College recommend dropping 4th A level

[Candleabra]

I know the "3 or 4 a levels" discussion are done to death, but would appreciate some advice.

DD has just started college doing maths, further maths, comp science and chemistry. They're now pushing her to drop one within two weeks.

All students are pushed to do this as there is "no benefit to doing 4 A levels". This was not mentioned at application time!

DD enjoys all the subjects and I'm sure she'll be able to cope with the workload. 9 in each subject for GCSE. Probably will do maths at university so the maths/FM combo is a must. But worried only one other subject would rule out other options.

I'm not very happy with the college pushing this so early. Is there a reason (other than wasted time) that they need everyone to drop a subject within two weeks?

Some universities may offer a grade drop eg, AAB instead of AAA if you have an A in an EPQ. It’s not worth the same as an A level though. Higher tariff universities don’t offer on UCAS points. My DS wasn’t into essay writing, though, so preferred to concentrate on his maths. Maybe your DD could spend time studying to take MAT or STEP as some unis will drop a grade in the 3rd subject if you do very well in STEP or MAT. Most RG universities want at least AAA for maths degrees and higher for the highest ranked ones.

Some universities will offer eg, AABB instead of AAA if taking 4 relevant A levels but it’s often easier to do better in 3 than quite well in 4.

It’s best to ask the uni admissions tutors for relevant courses what they think of EPQ. We were told to do one by college.
There was little support and it interfered with other coursework and then they wouldn’t let us drop it. I asked about EPQs at two open days and was told they looked at the grades ( Pre pandemic) - waste of time really for us.

But please please don’t take my word for it as every subject is different. Plus this was just before pandemic.
Ask the unis not the teachers.

Colleges like them as they think it shows essay skills, but DC was doing three essay writing A levels. DC chose a very difficult question and could not get any advice on what the criteria was. So if your DC does one, check what real support they give first.
This was for Arts courses, could be completely different for Maths and sciences

Ps I suppose the one advantage was that it was completed before the actual A exams.

DD has said she's not doing an EPQ and would rather do the 4th a level if she can.
She was offered the opportunity to do the epq equivalent for GCSE ( can't remember what it's called) but dropped it quickly as there was no support.