Question about EPQ and UCAS form

[Sarahcoggles]

I've posted about the EPQ before, and got some very helpful replies. DS's school didn't even mention the EPQ till year 13, and DS has had a lot of coursework to do, so has barely started his EPQ. He's considering not bothering with it at all, but keeps changing his mind.

He's got to submit his UCAS form next week, and is unsure whether to mention the EPQ or not. He's decided not to mention it on his personal statement, because he doesn't want to wax lyrical about something he might not even do.
But he's not sure if he should put it in the "qualifications" section, along with the A levels he's sitting in the summer.

So I'm wondering, which looks worse:-

1. list the EPQ on the form but then end up not doing it
2. list the EPQ but get a crap grade
3. ditch the EPQ and don't mention it at all

Presumably if he gets uni offers they'll potentially give 2 offers, one for just A levels, and one based on a good EPQ? Is that how it works?

Thank you

Honestly at this stage I’d ditch it.

Second that.To even contemplate starting an EPQ in Year 13 is risky-better to read around what genuinely interests him and include these interests in his personal statement.

The personal statement is all done and is fine.
The dilemma is whether or not to put the EPQ on the UCAS form, if there's a chance he may not end up doing it.

The EPQ is a lot of work. Both my children did it, but probably had most of it completed by this stage of year 13. Therefore, mentioning it in their personal statement was fine, as they were talking about something they had completed, They also roughly knew the standard of their work and what grade they could achieve, making it worth including on their UCAS form. If he hasn't completed the greater proportion of the work /research already, I would be suggesting forgetting about it and putting the effort in to getting good grades in the a-levels he is doing. Better this, than dropping grades trying to complete a poorly researched, sub-standard EPQ.

I would't mention it as he hasn't done it as I'm sure it asks what grade is achieved (as most do it in year 12 so have the results for that already) which will not be possible. EPQ only seems to lower the offer by a grade if its a A*/A grade on the whole.

But it can be a back up if required grades are not met and they need to look at plan B. Worked for us.

The amount of time an EPQ would consume at this stage in year 13 is vast and for potentially no gain and also risking his grades in his a levels. Do the courses he’s applying for give reduced offers for an EPQ? Out of my dd’s 5 only 1 does and those my elder child applied for none did.

seriously bin the epq and focus on the A levels.

Teacher and erstwhile EPQ tutor here. Definitely don’t mention it and I’d probably ditch it at this stage. It has negligible impact on Uni applications and imo only works well if students are passionate about their topic.

Thank you - so if there's a chance he won't do it, then he should definitely not list it in the things he's planning to do?

My thinking is that it looks better to have never started an EPQ, than to have planned to do it then given it up.

@Sarahcoggles - yes I agree. Easier to mention at an interview if relevant if he does complete it but a bit tricky if it’s there in black and white and he hasn’t done it. As others say Year 13 is tough and it’s a marginal benefit so unless he’s desperate to do it I’d leave it.

Which is more likely if he does it and takes his eye off the ball for A levels. I agree that he needs to ditch the idea and concentrate on his A levels.

Besides, not all universities drop grades for EPQs.

It's a no brainer. The EPQ has to go.

Adding to the chorus of ditch the EPQ. It only makes a difference to the offer by one grade, and only if it's an A or A star, and only for certain courses (your ds can check online if this applies to courses he has chosen to apply to).

It's an unfeasible amount of work to consider at this stage of Yr 13. Basically he has about 5-6 months of working time left - I woukd deffo suggest focusing on A level grades.

My son didn’t do one. Concentrate on getting the grades needed. Do the Universities and courses he’s interested in even look at it? Lots of effort for no reward in a lot cases in my sons A level teachers opinions.

My daughter (Y13) changed hers and is just completing it now. No way would she START one now - it's worth half an A level and she's put that amount of work in to it. Now just the presentation to do then she can get on with her A levels.
As it seems unlikely he'll do it do not put it on the form.

I think he has left it far too late and should ditch it and focus on getting good grades instead