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Unsuccessful PGCE applicants :( what will you do now?

Hi everyone

Just wanted to talk to people in the same boat as me :frown:. I found out yesterday that I was unsuccessful in my interview for the PGCE primary at UWIC/cardiff met and i'm heartbroken! I know competition is tough and I was aware that my chances were low and thought I was well prepared for a knockback, but reading that 'unsuccessful' on gttr is just devastating! Ive wanted to teach since I was 16 and all of my work/uni decisions have been based on that! I have been working in a primary school as a teaching assistant for three years working in both foundation Phase and KS2 and I am SO ready to take the next step! I have tons of experience and ive learned so much about school life and how classrooms work. I put so much time and effort into my application/ interview!
I will be reapplying next year and will be looking into the GTP route aswell but owch! It just hurts :frown: hopefully I will feel better soon. I keep thinking that im nearly 25 now, if this keeps happening I could be reeeeally old by the time I secure a place?! This is so important to me and I feel like somehow ive been rejected as a person :frown: I'm so unhappy right now. Is anyone else feeling as gloomy as me?

Sorry for my rant, I know time will give me more perspective and I will feel better but still :frown:

Agent J

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Original post by AgentJ87
Hi everyone

Just wanted to talk to people in the same boat as me :frown:. I found out yesterday that I was unsuccessful in my interview for the PGCE primary at UWIC/cardiff met and i'm heartbroken! I know competition is tough and I was aware that my chances were low and thought I was well prepared for a knockback, but reading that 'unsuccessful' on gttr is just devastating! Ive wanted to teach since I was 16 and all of my work/uni decisions have been based on that! I have been working in a primary school as a teaching assistant for three years working in both foundation Phase and KS2 and I am SO ready to take the next step! I have tons of experience and ive learned so much about school life and how classrooms work. I put so much time and effort into my application/ interview!
I will be reapplying next year and will be looking into the GTP route aswell but owch! It just hurts :frown: hopefully I will feel better soon. I keep thinking that im nearly 25 now, if this keeps happening I could be reeeeally old by the time I secure a place?! This is so important to me and I feel like somehow ive been rejected as a person :frown: I'm so unhappy right now. Is anyone else feeling as gloomy as me?

Sorry for my rant, I know time will give me more perspective and I will feel better but still :frown:

Agent J


Sorry to hear about your bad luck. Have you requested feedback from the uni? With all that experience I am surprised you were unsuccessful.
Feedback may help you make your next decisions.

I applied for PGCE two years ago and was unsuccessful without interviews. Since then I have worked as a TA too and realised I wanted to teach Primary rather than History (original choice), which I now have a place for. So for me, it was a blessing that I was able to gain experience and choose the right career for me.

I wish you lots of luck. 25 isn't too old to go into it - my mother was 30 when she qualified. It's disheartening and frustrating but you'll get there. Have a look at GTP courses definitely and also remember Clearing later in the year.
Reply 2
Original post by Sugar_Puff_Fairy
Sorry to hear about your bad luck. Have you requested feedback from the uni? With all that experience I am surprised you were unsuccessful.
Feedback may help you make your next decisions.

I applied for PGCE two years ago and was unsuccessful without interviews. Since then I have worked as a TA too and realised I wanted to teach Primary rather than History (original choice), which I now have a place for. So for me, it was a blessing that I was able to gain experience and choose the right career for me.

I wish you lots of luck. 25 isn't too old to go into it - my mother was 30 when she qualified. It's disheartening and frustrating but you'll get there. Have a look at GTP courses definitely and also remember Clearing later in the year.


