A-Levels in High School
Okay. So we've got this, big stack of information here all about a levels.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:And I know a lot of parents are probably thinking, a levels. What are those? Yeah. How do they relate to me? How do they relate to my kids' future?
Speaker 1:Yeah. And and, you know, we're thinking about college and Uh-huh. How do a levels even fit into all of that?
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:So let's just dive right into it. What are they?
Speaker 2:So a levels are basically, like, they're advanced level courses k. That students can take. They're usually taken, like, between the ages of 16 18.
Speaker 1:Got it.
Speaker 2:And they're really popular in the UK, but they're actually recognized internationally as well.
Speaker 1:Interesting.
Speaker 2:Yeah. So it's not just a UK thing.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:And it's basically like imagine your kid gets to, like, dive deep into just 3 or 4 subjects
Speaker 1:Oh, wow.
Speaker 2:For 2 whole years.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:So it's kinda like they're picking their major, like, in high school.
Speaker 1:Yeah. That's a big difference from here.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:You know, in the US, we do a little bit of everything.
Speaker 2:Exactly. Yeah. So it's a much more focused approach.
Speaker 1:Okay. So they do 3 or 4 subjects
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:For 2 years.
Speaker 2:Uh-huh.
Speaker 1:Is it kinda like they do, like, a year on each subject?
Speaker 2:It's actually split into 2 levels. So they do, like, AS level, which is the 1st year Okay. And then a 2 level, which is the 2nd year.
Speaker 1:Gotcha.
Speaker 2:And they're really going in-depth in the material.
Speaker 1:That's interesting. So is it, like, the typical, you know, math, English, science, or is there more variety?
Speaker 2:There's tons of variety. There are over 80 subjects to choose from. I know. So you've got everything from, you know, your maths, your sciences to things like psychology, art, and design.
Speaker 1:So they can get really specific?
Speaker 2:Very specific.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:Yeah. So it really lets kids hone in on what they're truly interested in.
Speaker 1:In. That's really cool. Now I know a lot of parents are probably wondering, okay. How does this compare to, like, AP classes? Right.
Speaker 1:That's kind of the big thing here.
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:How those 2 compare?
Speaker 2:Yeah. That's a good question. So both of them are considered, like, college prep.
Speaker 1:K.
Speaker 2:But they have different approaches. So a levels, like we said, it's all about that deep dive into fewer subjects. So you're really, like, becoming almost like a mini expert in those 3 or 4 subjects.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:Whereas APs tend to be broader Okay. Covering more topics in a single year.
Speaker 1:So it's more of a like a survey course almost.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Like a taste test. Yeah. You get to see what's out there.
Speaker 1:Right. Okay. So a levels is for the kid who maybe already kinda knows what they like.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Exactly.
Speaker 1:They're interested, and they wanna just, like, really get a head start.
Speaker 2:Exactly. They wanna go deep.
Speaker 1:Get ahead of the game.
Speaker 2:Yeah. And universities definitely see the value in that. Right. But, you know, it really depends on the kid.
Speaker 1:Right. Of course.
Speaker 2:Of course. Their learning style and what their goals are.
Speaker 1:Now we talked about APs and a levels.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:What about IB? Where does that fit in?
Speaker 2:So IB is interesting because it's all about being well rounded.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:So students take 6 subjects.
Speaker 1:6?
Speaker 2:6. Yes. Okay. Across a variety of disciplines.
Speaker 1:Mhmm.
Speaker 2:So, you know, sciences, humanities, languages, the arts.
Speaker 1:Okay. So it's a little bit of everything.
Speaker 2:Yeah. It's a little bit of everything. Yeah. So it's great for kids who want a broad academic experience.
Speaker 1:So if your kid likes variety, wants to kinda try everything.
Speaker 2:Exactly. That's a good way to put it.
Speaker 1:IB might be the way to go.
Speaker 2:Could be.
Speaker 1:Okay. So we've got these three systems. Each one is kinda different.
Speaker 2:Mhmm.
Speaker 1:Why would a parent choose a levels? What are the advantages there?
Speaker 2:Yeah. That's a good question. So one of the big draws is the flexibility.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:Like we were saying, kids get to pick the subjects they're genuinely interested in.
Speaker 1:Right. So it's all about what they wanna learn.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And that can make a big difference in their motivation and how much they get out of their studies.
Speaker 1:I imagine so. Yeah. Yeah. If you're not interested in something, it's hard to learn.
