[stefl14]

(Original post by University of Warwick)
Yes, in a case like this, it's always nice if your tutor / schools reference can include some information about your GCSE results, and why they think you're somebody whose AS results reflect their ability better than their GCSE's.

Your AS marks are clearly very good, so I'd encourage you to really sell them in your personal statement where possible.

On your second point, as long as your have enough A2's and AS's to make one of our 2 standard offers, that's fine.

The problem is I don't have room on my PS and I must send it to school tommorow. My main question was whether or not it matters if i sell the grades on my PS or my tutor sells the grades on the reference. Are both the reference and the PS viewed equally carefully?

[University of Warwick]

(Original post by Tateco)
Thanks for the prompt reply, so are you suggesting that relatively worse GCSEs (i.e. only 5A*) can be overcome by very good AS level scores and A2 predictions?

I appreciate that it is difficult to give a rule in general but out of:

1. AS Results
2. A2 Predictions
3. GCSEs
4. Personal Statement
5. References

How would these be ranked in order of importance? I know it is difficult to say but I would be interested to have a general idea.

The problem is that I wouldn't be able to give you an answer without your specific application in front of me, and that answer would be different for someone else, depending on their specific application.

I would imagine that I could read 120 applications, and, after reading all of them, rank the 5 areas you mention in each of the 120 different combinations.

If you want to term it in economics parlance, they are not independent of each other, but, instead, externalities exist which can make me relatively more concerned about one area, depending on what I've read in another!

To your first question though, yes, relatively low GCSE scores do not prohibit you from getting an offer.

[University of Warwick]

(Original post by zaina94)
Do you consider GCSE equivalents (in addition to other GCSEs) such as CIDA (ICT) and a strong performance in this?
Also, do you include these equivalents when comparing GCSE grades between applicants?

Thanks!

Excellent question, and one I do not have the answer to, to hand.

I am meeting with other admissions colleagues tomorrow, so will try and get an answer. Please chase me for it if I forget though!

[University of Warwick]

(Original post by miscellaneous123)
Hello,

what are you actually looking for in a personal statement? I find that my interests lie mainly in branches of economics i.e. Behavioural economics and Game theory. Do you think I should write more about the macroeconomy and crises such as the euro crisis (which I am also interested to a lesser extent). Basically, I am asking whether you would look at what I've done unfavourably.

Thanks!

Hi,
I mentioned this at an open day on Saturday, but the most important thing to make sure you get across in a personal statement is that what you're writing is a true reflection of who you really are, and what you are really passionate about studying.

Warwick teaches Game Theory extensively, and includes Behavioural Economics as a core component of it's 1st and 2nd year Micro courses (or at least it will do when I've written the lecture slides for this year...), so writing about your passion for those areas, and what you'd be interested in learning more about on our course, is likely to give me a much better impression than if you write about something you don't really have much interest in.

[Tateco]

(Original post by University of Warwick)
The problem is that I wouldn't be able to give you an answer without your specific application in front of me, and that answer would be different for someone else, depending on their specific application.

I would imagine that I could read 120 applications, and, after reading all of them, rank the 5 areas you mention in each of the 120 different combinations.

If you want to term it in economics parlance, they are not independent of each other, but, instead, externalities exist which can make me relatively more concerned about one area, depending on what I've read in another!

To your first question though, yes, relatively low GCSE scores do not prohibit you from getting an offer.

Aha nice answer

Last question I promise; how do you ensure that admissions tutors are transparent with each other in what they are looking for. E.g. If there was one admissions tutor that favoured GCSEs as an indicator and one that thought A2 predictions were much more important, is there a moderating process or is it just the luck of the draw?

Thanks

[University of Warwick]

(Original post by stefl14)
The problem is I don't have room on my PS and I must send it to school tommorow. My main question was whether or not it matters if i sell the grades on my PS or my tutor sells the grades on the reference. Are both the reference and the PS viewed equally carefully?

Yes, we certainly look over the reference and the personal statement thoroughly, and take note of any such information given in either

[miscellaneous123]

(Original post by University of Warwick)
Hi,
I mentioned this at an open day on Saturday, but the most important thing to make sure you get across in a personal statement is that what you're writing is a true reflection of who you really are, and what you are really passionate about studying.

Warwick teaches Game Theory extensively, and includes Behavioural Economics as a core component of it's 1st and 2nd year Micro courses (or at least it will do when I've written the lecture slides for this year...), so writing about your passion for those areas, and what you'd be interested in learning more about on our course, is likely to give me a much better impression than if you write about something you don't really have much interest in.

Okay thank you very much, but it was just that I could only see Game Theory from the post graduate models. Also, I felt that Game Theory may deviate from Economics too much i.e. it isn't as relevant as other modules such as development economics which interests me to a lesser extent. Do you agree?

[University of Warwick]

(Original post by Tateco)
Aha nice answer

Last question I promise; how do you ensure that admissions tutors are transparent with each other in what they are looking for. E.g. If there was one admissions tutor that favoured GCSEs as an indicator and one that thought A2 predictions were much more important, is there a moderating process or is it just the luck of the draw?

