Links Between ���DP Subject Choices ���
and ���University Courses
Y11 IB Diploma Options Evening Aletha Rossiter & Gigi Lam
RCHK FE Office
FE Perspective
• Maximise strengths & options
• DP subjects and uni courses • ‘required’ • ‘preferred’ • ‘useful’
• Planning for university
How do I choose my IB subjects?
Make your strong subjects Higher Level (check MYP results)
• Make sure your A1 choice is in your strongest language
• Tailor your career choice and subject choice to your strengths
BE REALISTIC!!!
Maximise your choices
If you have not yet decided on a uni course
• you should maximise your potential options
• select at least three traditional academic subjects
• Focus on your strengths
Some examples Medicine • Chemistry HL, Biology HL, Language A HL
Business (All Variations) • History HL, Maths HL, Language A HL, Law • Language A HL, Language A HL, History HL
Engineering • Physics HL, Chemistry HL, Maths HL
But Remember…
• Many university courses have very high entry requirements e.g. Medicine (HKU min. ~44-45 IB pts)
• Talk to and LISTEN to your teachers’ recommendations
• Seek advice from parents, relatives & friends
But Remember… • Take a ‘careers’ test (eg. InterQuest)
• Be guided by academic strengths and/ or favourite subjects
• Check out the guides, brochures and information in Room s408
• Talk to FE counsellors
Modern subjects
• Visual Arts? • Design Tech? • Theatre? • ESS? • Psychology? • Business Man.?
• It does not mean that you should not study these
• Doing more than one may limit your choices
• Doing none may limit your choices
It’s complex Course requirements can & do vary • between universities • between faculties within universities • some courses do not require certain
combinations If you know that you want to apply for a
specific course at a specific university • do some research • compare university requirements
Possible prerequisites…
Architecture
Required • Art
Preferred • Mix of science and arts
Useful • a por7olio of recent work for interviews
Anthropology Required
• No par<cular subjects Preferred
• Biology for Biological Anthropology
• History for Social Anthropology
• Geography for Archaeology
Useful • mix of science and arts
Possible prerequisites…
Chemistry
Required • Chemistry HL
Preferred • Maths/ Physics
Useful • Biology
Biology
Required • Biology HL
Preferred • Maths/ Physics
Useful • Chemistry
Possible prerequisites…
Theatre
Required • Theatre
Preferred • English
Useful • Other crea<ve arts subjects
• Por7olio of recent work for interviews
English
Required • English HL
Preferred • History
Useful • Theatre
Possible prerequisites…
Economics
Required • Maths (HL esp. top universi<es)
Preferred •
Useful • Economics
Psychology
Required • No par<cular subjects
Preferred • Maths • Biology
Useful • Psychology
Possible prerequisites…
Engineering
Required • Maths HL • Physics (HL esp. top universi<es)
Preferred • Sciences
Useful • Other technical subjects e.g. DT
Maths
Required • Maths
Preferred • Physics
Useful • DT/ sciences
Possible prerequisites…
Geography
Required • No par<cular subjects
Preferred • Geography
Useful • Economics • Social sciences • Foreign languages • Maths • Chemistry
History
Required • History HL
Preferred • English HL
Useful • Geography • Essay based
Possible prerequisites…
Dentistry
Required • Chemistry HL • Biology HL
Preferred • Maths • Physics
Useful • Other sciences
Medicine/ Veterinary
Required • Chemistry HL • Biology HL (Vet) • Maths HL (esp. top universi<es)
Preferred • Biology • Physics
Useful • Other sciences
���
Law
Required • No par<cular subjects
Preferred • English • History
Useful • Maths • Sciences
Media
Required • No par<cular subjects Preferred
• Theatre • English HL
Useful • Other crea<ve course
Possible prerequisites…
Help with Planning for College
• Nurture commitment • Support their interests • “BeTer to be excellent at one thing than mediocre at many things”
• Talk with your child about money • Never too soon • How will it limit university choices
• Have realis<c expecta<ons (very few go to Ivy League/ OxBridge) • Many schools can be a great fit for your child
Help with Planning for College
• Be encouraging (don’t interrogate)
• Visit campuses (things have changed since your uni days) • Local • Arrange holidays to coincide • Bring your child with you!
• Know the deadlines for applica<on submission • Student organiser • Parent newsleTers
• Keep an eye on ‘the list’ • Too much influence from friends? • Not enough research? • Aiming too…
FAQs • “Aiming low to score high?”
• Chinese B • Maths Studies • Ab ini<o language
• Does it work? • You may get more points • Limits your choices
• Group 4 Science -‐ Design Technology / Sports, Exercise & Health Science – not lab science … suitable for?
• Engineering • Architecture • Design • Educa<on • S,E & HS -‐ “… provides excellent prepara;on for uni courses… specifically related to Sport, Sport Sci., or Physical Educa;on” (www.ibo.org)
Summary
• Understand (accept!) your child’s strengths
• Know university course pre-‐requisites
• Have regular FE conversa<ons at home & school