DC took A Level Language not Lit - anything that would mitigate?

[bowlerhatt]

For a variety of reasons, DC signed up to A Level English Language rather than Lit. Some down to DC, some College's error.

It's too late to transfer to Lit this year, DC could transfer next year but would then sit Lit a year after their other A Levels - and I'm not sure what issues this would cause re funding etc.

DC is predicted an A in Language.

The problem is that most of the university courses that DC is considering require Lit, or at very least strongly recommend it.

Is there anything you can suggest DC can do over the next year to try to mitigate not having Lit? They already read widely, volunteer in a charity bookshop, and act as a reporter on the college newspaper.

Or is it best to just try to do Lit later...?

Students are competing across the world for places at Oxbridge and places tend to go to those with top grades across the board at GCSE & A Level studying traditional academic subjects, regardless of facilitating subjects not formally existing anymore.

I had better tell my DD this. She is a second year at Oxford with English Language A level and less than perfect grades at both GCSE & A level. They must have made a mistake in offering her a place.

@bcc89

I fail to see how you can not know you're signing up for the wrong course? How did that even happen? Surely if the school put him in the wrong class, they should move him?

Literally explained by the OP!

@MadameMinimes you're right that there is absolutely no harm at all in applying - regardless of anyone's circumstances I always think it's best to apply to Oxbridge with the mindset that you probably won't get in and go through the experience. I just meant that if his heart is set on it then, with a gap year, he would be applying with firm rather than predicted grades.

Of course there are all sorts of circumstances and subjects and students who get in. I'm just speaking in generalisations because when advising students about their futures, A level choices and university applications, we have to consider what's likely to help them out. I'm not at all insinuating @HewasH2O that your daughter doesn't deserve to be there and think it's pretty clear that this wasn't the case. Congratulations to her for getting through an incredibly competitive process - she's obviously impressive and excellent.

OK it was a while ago, but I did English Lit A level in one academic year, whilst working full time, so get your DC transferred over ASAP. I got the grade I needed too, so it can be done!

Cambridge certainly make it clear there are academic subjects they like! They might not be called facilitating any more, and you never needed all 3 to be facilitating, but not having one “old style” facilitating subject does seem to be less favoured. If you believe the stats for successful candidates of course.

@Piggywaspushed it doesn't say in the OP. Unless I'm blind?

No, the OP explained it later...

No, the OP explained it later...

Whoops.

@Piggywaspushed

No, the OP explained it later...

I've read all OPs posts through again and I can't actually tell what happened...

The DC missed much of GCSE years. Despite this git excellent results, specifically in Eng Language. Lit grade less good (because of missed school no doubt) and so was advised (logically really) to do Eng Lang A Level. Not put in wrong subject. DC has now realised the course they want to do might prefer/require Lit, although it seems - happily - this may not be the case.

It's all upthread !

Spot on @Piggywaspushed thank you!

@Piggywaspushed

The DC missed much of GCSE years. Despite this git excellent results, specifically in Eng Language. Lit grade less good (because of missed school no doubt) and so was advised (logically really) to do Eng Lang A Level. Not put in wrong subject. DC has now realised the course they want to do might prefer/require Lit, although it seems - happily - this may not be the case.

It's all upthread !

I didn't get that from the posts at all, Sorry. I don't think it was written that clearly, so thank you.

OP, I really think your son needs to stick to the course he's chosen and do his best at that. Hopefully it won't affect uni choices too much. I studied English Language, did well and really enjoyed it.

Unfortunately mrkb "speaking in generalisations" perpetuates the myths about applying to Oxford and Cambridge and convinces potential applicants from state schools that they are wasting their time in applying.

I did language (with history and German) then realised I'd also like to do literature and missed that aspect. I picked up lit in my second A level year and did it in one academic year, just did both first and second year classes. It was fine, I did GCSE Russian in the same year and an OCN course in journalism in my creative block. I also worked part time.
If they really want to they can just do it in one academic year. Overall I actually found language more interesting, my teacher was a linguistics professor.

If they really want to they can just do it in one academic year.

Assuming that that can be facilitated by the college. And that the OP's DS feels that adding the equivalent of two A levels' worth of work to the second year of his other A levels will not have an impact on the grades that he is currently assessed as being able to achieve.