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Another Path - part IV

1000 replies

321zyx · 01/05/2021 20:24

Apologies if I've done this wrong! I seemed to have filled up the last thread, hopefully the abbreviated title is ok!

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LoonvanBoon · 03/06/2021 10:19

@Pumpkintopf, it's over 3 decades ago now, but I did English Lit., History and RS at A level and went on to read Philosophy and Theology at Oxford. I've taught both A level RS and the AQA Philosophy A level (the latter is excellent, though still doesn't seem to be widely available), though am a bit rusty.

I'd agree that those are a good selection of A levels, but they're very heavy on essays and reading. The only advantage I can see of starting four is if your DD can't yet decide between History and Psychology. Otherwise it's a lot of extra work without any clear benefit.

Don't know much about EPQs as the schools I'm most familiar with seem to have dropped them. A lot of universities do drop one grade for an A grade EPQ, though - I think that includes places like Nottingham and Newcastle. Others don't, obviously, including Oxford, Cambridge and Warwick, off the top of my head. One advantage to doing an EPQ would be to provide your DD with the chance to research an area of philosophy and give her a clearer idea of her own interests, as well as something to discuss on her PS if that is the course she pursues.

Does her RS A level cover philosophy of religion? A lot do, and it's very popular, but I'd advise her to do some wider reading before making university decisions, as a lot of other topics in philosophy are more difficult and quite far removed from what some students imagine. Have a look at the AQA A level syllabus - it's changed since I taught it and there are no longer set texts, but the specification is quite detailed and I believe there's still an extract-based reading list. Or just have a go at reading some classic texts - Descartes' Meditations are a very accessible 'way in' - we used to do this as an A level set text - or Bertrand Russell's The Problems of Philosophy. There's an excellent book by Nigel Warburton about major philosophical texts, with lots of extracts, which again might stimulate possible EPQ ideas as well as giving your DD a clearer idea about whether Philosophy is for her.

Anyway, I know you asked about A levels primarily, so I'll stop rambling. As someone else said, most Philosophy degree courses just specify an essay based subject, so your DD's choices would be fine. Philosophy is often part of a joint/combined degree, so there are other popular A levels - most PPEists at Oxford do maths, for instance, though it's not listed as essential, and is more for the Economics part of the degree. Philosophy students I knew with A level maths did seem to find formal logic, a subject I really struggled with, easier than those of us with purely arts/humanities A levels, but it's not a compulsory module in most Philosophy degrees and may well not be at Oxford any more. We only had to do it for a term in 1st year.

SeasonFinale · 03/06/2021 10:24

If your daughter is of a calibre to be applying to Oxbridge she is unlikely to "need" the dropped offer that some unis make for at least an A in the EPQ. However an A*AA offer for DS dropped to an AAB for DS which would have made for a comfortable insurance offer (although he went for another AAA instead).

If the school insist on some form of learning to be done whilst the EPQ sessions are running then an EPQ is a good use of time then to go into depth in and research an area you are interested in which may feed into content for a personal statement for the type of subjects your DD is taking. Oxbridge will offer on 3 subjects (but Cambridge may offer based on 4 sometimes).

If the school does not expect some other form of learning to take place during EPQ sessions then your DD can use that time just as easily to continue her personal reading around her subject (if she is the type that will).

OnTheBenchOfDoom · 03/06/2021 11:18

As A levels are liner then there is really no benefit of taking 4 if the intention is to drop one unless she is completely uncertain as to which 3 subjects to take through to year 13.

Ds did do 4 A levels but the 4th one was further maths which ties in with his maths. All his offers from uni have been on 3 A level grades no one has mentioned the 4th.

I think an EPQ can be a valuable way to explore a topic linked to A levels but not covered in A levels. Ds didn't do one as his subjects are STEM and no university asked for one for Computer Science. If someone at Ds's sixth form did do 4 A levels and an EPQ there would be no free periods meaning all homework would be done at home. Ds used his free periods to complete the work set in his previous class.

KittyMcKitty · 03/06/2021 11:30

@Pumpkintopf regarding Philosophy degrees my ds is currently holding offers at RG uni’s to study a mix of Phil & Pol and straight Philosophy (Bristol) after having studied A levels in Geography, Politics and Psychology- no EPQ as he dropped it during the first lock down.

BigWoollyJumpers · 03/06/2021 13:50

Had a catch up coffee with some friends this morning. Yay, finally
out and about. Interesting mix of what our DD's are doing, and somewhat indicative of the times I thought :

One off to Brown in Boston
One taking a year off, didn't even bother to apply this year, and then contemplating US application
A Year 12, applying to Oxford, Durham, Edinburgh, St Andrews and UCL

We commiserated with the Year 12 Mum!

SeasonFinale · 03/06/2021 19:48

Did you warn the year 12 Mum of the perils of choosing 2 Scottish unis?

Pumpkintopf · 03/06/2021 22:39

Wow!! So much amazing advice- thank you all so much.

@Xenia you are eminently qualified to comment on anything so thank you for your advice. Yes, I was worried about' facilitating subjects' too particularly as she may want to drop history.

@Lovecatsanddogs good advice on wider reading and MOOCS, thank you.

@Abetes yes it was a Christ's College Cambridge webinar.

