Dropping 4th A'level - stress!

[ActingTheMaggot]

DS is in lower 6th studying for 4 A levels. I did express concern over this and thought it was a bit much, as he has a lot of other things going on in his life. Up until a week ago, he was fine with it.

Now he is saying he wants to drop one as it is too much. He spoke to the school and they said it is too late to pick up the EPQ.

I am now concerned that he is going to go from 4 A'levels to 3 and no EPQ and come up against other students with 3 and an EPQ which is going to put him at a disadvantage for Uni.

Any suggestions as to what to do? He is pretty stressed out now.

The school takes the view that it is better to have 3 A's rather than 2 A's and 2 B's.

Universities take that view as well.

I don't actually want him to do an EPQ. I want him to make a decision and be happy with it. What I am upset with is him making a wrong decision that is going to affect his Uni entry. The school should be taking him through his options and reassuring him, rather than letting him get dead stressed out about this.

Not doing an EPQ won't affect his university entry. doing less well in his A levels will.

It's a no brainer. Drop to doing just 3 A leves and work on improving his grades. It sounds like he needs permission to do so.

I would also wonder why I was paying for his education.

Take a deep breath and calm down OP

3 A levels is fine, it's what uni's base most of their decision on

It seems to me that a lot of private schools are a bit behind the times, your DC has no need at all for an EPQ in my experience (one son just gone to Uni, one going next year)

What was important:

Find out what Uni course he wants to do and what the requirements are

Get best grades possible in 3 subjects

Write a passionate and smashing Personal Statement where you explain why you want to do this course and why you'd be good at it

The rest is detail. It seems that a lot of private school parents get very hung up about EPQs, 4 a levels, further maths not being a full A level etc , Duke of Edinburgh (nobody cares)

It is much simpler and straightforward than you think

Go to Uni open days, inform yourself, and let him do the A levels he enjoys and the music if he loves it

He's lucky to be interested in 2 things. It will all work out

But you said 'How hard would it be for the EPQ dept. to spend a bit of time getting him on his way. He already has the idea for the project.'

That sounds if you want them to let him? If your concern is the lack of communication from the school then I agree with you! But the outcome is that he will be doing 3 A levels, and not be distracted by an EPQ or a 4th A level then that's a good outcome.

It seems to me that a lot of private schools are a bit behind the times,
It seems that a lot of private school parents get very hung up about EPQs, 4 a levels, further maths not being a full A level etc , Duke of Edinburgh (nobody cares)

Not just private schools. State schools as well.

When DD was looking at universities in 2017 we found that what we were told in subject talks at open days was different to what school was telling us.

You are right that:

a) Universities aren't interested in D of E
b) Universities just want three excellent A level grades not 4, unless it is a course that relies heavily on further maths, then FM is advised
c) Medical schools don't count FM as a separate A level as there is too much crossover with maths, so they will only consider it if it is a fourth subject
d) Some universities might reduce their offer if a good grade at EPQ is achieved, but it isn't guaranteed
e) A lot of universities for a lot of courses don't even read the personal statement unless the student is borderline

Basically the gold standard is three excellent A level grades, and if anything else - EPQ, another A level, is going to detract the student from achieving it then it has to be junked.

My DS in similar situation. He went ahead with 4 A levels and now thinking of dropping the fourth and told he can't do EPQ. I was cross as I'd said all along do 3 and EPQ but thanks to the PP here I'm less worried now.
He might persist with the fourth for a bit (a MFL, rest are sciences). We'll see!

Great posts from @HowDoYouOwnDisorder and @RampantIvy as usual. YY three tiptop A levels are what he needs. DofE, grade 8 piano, fourth A level, EPQ - none of these are needed.

If he has a great idea for an EPQ OP, presuming it is in some way relevant to what he wants to study at uni, then why not research it and develop his reading around that - this would then give him a good starting point for his personal statement - which is not meant to be about your amazing DoE experience, and is meant to be about 8why* you want to study this subject.

My younger two are or were both at uni btw so I have some experience here; both got excellent offers from the old MN gold standard of RG unis while taking three A levels and no EPQ. Neither ended up at an RG haha, for different reasons, but I don't think RG is any kind of be-all and end-all anyway, though the list of course includes excellent universities.

OK, I have calmed down now. I have taken on board what you have all said, and also I have spoken with the school and they say the same thing. Honestly, I am fine with it all now.

I am new to all this as he is my first child. I just wanted to make sure he didn't mess it up for himself. Someone up-thread said I was overinvested, but it is actually him coming home all stressed out about it and asking our advice and I am just trying to get the info to support his decision. He is so hardworking and dedicated, he deserves to go to a good Uni.

So, I'm sure now he is going to drop to 3. I think freeing up his time and getting this stress off his back will do him good. He has loads of things going on outside of school and I don't want to shut them down as they have the potential to be lifelong hobbies.

Aw, thank you @clary. DD graduated 6 months ago, and I get so irritated when I see inaccurate advice being handed out by schools.

A lot of schools don't have their students' best interests at heart and just want to look good.

DOE is a pain in the arse.

Only reason I'd say stick with 4 A levels is if one was further maths and he wanted to study maths or engineering at university - the unis my son applied to wanted FM if it was offered at his school.

In your case, maths, chem and music sound like a great selection. Teaching music will give him examples of being self directed, organising time etc in his personal statement.

Thank you to everyone for their advice. I knew bugger all, and now I am much better informed. As usual, if you want to know something, ask Mumsnet.

just on the EPQ - it might only mean you get an offer a grade or 2 lower than standard (for some universities for some courses) so it has no intrinsic points value.

But IMO it is a good thing. Know you want to be an engineer/doctor/lawyer/film producer? Then the EPQ is a great way to research it and show your interest.

V surprised they wont' let him start an EPQ - he has lots of time if he's motivated and has a topic in mind?

I think 3 is fairly standard in a lot of schools. Most ucas is points offers I think, so just about getting three good grades now.

Ah, chemistry! Dd is studying that. Where she is, you have to have chemistry and maths A Level. They prefer the third subject to be physics or biology or economics. She is in year 3 now.

DM me if you want.