Should my daughter take a gap year?

[Welshpoolmummy]

She had her heart set on history but then dropped a real clanger at AS with a C. She got an A in one module and then an E in the other.
She was predicted Aaab and got aabC.
She'll have another qualification by the end of the year that counts the same as an A level and Oxford don't take it. (Welsh bac)
Hopefully that will be an A/A*

She's predicted A*AA

She got straightA*/A at GCSE.

She was having a look around at degrees and fancied the new archaeology degree at Cambridge but understands that if she didn't get in there then she wouldn't really have career prospects.

Do I advise her to go to uni after this year? Or take a year out and try for somewhere highr up?

It's so annoying how she made a mess of just one exam and it's causing all his hassle.

I'd put the UCAS form in and take the HAT and see where it gets her. Oxford are looking at the HAT and GCSEs to decide who to interview. It's a wasted opportunity not to apply this year - at the very least it would be good experience to do the HAT and possibly interview too.

Only archaeology at Cambridge will lead to career prospects? Really?

I'd say don't rush into it. I went to a mid range uni, drank a lot and came out with a third. Had a great time of course 😜. I wished I'd take a year out, really thought about what I'd study and go from there. I've worked hard after though and I'm in a great place (now 11 years later). However not entirely sure I'd have gone into my career if I did it over again (however that's how I met my husband so can't be too sad about that!).

I'm not sure I understand, are you saying that she'll only have career prospects if she does archaeology at Cambridge?

I think she has to do what she thinks is best, some people prefer a gap year so they can save and/ or travel but others want to get started on their degree.

Career prospects in archeology aren't that great as lots of jobs as pretty low paid. One of my friends is an archaeologist specialising in ancient Egypt and the political situation over there has seriously reduced her job prospects.
What does your daughter want to do its her future after all.

Look at the student academic profile, if it is available, for the courses she likes the look of. Archaeology does have limited employment but that does not mean no employment prospects. I think also consider her As at GCSE. Generally the advice is not to apply to Oxbridge uness you have 5-6 As as a minimum. I do think her AS results may prove problematic, but if you do not try you do not know! The profile of students at Oxbridge is often AAAA at AS, but clearly lower grades at AS can be compensated for at A2. So worth a look. If she only has 3A* at GCSE, (for example) I would try somewhere else.