Speaker 2:Absolutely.
Speaker 1:So okay. That's a big plus. Now what else?
Speaker 2:Well, the depth of knowledge they gain in those 2 years is huge.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:So they're really becoming, like, almost experts in those areas.
Speaker 1:Uh-huh.
Speaker 2:And that translates well into future careers too.
Speaker 1:Oh, okay. So it's not just about college. It's about, like, setting them up.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Exactly.
Speaker 1:For a career down the line.
Speaker 2:It's like giving them a head start.
Speaker 1:That's huge. That's a real selling point.
Speaker 2:It is.
Speaker 1:Now I know a levels are really big in the UK. Yeah. Are they recognized globally, though?
Speaker 2:They are.
Speaker 1:What about, like, here in the US?
Speaker 2:Yeah. So a levels are recognized and respected by universities worldwide Wow. Including here in the US. K. A lot of US colleges even give college credit for high a level scores.
Speaker 1:Oh, really? Yeah. So it's, like, the same as an AP exam almost?
Speaker 2:It's very similar.
Speaker 1:Yeah. Wow. So it's not just about getting into college. It's, like you said, getting a head start.
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:Potentially saving money on a college education.
Speaker 2:Exactly. Yeah. Which every parent loves to hear. Of
Speaker 1:course. Of
Speaker 2:course. So, you know, it's a win win.
Speaker 1:Okay. So we've got in-depth knowledge, global recognition, potential college credit. Right. Sounded pretty good.
Speaker 2:Yeah. It's a pretty compelling package
Speaker 1:It is.
Speaker 2:For any parent who's, you know, thinking about what's best for their kid.
Speaker 1:Right. So we've got a levels, AP, IB. Yep. How does a parent even begin to figure out what's the best for their kid?
Speaker 2:Yeah. That's the $1,000,000 question, isn't it?
Speaker 1:It is.
Speaker 2:I think the key is to have, like, open and honest conversations. Yeah. You know, talk to your kid about what subjects they actually enjoy Uh-huh. What kind of learning environment they thrive in
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:And what their long term goals are.
Speaker 1:So it's not a one size fits all?
Speaker 2:Exactly. Definitely not. K.
Speaker 1:Good advice. And what if a parent is just feeling overwhelmed
Speaker 2:Yeah. By
Speaker 1:all of this? What resources are out there?
Speaker 2:Oh, there's a ton of resources out there.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:I mean, a good place to start is your guidance counselor at school.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:They can be a really valuable resource.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:There's also a lot of information online, you know, websites, forums. Uh-huh. And you can even find educational consultants who specialize in this kind of thing.
Speaker 1:Oh, wow.
Speaker 2:Yeah. So there are people who can guide you through this whole process.
Speaker 1:So you don't have to do it alone.
Speaker 2:Exactly. You don't have to go it alone.
Speaker 1:Okay. That's good to hear. And speaking of resources
Speaker 2:Actually, there is this new platform I've heard about called College Journey.
Speaker 1:College Journey. Okay.
Speaker 2:And they've created this, AI guide named Alice Okay. That provides personalized support and resources for families.
Speaker 1:AI. That's interesting. So is that something we could look at next time?
Speaker 2:We definitely could. It sounds like a whole other deep dive waiting to happen.
Speaker 1:Yeah. It does. I think parents have a lot to think about when it comes to a levels and college admissions in general.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. It's a big decision, but with the right information and support, they can make the best choices for their kids.
Speaker 1:That's good to hear. Yeah. So what's the one big thing parents should remember about all this?
Speaker 2:I think the most important thing is that a levels offer a unique path to higher education, a path that emphasizes depth knowledge, specialization, and global recognition, and all of that can be a huge benefit for students in the long run.
Speaker 1:That makes sense. And if a levels aren't the right choice, that's okay too.
Speaker 2:Exactly. The key is to find the path that aligns with your child's unique strengths and goals.
Speaker 1:Well said. Alright. We're gonna take a quick break here, but when we come back, we'll dive even deeper into all of this.
Speaker 2:Sounds good. It really is all about finding that right fit, you know, for each student.
Speaker 1:Yeah. Absolutely. Let's go back to the a levels versus AP thing for a second. Okay. We kinda touched on the differences, but let's break it down a little bit more for parents who are really, like, weighing these two options.
Speaker 2:Yeah. So one way to think about it is this. A levels are like laser focus.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:While APs are more like wide angle lens.
