[lukas1051]

(Original post by hash007)
Similar choices to me, apart from Southampton. I'm going for Durham instead or Manchester.

The 'Geology with Planetary Science' course at Manchester seems really interesting.

Ah right cool. I've considered both, but I just don't they're right for me. I agree that geology w/ planetary science does sound interesting though.

(Original post by Chasm)
Its £44 so it is pricey, i guess its a case of how sure you are you did better. I was certain I hadnt got a C so i didnt even think about it but if you are hoping rather than expecting its a bit of a gamble. However if you're close to the grade boundary I'd say its worth a go as you will get your money back if it improves (I had to argue this point with my school as they refused to give me it back initially )

Ouch, that's a lot. I just hope it improves in that case.

[abemco]

(Original post by lukas1051)
How are everyone's applications coming along? I'm finding it really difficult to structure and write my personal statement, it seems so difficult to get it right! I know the deadline for me is certainly getting very close

I've applied I finished my PS over the weekend, did the pay and send on UCAS and school said today that they had checked it, it was all fine and so they had sent it I was a bit worried as I thought they would want me to tweak my PS a bit as it wasn't perfect but interviews will count for much more and my references/AS grades/predicted grades are good. I've applied to Oxford, UEA, Imperial, Southampton and Durham

[heymynameisben]

Has anyone looked around the colleges at Oxford? Planning to go look soon but just wondering if anyone else has any input

[lilliehear]

(Original post by heymynameisben)
Has anyone looked around the colleges at Oxford? Planning to go look soon but just wondering if anyone else has any input

Same, I've sort of convinced myself to apply now but have no idea which college? :/

[hash007]

Been speaking to the admissions teacher and the head of Geology at college, both are telling me not to go for Oxford :/ They said my AS grades (AABB) weren't great and that Oxford itself is not the best for Geology.
Geology teacher said Oxford only get 2 applicants per place, but still not worth me applying there. He said Leicester, Manchester, Leeds, Cardiff would all be excellent places. In his opinion, Imperial is the best in the world for Geology Both think I should try at Imperial, just not Oxford. Not sure what to do

Anyone studied here at Leicester before, or been to the open day?

[Morkike]

Just for a heads up, Leicester open day is tommorow, so you may still be able to go - failing that its also on the 8th of october It is suprisingly quite good for Geology despite it perhaps not being as prestigous as say Bristol, but its probably at a similar level to teaching and facilities etc. You will have already seen this before http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/...arine-sciences but it shows its quite high and a respectable percentage of students in employment after 6 months - I presonally will be applying there aswell as Exeter, Durham and Birmingham

[mickiesal]

(Original post by hash007)
Been speaking to the admissions teacher and the head of Geology at college, both are telling me not to go for Oxford :/ They said my AS grades (AABB) weren't great and that Oxford itself is not the best for Geology.
Geology teacher said Oxford only get 2 applicants per place, but still not worth me applying there. He said Leicester, Manchester, Leeds, Cardiff would all be excellent places. In his opinion, Imperial is the best in the world for Geology Both think I should try at Imperial, just not Oxford. Not sure what to do

Anyone studied here at Leicester before, or been to the open day?

That does sound like paul LOL, he was always saying imperial is the best in europe if not the world for science, he really does love the place for some reason.

[Zottula]

(Original post by hash007)
Been speaking to the admissions teacher and the head of Geology at college, both are telling me not to go for Oxford :/ They said my AS grades (AABB) weren't great and that Oxford itself is not the best for Geology.
Geology teacher said Oxford only get 2 applicants per place, but still not worth me applying there. He said Leicester, Manchester, Leeds, Cardiff would all be excellent places. In his opinion, Imperial is the best in the world for Geology Both think I should try at Imperial, just not Oxford. Not sure what to do

Anyone studied here at Leicester before, or been to the open day?

AABB would be fine for Oxford with AAA+ predictions. People I know have managed to get in and for more competitive subjects with similar grades. I don't know about which is better between Oxfrrd and Imperial though. I'd like to think Imperial (because I'm biased).

I've been to an open day at Leicester. I loved it. The department was amazing. The lectures were clearly very motivated and passionate and the students were really happy with the course. It was actually at Leciester university that I decided on geology, so I have a bit of a soft spot for the place.

[hash007]

(Original post by Zottula)
AABB would be fine for Oxford with AAA+ predictions. People I know have managed to get in and for more competitive subjects with similar grades. I don't know about which is better between Oxfrrd and Imperial though. I'd like to think Imperial (because I'm biased).

