extended Project qualification

[another mother]

DD's school is offering this as a pilot this year for a few students. Does anyone know if the unis take it any more seriously now it's been around for a few years, than they did. I understood that the fact it isn't available to that many students means, quite rightly, they don't set much store by it although like the fact that it teaches independent study.

Given the fact that for any popular humanties course she wants, she'll clearly need AAA* at A level (as a minimum I guess) this could be a huge distraction! Not sure whether to advise her to add more to an already very busy schedule.

[hermanmunster]

we are in the same boat - and have to say I don't know much about it. Obviously if they are doing 3 As rather than 3 there is some spare time ... also depends which year yr DD is in - my year 12 seems to have time to do these things - but then we aren't filling in UCAS forms, doing HATS or any other fun filled distraction

[another mother]

Dd has been given till the start of next week to put in a submission to do it - they will only let a limited number this year. So it's a bit now or never!

She's doing 4 ASs and an Italian GCSE, is in a musical, two choirs and various debating and literary activities, plus socialising.. so doesn't seem to have any time at all at the moment! I thought Year 12 was going to be easier!! I gather the Epq is meant to take about 120 hours in total (equiv to an AS or half an A level) most of which should be done in the summer holidays. AFter GCSEs she was on her knees, and wants to spend time abroad for language, and teaching sailing next summer. I'm dubious about not having a break before she starts all the UCAS stuff in earnest. ON the other hand something that makes you stand out against the other 40 chasing the same English place could be a good thing.

HM when does yours have to decide - sounds a bit looser?
There was a good document on the Student Room site about how admissions officers valued both EPQ and the a* at A level but it goes back to 2007 I think so must be a bit out of date.

[hermanmunster]

Not really sure when he has to decide - then I never know anything! Will pop up and ask later!!!

He is pretty chilled out and does some extra curric but not loads and seems to have plenty of time for work - maybe a boy thing.

[ian35mm]

Having been through it (well DD really), I've completed changed my mind about this.

DD did 6 AS's and 4 A2's.

The school argued that doing the EP on top of this would result in a lower offer from universities. Well, maybe it did.

DD applied to do Marine Environmental Science and was told that there were 10 applicants for every place. She was somewhat suprised to get an offer of EE, and maybe that was partly due to the EP. But as the offer did not specify EP, that would have been the time to drop it. Doing an extra qualification on top of all the rest seems, in retrospect, a bit of overkill.

Yes, the independent study aspect was useful, as was getting to know a university library, but on the whole, a lot of effort, and we can't say if putting the damn thing on the form made any difference at all.

Certainly, from talking to the course leader, the personal statement was far more important in her getting such a low offer, and her experience means that she will be able to go straight into the second year for one part of the degree.

I feel that if there is any benefit to the EP, then it only goes as far as the UCAS form. If then you get a lower offer (or not) because of it, drop it and move on.

[delta]

We're in the same position in that ds will have to decide whether or not to do this in the next few months or so. A friend was convinced that it got his daughter into Oxford to read English so I have been quite encouraging. I suppose it depends on whether you think it will have a detrimental effect on A-levels or perhaps more importantly AS levels which are probably the most crucial part of the UCAS application. If your dcs are already doing loads of extra curricular stuff then perhaps it's a step too far. In our case, ds isn't doing a whole lot else so it might be a good thing for him to do.

[bromley mum]

Somebody told me it would be useful if there were IB candidates competing with you for the same place.

[Marylou]

Good grief - it comes to something when going to a bog standard grammar school and getting a decent set of A levels still isn't enough...

[hermanmunster]

Good grief - it comes to something when going to a bog standard grammar school and getting a decent set of A levels still isn't enough...

problem is that there are too many with the same high A level grades as the standard ain't what it was......
I struggle when told the T has four grade As but can't seem to string three words together... I suppose the Universities want a bit more too.

[Marylou]

I struggle when told the T has four grade As but can't seem to string three words together...