"Straight As but no university place"

Oldernotwiser

liney wrote: »

I'm not sure there's anything wrong with the A Levels, but I bet his personal statements are interesting reads.

My first thought was that it must be a really !!!! Personal Statement!

MrsManda

It seems a bit odd that he really wants a place but isn't willing to go through clearing. Though sounds like he's learning how to write Personal statements.

Personal statements mean a lot - my grades are not great and I was applying to a tough course at 'good' universities (mainly because most universities don't provide my course) yet I got interviews for all of my choices. I put this down solely to my Personal Statement which highlighted my passion for the subject.

7891368

Lokolo wrote: »

Luck, willpower and lack of a gf helps

But thanks

No offence I always thought you were a girl, no idea why!


Back on topic;I'd be desperate for anything if I'd been effectively rejected twice! Clearing would seem like a good option.

Somethings better than nothing?

Taiko

7891368 wrote: »

No offence I always thought you were a girl, no idea why!


Back on topic;I'd be desperate for anything if I'd been effectively rejected twice! Clearing would seem like a good option.

Somethings better than nothing?

Don't worry, he basically is.

WolfSong2000

I did Religious Studies at A-Level, and to be fair it is a lot more academic than a lot of people realise...another girl in the class managed to get into Oxford, so seemed to do alright .

I would question the value of the Drama course, but the other two should be fine...if I were him I'd be taking an extra A-Level to see if this improves things...maybe Critical Thinking or something?

olly300

WolfSong2000 wrote: »

I would question the value of the Drama course, but the other two should be fine...if I were him I'd be taking an extra A-Level to see if this improves things...maybe Critical Thinking or something?

I seriously doubt that would help. Personally I don't see a problem with his A levels as lots of students do two academic A levels and one that is more "fluffy".

I think he has a problem with his personal statement as:

As a state school and college pupil, David believes he had enough advice on the applications process, and could have done more research himself and attended more university open days.

It's probably looks copied out of a book or something which if you are planning to do English isn't a good idea.

Rosie75

While I'm sure there is some merit in a drama and theatre studies A-level, it wouldn't be regarded as a rigorously academic subject. English literature is one of the most competitive degree courses around - he would be competing with candidates with History, Classics or a language instead of Drama, but he only has two "academic" subjects. There are often ten or more equally-qualified applicants for one place on such courses.

Schools should be clearer with their students that "soft" subjects are not looked upon favourably by the kind of university that this student has been applying for (all red-brick, Russell Group), particularly on a competitive course. It's not to do with universities favouring private school students (which the article seems to suggest) - but private schools do tend to steer their students away from the softer subjects.

Oldernotwiser

He would also have been better to have studied English Literature rather than Lit and Lang as it's considered to be a more rigorous subject, particularly in light of his other subject choices.

olly300

Rosie75 wrote: »

Schools should be clearer with their students that "soft" subjects are not looked upon favourably by the kind of university that this student has been applying for (all red-brick, Russell Group), particularly on a competitive course. It's not to do with universities favouring private school students (which the article seems to suggest) - but private schools do tend to steer their students away from the softer subjects.

To be fair I've been told a few times over the years that universities prefer bright students that weren't educated in private schools. So him blaming it on private schools is a cop out.

However I do seriously wonder what his extra-curricular activities are. As I made the younger people in my family aware that they had to do other things apart from just earning money.

Pont

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

He would also have been better to have studied English Literature rather than Lit and Lang as it's considered to be a more rigorous subject, particularly in light of his other subject choices.

I haven't read the original post - just flicking through. However, thought I had to comment on your post ONW. In my experience, combined Lit/Lang is way tougher than single Lit. My daughter has just completed her Lit/Lang, I looked at the spec and thought good grief! I used to teach A level Lit and without doubt (IMO) the combined is way harder.

Having said this my daughter is now waiting for her results. She took French, German, Lit/Lang and Law, which to the best of knowledge are not 'soft' subjects. However, whilst she has been anticipated to get As, she is not at all confident in getting into her first choice university as there are a greater number than usual applicants.