to EPQ or not to EPQ?

I suspect that if anything, rather like the D of E, an extra AS or an EPQ would tend to mark you out as someone fortunate to be at a school that is not in some way disadvantaged, although this is already likely to be fairly obvious from the content of the rest of the PS!

That may be the case in some areas but round here where almost all of the state University applications come from a few mega colleges - all of which offer the same opportunities - its not a serious problem.

I am not really convinced that either the EPQ or an extra AS make any difference to getting offers at university in most cases.

The EPQ was sold to us at the start of Y12 as a good basis for an effective interview - an alternative to the IB extended project, but as others have mentioned further up this thread, I think most universities are sensitive to the idea that some qualifications are not available to all and so should be ignored - or even worse that a candidate asserting extra qualifications should be required to perform well in those extra qualifications as an additional condition of entry.

I suspect that if anything, rather like the D of E, an extra AS or an EPQ would tend to mark you out as someone fortunate to be at a school that is not in some way disadvantaged, although this is already likely to be fairly obvious from the content of the rest of the PS!

I suspect it's better to look for more "self-starting" ways of enhancing your PS. Futurelearn courses seem to be good - especially if you take them fairly seriously and participate in the online forums. Essay competitions too. For my DD's subject, English, for example, there is the Tower Poetry Competition coming up - entries closing on 27 Feb.

I think it's probably a mistake to add extra qualifications if the motivation is "instrumental" , but if it is something that you are genuinely excited by and have a burning desire to research and write about, then fair enough....

Is it usual to do the EPQ in Y13 now?
When DS1 did A levels the EPQ was done in Y12.
DS2 is going to explore the idea of doing the bulk of it over the summer. He is not committed until September whether to do a new AS or the EPQ.

I did French O level in 1974. It was very different to now, and the A level was predominantly French Literature. Don't they do literature now in the A level, it sounds like just more of the same?

DS has applied for Law & is doing an EPQ related to it.
He's really enjoyed it but none of his offers are based on the EPQ result.
He'd hoped to get an interview so he could talk about it but hasn't had any. Nevertheless he doesn't have any regrets, dispute the amount of time it's taken.

Yeah, but it involves nicer food and weather with her choice of language

Immersion is as grammar laden as language learning gets.

There is a sure fire way of learning a language. Its called the immersion method. That is the long term plan.

For now she'll stick to what spins her wheels.
and the EPQ

If you based all learning activities on what people do in real life you'd be left with very little.

OK, wrong word. The assignment that caused the ire was to translate a chunk of prose from one tense into another. When does anybody do that in normal life?

I also agree that the learning of grammar is not "asinine". At worst it might be described as a "necessary evil". Many people find grammar dull but recognise its worth.

TOSN - interesting to read that English pupils struggle to write in the first person in French. I have coached several French pupils for IELTS and one of the recurrent issues for them to overcome is their inclination to write in the first or second person. Writing in a third person passive voice is not at all natural to them!

Word - mixed, to be honest. She likes the texts and films, and the French conversation sessions, but she has found the style of essay writing a challenge.

Summer - yes, absolutely. And I know first year Lit undergrads find that incredibly difficult, and struggle to shake off the idea that an essay must present one idea and then 'what others may argue'. You'd think it would be liberating, but quite a few seem to be intimidated by it - probably even worse when you're doing it alongside the 'some may argue' subjects, rather than after them!

Theoriginal I assume it is basically a form of persuasive writing, like taking sides in a debate. You have to come down on one side but not discount the arguments to the contrary.

TP scientists need to be able to write well to successfully publish and apply for grants so an extended writing task in your DD's case serves several purposes even if discounted at undergraduate admissions.

That's interesting nit.

Is she still enjoying French overall?

My dd finds French the hardest going of her A2s, but it's not the grammar, it's having to argue in essays in a different way from her other subjects. So where in English and History, they aren't allowed to use 'I', or be subjective, in French she's needing to put forward 'je crois que' type arguments, and finds that quite a hard habit to get into. She does well in the speaking, listening and reading, but her lowest marks are always on the essay questions, and they're always for 'essay skills'.

GCSEs are very poor preparation for A level in MFL.

A good grade can be obtained with very little understanding of grammar at GCSE. But obviously this is part and parcel of proper language acquisition and can't be shirked at the next stage.

"e EPQ is not broken down into separate units. It essentially consists of an independent project carried out solely by the student. Students are able to choose the format that best suits them; formats included a 5000 word dissertation, a 5000 word scientific report, a 1000 word essay supplemented with an artefact (e.g. a sculpture, series of paintings) or a 1000 word essay supplemented with a performance (e.g. a choreographed dance routine, a play). Students can complete an EPQ on any topic, provided that it doesn’t overlap too much with their chosen A-Levels."

I am sure that one of my dd's friends did some scientific research and then the 1000 word essay. I'll ask her later.

It can take another format but in that case still has to be accompanied by a supplementary report

www.kings-taunton.co.uk/aqa-extended-project/

IIRC an EPQ doesn't have to be an essay- I'm sure other forms are acceptable. I'll see if I can find out.

emkana
grades : the courses DD is looking for will not give a stuff about the MFL

as for long writing : no, that in itself is not a problem. IF its a subject that interest her

If she finds essay writing a chore won't the EPQ be a real drag?

With regards to grades for university offers many universities do offers with lower grades if students are applying to do a degree in combination with a mfl.

FWIW DD is a scientist at heart. The essay writing is a chore full stop.
Hopefully the EPQ will make a balanced addition to year 13

I'm not sure how you can describe the learning of grammar as asinine - it is essential if you really want to master a language.
The problem is definitely with the GCSE syllabus, though hopefully things will change. Unfortunately an A* does not mean in any way that you will succeed at A level.