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Original poster

GCSE Options - impact on Oxbridge application

84 replies

NL3 · 13/01/2010 11:13

DS1 is in Yr9 of a state comp. Quite bright - but also quite lazy.

We have to choose his GCSE options soon and I have a couple of questions that I hope someboby can answer.

Do your options at GCSE have any impact on your chances of gaining admission to Oxford or Cambridge?

Are any courses perceived as "soft" options similar to the list at A-level that top universities won't count?

Is it ok to choose solely academic subjects?

Any advice on this specific list -

English Language and Literature
Maths
Triple Science
French
Mandarin
History
Geography
RE
Citizenship
Economics

Thanks in advance for any help
m

OP posts:
CMOTdibbler · 13/01/2010 12:21

If he wants to do History, can he do latin GCSE ? My historian friend has been disadvantaged through not having latin, so I'm guessing it would be well worth it.

Original poster
NL3 · 13/01/2010 12:13

Thanks for the further information - unfortunately he's pretty awful at things like art, music, drama - so none of those options are an option. He wants to read Philsophy or History at Uni and then perhaps a law conversion. He will probably opt for English Lit, History, and Philosophy at A Level. I just don't want to do anything wrong now that could impact on future choices.

OP posts:
GooseyLoosey · 13/01/2010 12:09

Not an admissions tutor for an oxbridge college, but wnet to one and dh has been an admissions tutor for a Russell group uni.

I kind of think that if it is a subject which would not have been around 40 years ago, then you should avoid it.

Am a lawyer and definitely agree that A level law is not helpful.

Also agree that helpful to look on university websites and even ask admissions officies.

CMOTdibbler · 13/01/2010 12:06

RE, citizenship, and economics don't really add much, so I'd be wanting to think about swapping those. What for, depends on what he wants to study at Uni really.

abra1d · 13/01/2010 12:02

CItizenship is probably best avoided.

Original poster
NL3 · 13/01/2010 11:44

Thanks to you both for the information - I wasn't educated in this country and find it a bit of a minefield when it comes to things like this. Thanks for the comment about Economics - I wondered about that - it must be similar to sociology which was also one that I had crossed off the list.

OP posts:
TheArsenicCupCake · 13/01/2010 11:38

ohh just want to add that for ds1.. ( can't remember if it was oxford or cambridge).. but they wanted 9 A A*s at GCSE.

barring just the acedemic bits.. DS1 also has interesting ouside school things going on, Judo, DofE, Sea Cadets, the arts etc.

HTH

senua · 13/01/2010 11:27

Because "everyone" gets AAA at A Level, Universities are increasingly looking at GCSE to help sort the wheat from the chaff. I can't remember the figure but there is a sort of benchmark for GCSE at Oxbridge (something along the lines of at least 6 A grade) so make sure that he takes subjects in which he will excel. Having said that, "everyone" has a list of A grade academic subjects so if he can throw in something 'interesting' it will give the poor interviewer something to talk about!

I believe that Economics is one of those strange subjects which is considered rigorous at University level but micky mouse at GCSE.

TheArsenicCupCake · 13/01/2010 11:23

DS1 wants to do the Oxbridge thing .. he took his options last year.. before we did this we had a look at the oxford and cambridge web site for the subject he wants to read ( law in his case).. there is a lot of info on the sites.

anyhoo.. he has taken and some that he has to take ( if it helps)
Maths
Statistics
english lit language and media
triple science as an extra to the core science
history
art
RE
resistant materials

he already took some gcse's early last year and and this year and so is doing as level that are available to him in statistics..
A levels he is considering
Maths
English ( not sure which)
chemistry / physics/biology ( not sure which).

he's been advised not to take a level law

He will also be sitting spanish as an extra language.

hth .. but have a look on their webby pages..