I've been to an open day at Leicester. I loved it. The department was amazing. The lectures were clearly very motivated and passionate and the students were really happy with the course. It was actually at Leciester university that I decided on geology, so I have a bit of a soft spot for the place.

I'm having doubts whether I should apply to Oxford or not, I'll speak to the admissions tutor on the phone tomorrow.

Geology teacher said def. apply Leicester. So my choices would be:

1. Imperial
2. Oxford/Cardiff
3. Leicester
4. Manchester
5. Birmingham

Parents said not to apply Durham, so I put Manchester there instead.

I want to go to the open day at Leicester but I don't think I'll be able to drag anyone along with me at this short notice. Anyone else been to a uni open day on their own?
Also is the uni easy to get to from the train station?

[hash007]

(Original post by mickiesal)
That does sound like paul LOL, he was always saying imperial is the best in europe if not the world for science, he really does love the place for some reason.

Paul is such a great guy, wish he was my teacher haha. I spoke to him for about 30-40 mins, gave me some really good advice. I think he mentioned about you getting into Imperial, and one other student from King Eds.

[Morkike]

why

[Morkike]

...sorry, why do your parents not want you to go to Durham?

[hash007]

(Original post by Morkike)
...sorry, why do your parents not want you to go to Durham?

They said it's too far away, my Dad is really stubborn. At first he wanted me to apply to all local but I've persuaded him to let me apply Imperial/Oxford. My sister and family friends live in Cardiff/Manchester so he said apply there. Leicester he said is okay too, but if I dont get into Imperial/Oxford he said definitely go to B'ham, even if i get offer from the rest of the places.
Edit, just had a talk with my Dad he said it's fine to apply Durham as well now
Also anyone going to Dudley Rock and Fossil festival 2011?
http://www.dudley.gov.uk/leisure-and...festival-2011/

[mickiesal]

(Original post by hash007)
Paul is such a great guy, wish he was my teacher haha. I spoke to him for about 30-40 mins, gave me some really good advice. I think he mentioned about you getting into Imperial, and one other student from King Eds.

Yeah he is, one of the best teachers I've ever had and haha oh right yeah the other girl was in my class she's my friend Domi, so it's quite nice moving down to a new city but having someone you're friends with on your course before you even start Maybe you should do AS geology next year haha.

Edit: Just realised that you wouldn't so an AS next year because you'll be at uni haha

[Chasm]

Pretty close to sending my UCAS now. Should be all done by Monday, just waiting for school Only one thing im struggling with is my choice of college at Oxford. I stayed at worcester for the open day and everything was very nice but the people staying there were super mega posh :P and it only offers 4 places. I was thinking of St annes but im really not sure. Anyone got any preferences?

[lukas1051]

(Original post by Chasm)
Pretty close to sending my UCAS now. Should be all done by Monday, just waiting for school Only one thing im struggling with is my choice of college at Oxford. I stayed at worcester for the open day and everything was very nice but the people staying there were super mega posh :P and it only offers 4 places. I was thinking of St annes but im really not sure. Anyone got any preferences?

I don't have a clue either. Might just make an open application, I'm sure I'd be relatively happy anywhere.

[Chasm]

(Original post by lukas1051)
I don't have a clue either. Might just make an open application, I'm sure I'd be relatively happy anywhere.

Yeah i've been looking at them all thinking how nice they are, not very decisive of me but I guess that means i'm open to any of them, wish i could just send mine off right away now just wish the school would hurry up and put on their references

[lilliehear]

Ahha sent it now (well to my referee)
Finally ended up applying for
Imperial
Oxford (worcester)
Southampton
Bristol
UCL
I was full on freaking out after pressing send

[hash007]

(Original post by lilliehear)
Ahha sent it now (well to my referee)
Finally ended up applying for
Imperial
Oxford (worcester)
Southampton
Bristol
UCL
I was full on freaking out after pressing send

Don't meant to alarm you but my Geology teacher really told me to stay away from Bristol and UCL. He said they may be highly ranked but in terms of teaching and the actual course it's not very good, but that's only his opinion. Did you go to the open days there?

Btw, what are you predicted?

[lilliehear]

(Original post by hash007)
Don't meant to alarm you but my Geology teacher really told me to stay away from Bristol and UCL. He said they may be highly ranked but in terms of teaching and the actual course it's not very good, but that's only his opinion. Did you go to the open days there?

Btw, what are you predicted?

Well i've checked on unistats and they dont seem that bad and I went to Bristol open day and really liked it. But tbh my only other possibles were Durham (too far away), royal hollaway (didnt like the campus that much) or liverpool (dont know anything about it) and I like the idea of living in london so voila my choices.
Er A*A*A, but realistically i think i could get A*AA if i work hard enough