A Level English: advice from Uni admissions people please

[senua]

Do you make any distinction between A Level English 'Literature' and 'Language and Literature' for admissions purposes, or are they interchangeable?

[amothersplaceisinthewrong]

My daughter did last year A LEvel Eng Lit. lang and lit was definitely "sold" as a lesser option by her school (state comp)

[Ponders]

what reddaisy said

In Y11 you really can't do more than giving your child advice - you mustn't choose for them! (If nothing else because if they do make a hash of a subject you made them do it will be your fault)

[senua]

I agree that the choice is his; I should take a backseat and give impartial advice (hence asking the question - checking my facts!).
The problem is that the L&L was being touted by the teacher and I think that DS may have been swayed by the 'please do my subject' flattery.

[reddaisy]

Senua - good luck.

My mum would not let me do GCSE drama even though it was my favourite subject.

She made me take German GCSE instead which I loathed and then I got a C. I know I would have got a much higher grade for drama.

I'm not suggesting you are like this but I also think that going to Oxbride/Russell Group uni isn't the be all and end all of life either. He has to be happy too.

But if he does well at school then the teachers will all want him to choose their subjects. He will have to be strong and go with his instinct.

[Ponders]

This is from a local 6th form college:

X gained 2 A*s in History and English Language and Literature, plus a further 3 A grades in Mathematics, Physics and Critical Thinking. X will be carrying on our Oxbridge tradition this year as he is now off to Worcester College, Oxford University to read English.

And this college does offer the separate options as well.

Ha!

[Ponders]

(I mean obviously he is an outstanding student all round, & was doing a good mix of strong subjects, but still, L&L didn't hold him back...)

[Ponders]

And on the subject of Law "done by bad schools only by pupils who will get low grades" - from the same college:

Y gained 3 grade As in his A Levels in Psychology, Information & Communication Technology and Law. Y is now following his ambition to study Law at Leeds and wants to enter the profession after graduating.

Z gained an A* in Law at A Level, an
A grade in Government and Politics and a B grade for his English Language. Y is now off to Warwick University to study Law.

[senua]

Thanks Ponders.

After all that debating, I have a horrible feeling that DS's choice may not de decided by the high-minded 'what is the best educational choice?' but by the more humdrum 'what fits into blocking?'

[Ponders]

Well I suppose that can be a consideration, but they try really hard to give everybody what they want afaik.

Good luck anyway (him & you )

[gramercy]

Must say, Supersunnyday: "Coral conserving". Hee hee. But it's a bit worrying that you had to advise admissions tutors not to be swayed by posh kids' achievements.

Can an A* in English Literature compete with an English Language A Level if the latter applicant has built seven orphanages and brokered world peace?