GCSEs 2018 (14): the aftermath

[mmzz]

Following on from www.mumsnet.com/Talk/secondary/3275972-GCSEs-2018-13-Untwisting-our-knickers-lucky-for-some

Sorry, mmzz I'd forgotten about the economics. At DS1's uni lots doing maths degrees are looking at financial type jobs. I don't know if they have done or need economics at A level but I bet it's useful!

I think the taking the 4th subject until the end of Y12 is a legacy from the AS level days, tbh. No reason really not to drop the 4th a bit earlier, but they need to give it a proper go. DC can swap some A levels entirely by October in my school and a small % often do.

DS3 will (probably) be doing 4 AS levels so can't drop one until after that, and usually not until after results in August.

I worked in the City. I was a Quantitative Analyst. That's now a highly sought after job, exceptionally well-paid and employs graduates who would outclass me in every possible way. I feel a bit of a fraud remembering my efforts in the early days of quantitative analysis.

The City is contracting thanks to lower investment fees, and the rise of quant analysis. However, quant analysis is one of the few growth areas and is likely to remain so for those who can innovate.

What i needed for that job (designing, back-testing and implementing investment strategies) was maths, statistics and economics, plus a bit of programming. All I had was maths and some statistics. the rest I had to teach myself or work around.
I think DC should be wary of financial careers. They aren't as easy to get into or as "safe" as they used to be (not that they were ever safe, compared to most other jobs). However, quant analysis for those of you with mathematical DC might be worth finding out more about.

I'll look into this for my DS mmzz - what would be the best degree - maths and stats? maths and economics?

At DS’s school they have to do an EPQ if they are starting with 3 A levels and it’s optional if they’re starting with 4. They are encouraged to use it to keep their interests broad - I know one boy doing Maths/Sciences last year did an EPQ in music composition, while a language specialist did one based on Politics.

I get the idea that it gives them something to enthuse about at interview, but DS is doing PreU for English and History, so will be choosing his own topics for two mini-dissertations anyway.

Have any other DCs received reading lists yet? I was skimming one of his History books over breakfast and have discovered that I know absolutely nothing about Pitt the Younger and even less (ie what I thought I knew was wrong) about 19th C America.

I think maths and economics, or at least that is the combination that would have served me bestYou only need the stats for the testing, but you need the economics for the original ideas. Programming ability puts it into practice.
I have been out of the industry for a while now though and I just googled a sample graduate starter job. It doesn't seem so bothered about the economics which surprises me.

https://statestreet.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Global/job/London/Quantitative-Analyst---Professional-Development-Programme-2018R-575320

Nobody can receive reading lists here Kingscote as nobody stays on in their original school. Nothing kicks off until 10 Sept or at least the end of August when places are finalised.

Kingscote no reading lists here, thank goodness! Pitt the Younger - I think he was the one who introduced income tax as a temporary measure, I think. Maybe it's time to declare the temporary period over?!

Re doing 4 A Levels, bear in mind that for those applying to Cambridge it’s quite common to be given an offer based on all 4. So what would have been eg A, A, A for 3 becomes A, A, A, A for 4 (or even higher.) As far as I know, Oxford stick with their standard offer regardless of how many A Levels are being taken. At least that was the case when DD was applying a couple of years ago.

DD did 4 because she didn’t want to drop any of her subjects. She didn’t do an EPQ because a) the way it’s structured didn’t really appeal and b) she was doing Pre-U English which, as Kingscote says, involves writing a mini-dissertation on a subject of your choice. She also entered, and won, an Oxbridge essay competition which took up quite a lot of time. Plus there is the preparation required for the Oxbridge entrance exams, and the interview, in the first term of Y13. Added to the workload of 4 A Levels, she was stretched to her limit in that term particularly.

For potential Oxbridge applicants in particular it’s just worth bearing in mind that they won’t ‘only’ be dealing with the A Level workload.

DS2 has been given a Maths course to do over the summer. Nothing for Chemistry or Physics yet, but the induction day is on Monday, so perhaps there'll be recommended reading then.

Cherryburn if DS2 decides to apply to Oxford, there would be a test in the October of Y13. If they do well enough in that, they get invited for interview in December.

I remember from DS1 that the autumn term of Y13 felt particularly busy, and he didn't apply for Oxbridge.

One of my DDs' Oxford colleges sent out in their standard offer letter an additional requirement that any fourth A level entered on the UCAS form would have to be completed in full, although no stipulation would be made re. grades. Which would be quite a bore, if you'd put down four but fancied dropping one once an Oxford offer was in.

Really fabulous dress Teenmum!

TheThird yes that’s right. DD’s Oxford exam was in early November of Y13 and her interview was in December. Both required a certain amount of preparation on top of the usual A Level workload and revision for mocks which were in the January.

Goodbye you’re right, I’d forgotten that. DD’s offer was 3 A’s but the 4th A Level had to be completed, so no chance of dropping any of them once the offer was in.

Cherryburn would you mind outlining the process for applying to Oxford? How did your DC go about selecting which Oxford / Cambridge college to apply to?