@SeasonFinale good advice on the EPQ. I'm not sure how her school handles them so will ask, thank you. At DS's school EPQs weren't timetabled at all, they just ran an after school session for those who wanted to complete one - not sure if DD's school is the same.

@OnTheBenchOfDoom yes, she probably will want to drop history- but we've pointed out she's never done psychology before so should really try it for a while before making it a firm choice.

@KittyMcKitty that's brilliant, well done to your DS. Any particular texts he would recommend?

@LoonvanBoon absolutely brilliant advice, thanks so much for taking the time to write such a comprehensive post. I've made a note of the texts and specification you've recommended, I do agree that wider reading is a very good idea as some philosophy courses seem to vary widely in terms of what they cover and how much 'logic' etc is included. Thank you again so much, would you mind if I contact you with any further questions?

LoonvanBoon · 04/06/2021 11:45

Of course not, @Pumpkintopf, any time. Smile

Pumpkintopf · 04/06/2021 18:24

Really very much appreciated, thank you Thanks

chopc · 05/06/2021 14:01

What a glorious day!

@Pumpkintopf no advise for your DD but I was having a look at my DD13's philosophy revision and even after reading twice I didn't "get it" 🙈. And I have always been told I am a philosophical person 🤷🏽‍♀️

Pumpkintopf · 06/06/2021 01:22

It was a gorgeous day wasn't it chopc

And yes, not sure I'd 'get it' either Grin

Maggiethecat · 07/06/2021 09:35

I've been away from the thread but popping back to ask about deferrals. So, Dd is going to defer and I know she has contacted 2 unis and I am letting her get on with things.

But want to check - is it possible to defer more than one place? I assumed that deferring is like accepting a place with a view to starting a year later and therefore you could only have one deferral.

MarchingFrogs · 07/06/2021 11:20

The official way to accept places is to make a decision on one's firm and insurance choices through UCAS. So if she wants to defer altogether and wants both a firm and an insurance, it would make sense to have the agreement of both u oversities in advance. But if it is a case of, If University X, I want to defer, but if it has to be Unoversity Y, I'll want to go this year (or vice versa), then it only matters that the right one agrees, iyswim?

Maggiethecat · 07/06/2021 12:34

@MarchingFrogs - she wants to defer to next year all together. A says they’ll allow her but she’s waiting to hear from B which is her first choice.
So if both agree the deferral do you know if she must accept her firm and insurance in the usual way but rely on correspondence from each for assurance of the deferred place?

MarchingFrogs · 07/06/2021 12:57

I think the university should change the details with UCAS? It should say on the UCAS website - there's a whole section in 'Undetgraduate' re how various changes can / must be made and 'year of entry' is definitely mentioned.

Maggiethecat · 07/06/2021 13:12

Ok, this may have been what Manchester said they’d help with.

bendmeoverbackwards · 07/06/2021 13:24

Hi just catching up! Hope everyone is well and enjoying the long awaited sunshine.

We've had a bit of drama here. We were due to go to Cardiff for a half term break. Two days before dd found out her friend had tested positive and she had to isolate. She told us to go anyway which we did, she had her older sister for company at home for 2 days until oldest joined us in Cardiff after a dance exam.

Then when we got back I took dd for a PCR test just in case. I really didn't think it would be positive but a day later she was informed by email that it was positive. She had a slight cough and headache but we didn't think that was enough for Covid.

So now poor dd, after missing out on a trip away, is isolating in her room and the rest of us have to isolate until the 12th.

Rotten for her Sad

chopc · 07/06/2021 13:46

Oh no!!! That's such rotten luck @bendmeoverbackwards ! Wish her a speedy recovering and I guess we are thankful all assessments etc are out of the way

ChimneyPot · 07/06/2021 20:02

Oh dear @bendmeoverbackwards. I hope she is ok.

My DD is starting her exams on Wednesday and they go on for 2 and a half weeks.

As a family we are having an extended lockdown. Things are opening up here but we are not socialising because if DD gets notified as a close contact she is not allowed to sit the exams.
I feel bad for my other teens because secondary schools have closed for the summer and all their friends are out but we just can’t risk it.
Hopefully DS won’t pick anything up in primary school.

bendmeoverbackwards · 07/06/2021 20:17

Oh that's a worry @ChimneyPot Fingers crossed everyone stays safe and well.

Longtimenewsee · 07/06/2021 20:36

Oh that is bad luck for your Dd @bendmeoverbackwards. Glad she wasn’t too poorly though.
Blimey @ChimneyPot I bet you be so glad when the assessments are all over for your dd

ChimneyPot · 07/06/2021 20:50

@Longtimenewsee
Her assessments are done but we are in Ireland and out equivalents of A levels are still on. The final result is a combination of both!
Not ideal.

SeasonFinale · 07/06/2021 20:54

Sorry to hear about DD @bendmeoverbackwards. DS however has a negative PCR which will allow him to fly home on Wednesday after 5 months away.

Longtimenewsee · 07/06/2021 23:22

Ah I see @ChimneyPot. What a drawn out process!
Good luck to her .. hope the exams go well

Moominmammacat · 08/06/2021 09:38

SeasonFinale "Did you warn the year 12 Mum of the perils of choosing 2 Scottish unis?" ... what is this peril?

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