Adv Higher Biology or Higher Modern Studies?

[Heather1989]

Hi everyone, wasn't sure where to post this so sorry if it's in the wrong place.

I'm in just starting my 6th year of high school and am planning to take a psychology degree next year and hopefully go for graduate entry to medicine (hence my logic in posting this here - I'll technically be a mature student by the time I start med.)

Anyway, I was just wondering if any of you could give me some advice on this:

In 5th year I took 2 Highers, Biology and English. Got both of them at As (yay! )
This year I have taken Physics, History, Chemistry, Modern Studies and Art (the art has been done over 2 years - I started it in 5th year.)

Anyway, I have lately been having second thoughts about taking Modern Studies. Do you think it would be better for psychology and later medicine applications to have Advanced Higher Biology or am I better to go for the Modern Studies since I am already doing / have done quite a lot of science? Is it better to come out with (potentially) 7 highers or would 6 highers and an advanced higher be best?

Any advice would be great.

[Meg01]

I would go with the advanced higher bio because a few English med schools like qualifications equivalent to A-levels (taking higher as equivalent to AS), so it might help in that respect. Although modern studies does sound much more interesting! What about AH chem, that will mean you'll qualify for even more grad courses - but it really isn't essential, and it probably is really hard!!

[Heather1989]

Meg,
Yes, Modern Studies is quite interesting! I've had a look at some of the course and it's stuff like how a government is run, the immigration debate, minority groups etc. On the other hand though AH Biology has some interesting stuff in it too, I've asked the teacher and apparantly there's a bit in it about cancer cells and all that sort of thing which sounds fascinating. Although no doubt there will be the usual endless stuff about ecosystems and swamps etc. which I can't be bothered with so much (I wish Human Biology had been an option at our school, I think I would have enjoyed that much more!)

AH Chem wouldn't be an option this year because I've only got the Int2 so far so am sitting the higher this year but I am planning on taking it if I don't manage to get on a degree this year. I have heard it is v.tough though, only a couple of people sat it last year and they were 2 of the brainiest people in the school. It would be nice to be qualified for grad courses though and it would strengthen my application to 5yr ones. I wish Scotland would hurry up and get some GEPs because I think I read that for Scottish students to take a GEP in England works out as more expensive than a 5yr course in Scotland! It just seems so daft that Scotland has no GEPs, I've tried looking around for info but haven't even found a hint that they're considering it.