useful in some places, and Chemistry in others

[jg96ram]

So long as you have the Maths and Physics and get 120 UCAS points the rest are not as important. You can choose which one to keep on with. My son did Maths, Physics and Chemistry before he joined. Choose whatever will enable you to get the bast grades overall. For example if Chemistry is a real struggle then keep on with the History if it means you will get an extra grade in Maths and Physics because you can revise them more. I am not saying History is easier than Chemistry, I am just saying do whichever gets you the best grades overall. Of course Chemistry would help you more, but only if it is not at the expense of your Maths and Physics grades.

Ian.

Thanks so much, thats what I'm currently thinking. Whilst History might seem a bit, I'm getting A's in History and C's in Chemistry. Got an A in the 1st Physics paper and a B in the first maths but really expect an A overall for both, so hopefully will be in a good position come the autumn when I apply!

[bobofinga]

As long as you have enough UCAS point and maths and physics in the bag , you'll be fine.

[OldSalt]

Looking at the grades you are expecting have you considered the full degree course? Plymouth (http://www1.plymouth.ac.uk/courses/u...eOverview.aspx) and Liverpool (http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/courses/underg...ritime-studies) both do the full four year BSc (Hons) course as well as the three year FdSc course. It is worth contacting both and asking their advice on A Level choice and UCAS points required. There are some four year sponsorships available but you will have to do some chasing.

[PatrickW]

History is not seen as a soft A-level, it might not be the best for a cadetship application but it's certainly considered better than Geography A-level (All my college does is Russel Group Uni applications, I was something of an odd ball for them... but it means I know that russel group unis don't see history as soft.) oh an no offence geographers! I do maths, history and biology about to do my final A-level exams. I'm on for an A in maths, which was useful when I was applying. You have to get really high UMS points in Core 1 / 2 and mechanics, because when Core 4 comes you'll be glad!! I did Chemistry A level and it's brutal, we did Salters B chemistry which barely any other college does because its stupid! I got a D in it so dropped it and I'm hopeful of getting ABB, which is better than ABU as it would be with A-Level chem!! With Maths and Physics your pretty safe, personally I'd say take history to A2 and ditch the chemistry if your grade isn't what you'd want and its only getting harder, history is something of a respite from all the science and gives you some different skills.

[All At Sea]

I can't believe anybody still teaches Salters' syllabus for A-Level Chemsitry! I went on to study Chemistry at university after my A levels and initially found myself at a huge disadvantage because Salters misses out a lot of material which is assumed to be prior knowledge for undergraduate study, meaning I had to work much harder than my peers in the early stages of the course.


I'd say that both courses have something to offer; chemistry shows a level of scientific literacy and an ability to understand a further range of technical and theoretical concepts than Physics alone, whereas History shows an aptitude for critical thinking, how to assess sources of information and how to logically structure a written argument (assuming you get the grades that is!). Both can be used as selling points to any prospective employers if they are pitched right.

[jg96ram]

Looking at the grades you are expecting have you considered the full degree course? Plymouth (http://www1.plymouth.ac.uk/courses/u...eOverview.aspx) and Liverpool (http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/courses/underg...ritime-studies) both do the full four year BSc (Hons) course as well as the three year FdSc course. It is worth contacting both and asking their advice on A Level choice and UCAS points required. There are some four year sponsorships available but you will have to do some chasing.

Its something I might do added onto the Fd, not entirely sure how it works but we'll see when I get there!