6th form - EPQs

DS is in year 13 and is currently doing an Extended Project and he is really enjoying it. His school don't usually offer it but they have got a few students doing it this year but they are all applying for arts subjects - History/English. For DS its giving him a chance to do some independent study that will hopefully prepare him for his uni course.

DD2 did one and really enjoyed it. It was hard work and took commitment, but she says she got a lot out of doing it.
One of her uni choices made the result part of their offer to her - if she managed an A she could drop to a B in one of her A2 subjects. The offer was A*AB/AAA or AAB with an A in her EPQ.

Rabbit I have heard of music EPQs that are basically a combination of performed music (eg collection of pieces of a particular style or period) with oral presentation around it. The students have sometimes organised a themed concert with other players involved.
I realise that you think her chances of getting a conservatoire place are slim and there is no support from her school but other talented students have managed the process, also unsupported by their very academic schools, without it apparently being that stressful on top of the normal workload. They seem to have dealt with their auditions as just more performances (although with more travelling than they would normally have to do).

Rabbit - Im fairly sure the EPQ can be performance related.
Thought it was a 5000 word extended essay with presentation, or a project (which can be a music performance) accompanied by a 1000 word essay.

At DD1's school its optional, with straight A students getting first pickings. There were a few places left, but she wasnt quick enough. Wish she had done it, as failed her 4th AS, so could help her UCAS applications. Think if she had, would have dropped the 4th AS early as also has high music workload.

Southampton Uni think quite highly of EPQ. Give a grade lower offer with an A grade EPQ.

It's compulsory at DD1's school. However I am considering making a case for her to be allowed to dodge the column (because she has such a gigantic additional workload with all the music and all the auditions she will have to do). She however doesn't want me to do this as she thinks it will make her look 'thick' (compared to her peers). I think it will make her look like she has the right priorities to those who matter (the people auditioning her - who really won't care about the EPQ which can't be performance related I don't think...if it could, that would be different).

DD hasn't done one and it has not made any difference to her uni applications. Those doing history at DD's school have been encouraged to do one and some unis will accept it instead of a 4th AS level.

I think it depends how self motivated your DSs are - I started an EPQ when I was in 6th Form, but just wasn't motivated enough to see it through. (I was also doing 4 A2 courses, so I decided to focus on them and drop the EPQ). When it got to the time of year when everyone started doing their presentations, I had a tinge of regret that I didn't see it through, and I suppose it would have been useful practice for my Dissertation, but I don't really regret not doing it.

I agree with PPs that it would be a good thing to be able to talk about at interviews, but obviously shouldn't be the only reason they do it. I think you have to have a subject you're really interested in to do one successfully - I remember going to a friends' presentation, which was about the affects of pre-natal drug and alcohol use on a baby, which she was interested in as she's currently training as a paediatric nurse, and her parents foster babies, many of whom had issues relating to their mothers' pre-natal drug and alcohol use.

I would look at the type of courses your DSs are looking at, and the unis, to see if the EPQ would make any difference. Neither of my sons did it, and neither regretted the decision. One is doing chemical engineering in a RG uni, and the other is applying for medicine. I am sure however, it would be a good experience to do it, and would provide plenty to talk about on a personal statement and in an interview. How keen are your sons on doing it?

They are a good additional activity. We do them as part of our additional study program. They get ucas points so not a waste of time.