The Student Room Group

Should I drop a subject?

I am about to start year 13 and am going to be an early applicant to Cambridge Economics, as well as the same course at Warwick, Bath, Durham and Exeter. I currently take A-Level Maths, Economics, Physics and History, predicted 4A*, and am also doing EPQ and AS further mathematics on the side, as well as work for entrance exams etc., and I am considering dropping a subject to reduce my workload, as I don’t want to potentially reduce my grades because I am overextend my resources. Should I drop history, EPQ, or not drop anything? Would it help my application to Cambridge to keep them all?

Also, given that I am applying to Trinity Hall, which requires an essay subject, does Economics count as an essay subject or would I have to keep history for it to count as an essay subject?
Reply 1
Original post by charliecollard
I am about to start year 13 and am going to be an early applicant to Cambridge Economics, as well as the same course at Warwick, Bath, Durham and Exeter. I currently take A-Level Maths, Economics, Physics and History, predicted 4A*, and am also doing EPQ and AS further mathematics on the side, as well as work for entrance exams etc., and I am considering dropping a subject to reduce my workload, as I don’t want to potentially reduce my grades because I am overextend my resources. Should I drop history, EPQ, or not drop anything? Would it help my application to Cambridge to keep them all?
Also, given that I am applying to Trinity Hall, which requires an essay subject, does Economics count as an essay subject or would I have to keep history for it to count as an essay subject?

drop a subject, it's not worth putting yourself through 4 when you don't need to. I knew a guy that was a straight A* student literally got 100% in every test if not then he was like 1 mark off and he applied with 4 A* and didn't get it but some other guy with 3 did. So you might aswell focus on supercurriculars and extracurricular and building your personal statement rather than doing a 4th subject. It's up to you tho, 4 might give you an edge but just remember that you still need time to maintain the stars.
Original post by bluegray
drop a subject, it's not worth putting yourself through 4 when you don't need to. I knew a guy that was a straight A* student literally got 100% in every test if not then he was like 1 mark off and he applied with 4 A* and didn't get it but some other guy with 3 did. So you might aswell focus on supercurriculars and extracurricular and building your personal statement rather than doing a 4th subject. It's up to you tho, 4 might give you an edge but just remember that you still need time to maintain the stars.

How are you getting on with the subjects?
It might be worth dropping the AS level you are doing on the side or something.
Original post by charliecollard
I am about to start year 13 and am going to be an early applicant to Cambridge Economics, as well as the same course at Warwick, Bath, Durham and Exeter. I currently take A-Level Maths, Economics, Physics and History, predicted 4A*, and am also doing EPQ and AS further mathematics on the side, as well as work for entrance exams etc., and I am considering dropping a subject to reduce my workload, as I don’t want to potentially reduce my grades because I am overextend my resources. Should I drop history, EPQ, or not drop anything? Would it help my application to Cambridge to keep them all?
Also, given that I am applying to Trinity Hall, which requires an essay subject, does Economics count as an essay subject or would I have to keep history for it to count as an essay subject?

For Cambridge, keeping History as an essay subject is beneficial, but dropping it to focus on Economics and Further Maths may enhance your application. Economics is not considered an essay subject for Trinity Hall.hmu for more help+1 (302) 889-3850
Original post by Emma:-)
How are you getting on with the subjects?
It might be worth dropping the AS level you are doing on the side or something.

Doing 4 get fine in y12, but I have only really started the epq and fm recently, so joy sure how I will find the workload. Dropping further maths AS is not at all possible, as it is effectively required for my top uni choice for economics.
Original post by charliecollard
I am about to start year 13 and am going to be an early applicant to Cambridge Economics, as well as the same course at Warwick, Bath, Durham and Exeter. I currently take A-Level Maths, Economics, Physics and History, predicted 4A*, and am also doing EPQ and AS further mathematics on the side, as well as work for entrance exams etc., and I am considering dropping a subject to reduce my workload, as I don’t want to potentially reduce my grades because I am overextend my resources. Should I drop history, EPQ, or not drop anything? Would it help my application to Cambridge to keep them all?
Also, given that I am applying to Trinity Hall, which requires an essay subject, does Economics count as an essay subject or would I have to keep history for it to count as an essay subject?

Could you just apply to a diff college at Cambridge which doesn’t require an essay subject then drop history?

Quick Reply