Extra Curriculars to help get on an English degree

[MrsTrelliss]

My dd is expressing a strong desire to study English Literature at university - she has a real passion for literature, especially novels and theatre. She is currently doing her GCSEs (predicted A and A* for all subjects), and is looking ahead to sixth form and A levels. Apart from the academic requirements, we are looking for some advice on what she could do, or be encouraged with, regarding extra-curricular activities and work experience to help her get a place at Uni when the time comes.

At the moment she is involved with the local theatre?s ?Critic?s Circle? - writing reviews of four or five stage productions she gets to see every term. Also, she has been asked to take over as editor of the school student newsletter next year. Any suggestions (relating specifically to an English degree) for things she could do over the next couple of years to better her chances of getting a place? Books to read? Work placements? etc.

I have some general thoughts - DD has applied for English Lit this year and is waiting to hear back... I now realise that English is right up there with Medicine and Vet science for most difficult course to get on, so you're right to think it through early

Different unis seem to look for different things. What I have noticed is that Bristol like you to have done a summer school or had a chance to go on a uni taster course; York are keen on poetry interests; Oxford want you to have read in depth for particular authors; all want you to have a knowledge of drama.

Sounds like you're looking at all the right things, so I'd think about a taster course or summer school as well (my DD did an Open Univeristy module called 'start writing fiction', for example)

The OU is a good idea - as an OU graduate, I'm a big fan . Although that course ends next February, before dd will be old enough (she's in year 10 now) - it's good to see that the OU have lowered the minimum age for its courses down to 16, allowing here to do something before applying to uni (if thats what she wants)

How did your DD manage to fit the OU course around here A level studies?

It was a course that started in about May (when she was doing AS levels) with pieces of work which had to be in every 4 weeks or so and spanned only about 12 weeks in total - I cant remember the name of the scheme but I thought it was specifically designed to fit in after ASs and before A2s, but in practice it didnt - there were a couple fo hectic weeks in there.

but its all done on line with a website to support the students and you're in a tutor group so chat on line and the tutor uses email so the time commitement is actually quite minimal....

Do an EPQ which will take her beyond the A level syllabus. She will have to carefully choose the title and link it to an area of interest.

Reading widely and having the ability to talk at length about particular novels is most useful in terms of getting to do an English degree. I'm studying English as part of my degree (at a high-ranked university) and what the admissions tutors look for is someone who can demonstrate a real passion for literature.

I graduated in 2009, English at Cambridge.

I ... had huge gaps in my knowledge, to be honest, I'll say that first, especially around novels. So perfection isn't needed!

But, I also had a genuine passion for poetry - it was actually my life. I read it, wrote it, entered and won poetry competitions, did poetry readings, hours each week. I also read poetic and general literary criticism that was nowhere near the A-Level syllabus.

Also ... I was involved in debating/public speaking, and was part of a couple of drama groups (so able to talk coherently about staging and voice, etc), as well as having done some stand up comedy.

Looking at the other 4 people chosen in my year, it was quite clear that words, in some form or another, were our lives, and how we worked. It made us bloody awful English students because we weren't terribly hardworking, but it was passion that got us in. If your DD can combine true passion (i.e. 'words are my life!) with academic achievement, she has a good chance IMO.