Speaker 1:Okay. I like that.
Speaker 2:They both can lead to college credit, but they get there in different ways.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:So a levels usually involves, you know, diving deep into just 3 or 4 subjects Mhmm. Over those 2 years.
Speaker 1:So it's really, like you said, becoming a mini expert
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:In those areas.
Speaker 2:Yeah. You're building a really strong foundation in those chosen areas.
Speaker 1:Like you were saying earlier, you know, if you've got a kid who is really passionate about science Right. And maybe thinking about a career in medicine or research, that kinda head start could be huge for them.
Speaker 2:It's massive. It shows a level of commitment that universities love.
Speaker 1:Yeah. They wanna see that dedication.
Speaker 2:Exactly. Exactly. Now with AP on the other hand, like we said, it's more about breadth.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:So students can take AP courses in a variety of subjects. Right.
Speaker 1:So they can try different things?
Speaker 2:They can try different things, and it's often, you know, squeezing it all into 1 year.
Speaker 1:So it's less about the depth and more about
Speaker 2:More about exposure.
Speaker 1:Getting a taste of a bunch of different things.
Speaker 2:Exactly. Yeah. It allows for exploration.
Speaker 1:So it helps students maybe figure out what they actually like.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Discover where their passions lie.
Speaker 1:Okay. That makes sense. And we've got IB, which seems to be a totally different approach.
Speaker 2:Yeah. IB is like you said, it's all about holistic education. Yeah. Think like 6 subjects. Across all sorts of disciplines.
Speaker 1:That's a lot.
Speaker 2:It is a lot. Yeah. So languages, sciences, humanities, arts, you name it.
Speaker 1:What kind of student thrives in that kind of environment?
Speaker 2:Well, IB is great for students who are really intellectually curious. They enjoy a challenge. Right. And they're strong in multiple academic areas.
Speaker 1:So they have to be pretty well rounded already.
Speaker 2:Yeah. It's a demanding program.
Speaker 1:It sounds like it.
Speaker 2:But it's also really rewarding. You know? It puts a lot of emphasis on critical thinking, research skills
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:And community engagement.
Speaker 1:So it's not just about academics?
Speaker 2:No. It's about developing well rounded individuals, you know, preparing them not just for college Right. But for life.
Speaker 1:The real world.
Speaker 2:Exactly. Yeah. It's about fostering those skills, you know, critical thinking, problem solving Mhmm. A sense of social responsibility.
Speaker 1:So they wanna create, like, well rounded global citizens.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Exactly. Exactly.
Speaker 1:Okay. So we've got a levels for that deep dive. Uh-huh. AP for, like, tasting different things.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:And IB for that holistic experience.
Speaker 2:Yep. That's a lot It is a lot.
Speaker 1:For parents to wrap their heads around.
Speaker 2:Definitely. I think the best advice is to take a deep breath.
Speaker 1:Okay. Take a deep breath.
Speaker 2:Don't get overwhelmed.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:And start with your kid. Talk to them about what they enjoy Mhmm. What kind of learning environment they do well in
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:And you know what they think their goals are.
Speaker 1:So those open and honest conversations are key. They're crucial. Yeah.
Speaker 2:Just listen to your kid. Right. There's no right or wrong answer here.
Speaker 1:It's about what's best for them.
Speaker 2:Exactly. Yeah.
Speaker 1:Now let's be real for a second. Okay. We're talking about college admissions
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Which is a very stressful process
Speaker 2:It can be. Yeah.
Speaker 1:For both students and parents. Definitely. How do a levels, APs, IB, how do they all factor into that?
Speaker 2:So this is where it gets interesting reflecting. Colleges, especially in the US
Speaker 1:Uh-huh.
Speaker 2:They have what's called a holistic admissions process. Okay. So they're not just looking at grades.
Speaker 1:Okay. So it's more than just the numbers?
Speaker 2:It's much more than the numbers. Yeah. They're looking at the whole student.
Speaker 1:So what does that mean?
Speaker 2:It means they consider things like extracurricular activities
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:Leadership experience Mhmm. Community involvement
Speaker 1:Uh-huh.
Speaker 2:Even essays and letters of recommendation.
Speaker 1:Yeah. So they really wanna get a sense of who this person is.
Speaker 2:Exactly. They wanna see the whole picture.
Speaker 1:Not just the academic side.
Speaker 2:Exact So
Speaker 1:where do these programs fit into all of that?
