Taking GCSEs early

Discussion and advice on GCSEs

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tabasco
Posts: 473
Joined: Fri Oct 19, 2012 11:21 am

Re: Taking GCSEs early

Post by tabasco »

anotherdad wrote:
doodles wrote:Having just been to an Oxbridge admissions advice evening where the speaker was a college admissions officer I definitely got the impression that, although of course grades are important, being able to demonstrate a genuine passion for your subject was just as important. I certainly didn't come away with the impression that an excessive number of GCSEs or A levels were required but I did come away thinking that being able to demonstrate that you have actively explored your subject independently outside of the classroom was.
This is my understanding too. A number of students with strong GCSE profiles at my daughter's school had interviews at Oxford or Cambridge. Some received offers, some didn't. What was apparent from their interview experiences was that by that stage, the universities knew they were dealing with students who would almost certainly meet the grade requirements but that they were looking for a certain type of student as well. Some of those who didn't receive an offer went on to exceed the usual Oxford/Cambridge tariff but they simply weren't judged as being a good fit for the style of learning at those institutions. That's absolutely fair enough and it seemed to me that Oxford and Cambridge are skilled in their assessment of that. Piling on extra GCSEs was not a determining factor.
+1
tabasco
Posts: 473
Joined: Fri Oct 19, 2012 11:21 am

Re: Taking GCSEs early

Post by tabasco »

MrsChubbs wrote:+1 Doodles and Anotherdad
At an Oxford taster day talk 2 years ago by the science admission tutors, the response to the question about grades and numbers of GCSEs from a parent was “students mature at different rates, schools offer different experiences at A level (contextual offer reference). We would rather teach students with a pulse and a passion for their subject, than an exam machine with 14 A* at GCSE.” :wink:
+1
Moon unit
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Re: Taking GCSEs early

Post by Moon unit »

I would agree with Amber. I have never ever met anyone who has been grateful for being mentored and guided towards a certain career by their parents.
I know medical schools particularly try to spot those who have been pushed into a career that wasn’t their choice. They make for very unhappy doctors and often drop out before qualifying.
There are several children in both my children’s grammar cohort who were not allowed to chose their preference of GCSEs. Parents drew the line at options such as art/dress/pe.
I imagine this type of controlling by parents back fires in the long run.
Daogroupie
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Location: Herts

Re: Taking GCSEs early

Post by Daogroupie »

Already we know of a medical student who has only just started the course and already realises it is not for them. Such a waste of the space and for the student who is now planning to start again with another course. DG
MSD
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Joined: Tue Dec 16, 2008 6:08 pm

Re: Taking GCSEs early

Post by MSD »

Really unfortunate to see so many drop out!

Whenever I hear of any drop out stories on forums, more often than not they are related to a course in medicine. I had often wondered why would medicine have such a high dropout rate? Is it down to a very difficult course requiring lot of work or was it the parental push as we commonly hear?

I was quite surprised though, when I came across the following figures collected by HESA for the percentage of first year drop outs by subject in 2017. Interestingly medicine was right at the bottom of the pile with hardly any drop outs.

* Computing - 10.7% drop out rate
* Advertising - 7.7% drop out rate
* Agriculture - 7.4% drop out rate
* Art - 7.3% drop out rate
* Architecture - 7.3% drop out rate
* Business - 7.30% drop out rate
* Biology - 6.7% drop out rate
* Engineering - 6.7% drop out rate
* Education - 6.1% drop out rate
* Joint hons. - 6% drop out rate
* Other medical - 5.9% drop out rate
* Social studies - 5.7% drop out rate
* Law - 5.7% drop out rate
* Physical science - 4.4% drop out rate
* Maths - 4.3% drop out rate
* Languages - 3.9% drop out rate
* History - 3.9% drop out rate
* Medicine - 1.2% drop out rate

The above stats really suggest to me that students who decide to pursue medicine are the most assured and clear in their minds, as to what they are getting into, contrary to popular belief
Amber
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Joined: Thu Sep 24, 2009 11:59 am

Re: Taking GCSEs early

Post by Amber »

