Oxbridge-Aspirants-2021-New-Thread-3

[Baaaahhhhh]

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/higher_education/4016760-Oxbridge-Aspirants-2021-New-Thread-2

New Thread !

mumsneedwine the statistics and issues around the EPQ are rather more fact than opinion. Around half of all applicants nationally are awarded an A*/A. The academic quality of the content is of minor importance in terms of marks awarded. I'd be astonished if you could reasonably quarrel with any of that.

I have to say that you are exactly wrong about how often the subject of the EPQ is picked up in Oxbridge interviews (all subjects). With interviews for Medicine other than at Oxbridge there seems to be a pretty fair chance that the subject will be picked up, so you're correct there, but then those interviews aren't academic in the same way; they're more to set eyes on the applicant and judge them on their suitability for a medical career, so the discussion of the EPQ will be to judge their communication rather than academic skills. Obviously, nothing wrong with being able to communicate - I'm all for it :) - but the fact that non Oxbridge medical schools might well focus on an EPQ doesn't add anything to the idea that the EPQ is especially valuable as a tool to rank students academically. A non Oxbridge medical school might just as well discuss the pet poodle you discussed in your personal statement so I can't see that your point about interviews adds hugely to the argument in favour of an EPQ.

What is also more fact than opinion, is that various unis make it clear at the outset that they have a policy of making reduced offers for EPQs. Have they’ve got it all wrong?

Have Cambridge got it wrong in “encouraging” EPQs?

It’s irrelevant what comes up in an interview anywhere. You can’t predict that and it’s not the point. Most unis don’t even do interviews. All unis are different and there is life beyond Oxbridge.

This is an Oxbridge thread quest1on, hence its mention in relation to interviews which unsurprisingly seem to be much on posters' minds. When a poster (mumsneedwine) claims that the EPQ is great as something to discuss at interview it's worth saying well only up to a (very limited) point, Lord Copper.

Oxford and Cambridge aren't going to publicly diss the qualification but both unis are obviously fully aware of the limitations of the EPQ, hence the careful wording.

Other unis are less relevant on this particular thread.

That’s not what the Cambridge statement on EPQs means at all, but this debate is getting silly now.

Anyway... any more offers tonight?

Cambridge is very straightforward. It says the EPQ has value in relation to independent learning skills which is absolutely correct.

Oxford is equally straightforward. You can use the EPQ as something to write about in your personal statement and you can use an extract as written work.

There's no mystery with either.

@quest1on no more offers here yet. I’m trying to be zen and patient but it doesn’t come naturally. I’m hoping some others post with good news tonight. I am really enjoying sharing the experience with you all.

I hear loud and clear that you are dismissive of the EPQ @goodbyestranger, but it’s fascinating to hear how nourished and inspired many of the DC on this thread felt by their experience of one. Good on them!

I prefer this thread when there is more empathy and encouragement and there is less competitive bickering.

Tenpastseven I'm having difficulty seeing what's competitive about anything I've posted. That's a curious take on a perfectly reasonable discussion of the EPQ, informed by a long period looking at the various qualifications on offer in an educational/ academic setting.

I do apologise for bickering on the thread and I should step away. I just think these are 17-18 year-olds at a stressful time and whether it’s A-levels, AS levels, EPQ, music exams, whatever - nobody should just dismiss their efforts out of hand.

I have really found your posts helpful and even reassuring @quest1on

It is a stressful time for all tear 13 parents - in fact I think I am more stressed than my DC but as I am trying to play it down, I can come here and de stress

quest1on there is no dismissing efforts out of hand, that's a complete misrepresentation.

Stay on @quest1on . I think the problem is that posters are all looking for information on this thread about what makes for a successful application, hoping that there is a holy grail. I can say this having been through this process with DS1 and likely to do it with DD next year.

The truth is that there isn't a holy grail. An EPQ might help. 4 A Levels might be good. But neither is essential. The thing I do know is that both Oxford and Cambridge tutors want bright, motivated students and if that's what your DC are they'll identify it in their application and interviews.

I've enjoyed hearing both sides to this discussion. DD is in year 12 and currently doing the Chemistry, Biology, Physics and Maths A levels with a view to applying to med school next year. She has to decide whether to drop physics and do an EPQ instead or to stick with physics. She's not a great fan of physics and I think could instead focus on an EPQ that will be relevant to her medicine application...

She's unlikely to be applying to Oxford or Cambridge.

Thoughts?

Thankyou chopc - and goodbye, it’s all good and none of this actually matters anyway.

sandy - I totally agree.

I seem to have included a random "the" in my recent post.

That's the wine talking....(and being distracted by puppies on TV!)

@sandybayley I’m looking forward information, sure, but I’m also looking for ‘comrades’ as I navigate this new experience. I do not know anyone in real life going through the same process. It’s lonesome and intimidating at times and perhaps that makes me a little over sensitive to what I perceived as you being dismissive @goodbyestranger. It felt like you were belittling others efforts which inherently feels competitive to me.

But if others enjoy the cut and thrust, I’ll just try and armour myself up a little more. That’s probably no bad thing.

Midlife as your teen will need to study for ucat/beat I would think drop the physics. The med schools all say 3 a levels and they will need to be As (one B might be ok with great other scores).

Not meant to be dismissive at all @Tenpastseven. Apologies if it came across that way.

Oh Gawd. I’m sorry @sandybayley, I’m not being very clear. I didn’t find you dismissive.

Thanks @newgirls. She's certainly capable of meeting the grades for med school - I guess it comes down to managing the expectations of her school to some extent as v few seem to do just 3 A levels....they typically do 4 or 3 and an EPQ.

In the meantime I should get back to my day job of stressing about DS 1's Oxford application.....

Ha @MidLifeCrisis007, it does feel like a day job sometimes just for the amount of headspace it seems to take.

Midlife - the school may feel dif about med students - it’s a lot of work in the first term of a levels to do the ucat/bmat. Three students got into med school from our school and none did epq but only one did 4 a levels.

@MidLifeCrisis007 - my DD is Year 12 and also applying for medicine next year. She's doing IB though. We can start our own thread soon 😊

For non Oxbridge Medicine my immediate thought would be to drop Physics and do the three A levels plus an EPQ.