Thanks for your reply :smile: I have requested feedback so hopefully they will give me something to work on. I guess another year working in my school (which i love) can't be a bad thing, ive gained lots of amazing friends there and you can never have too much experience. Its nice to know that your mother qualified when she was 30, I guess I will be able to bring life experience to the course by the time I get on! Its just such a long process to go through, references, personal statement (which took me months to perfect!) revising for the tests then preparing for an interview! I just hate that it all depends on how it goes on the interview day because I know I am capable of being a good teacher but sometimes that just doesnt shine through in a 20 min interview. They seem to be letting alot of applicants in straight from uni this year. Congratulations on getting your place! It does seem to be true that everything happens for a reason, a lot of people have said this to me. I just hope that one day my dream comes true! Its so corny but its how I feel haha. I know the job is demanding and can be really tough but it is what i want to do!
Reply 3
Original post by AgentJ87
Hi everyone

Just wanted to talk to people in the same boat as me :frown:. I found out yesterday that I was unsuccessful in my interview for the PGCE primary at UWIC/cardiff met and i'm heartbroken! I know competition is tough and I was aware that my chances were low and thought I was well prepared for a knockback, but reading that 'unsuccessful' on gttr is just devastating! Ive wanted to teach since I was 16 and all of my work/uni decisions have been based on that! I have been working in a primary school as a teaching assistant for three years working in both foundation Phase and KS2 and I am SO ready to take the next step! I have tons of experience and ive learned so much about school life and how classrooms work. I put so much time and effort into my application/ interview!
I will be reapplying next year and will be looking into the GTP route aswell but owch! It just hurts :frown: hopefully I will feel better soon. I keep thinking that im nearly 25 now

Hello, sorry to hear your bad news! please dont give up trying!! I will be 30 when i qualify and i dont consider it to be too old! A little bit more life experience goes along way, fingers crossed for you for the future. :-)
Reply 4
Really sorry to hear you have not got a place on the PGCE. I am 32 & starting a course this year, so will be 33 when I qualify.

It sounds like you have got a lot of school experience so stick with it. My friend was contacted by her first choice last year & offered a place (after originally receiving an unsuccessful), she felt just like you must be feeling now. Fingers crossed you get some good news soon.
Hey Agent so sorry to hear you were unsuccessful; your story really struck a chord with me because I know exactly how it feels. Last year I was unsuccessful after interview (for history) and I was totally gutted. As much as I'd told myself to be prepared whatever the outcome, the reality is so different. It hurt so much, I was pretty devasted. I turn 25 next week so I too had that worry about age. I too was so angry at the recent graduates/undergrad students that got on....seemed like they just strolled in.

But I didnt give up, I reapplied again to the same provider this year. I wrote in my personal statement that I had been unsuccessful previously and that I was determined to get in at whatever cost. I had a second interview and guess what....I got in and was delighted!

I know it sucks SO BADLY now but I'm a believer in fate, things have a way of working out how they were supposed to. You already have such great grounding and experience, get their feedback and next year apply AT THE EARLIEST OPPORTUNITY and mention how you've taken their advice etc. Your determination and passion will surely shine through. Because of family commitments I too only had one place to apply.


So don't give up, lots of hugs!!
Reply 6
Thanks everyone for your kind words and advice :smile: you have made me feel so much better. I still feel pretty low about it, I was in tears in the staffroom infront of everyone when I found out! So embarrassing! Time is slowly giving me some perspective though and lots of people have been saying that every thing happens for a reason. My headteacher has also said that she will support me with my professional development in any way that she can. I have emailed the uni for feedback, I hope they will take it seriously and not just send me some generic response...I also hope they arent too cruel! I'm very delicate right now Haha.

Congrats StarBaby on securing your place :smile: Its also nice to know that not everyone is straight out of uni and really young when they qualify :smile:. Hopefully this time next year I can revisit this thread and shout I got in!!!!!

Thanks again to all of you who took the time to reply, it really has helped me :smile:
Reply 7
Some universities are offering an assessment only route into teaching. From what I understand this course is suitable for experienced TA's with a degree. It's 3-6 months and maybe something you could look into. A university near where I live is offering the course at a cost of £1500 and the courses run in November & March
Reply 8
This is the 2nd year I've applied (in London, secondary English PGCE), having failed to get on a PGCE last year. Had 2 interviews last year (Goldsmiths and London Met).

