Which enhancement?

[appianway]

Hey guys,

I'm really interested in undertaking a UMEP or MUEP subject next year, but the problem is, there are 3 areas that I'm really interested in. I'm not sure which one'd be the best choice, so I'd appreciate any words of wisdom on the matter!

I'd quite like any information about the content, difficulty, work load and stressful times throughout the year for each subject, but I'd welcome any comments regarding the application process and enhancement programs in general.

I've made a list below of the courses that I'm considering and my scholastic experience in each of the subjects:

UMEP Physics:

• Undertook 1/2 last year in year 10
• Studying 3/4 this year in year 11 (with 70/70 so far for our Unit 4 SACs)
• Only studying methods 1/2 at the moment, and not taking spesh (but I'm a straight A+ student in a strong cohort)
• Scored straight 100%s in year 10 science tests and exams last year (although that hardly counts, because year 10 science is a joke, but anyway...)
• I genuinely enjoy the subject 

UMEP Linguistics:

• Accelerating 3/4 English Language this year (apparently I've scored the top mark in 2/3 SACs we've gotten our marks back for, but I'm quite worried about the last one we did... fingers crossed!)
• Undertook a research project in the area in the University of Melbourne Mentoring Program for Highly Able Secondary School Students last year
• Straight A+ English student in a strong cohort
• Studying French (it's my worse subject!), but to tell the truth, I'm pretty much monolingual...

MUEP Chemistry:

• Studying 1/2 this year
• Straight A+ student in a strong cohort (well, on everything we've done so far, but all could change in the future!)
• Representing the school at external competitions (like the Monash Pharmaceutical Challenge)
• Well, I guess a lot of my science/maths experience is already listed for physics...

Anyway, I'd really appreciate ANY advice - if you know anything about the time commitment/enjoyablility/required knowledge (especially if the absence of specialist in my program makes physics/chem impossible!), please tell me!

Thanks in advance 

[humph]

With physics and linguistics, do you think you'd be bored/unmovitaved next year if you were no longer doing them (because you're doing the 3/4s this year)? That is, which subject do you NEED to do to keep interested?

[appianway]

The problem is, I REALLY like them both, and I often go out of my way to read academic papers on both topics. However, I find it really hard to imagine not doing either, but the prospect of writing uber long essays at around the same time as VCE exams seems quite daunting. That being said, I've also heard that UMEP physics is a lot of work...

[Mao]

The real question is, how much do you like maths? Much of uni level physics deal with interpretation of mathematical relationships.

If the answer is not too much, then go with linguistics.

[/0]

The problem is, I REALLY like them both, and I often go out of my way to read academic papers on both topics. However, I find it really hard to imagine not doing either, but the prospect of writing uber long essays at around the same time as VCE exams seems quite daunting. That being said, I've also heard that UMEP physics is a lot of work...

I wouldn't say that lol
It's just a few set questions every week (and somehow people get away with not even doing those and still get H1s)
Assessment is 3-4 class quizes throughout the year, 2 exams, 6 prac days and 2 assignments (consisting of a 500 word essay and about 4 extended questions)
Of these the prac days can be pretty frantic, you have to squeeze several 'uni' days into 1 'umep' day
But I would say it definitely goes far more indepth into physics if you're interested in that stuff
Plus if you get Dr. Boydell as your lecturer he's really awesome XD

[appianway]

The real question is, how much do you like maths? Much of uni level physics deal with interpretation of mathematical relationships.

If the answer is not too much, then go with linguistics.

I do really enjoy maths and I was recommended by my school to do specialist, but I just didn't have room. Just wondering, does success in physics boil down to mathematical genuis, or is it more dependent on your creativity regarding the physical world and an ability to use maths to describe this?

[EvangelionZeta]

Completely off topic, but like, wtf, which school do you go to?  o_O  EL+Physics 3/4 in year 11 is insane, and not to mention unheard of for me.

Back on track, what do you want to do at Uni?  I would pick the one that's more relevant to my future course if I were you.  Then again, you could be (understandably) unsure, which makes this advice uselesss.  ^^;

[appianway]

Mac.Rob.

I'd like to do science or medicine, but I'm still considering lingustics (which is what complicates my decision!)

[EvangelionZeta]

Oooooh.  Fair enough, it all makes sense now.  >.>

The other thing to consider is that UMEP Physics has a less stressful timetable as compared to UMEP Linguistics'.  Having to travel to Scotch once a week is a lot easier than having to trouble to UoM thrice a week, even if UoM is closer.  :p

[chewybacca]

Completely off topic, but like, wtf, which school do you go to?  o_O  EL+Physics 3/4 in year 11 is insane, and not to mention unheard of for me.

Not really. I know quite a few people that did two (three, even) Unit 3/4 subs in Year 11...

I'd like to do science or medicine, but I'm still considering lingustics (which is what complicates my decision!)

Honestly, I'd choose the one that a) you would really enjoy (although seeing you like both... that makes it pretty tough indeed) and b) is more relevant to what course (or even career) you want to do in uni. Although I reckon UMEP Physics would be slightly ahead of UMEP Linguistics in terms of course/career path, given what you mentioned above there.

[EvangelionZeta]

Completely off topic, but like, wtf, which school do you go to?  o_O  EL+Physics 3/4 in year 11 is insane, and not to mention unheard of for me.

Not really. I know quite a few people that did two (three, even) Unit 3/4 subs in Year 11...

Haha, Chewy, I mean normal schools, not ones that make kids start VCE a year early.  :p 

And it's not so much it confused me numerically, just that I didn't know of many schools which offered EL and Physics in year 11.  It all makes sense with MacRob though.  >.>

[appianway]

Physics and Lang aren't common at my school. I'm the only one accelerating both of them.

I think I'm leaning towards physics at the moment. I just don't want to be the dumbest in the class :S

[EvangelionZeta]

If you're a MacRob girl doing Physics 3/4 in year 11, chances are you're not going to be (anywhere near) the dumbest in UMEP Physics...>.>

[appianway]

People always overestimate our school. >.<

[humph]

I've never heard of anyone else who did 3/4 physics in yr11...

Btw do you know my cousin Saskia in yr11 at MacRob?