The Cambridge website is brilliant in terms of outlining all the steps and what’s required at each stage. I presume oxford has the same. The admissions staff in the colleges on open days were fantastic too so friendly and helpful. Also recommend subject open days and taster sessions if they have then in your subject. Advertised on the website

I've just realised that I've never looked there. I have looked at a handful of the individual college websites and just been bamboozled by the choice.
Open days ... not so easy.... DH and I work together and he's fairly annoyed with me at all the attention I've given DS since Easter. Workwise, it has been detrimental, unfortunately.
I tried raising the subject of attending an open day or two, and I can see it would cause quite a bit of marital strife if I push it. DH thinks it's too early, unnecessary and, in his words, I have much more urgent things to do.

I realise that last post might make some of you rather glad to be single!

mmzz she first had to decide whether to apply to Oxford or Cambridge. Mainly it came down to the differences in the courses (and in her subject they are pretty different) but we also visited both cities to get a feel for them and looked round a lot of colleges. She attended study days in Y12 at both which meant she got a real feel for the courses. Her (Cambridge) essay competition win meant that she got to spend the afternoon at that college with more opportunities to ask questions. She did attend open days at both but didn’t find them that helpful really- she says the study days were much more useful.

Once she’d decided to apply to Oxford (and she didn’t decide that until the summer holidays between Y12 and Y13) she made a list of criteria for deciding which college to apply to. From memory she wanted the option for 3 years accommodation in college, somewhere central but not one of the real tourist magnets, and somewhere that looked beautiful! She looked at all the online college prospectuses and also looked at the tutors and their specialisms. The latter wasn’t a deal-breaker though-she knew that tutors can move and also that she could be allocated to a tutor in a different college if she developed a particular interest in something. Once she’d done that she and I went and had another wander round her shortlist of colleges so she could make a final decision. We’re in London though, so it’s easy for us to get to Oxford.

She also knew that she could end up anywhere if she got through to interview, so didn’t absolutely agonise over where to apply. In the event she got an offer from her first choice college, so it was worth deciding up front what was important to her.

mmzz just seen your later posts. Everything I’ve detailed happened in Y12 and the summer between Y12/13. There’s certainly no need to be doing anything yet. But as Oratory says, do keep your eyes open for study days/taster days. They tend to be in the 2nd and 3rd terms of Y12.

DS is holding an offer from Cambridge. He went to a couple of subject taster days in spring of y 12, then we all went to an open day where he focused on colleges (because there were admissions talks on the taster days) but also went on a departmental tour. He chose his college mainly on the feel tbh, he wanted accommodation for all years, a college of medium size, not too far out, and one that didn't require STEP for engineering was a bonus. In the end he chose the college DH went to, he didn't want to, but he just fell in love with the surroundings!

Yup DD went to a Cambridge open day in spring of year 12 with an open mind. She expected to feel it wasn’t for her but actually found the opposite - students and staff friendly and helpful and potential applicants on the day very diverse. Followed it up wit a subject taster day then the process all kicked off at school from September of year 13. To be honest though school advice was a bit outdated ( relied too much on teachers who had been there and not kept up with changing process an requiremts) so we relied on the brilliant website. When you apply access to applicant guidance opens up too and it was all very clear. I echo pp s though that it was all very time consuming. Not jus PS, exams and interviews but most have submitted work and additional forms to complete and coming amongst mocks etc it’s hard work. And it is actually two or three interviews not just one. DD actually enjoyed the process though

Some now see oxbridge and medicine as a two year process - if you just miss out first time round many dc have been successful applying again after results and used a gap year to get more experience (and a well eRned break)

I've known a few people successfully apply to medicine after finishing A levels rather than in sixth form. It was less intense as they had known grades and lots of time to do application and some genuinely useful work or volunteering experience. They also had chance to take a breath before launching themselves into medical training.

Not a good idea if upu want to do maths apparently though.

Oh and on the question of whether oxford or Cambridge (and indeed many uni courses) it usually comes down to course - the content and style can be very different.

Not sure whether DS will ever apply to Cambridge but he went to an open day in Y9 because a friend's dad has links with the computer science dept and offered to take his son and 2 friends.
They had a great time - no one looked down on them because of their ages, they were treated like all the other students, given lots of advice, and were completely wowed by all the tech. Definitely a positive experience.

Prom photos back and not one single photo of my DD. The group of friends she went with appear in a couple of group shots but without DD.
She hasn't spoken about the prom other than a stroppy yes when asked if she had a good time. (Looking at the photos I'm not convinced that she did enjoy it).

Went to my SIL house yesterday for a BBQ, DD was in a thick jumper and jeans and had a face like thunder on her... DH and I were chatting, laughing and joking and she was scowling the whole time (mostly at DH and I).

She doesn't want to talk about her friendship problems with DH and I as "we don't understand" or "embarrassing" or say "hurtful things".

Looking at these prom photos crying as everyone is dancing and smiling and my DD is no where to be seen on the photos.