The official UCL am I good enough / GCSE freak out thread

And, as I've noted above, the grades are specifically 'decent enough' to fulfil basic entry criteria for UCL. Whilst I have quoted the UCL admissions data, you've only been able to say that you know people with 12 A*s at GCSE who have been rejected. Now this either suggests that 12 A*s isn't enough, or it suggests that despite strong GCSEs, other factors were more important. As a UCL offer-holder with GCSEs nowhere near as strong as the 12 A*s figure, I would argue, as I have throughout, that those other factors are important, and build up a rounded view of a candidate which allows compensation for poor GCSE grades.

Oxford and UCL have a very similar admissions process, actually. As you said, they both interview, both place a great deal of emphasis on grades and both have exceptionally high levels of competition. As for drama being 'unacceptable', I did not say it was unacceptable; I said it is a weak choice and will hinder his chances moreso than if they'd chosen an academic subject. Of course, there's still a chance, but my point was that it impedes his chances.

As for grades not being the only important aspect - I know this. I didn't say they were; but they are still very important. So, when you take into account the considerable lower GCSEs, the choice of drama as an A level etc, it means his application stands a much greater chance of being considered weaker. He still has a chance, as I said, but it is very slim.

Hate to labour the point but I just want to correct this once and for all.
I am holding in my hand UCL's list of 'preferred A levels' (I'm about to set out for work at a higher education fair). One of the subjects is Drama.


Enough said I think.

Two of my friends who did drama at A level and applied to UCL, Exeter and King's for English were told by UCL that drama was not a desirable A level. Show me this list.

I think sundogs was referring to this list which states that 'Drama and Theatre Studies' is an acceptable qualification at A Level.

http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/undergraduate-study/application-and-entry/alevel-qualifications

Maybe Drama was deemed unsuitable for a competitive course such as English?

As for the thread itself, I achieved 3A*'s and 7 A's at GCSE, 4 A's at AS and was predicted A*A*A*A. (continuing with 4). I got an offer for AAA + pass at AS to study Law.
I can say that UCL definitely takes a whole array of factors into consideration such as work experience (of which I tried to do as much as possible) and your interest in the subject.

I wouldn't be discouraged if you don't have 10 million A*'s at GCSE, just be aware that competition is very tough and thus you need to make sure all other aspects of your application stand out.

Hope that was of some help.

Two of my friends who did drama at A level and applied to UCL, Exeter and King's for English were told by UCL that drama was not a desirable A level. Show me this list.

2 A*s and 9 A's at GCSE. I'm predicted 4 A's at AS, going to drop a subject though so possibly 3 A's at A2? I want to study French and Spanish
Biggest worry is my GCSE grades not being good enough my A*s were in languages if that helps?

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