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Original poster

DoE - is it worth it

53 replies

dontdarepokethebear · 18/09/2023 15:35

DD's school is offering DoE award in year 10. DD feels she should do it, if only to put on her CV.

Do you think it makes a difference? Even if you only do bronze?

I think it would be good for her, but she's only considering it because she feels she should. How much weight do you think it carries?

Thanks

OP posts:
DNAwrangler · 18/09/2023 15:37

I don’t know anything about the weight it carries.

but what would she be doing instead? Is that likely carry more weight (either for applications or in terms of general experience)?

RampantIvy · 18/09/2023 15:40

It carries no weight in university applications. I know this because it has been asked at many of the subject talks I attended, and all the admissions tutors said it didn't, but if your DD will benefit in other ways then why shouldn't she do it?

anothercupparosytea · 18/09/2023 15:53

The award itself carries no weight but the skills learned and experiences gained by trying new things, meeting new people and volunteering your time can be very worthwhile.

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CurlewKate · 18/09/2023 15:55

It carries no weight on a Personal Statement for obvious reasons, but it might be useful on a CV for a job.

MidgesGirdle · 18/09/2023 15:56

Wouldn't it be good to just do something for the fun of it? To accomplish something for one's own gratification? I think that it's worth doing DofE (or any skill, really) for those reasons alone.

BogRollBOGOF · 18/09/2023 16:03

It's good for life experience, trying new things and pushing your comfort zone.

I gained a lot from it and picked up some hobbies and life skills that I would otherwise have missed out on.

CurlewKate · 18/09/2023 16:05

@MidgesGirdle Only if it's something that would be fun! My kids loved all this yomping outdoorsy stuff, not all do.

timetochangethering · 18/09/2023 16:15

My view is it is only worth doing if you get to gold as many many kids start bronze but its only a few get to Gold....

Then it's all about what you make of it, the "having done it" is not important, it's being able to talk to adults in university interview about what you gained from it, learned from it, that kind of thing.

DS started teaching youngsters his hobby and has continued after D of E completed, he enjoys it and can chat confidently about the teaching and learning process... it's that kind of thing that matters as opposed to the award itself.

Junegirl15 · 18/09/2023 16:16

No weight re uni applications but my son did it in Yr 9 and it was great in confidence building as well as having fun with his friends. This year more of his friends want to join to do the silver award as they felt they had missed out on a good time.

MidgesGirdle · 18/09/2023 16:20

CurlewKate · 18/09/2023 16:05

@MidgesGirdle Only if it's something that would be fun! My kids loved all this yomping outdoorsy stuff, not all do.

Agreed. I was also thinking of music, art, sport, etc etc. Just do things for fun, whatever it is.

DrMarshaFieldstone · 18/09/2023 16:21

timetochangethering · 18/09/2023 16:15

My view is it is only worth doing if you get to gold as many many kids start bronze but its only a few get to Gold....

Then it's all about what you make of it, the "having done it" is not important, it's being able to talk to adults in university interview about what you gained from it, learned from it, that kind of thing.

DS started teaching youngsters his hobby and has continued after D of E completed, he enjoys it and can chat confidently about the teaching and learning process... it's that kind of thing that matters as opposed to the award itself.

Why on earth would it not be worthwhile getting bronze?

TeenDivided · 18/09/2023 16:23

It is no use as a medal.
However it can bring a lot of personal growth which is in itself beneficial.
Especially if the youngster hasn't done music / sport / whatever as a long term activity.

DontMakeMeShushYou · 18/09/2023 16:27

No particular value in itself, even speaking as someone whose daughter has completed bronze and silver and is halfway through gold.

But if they can use it as a springboard to develop wider interests, commit to a sport, or commit long-term to a voluntary role, than yes, I think it's worth it.

timetochangethering · 18/09/2023 16:30

DrMarshaFieldstone · 18/09/2023 16:21

Why on earth would it not be worthwhile getting bronze?