Speaker 2:Well, taking on these challenging programs Uh-huh. Whether it's a whether it's a levels, APs, IB Okay. It shows colleges that a student is willing to push themselves academically Right.
Speaker 1:That they're not afraid
Speaker 2:of hard work. So it's a good signal to send. It's
Speaker 1:a really good
Speaker 2:signal, especially for competitive schools.
Speaker 1:They wanna see that you can handle it.
Speaker 2:Exactly. It's like saying, hey. I'm serious about learning, and I can handle a college level workload.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:And colleges eat that up.
Speaker 1:So regardless of which path they choose Yeah. They need to excel within that system.
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:High grades, strong recommendations Right. Show that passion.
Speaker 2:Yeah. That's what makes students stand out.
Speaker 1:That's what they're looking for. Yep. So it's all about demonstrating that commitment to academic excellence
Speaker 2:There really is.
Speaker 1:No matter what path you choose.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And that commitment can look different for different students.
Speaker 1:Right? For one student, it might be excelling in 4 rigorous a level subjects.
Speaker 2:Mhmm.
Speaker 1:For another, it might be acing 6 IB courses while also leading a community service project.
Speaker 2:So there's no magic formula.
Speaker 1:There's no magic formula. It's all about finding the right fit.
Speaker 2:Find what works for you.
Speaker 1:Exactly.
Speaker 2:Okay. That makes sense. Now I know a lot of parents are probably feeling little overwhelmed right now.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Like you said, it's a lot to process.
Speaker 1:It is. It is.
Speaker 2:But a marathon, not a sprint. Right?
Speaker 1:Exactly. Exactly. It's a journey that you and your child can go through together.
Speaker 2:One step at a time?
Speaker 1:One step at a time. Yep.
Speaker 2:Okay. So we've talked about what these different systems importance of finding the right fit.
Speaker 1:Yep. We've talked about
Speaker 2:the holistic approach to education. Yeah.
Speaker 1:It's a lot.
Speaker 2:It is a lot. But I think the main takeaway here is that there are many paths to success.
Speaker 1:There are.
Speaker 2:And the important thing is to choose the one that aligns with your child.
Speaker 1:Exactly.
Speaker 2:Their strengths, their interests, what they wanna do. Couldn't have said it better myself.
Speaker 1:Okay. Good. And they don't have to do this alone?
Speaker 2:They don't.
Speaker 1:Right. There are resources out there.
Speaker 2:There are. There are. Yeah. And speaking of resources
Speaker 1:You keep mentioning this college journey thing.
Speaker 2:I do. What's that? It's this platform that's helping families navigate this whole college admissions world.
Speaker 1:Yep.
Speaker 2:And they have this AI guide named Alice.
Speaker 1:AI.
Speaker 2:Yeah. That's pretty cool. It is cool. Yeah. Alice can provide personalized recommendations, resources, even answer questions 247.
Speaker 1:Oh, wow. So it's like having a personal college adviser.
Speaker 2:It's exactly like that.
Speaker 1:In your pocket.
Speaker 2:Yeah. In your pocket.
Speaker 1:That's amazing. Yeah. Especially for families who are feeling lost.
Speaker 2:Especially for them. Yeah. It's all about making this process easier.
Speaker 1:Okay. I like that. We've covered a lot of ground here.
Speaker 2:We have.
Speaker 1:But, hopefully, this has given parents a better understanding of these different programs
Speaker 2:That's right.
Speaker 1:And how they fit into the big picture.
Speaker 2:Yeah. The big picture of college admissions. It's a
Speaker 1:lot to take in, but the one thing I really want parents to remember is that a levels offer a very unique pathway to higher education.
Speaker 2:They do.
Speaker 1:It's not the only one, but it's a good one.
Speaker 2:It is a good one.
Speaker 1:And it really emphasizes that in-depth knowledge Mhmm. That specialized learning Yep. Global recognition
Speaker 2:All the good stuff.
Speaker 1:All the good stuff. Yeah. And all of that can benefit students in the long run.
Speaker 2:Absolutely.
Speaker 1:Now whether a levels are the right choice for your child
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:That's a conversation you need to have with them.
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:Talk to them about what they want, what they like.
Speaker 2:Yeah. What their learning style is.
Speaker 1:You know? And figure out what works best.
Speaker 2:Find the right fit.
Speaker 1:And remember, there is support out there.
Speaker 2:Always. Always.
Speaker 1:Guidance counselors Uh-huh. Online resources Yep. Educational consultants.
