Should I drop epq? And is it too late to drop it?

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Lower Offer Advantage: If you’re applying to universities that consider the EPQ for a lower grade in their offer, finishing it could be a valuable bonus. It could make meeting your university offer a bit easier.

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Skills Development: The EPQ helps build key academic skills, like research, writing, and referencing, which are useful for any degree.

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Personal Statement: Even though your EPQ topic doesn’t directly tie to biological sciences, it could still strengthen your personal statement by showcasing your ability to engage with complex ethical and philosophical issues, which reflects well on your critical thinking skills.

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Flexibility in Research: You can choose a topic that interests you, giving you a break from the technical side of biology. Plus, the ability to use a variety of sources (e.g. articles, documentaries, podcasts) can make the research process more engaging.

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Time Management: This is probably the biggest factor. If you’re finding the EPQ is taking time away from your A-Level revision or causing stress, it might be best to drop it. The draft is due in January and the presentation in February, so it could create extra pressure during a busy period.

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Motivation: If you’re not passionate about the topic, staying motivated to complete it could be difficult. You don’t want to burn out or feel like you’re just ticking off a box.

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Topic Relevance: Since the topic doesn’t directly relate to biological sciences, it might not be as beneficial for your future degree or personal statement as you’d hope. If it feels disconnected from your goals, it could be less valuable.

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Not Essential for Applications: The EPQ can be a slight advantage in terms of lower grade offers, but it’s not essential for getting into university. If it feels more like a burden than a benefit, it’s okay to let it go.