I am sure that as you seem to have every single stat for entry to Medicine at your fingertips, MSD, in your mission to 'mentor and guide' your son into Medicine, you will already have come across this document. It demonstrates that application numbers to Medicine are falling, but more importantly that the numbers who decide to delay or not pursue F1 training, or pursue specialist F2 training, are also falling. The word 'crisis' has started to be used around the issues of recruitment and retention of doctors. So while your assertion that medical schools are full of those who are confident in their choice may hold some truth, it seems that by the time they graduate, many of them are far less sure. Perhaps by then those who only went to med school because of the 'mentoring and guidance' of their parents feel strong enough to assert themselves?

https://tinyurl.com/medtrainingstats" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Sorry, OT but it is an interesting discussion.
MSD
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Joined: Tue Dec 16, 2008 6:08 pm

Re: Taking GCSEs early

Post by MSD »

Amber wrote:MSD, in your mission to 'mentor and guide' your son into Medicine
Amber, whilst I find this discussion quite interesting, I also find the use of above phrases quite unnecessary and judgemental. Let’s please have a healthy discussion without getting personal.
Amber
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Joined: Thu Sep 24, 2009 11:59 am

Re: Taking GCSEs early

Post by Amber »

MSD wrote:
Amber wrote:MSD, in your mission to 'mentor and guide' your son into Medicine
Amber, whilst I find this discussion quite interesting, I also find the use of above phrases quite unnecessary and judgemental. Let’s please have a healthy discussion without getting personal.
Um, your phrase, and used entirely positively by you also.

Fair enough, censored; no wish to cause offence. (Zip emoji). :|
MSD
Posts: 1731
Joined: Tue Dec 16, 2008 6:08 pm

Re: Taking GCSEs early

Post by MSD »

Amber wrote:I am sure that as you seem to have every single stat for entry to Medicine at your fingertips, MSD, in your mission to 'mentor and guide' your son into Medicine, you will already have come across this document. It demonstrates that application numbers to Medicine are falling, but more importantly that the numbers who decide to delay or not pursue F1 training, or pursue specialist F2 training, are also falling. The word 'crisis' has started to be used around the issues of recruitment and retention of doctors. So while your assertion that medical schools are full of those who are confident in their choice may hold some truth, it seems that by the time they graduate, many of them are far less sure. Perhaps by then those who only went to med school because of the 'mentoring and guidance' of their parents feel strong enough to assert themselves?

https://tinyurl.com/medtrainingstats" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Sorry, OT but it is an interesting discussion.
It’s perhaps the system is failing them and they just can’t afford to survive in the rising cost of medical training and insurance. Perhaps they are not paid well enough for the work they put in and hence pursuing the same career in other countries.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/201 ... ife-abroad" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
MSD
Posts: 1731
Joined: Tue Dec 16, 2008 6:08 pm

Re: Taking GCSEs early

Post by MSD »

Amber wrote:
MSD wrote:
Amber wrote:MSD, in your mission to 'mentor and guide' your son into Medicine
Amber, whilst I find this discussion quite interesting, I also find the use of above phrases quite unnecessary and judgemental. Let’s please have a healthy discussion without getting personal.
Um, your phrase, and used entirely positively by you also.

Fair enough, censored; no wish to cause offence. (Zip emoji). :|
Yes, I do see it as positive Amber and I wish I could convince other respected posters to see it in a similar light. I for one am forever grateful to my parents for all the ‘guidance and mentoring’ they provided, when I needed it the most; times when I didn’t have a clue, as a 16 year old, what was right for me or what career choices to pursue.

Yes, there are many bright and driven kids out there, who have their entire careers clearly mapped out in their heads, but there are also others who constantly look up to their parents and teachers to guide them through, in the times of uncertainty. And I certainly wouldn’t make the mistake of referring to it as a ‘forced’ career choice. I would see it as making the best out of a virtually non-existent, or a half-hearted and an ill-informed choice.

I would also like to add that both my children have been quite strong-headed and clear in their career aspirations. Must admit I did try few tricks to change little ones mind though but no luck so far :D
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