So far I've had 2 interviews this year (Goldsmiths again and King's). Rejected. This Friday I've got another one, at London Metropolitan. That'll in all likelihood be my last: there's clearing but clearing doesn't really exist for Secondary English PGCEs in the London area (it's too competitive: all the places get filled).

So this'll probably be my last shot. I'd like to be a teacher, but I can't afford (literally) to become a TA on the off-chance that it gets me onto a teacher-training course in a year's time. (And I've met enough TAs at PGCE interviews to know it's nothing like a guarantee.)

My conclusions? If you really, really want to teach, then be prepared to travel for your course. Deliberately pick an undersubscribed course at a campus university - not in a big city. That'll quadruple your chances straight off. To the OP: do you have to study in Cardiff?
Reply 9
Being a TA is of course no guarantee that you will be accepted on to a PGCE. But it is an indication to the institutions that you are highly dedicated and committed to education, if you're willing to work in such a low paid position. Of course, you learn so much on it that it is well worth it. But living at home or being supported by a partner is not an option for everyone. You also get paid more than you'll get on the PGCE basic rate..

It seems like the GTP might be a good route for the OP and mattmilton.
Reply 10
I got rejected from bedfordshire about an hour ago :frown: Mind you, I don't have as much experience as some people and thus felt a bit like a long shot. Still, to be so friendly, outgoing and confident in front of like 40 strangers I felt like I was in for the running. I can't wait for the feedback sheet. One more shot at canterbury christ church I reckon
Reply 11
So I got my feedback....

*
Insufficient knowledge of recent Educational issues/developments in Primary Education in both England and Wales.

I'm so annoyed! Because I gave a really good detailed answer to that question and I could have gone on to talk about more developments/issues! They have just given me a generic response grrrrrr
Original post by mattmilton
This is the 2nd year I've applied (in London, secondary English PGCE), having failed to get on a PGCE last year. Had 2 interviews last year (Goldsmiths and London Met).

So far I've had 2 interviews this year (Goldsmiths again and King's). Rejected. This Friday I've got another one, at London Metropolitan. That'll in all likelihood be my last: there's clearing but clearing doesn't really exist for Secondary English PGCEs in the London area (it's too competitive: all the places get filled).

So this'll probably be my last shot. I'd like to be a teacher, but I can't afford (literally) to become a TA on the off-chance that it gets me onto a teacher-training course in a year's time. (And I've met enough TAs at PGCE interviews to know it's nothing like a guarantee.)

My conclusions? If you really, really want to teach, then be prepared to travel for your course. Deliberately pick an undersubscribed course at a campus university - not in a big city. That'll quadruple your chances straight off. To the OP: do you have to study in Cardiff?


mattmilton, I've just looked on GTTR and there are a few providers that you haven't applied to in London that still have vacancies? So perhaps you have some hope! Brunel, UEL and Roehampton. I know what its like in London, there are only two providers (IOE and Roehampton) that offer history so the competition is insane.
Reply 13
hi
I was unsuccessful last year, felt like the worst thing ever, but I picked myself up, got myself a TA job and I am on the course starting sept.
Original post by moss1989
hi
I was unsuccessful last year, felt like the worst thing ever, but I picked myself up, got myself a TA job and I am on the course starting sept.


Ditto this, but I'm a cover supervisor. Though not everyone can afford to take that kind of job, and even if you can it can be difficult to get one. So its not so black and white.
Edited to add- the OP is already a TA!
(edited 12 years ago)
Original post by StarBabyCat
mattmilton, I've just looked on GTTR and there are a few providers that you haven't applied to in London that still have vacancies? So perhaps you have some hope! Brunel, UEL and Roehampton. I know what its like in London, there are only two providers (IOE and Roehampton) that offer history so the competition is insane.


