English, History and PE A levels, potentially for Oxbridge

[Drangea]

DS is considering the above combination. Aiming to read English or History. Teachers are recommending he applies to Oxbridge. High achieving kid at a super selective boys grammar that send lots to Oxbridge to give context.
We have not discussed with teachers yet, wanted to get a feel first.
Thanks in advance
(also posted in further education, but was advised to move to here)

My DS school does not allow students to take more than 3 unless it's maths and FM. They have 5 Oxbridge offers this year and typically get between 5 and 10 yearly.
The lecture I went on admissions at Cambridge they said specifically don't bother with 4 A levels (unless FM) as they literally don't care about it and you're better off nailing the A stars in 3.

Not really, no, seeing as my DS just graduated !

If he is aiming for History or English at Oxbridge or any top universities, I would recommend that he picks another academic A level in addition to the English, History and PE (ie studying for 4 A levels) or instead of PE (ie taking 3 A levels).

Economics, Geography, Latin, Maths, a science or a foreign language are all good choices as they show intellectual depth and versatility. Wouldn't advise choosing English, History and PE as an A level combination

Agree, maths is actually useful for history

Why tho?

I actually think the combo is not ideal but that’s bc the PE is such an outlier, content wise. IMO biology or physics would have the same issue. I bet not many YP get to Cambs with eng lit, history and physics either. PE with other sciences works better. It’s a valid A level. I don’t think anyone has found a uni that refuses to accept it.

We don't know that they don't- all you might get is a rejection that you thought was due to some other reason, such as predicted grades.

I do know of people who did A level PE as one of only 3 subjects who didn't get as many offers as those who did English, History and biology or English, History and economics, for example, and similar grade predictions. (Obviously it is impossible to match candidates who are exactly alike in terms of GCSE grades , school report, co curricular content, and personal statement for direct comparison.)

Hardly any candidates do A level physics without A level maths but if a candidate offered only physics, History and English, and could get A star grades in all three plus excelling in the English or History (whichever course he picks) super-curricular portion that Oxbridge would ask for, that combination would probably make him stand out as a particularly impressive candidate. Physics with 2 humanities (or 2 humanities plus maths) is such a challenging combination that compared to a candidate with three humanities, it would be more highly regarded, and certainly more highly regarded than PE and two humanities.

What is the source of all your knowledge / expertise , out of interest?

So much of this thread is gut feeling presented as fact 😁

Agreeing with @Piggywaspushed and @Hols23 – what's the source of your info here @dailygrowl ?

I’m not an Oxford or Cambs admissions tutor, just a teacher and parent, so tbf I don’t know. There are admissions tutors on this thread who say PE wouldn’t be a barrier to an offer tho. Especially if we were talking A-star in PE vs B in chemistry or geography.

My knowledge of those taking PE A level is limited to my DC and their friends, but they all got appropriate offers tbh – the only one I can think of who missed out on an offer was shooting for Astar AA course with ABC PGs and they knew it was optimistic. Not refused bc they dared to take PE (for a sports science course).

I don’t doubt that a three A-star candidate offering eng lit, history and physics would get offers. My point was rather that it appears very few students went to Cambridge with Eng lit, history and PE A levels (which PPs are saying means it’s not a good combo for an offer) – but that’s bc very few students take that combo in the first place, rather than (as far as we can tell) bc PE is not acceptable.

I would suggest that equally few take Eng lit, history and physics; so I bet v few get into Cambs with that combo, ergo (you might say) you shouldn’t take that combo bc you won’t get an offer. But IMO the logic is as flawed there as in the PE example.

Suggest your DS emails a couple of Oxford college admissions tutors to ask how they would view the subject combination.

PE would be a big no no for Oxbridge

PE? Just no. Choose something academic. He can play football or whatnot in his spare time.

I take it a language is out of the question?

Is there proof of that somewhere?

Just sighing out loud.

Same.

https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/before/choosing-high-school-subjects

Yes this list has been flagged. I don’t seem to see PE on it as one of the A levels you are not advised to take.

I also note that a hums student is advised to take two of the ones on the main list - for example Eng lit and history!

I often wonder whether people actually read the links they post in full….

Had PE been a 4th I would have said "meh". But as a 3rd definitely no. I'm 85% sure English lit, history and PE would be a pre-interview reject

Based on what tho? I am honestly interested. Are you an admissions tutor at Cambs? Do you know a number of YP who were rejected and had taken PE?

I have an ex student who is now a Cambs medic with PE as third A level 🤷‍♀️

Bio chem Pe?

@Poinhvi please read @SarahAndQuack's contribution to this thread as she knows what she is talking about having actually done Cambridge admissions for English.

Cambridge interview lots of applicants. Honestly, one of my students has just got into Cambridge with 3 'non facilitating' subjects. The horror.

@Poinhvi yes. Said PE been really useful as had so much anatomy in it.