Is your sixth former doing an EPQ ?

[MayPolist]

and what are they doing it on?

[MayPolist]

bump!
No one's son or daughter doing an EPQ?
Just wondered if they have started on it yet?

[Leeds2]

Sorry, my DD decided not to do it. Don't know why, but it isn't terribly popular at her school.

[Lancelottie]

Ours don't get a choice. DS claims that all the vague diddling around he's doing in his bedroom is 'EPQ work'. Hmmmm.

[elephantfan]

Mine is doing something around language acquisition.
Lots of interesting stuff about psychology and linguistics.

[MadameJosephine]

Mine decided against it because the uni he applied to tended to make offers with a specified grade in the EPQ as well as A level grades and he didn't want the extra pressure as well as the 4 A levels he was already taking

[Ohwhatfuckeryisthis]

Mine is doing "something" on greek mythology and specifically cults surrounding minor deities. Or maybe the Cuban Revolution. Not much difference.

[UhtredOfBebbenburg]

Yes, DD1 is. She's doing an artefact (performing a recital). She's allegedly putting in a lot of work (apparently she is well ahead of schedule). God knows I've bought a shit ton of new sheet music.

[hellsbells99]

DD1 didn't (hopefully starting uni in Sept) and DD2 (just finishing year 12) won't be either. Seems to be encouraged at their school for subjects like history but Stem subjects less so.

[GirlsTimesThree]

DD1 didn't do one. Dd2 did, on the effect of diet on mental health. DD3 is still deciding whether or not to do it. I think it might be a step too far for her, but I'm letting her make her own mind up..

[Noregretsatall]

My eldest dd did one three years ago on social attitudes towards MH issues. She got an A* in it but spent so much time on it her 4 A levels suffered as a result and she under-performed in her AS levels. Consequently I will be advising my younger daughter not to do one.

[Haffdonga]

DS1 did one. He put a lot of work into it and did very well. It's quite galling that none of the unis he applied to took the remotest bit of interest in it. It did get ds really interested in the topic himself though -STEM based. (Although in one interview the interviewer did at least Google what an EPQ was when ds mentioned it.)

I'm not sure if I think ds2 should bother.

[MyVisionsComeFromSoup]

DD1 did hers on fractals, DD2 is doing depression in teenagers (she was advised by school to warn me in advance so that I didn't freak at her search history )

[Decorhate]

At dd's school, lots start off doing it but only a handful stuck with it. I think she had regrets in terms of the time it took. I don't think it would have made much difference to most of her applications but it did give her something to talk about at her Oxbridge interview!

[zazas]

My DD is doing one - looking at the changing attitudes to women within business over a 20 year period - or something to that effect?! Hers is due in in September so didn't really interfere with her AS exams and won't impact on her A Levels. She has really enjoyed researching the topic and from what she understands (when bringing it up with admission tutors at Oxbridge) that if it relates to the subject she wants to study they will often discuss it within the interviews. Regardless of applying to Oxbridge or not she has found it a positive thing to do.

[TinklyLittleLaugh]

Hmm, I think the sixth form college DD is planning to go to are really hot on it, along with four or five A levels. I just think it's all a bit too much. Surely three really good A levels is enough to get you in anywhere?

[MayPolist]

My DS2 is wanting to do one.He is doing maths and/or physics at uni so it will be of very limited use and I am a bit about the waste of time when he could be practising STEP papers (although he is finding them a lot more do-able now), but he really wants to do EPQ for the fun of it, so i don't know what to advise him really.

[NapoleonsNose]

DD is meant to be doing one - something about women in the 1920s and 30s. Not sure she's done much yet though!

[TalkinPeace]

DD is doing one that integrates with two of her A2s and what she plans to do at degree.
She's loving it so far.

[Archfarchnad]

This is really interesting, I hadn't heard of it before. What an excellent idea, but it should really be made compulsory so everyone is in the same situation (ie nobody can claim their other A-levels suffered unfairly because everyone has to do the same kind of project).

DD1 is half way through her A-level equivalent programme in Germany right now, and an extended interdisciplinary (combining at least two subjects) research project is compulsory for all - you can't pass the programme without it. You have to produce a written overview and do a 20-minute presentation, then answer questions from a panel of teachers. They had to do something similar as a group presentation project at 16, for the GCSE equivalent qualification.

It's an excellent preparation for university, and for their careers in general - in many jobs these days you'll be asked to research and prepare a presentation on or written summary of a certain subject.

[mateysmum]

DS is doing something on Napolean. Still to firm up on what. Pinning it down seems to be the hard thing. Amazon could do very well out of me this summer!

[hellsbells99]

No it should not be made compulsory at all!
DD2 is doing 4 A levels, an extra a AS, 2 grade 8 music exams, tutoring part-time, D of E and volunteering....and trying to get relevant work experience. Anything else would mean no social life and too much pressure.

[TalkinPeace]

hellsbells
Why 4 subjects to A2?
Just that even the most demanding courses at the pickiest Unis make offers based on 3?

[Lancelottie]

I'm guessing Further Maths plus Maths, TalkinPeace -- lots of unis don't count FM as a full A level but want it anyway.

[UhtredOfBebbenburg]

hells - I also don't think EPQs should be made compulsory but...of the things you listed, 1 of the A levels, the extra AS level, the music exams, the part time tutoring, the DofE and volunteering are all voluntary on your DD's part. I'm not surprised she has no spare time but the fact tat she has no spare time can't be laid ay any door other than her own... (I'm assuming the work experience is because she wants to be a medic or a vet, so that wouldn't be optional - if she doesn't want to be a medic or a vet then that is optional too).

[summerends]

Similar to the EPQ is compulsory for IB.
Advantages to the EPQ or IB equivalent (from what I can see)

experience of short dissertation style work that allows exploration in depth of a subject- this may or may not be useful for university interview or points for offers but will provide an advantage at university when tackling such work for the first time.

continued development of writing skills for a student doing STEM subjects (important if they need to write papers later on or for most jobs)

something flexible and cross-disciplinary that a student can do and may stimulate further interest in their subjects which could be important for post A level choices.

Disadvantages -the time it takes which might better utilised by some individuals for strengthening a core subject or doing another AS / A level or doing activities outside school or relaxation.