Show quote history

The op is talking about putting it on a CV - pretty much every child in my kids school has enrolled on Bronze, so my view is it's not worth it for the CV/University as too many people have it, and the tasks are too short term to make much of in interviews.

If it's for personal development, why not...

0lga · 18/09/2023 16:35

anothercupparosytea · 18/09/2023 15:53

The award itself carries no weight but the skills learned and experiences gained by trying new things, meeting new people and volunteering your time can be very worthwhile.

This.

MrsWombat · 18/09/2023 16:37

Encouraging my shy son to go out of his comfort zone and be involved with fitness and volunteering opportunities he wouldn't have normally done is worth it as he's got somethings to put on his CV for his first job, and talk about in interviews? It's not the award that's important, it's the skills you learn from doing the award that is.

nearlywinteragain · 18/09/2023 16:39

My dc have bronze and are currently working through silver.
I don't expect it to magically open any doors.
But they have definitely been pushed by the expeditions and the regular volunteering and exercise are also good for them.
It has been a really good experience for them.

CurlewKate · 18/09/2023 16:40

I do worry that people think it's useful for a personal statement....

yumscrummy · 18/09/2023 16:40

Agree with person above re opportunities that may be created through it. My daughter only did bronze but started teaching her hobby to tots as part of it and has continued doing so. She will likely apply for the instructor qualification when she gets to 16.

Also gained confidence and deals with different adults and younger kids that she wouldn't have done without it.

RampantIvy · 18/09/2023 17:45

CurlewKate · 18/09/2023 16:40

I do worry that people think it's useful for a personal statement....

I think schools push this. IME schools are out of touch with what universities really want. I found this to be the case after sitting through several subject talks with DD at open days, and the admissions tutors basically said the opposite of what the 6th form UCAS co-ordinator was saying.

I think it is excellent for personal development, doing things outside their comfort zone, and doing fun things etc, but let's not be under the impression that most universities and emplyers would be impressed with that on a CV unless the young person can demonstrate that it brings something to the table.

Spaghettihulahoops · 18/09/2023 17:51

About half of my dds school year did the bronze and I know others did it through other organisations. This is why my dd wanted to do it as the overnight stay had a reputation for basically being one big party and she didn’t want to miss that!
I also think it is beneficial in pushing them to learn new skills and expand their horizons.
I do think though that for the cv/personal statement only gold is worthwhile as the lower levels are deliberately easy. Also no point just putting the award on there like a badge of honour. Only worth mentioning if you can say what you learnt from it or how it helped you develop.

BerfyTigot · 18/09/2023 17:55

Not at all useful for uni entrance.
Kids are better off doing a week's independent travel somewhere.

Barleysugar86 · 18/09/2023 17:59

I don't think it makes any real difference for CV but I would highly recommend it.

I tried a new sport, and a new art skill for the classes, and the volunteering was hard but worthwhile. I loved learning to map read, route plan and doing the hike and camp. My parents had never taken me so it was eye opening and very rewarding.

It pushed me to do a lot I wouldn't have otherwise and that was worth way more than the piece of paper.

MariaVT65 · 18/09/2023 18:02

I did bronze and silver at school and personally wouldn’t bother. No one ever brought it up in my job or education interviews.

It was very expensive for my mum to buy all the equipment and clothing needed. The weekend itself is just a very long walk, sometimes along unsafe places or private land, carrying a heavy load. It may have changed since I did it, but there was no safety process in place for carrying such heavy bags in relation to your weight, and many of us just got really bad back and shoulder pain.

I’d say to just ensure your DC has a hobby, and does a bit of volunteering anyway. That will be good enough for CVs and personal statements without all the faff od DofE.

Jeannie88 · 18/09/2023 18:03

Whether it carries recognised weight or not, it is very highly regarded and would sway an opinion if choice of them and one without. It shows extra admirable characteristics that any educational institution or employer would view as positive. Also for personal achievements and experiences, so much learning and confidence building happens. Xx