If your dc successfully applied to Oxbridge/RG - what advice would you give looking back at gcse choices?

[solittletime]

Dc currently choosing options. School has set her core subjects:
English, combined science, maths (higher), French, History, RS short course.
Then will do Latin as an extra.
How much will the two options matter?
Should they stick with ‘academic’ subjects.
She simply can’t chose between Btec drama, geography, business studies, RS.
For someone who seems to show academic potential would it spoil their later chances if they chose to do business studies and drama? Or are we overthinking this!
No idea what they’ll want to do at A level or after, just want to make sure all options remain available.
Thanks, hope that all makes sense!

Don't overthink it! Just do well in what you do. I know a medical student who did Art A level so pretty much anything goes at GCSE as long as you do it well.

A friend's daughter just got offered a place at Oxford. I can't remember all her GCSEs but I know she did double science, history, drama and music. She did 2 science A levels and 1 humanity (1 of the science A levels would be considered a "soft" science by many). She is going to study a relatively competitive subject at Oxford. I am not convinced that they care too much about what you do - much more about how you do it.

@Chilldonaldchill

A friend's daughter just got offered a place at Oxford. I can't remember all her GCSEs but I know she did double science, history, drama and music. She did 2 science A levels and 1 humanity (1 of the science A levels would be considered a "soft" science by many). She is going to study a relatively competitive subject at Oxford. I am not convinced that they care too much about what you do - much more about how you do it.

I'm not sure they care much about gcse subjects too much. When it comes to A levels, for some degree courses it doesn't matter so much either but for others (mostly on the STEM side) it definitely does. Some degrees you need aptitude and skills which may have been acquired by various routes, and not much specific preexisting knowledge in that field, but others you need to have done the groundwork in school. It's pretty easy to figure this out from looking at entry requirements on uni websites.

DS1 is in his first year at Oxford. I remember fretting that he wasn't going to do a 'creative' GCSE. Lots of worrying about how he'd be somehow unbalanced without one. He did both history and geography plus Latin and did well at all of them. It's mattered not one bit and he's reading Chemistry now.

As others have said, don't overthink it. They should do the subjects that they enjoy and will do well at.

Chemistry can be massively creative and sometimes even aesthetically pleasing, Sandy

True. He does enjoy making molecules with his modelling kit!

Lots of great advice on here which I would have done well to read before my eldest two chose their GCSEs. My main concern with DS was that his school had recently dropped from supporting 10 GCSEs to 9. I thought this would disadvantage him for oxbridge but it didn't and he's at oxford now. With DD1 I was keen she did "academic" subjects but I now realise I gave her the wrong advice and she should have chosen the subjects she preferred. DD2, as usual, gets all the benefits of me backing away!

Both DS and DD did double science (as it was what was offered).

Both did 2x MFL

One did 2x humanities, one did 1x humanity.

One did 1x creative subject (Music), one did 2 (Art + a DT subject)

Their subsequent paths have been very, very different - one is at music conservatoire, the other is holding an Oxbridge offer - but neither has been harmed by having a wide range of different GCSEs, both 'obviously' academic and also just things they were interested in.

I can't remember now if this has been said already, but for oxbridge entrance, engaging with their interests outside of the classroom and curriculum are often what may make the difference. And while obviously oxbridge isn't the be-all and end-all, it can be very useful in helping them decide what they want to do later.

DD is in your 13 now and offers for law from Newcastle, Leeds, Sheffield, York and Cardiff all RG.

She wanted to take and did do so drama and photograph for options. She is taking A levels in English Lit/ Lang, Drama and sociology.

For what I can see with her friends is all about the predicted A level grade and not what it’s in. A friend had Oxford interview to read lit and one of her A levels is photography.

I wouldn’t say that is entirely true. There is a published list of “unapproved” A Levels - it’s very small, it includes General Studies and, if I remember rightly, photography! Of course if someone is doing four A Levels then a “lesser” one tacked on the end doesn’t matter.

Also many subjects have “preferred” A Levels. Everyone knows someone who knows someone who got in with 9 grade 1 GCSEs and A Level Ceramics and a BTec in Health & Social Care, but these people, if they exist, are one in a million.

A couple of “creative” GCSEs are fine, but choose A Levels carefully according to what is on university website.

Do you have access to the school results for these subjects for the last few years? Some may have consistently higher results which may suggest that the school teaches the subject well or the subject is 'easier' etc.
FWIW, my v academic DS1 got 10As and one A at GCSE, but his A was in Geography. He was a bit lazy and underestimated how much there was to learn until it was too late!
Meanwhile my other DS chose Drama. His school typically achieved over 80% A/A in the subject over 4 years. The teacher was well-established, had excellent systems, knew the syllabus inside out and was hugely inspirational.

@solittletime

Any pointers welcome, including “you’re really overthinking this stop being such a helicopter parent” :)

This basically sums up my view! They have so little scope to choose that it isn't worth worrying about.

I think deciding to do or not do a language is quite a road ending decision so they should reflect carefully. Other than that, I wasn't very fussed what they chose. Ultimately, as a parent I have no more idea what they will be like when they are twenty than they do!!

Help them dial down the stress of it all and help them work out what they love.

It's unlikely that Photography would not 'approved' as it is a subset of the wider Art & Design syllabus.

DS studied Photography and got offers from all the universities he applied for, including Loughborough, Exeter, Leeds (didn't apply for Oxbridge).

As pps have said, Alevels are far more important than GCSEs when it comes to degree selection. Some schools are campaigning for the abolition of GCSEs so that might not even be around in a few years.

If anything, I’d actually say it’s better if your child DOESN’T choose all highly academic subjects for GCSE. Having a couple of more arty subjects show more breadth and allows them to develop other skills. Plenty of time to specialise once they are at Alevel. Certainly as an employer, when I’m interviewing people I’m always more impressed if they have a range of ‘softer/arty’ skills alongside academic ones.

I wouldn’t say that is entirely true. There is a published list of “unapproved” A Levels - it’s very small, it includes General Studies and, if I remember rightly, photography!

The PP - and the OP - are talking about GCSEs. More care may be needed with A levels, of course.