It depends what floats your boat, I am considering EE but I would recommend trying to get into some summer schools. One of the best things about them is that you get a taste of what it is like, as well as the admissions department putting a face to your name. Some Universities like UCL have the same admissions department for summer schools as well as UCAS, hopefully when it comes to when you apply you might have an edge up on the candidates that have not had any experience.
What A-levels should I do?
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It depends what floats your boat, I am considering EE but I would recommend trying to get into some summer schools. One of the best things about them is that you get a taste of what it is like, as well as the admissions department putting a face to your name. Some Universities like UCL have the same admissions department for summer schools as well as UCAS, hopefully when it comes to when you apply you might have an edge up on the candidates that have not had any experience.
I'm biased but do Chem Eng then go into the oil and gas industry - generally fairly challenging and interesting work plus it pays well - in general the best out of the engineering sectors (hours are generally good too, but does depend on role/level as with any job really). Thing is experience is key so large salaries (ie 6 figures) won't come nearly as quickly as in dentistry I imagine.
If you want any more info feel free to ask and I'll try and answer
Or, if you just want lots of money there's always the financial services route...
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I think you need to go and spend a week or two shadowing a dentist, or in a dental hospital to work out if it is something you would seriously want to do.
Yes - it is extremely well paid - but "sheer easiness of the day"? It's not as easy as it looks, especially if you take any pride in your work!
Don't forget that your "work" is performed on real people, you can have a dramatic effect on their life - so unless you can see yourself taking pride and pleasure in the skills of the job I'd think very carefully before committing. Having a bad day can even be life threatening for your patient
I started studying dentistry at university but after a year switched to and completed an engineering degree. I'm actually now an accountant!
What I would say is that it's hard studying something your heart isn't into, and it's equally hard working a job you don't enjoy regardless of the financial rewards. Bear that in mind when making your choices.
You will almost certainly earn a LOT more as a Dentist .. only the very top paid engineering jobs will come close, and they often require moving to where the work is (abroad?) or working extremely hard to get to that position.
It's very hard to know what you want to do with the rest of your life at 16/17 (I didn't have a clue until i was nearer 30) but you can give yourself the best chance of working it out by going out and seeing what it is like to work in these jobs. Try and shadow a dentist and engineer for a few days/weeks over the school holidays and see what you think.
If you decide to do engineering, I'd say that although not essential, maths and perhaps physics A levels will help when you get to uni. Particularly the mathematics as those without A level maths seemed to struggle more on my course since it was a big jump from GCSE standard.
If you decide to do dentisty - Biology and perhaps Chemistry will be useful. As you probably know it's extremely competetive to get a place though, so you'll need not only very high grades in good subjects, but they'll also want to make sure you are genuinely interested and committed to becoming a dentist. Straight As alone doesn't guarantee you a place at all - they'll see straight through you in the interview if you are only doing it for the money (or at least aren't very good at disguising the fact you are only doing it for the money!)
Have you considered any other careers?
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Before I switched to CompSci, I was doing Electronic Engineering. It's quite good fun, but to be honest a bit limiting. At least in this country i'd say aeronautics/design engineering are the key areas.
Soldato
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It will never be that bad again
(The English Lit students will still be doing bugger all mind...)
But I want to do medicine
But I want to do medicine
Go to Uni then, you can do lots of "medicine"!
choice one gives you by far the best options and flexibility, so long as you are clever enough to keep up with that workload.... i really wouldn't change that biology for history or any humanities for that matter ..... If you feel a bit exposed on the maths front you could always try your hand at an AS in further maths.. humanities have very little relevance in engineering and the universities know that... the question is however how good you think you can do in the subjects- if you think you can get an A* in history, but only a B in biology, then that could be something to conisder... i'm thinking from your ambitions however that you are very clever.
It depends what interests you, but you should get a good idea in your first year of AS.. if you enjoy mechanics, try your hand at Mechanical or Aerospace.... Mechanical is horrifically underated by the general public in this country in my opinion (they think you're a mechanic), but either should set you up for osme very interesting work, going into aero could see you working on F1 cars etc if that interests you... consider salaries though, from what i can gather as a first year Mech/Aero at Bath, pure engineering roles don't pay that well considering the skill needed, aka compared to finance...
It depends what interests you, but you should get a good idea in your first year of AS.. if you enjoy mechanics, try your hand at Mechanical or Aerospace.... Mechanical is horrifically underated by the general public in this country in my opinion (they think you're a mechanic), but either should set you up for osme very interesting work, going into aero could see you working on F1 cars etc if that interests you... consider salaries though, from what i can gather as a first year Mech/Aero at Bath, pure engineering roles don't pay that well considering the skill needed, aka compared to finance...
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Soldato
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With the possible uni courses you've mentioned I wouldn't bother with an arts/humanities A Level unless you REALLY enjoy the subject.
If you plan on doing anything with a maths slant at uni then I'd definitely recommend doing further maths, it makes everything a lot easier.
The best A Levels for you comes from a combination of what you enjoy and what you need for your desired uni course.
If you plan on doing anything with a maths slant at uni then I'd definitely recommend doing further maths, it makes everything a lot easier.
The best A Levels for you comes from a combination of what you enjoy and what you need for your desired uni course.
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For engineering, further maths is a given. It's a competitive course so try to do all science/maths subjects to give yourself the maximum chance of getting in.
Soldato
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Oh and a word of warning OP:
Physics is very hard, but very interesting. Chemistry is hard and quite frankly sucks. I thought Further Maths would be easy, it's not bad, but it's boring as hell.
Physics is very hard, but very interesting. Chemistry is hard and quite frankly sucks. I thought Further Maths would be easy, it's not bad, but it's boring as hell.
From what I understand, Physics is the easiest degree in the world from some of my friends who did nothing and passed the damn thing. I mean nothing in the closest sense to being literal as possible. That was a fun house
pantsdownsmith is forever a smear on my character
edit: I'd actually say Physics was my easiest A Level, Chemistry bored me to death.
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English is for girls and hippies!!