Thanks! very helpful of you!

Yeah, should have made either Brunel or Roehampton my first choices really...

Here's hoping they still have some spaces come clearing...
I thought you could just keep adding choices? Or is it 4 max? Anyway, I say keep checking GTTR in the Summer and you could be lucky!

I'm surprised there are so many London providers actually- I also forgot Middlesex. I guess its relative, loads of people want to be English teachers.
Reply 17
I got the rejection feedback sheet for bedfordshire PGCE today;

Current educational topics was weak

Need to be a bit more formal in interviews :redface:

More experience



To be honest, did my first day in a secondary school today and it was a bit of an eye opener. I can't believe how much time is spent wasting time on classroom management for the more disruptive classes!! The year 7s and 8s seemed nice though.

I am glad that the pgce course rejected me though, because I agree fully with the points they have made. My approach is very informal and i've spent most of the day simply getting the formality of the place right! The fact that kids call you sir and mr xxxx is pretty alien to me! Oh, and don't forget the fact that some guy with my surname got suspended from a nearby school for having child porno, so I was a bit screwed throughout the day :colondollar:

Tempted to withdraw completely from the second choice PGCE because quite frankly I feel stronger on one to one, in small groups, or in a primary school/year 7 or 8. Stick to one friday per week in a secondary and approach some primary schools too! Even if i end up as a bookmaker, i'd be happy with 1 day of voluntary work per week
(edited 12 years ago)
I'll copy in a bit of what I wrote in another thread:


"This is familiar ground for me now.

A bit of background:

I've taught abroad, done 2 teaching placements and I am predicted a first in BSc Mathematics.


I have applied for:

TeachFirst - Got rejected straight away, no interview. Rude.
Reading - Thought I got in but got given rejection 2 weeks later in November. No feedback given other than 'wasn't prepared'.
Leicester - Got interview in January. Rejection. Seemed to be completely based on how I did in the interview and my experience seems not to have been taken into account.
Nottingham Trent - Went on Wednesday and got my rejection the day after. The main reason for rejection was monotone voice, lack of confidence.
"

I'm gutted because I know I have enough experience and my grades are good enough it's just I haven't managed to master body language and smooth talk for interviews. :frown:

I'm thinking of doing SCITT but I'm taking a year out after I graduate and, God willing, I can get in a school and do teaching assistant work.
Original post by Dagnabbit
I'll copy in a bit of what I wrote in another thread:


"This is familiar ground for me now.

A bit of background:

I've taught abroad, done 2 teaching placements and I am predicted a first in BSc Mathematics.


I have applied for:

TeachFirst - Got rejected straight away, no interview. Rude.
Reading - Thought I got in but got given rejection 2 weeks later in November. No feedback given other than 'wasn't prepared'.
Leicester - Got interview in January. Rejection. Seemed to be completely based on how I did in the interview and my experience seems not to have been taken into account.
Nottingham Trent - Went on Wednesday and got my rejection the day after. The main reason for rejection was monotone voice, lack of confidence.
"

I'm gutted because I know I have enough experience and my grades are good enough it's just I haven't managed to master body language and smooth talk for interviews. :frown:

I'm thinking of doing SCITT but I'm taking a year out after I graduate and, God willing, I can get in a school and do teaching assistant work.


You've got to remember though, that what you call "smooth talk for interviews" is, from the interviewer's point of view: cogency, articulacy, the ability to improvise and the fluency to keep things dynamic for a class.

If you're in any doubt about your interview abilities, write out every interview question you can possibly conceive of, record your responses, listen back to them, get your friends to mock-interview you, videotape yourself. Do whatever.

During the group exercise at Goldsmiths, there was a girl who kept chewing the sleeve of her cardie when talking. You had to guess every third word she said. You just know she would have been off the candidacy list within 30 seconds.

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