Year 12 #3: Open Days and Predicted Grades beckon

[whistl]

Yikes! The title has just hit me! It's too soon! I'm not ready!!

Thread number 2 link: https://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/further_education/3443840-Year-12-2-Carols-commutes-a-few-stocking-fillers

Agree it’s helpful to get as much done as possible before a levels kick in but I’m also torn between that and letting them enjoy sixth form without constant focus on what’s next

Ahh sorry if comments are out of sync - can’t keep up !!

Yes 242 they often say they are looking for dc they would enjoy teaching.

oratory I think the worst of it will be over soon. There's a bit of hard graft between now and May/June 2020 and then they can let off steam. I can imagine rather a lot of steam being expended until the end of the 1st year of Uni 😀
Let's hope that whatever and wherever they chose they will love it. There's a quote that I can quite remember but it's something like 'work at what you love and you will never have to do a day's work again'.....that's what I am hoping for her.

Great quote bpisock but it’s still a bit of a shame that so much of years 12 to 13 are now seen as a mammoth slog focused on the future rather enjoying being at school and enjoying what they are doing for its own sake

Meant to say 11 to 13

Thank you for the input about the PS and how to make it relevant for all courses they are applying for. DS2 is planning to focus almost exclusively on his interest in Physics. If he applies to Cambridge, it would be for Natural Sciences (Physical). I hadn't known about the supplementary statement.

Not ' firmed up' here either. We have psychology a d behavioural science ( Cambridge) cognitive psychology with cognitive neuroscience ( Nottingham) neuroscience (Manchester/Birmingham) and cognitive psychology and neuroscience ( Leicester). I think I got it right.

Forgot education degree with psychology

Thanks to the info from Stickerrocks I've just looked up the SAQ for Cambridge. They ask for quite a lot of detailed information, including what topics they have covered so far in each A-level subject. Because we know about it ahead of time, DS2 could start collating the information in September, ready to input in October when he gets access to the form.

Oratory1
I think KS4 and KS5 are focused on targets and goals and jumping through hoops to access the next level of education.

DD (Y10) is already aware of what GCSE grades will be required to get into sixth form, and her friends discuss the value of extra-curricular activities for a UCAS application (although their advice is mostly inaccurate and out of date).

For DS2, the super-curricular stuff he does is just him pursuing his interests and passions. Even if none of it had any relevance for a university application, he would still read New Scientist every week, watch online physics lectures, problem-solve on Isaac Physics and read the latest science books... just for his own interest.

He will go far !! And I really think he is the sort of student Oxbridge admissions tutors are looking for. You hear of many people who apply because they are a star students and feel they should, but actually have no real interest in their subject outside their a level studies and are then surprised when they don’t get in ‘even though they got more a stars than x,y,z’. I’m not knocking that and of course you ds should only apply if he wants to but I think uni s are much like schools it’s horses for courses.

I think standard RG suits DD better as although bright, she likes to do loads of different things and after a year of intense study and tutorial system I think she would have wanted more. At b’ham she can work, volunteer, be involved in societies, have a manic social life and still keep up with the studies. At Oxbridge it would probably have to be work and one of the other things alone. That suits many but not her. She, and we, were attracted by Cambridge for the love of subject and intellectual challenge and discussion she didn’t get at school (or at home 😀) but in reality universities are big enough that she can find that if she wants it.

Is your DS going to any taster sessions whistl. DS is in a similar position in that he has decided he wants to do computing but not really thought of which area and not really sure he understands some of the options on a day to day basis. I’m hoping some tasters may help.

TheFirst some courses also ask you to submit a piece of work which you have done for your A levels, such as an essay or piece of homework. Start getting DS to keep copies of things he is proud of.

bpisok yes DS's EPQ is a history based project.

Thanks everyone. You have nudged us into looking at/registering interest for open days

DS1's school asks them to do an extended essay on a topic of their choice. Not as substantive as an EPQ but it's intended to be available to submit to a uni if needed. The idea is to have something to show you've tread around your subject and to demonstrate your passion.

His subject choice is on rocket fuel and considerations for making it. He's in the midst of reading for it at the moment and will write and submit it by the Easter holidays. Thinking about it he has been fascinated by rockets since he was a toddler - they do say do what you love!

And if he gets stuck:
"Come on DS, you can do this, it's not rocket science...
Oh."

...that was a gift to you @TheFirstOHN ! I am clearly the straight man in this comedy duo.

DS1 has just announced he'll go to Durham Open Day with his friend . And there was me thinking we could have a sneaky thread meet up 😉 Maybe Bristol?

I'm planning to take DS2 to Warwick on 22/6 and Nottingham on 29/6...

DS1’s EPQ was entitled, ‘Rocket Science, How Hard Can It Be?’

Anyone got Bath on their to visit list?

Will be on DS list of possibles