Speaker 2:They're all there to help.
Speaker 1:So you're not alone.
Speaker 2:You're not alone.
Speaker 1:Okay. Good. So let's talk more about this college journey thing next time.
Speaker 2:Let's it sounds like a fascinating deep dive.
Speaker 1:It does. Until then, keep those deep dives going.
Speaker 2:See you next time.
Speaker 1:It sounds like the big thing is just to really encourage kids to figure out what they like Yeah. What they're interested in Yeah. And, you know, help them find a path that really works for them.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And challenge themselves along the way.
Speaker 1:Yeah. Push themselves a little bit.
Speaker 2:Exactly. You know, step outside that comfort zone.
Speaker 1:Now before we wrap up, I wanna circle back to something we mentioned before k. K. About a levels and how they can actually lead to college credit
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:Here in the US. So how does that actually work?
Speaker 2:So it's actually pretty straightforward. A lot of US universities will give you college credit for good a level scores.
Speaker 1:Uh-huh.
Speaker 2:It's kinda like how they do it for AP exams.
Speaker 1:Right. Right.
Speaker 2:The specifics can be a little different depending on the school.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:So it's always a good idea to check with the individual colleges your kid's interested in.
Speaker 1:Yeah. Do your research.
Speaker 2:Exactly. But the main idea is that you can get a head start on college.
Speaker 1:While you're still in high school.
Speaker 2:While you're still in high school. Yeah.
Speaker 1:So you're kinda, like, knocking out some of those early college courses?
Speaker 2:Exactly. And potentially saving money too.
Speaker 1:Yeah. That's always a good thing.
Speaker 2:Always a plus.
Speaker 1:Now you mentioned some of the top universities. Yeah. Like, even Harvard and Stanford. Uh-huh. They might give you advanced standing.
Speaker 2:They do for those really exceptional a level results.
Speaker 1:So we're not just talking, like, a couple of credits here and there?
Speaker 2:No. We're talking potentially a whole semester or even a year off of college.
Speaker 1:Yeah. That's significant.
Speaker 2:It's a big deal. It really highlights how rigorous the a level curriculum is
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:And how much it's respected globally.
Speaker 1:This has been a really interesting look into the world of a levels.
Speaker 2:Yeah. I think we covered a lot.
Speaker 1:We talked about what they how they're different from AP and IB Uh-huh. And, you know, why a student might wanna consider them.
Speaker 2:Right. Right. And how they can help you get college credit.
Speaker 1:Yeah. And all that good stuff.
Speaker 2:And all that good stuff. Yep.
Speaker 1:So the big
Speaker 2:takeaway for parents listening Yeah. Is that a levels offer
Speaker 1:a really valuable
Speaker 2:path
Speaker 1:They do. To higher education. It's about going deep into those subjects. Yeah. That's specialized learning.
Speaker 1:It's recognized all over the
Speaker 2:world.
Speaker 1:All over the world.
Speaker 2:Yep.
Speaker 1:And all of that can really benefit students in the long run.
Speaker 2:Absolutely.
Speaker 1:Now, again, it might not be the right choice for every student.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:But it's definitely something to think about.
Speaker 2:Something to consider. Yeah.
Speaker 1:And have those conversations.
Speaker 2:Those conversations are key.
Speaker 1:Talk to your kids.
Speaker 2:Talk to them. Figure out what they wanna do.
Speaker 1:What they're passionate about.
Speaker 2:Yeah. What their learning style is like.
Speaker 1:And remember, you're not alone in this process.
Speaker 2:Definitely not.
Speaker 1:You've got guidance counselors.
Speaker 2:Right. You've got online resources. Tons of information out there.
Speaker 1:You've got educational consultants.
Speaker 2:Yep. If you need that extra support.
Speaker 1:So there's help available.
Speaker 2:There is.
Speaker 1:Don't be afraid to ask for it.
Speaker 2:Absolutely.
Speaker 1:Well, this has been a great deep dive.
Speaker 2:It has.
Speaker 1:We've learned a lot about a levels.
Speaker 2:Yeah. I think we've given parents a lot to think about.
Speaker 1:Hopefully, we've given them some tools to help them navigate this whole college admissions process.
Speaker 2:Fingers crossed.
Speaker 1:Thanks for joining us.
Speaker 2:Thank you for having me.
Speaker 1:And until next time, keep those deep dives going.
Speaker 2:See you later.
