Duke of Edinburgh Silver award

Thomas_Holding

How useful is this to get a job or into university in future? Thanks in advance.

DullGreyGuy

University its going to be a small benefit, may be a deciding factor but wont overcome the issue if other applicants are being predicted higher grades than you.

Work will depend very much on the job, where you are and the recruiters knowledge of the scheme. First proper job it may make a slight difference but again I'd more likely talk to the person with a 1st degree in a relevant topic than someone with a 2.2 degree and a silver Duke of Edinburgh 

TELLIT01

I think it unlikely that it would affect entry to a university, but could help at a job interview as it shows a level of commitment.

JReacher1

I disagree a bit to the others in that I think it will help you get into university if you add it to your personal statement. 

Don’t think it adds anything to applying for a job though. 

Marcon

Thomas_Holding said:

How useful is this to get a job or into university in future? Thanks in advance.

How does one ever measure how 'useful' something is? If you've earned it, add it to your cv - but be prepared for someone to ask why you didn't go on to do the Gold level.

elsien

Perhaps more useful in terms of personal development rather than as an award  that someone looks at and takes account of.

Thomas_Holding

Marcon said:

Thomas_Holding said:

How useful is this to get a job or into university in future? Thanks in advance.

How does one ever measure how 'useful' something is? If you've earned it, add it to your cv - but be prepared for someone to ask why you didn't go on to do the Gold level.

I wondered if anyone had personal experience like for example.
"My son did and got into Uni x to study medicine his friend got the same A level grades and was rejected because he only had good grades and nothing else."
Or 
"My son did and got into Uni x to study medicine his friend got the same A level grades and was accepted because if you get the grades it doesn't matter."

TBagpuss

Thomas_Holding said:

Marcon said:

Thomas_Holding said:

How useful is this to get a job or into university in future? Thanks in advance.

How does one ever measure how 'useful' something is? If you've earned it, add it to your cv - but be prepared for someone to ask why you didn't go on to do the Gold level.

I wondered if anyone had personal experience like for example.
"My son did and got into Uni x to study medicine his friend got the same A level grades and was rejected because he only had good grades and nothing else."
Or 
"My son did and got into Uni x to study medicine his friend got the same A level grades and was accepted because if you get the grades it doesn't matter."

I think the issue is that it's rarely so clear cut as tht, and universities don't normally give feedback as to whythey accepted or rejected someone.

I think that for universiaty, grades tend to be the single most importnat thing, but if you are borderline then things like how well you interview (if ther eis an interview), and whether you have anything in your personal statement which makes you stand out or suggests that you have a bit more determination / dedication / ability to stck to committments etc are gping to become more relvant.

As an empoyer, I'm not ging to offer someone an interview, or a job, becasue they've done DofE, but, particuarly for someone junior who doesn't have any employment history, it's portemntially relvant as it is something that requires a degree of work and committment, plus ts something to use as a conversational point to give the candidate a chance to talk about themself, their skills etc. 
So, it's not going to make a huge difference but it is likely to be a small, positive point

strawb_shortcake

Thomas_Holding said:

Marcon said:

Thomas_Holding said:

How useful is this to get a job or into university in future? Thanks in advance.

How does one ever measure how 'useful' something is? If you've earned it, add it to your cv - but be prepared for someone to ask why you didn't go on to do the Gold level.

I wondered if anyone had personal experience like for example.
"My son did and got into Uni x to study medicine his friend got the same A level grades and was rejected because he only had good grades and nothing else."
Or 
"My son did and got into Uni x to study medicine his friend got the same A level grades and was accepted because if you get the grades it doesn't matter."

I don't think DofE will have that much sway, it sure looks better than someone having done nothing more than A levels and x-box master. 
The grades and a strong personal statement is what will make the difference.

For a job it's probably a good addition to a young person’s CV. 

On the other hand, knowing how DofE is achieved through some schools compared to scouting I'd be dubious of the effort put in if achieved through school, but this is purely anecdotal and based on my own experience. 

Marcon

Thomas_Holding said:

Marcon said:

Thomas_Holding said:

How useful is this to get a job or into university in future? Thanks in advance.

How does one ever measure how 'useful' something is? If you've earned it, add it to your cv - but be prepared for someone to ask why you didn't go on to do the Gold level.

I wondered if anyone had personal experience like for example.
"My son did and got into Uni x to study medicine his friend got the same A level grades and was rejected because he only had good grades and nothing else."
Or 
"My son did and got into Uni x to study medicine his friend got the same A level grades and was accepted because if you get the grades it doesn't matter."

It's never going to be that clear cut or simplistic - a good spread of hobbies and interests could easily demonstrate the 'well rounded individual' so many colleges are keen to attract. Interview performance is likely to be key, especially for a subject such as medicine, so you'll never get an objective answer.

Doing the award purely to try and improve university entrance chances isn't necessary going to give the necessary motivation to complete what is a pretty challenging award.

JReacher1

Marcon said:

Thomas_Holding said:

Marcon said:

Thomas_Holding said:

How useful is this to get a job or into university in future? Thanks in advance.

How does one ever measure how 'useful' something is? If you've earned it, add it to your cv - but be prepared for someone to ask why you didn't go on to do the Gold level.

I wondered if anyone had personal experience like for example.
"My son did and got into Uni x to study medicine his friend got the same A level grades and was rejected because he only had good grades and nothing else."
Or 
"My son did and got into Uni x to study medicine his friend got the same A level grades and was accepted because if you get the grades it doesn't matter."

It's never going to be that clear cut or simplistic - a good spread of hobbies and interests could easily demonstrate the 'well rounded individual' so many colleges are keen to attract. Interview performance is likely to be key, especially for a subject such as medicine, so you'll never get an objective answer.

Doing the award purely to try and improve university entrance chances isn't necessary going to give the necessary motivation to complete what is a pretty challenging award.

Gold is more difficult but silver is a doddle really. I managed to coast to silver in 12 months. 

Remember I enjoyed the expedition part but the rest wasn’t very interesting.