Thanks

There is a moderating process, and it's the meeting I'm going to tomorrow!

We get all the admissions people in a room and talk about how are processes are to be implemented throughout the year. This ensures a level of consistency, and works to make sure changes we've made since last year are implemented correctly by everyone.

[stefl14]

(Original post by miscellaneous123)
Okay thank you very much, but it was just that I could only see Game Theory from the post graduate models. Also, I felt that Game Theory may deviate from Economics too much i.e. it isn't as relevant as other modules such as development economics which interests me to a lesser extent. Do you agree?

Game theory does not deviate from economics too much at all. While it is true that game theory has applications in other subjects such as biology, game theory's main use is to analyse economic situations.

[miscellaneous123]

(Original post by stefl14)
Game theory does not deviate from economics too much at all. While it is true that game theory has applications in other subjects such as biology, game theory's main use is to analyse economic situations.

Okay, thank you for your time. I will be applying to Warwick

[University of Warwick]

(Original post by miscellaneous123)
Okay thank you very much, but it was just that I could only see Game Theory from the post graduate models. Also, I felt that Game Theory may deviate from Economics too much i.e. it isn't as relevant as other modules such as development economics which interests me to a lesser extent. Do you agree?

I'd probably disagree, as it's such a core component of most areas of economics that it's taught extensively in the core micro modules (in both first and second year), and then applied widely in other, more specific modules (such as history, development, trade, etc.,).

You're right that the only dedicated module is at a postgrad level, but unless you have a burning desire to learn about correlated equilibrium and shapley values, you should be fine!

[stefl14]

I have another question. My personal statement has a heavily academic focus and I haven't really mentioned activities that are not related to economics. What is your view on this? I plan for my referee to mention some of my other interests in my reference but I wondered if it is okay to have a PS which focuses almost exclusively on related academic interests and activities.

[funkydee]

i wish all unis did this!

[University of Warwick]

(Original post by stefl14)
I have another question. My personal statement has a heavily academic focus and I haven't really mentioned activities that are not related to economics. What is your view on this? I plan for my referee to mention some of my other interests in my reference but I wondered if it is okay to have a PS which focuses almost exclusively on related academic interests and activities.

I don't have a problem with something like that per se, but one thing to be aware of is that Warwick makes extensive use of things like group work and presentation work as a core part of its assessment methods, so it's often nice to see evidence somewhere that you're the sort of person who we feel will be confident and able to contribute in that kind of environment.

[uxa595]

Do WBS have the same policies such at giving offers out early for A&F?

[stefl14]

(Original post by University of Warwick)
I don't have a problem with something like that per se, but one thing to be aware of is that Warwick makes extensive use of things like group work and presentation work as a core part of its assessment methods, so it's often nice to see evidence somewhere that you're the sort of person who we feel will be confident and able to contribute in that kind of environment.

Well, I am a member of the target 2.0 team for my school and I've also done lots of voluntary work in primary schools and the latter will be mentioned in my reference and the former in my PS. Is this enough? Obviously I have other activities to mention but will these two suffice?

[Alpha5]

Hi,
This thread is great, hopefully some other universitys can follow.

I have some questions regarding Accounting and Finance, I'm assuming WBS have a simialar policy to the Economics department.
1.I may be asking something similar to question previously asked. Basically my personal statement is heavily academic and includes further readings, academia, projects, work experience ect. I have also mentioned many other things i do outside of school, but seeing Warwick is a research based uni will they like the fact that I have researched/learned of topics that are of higher level or incuded in university modules?

2.Economics is another passion of mine and if was to get an offer of Accounting and Finance, do Warwick allow course transfers considering these disciplines arent that different?

3.Coming from a state school I have taken many BTECs at level 2. This was not my decision as I couldn't afford to move elsewhere, so will this hinder my chances or will they be counted as GCSE's. E.g getting distinction*=A* at gcse.

I am sorry if i have repeated questions, its just to clarify. Thanks again for your help.

[WalkerPrince]

Hi,

I've done the Maths A-Level a year early (and cashed it in) and achieved an A*. I have 4 As at AS level (Maths, Physics, Economics and History) and one more AS grade to come in March when I complete the Further Maths AS.

At the end of year 13 I will have 4 A-Levels, Maths (year early), Further Maths, Physics and Economics.

If I get an offer from Warwick, will that include the Maths A-Level I have done a year early? Or will you offer me a place based purely on the new A-Levels I sit this year?

What will my offer look like?

Thanks

[JOR2010]

At GCSE I got 12A*s and an A in Additional Maths, and am taking 6AS levels, including Maths, Further Maths, Economics, History, German and French. I have taken Further Maths since I was told it was virtually essential for studying at the Top 5 Economics Universities in the country, would you say my application would be weaker/stronger/no different without the AS? If it's anything, I'm self studying French and Further Maths, and no, I'm not French! Will this self-study look good to the university?

[youngeN]

(Original post by University of Warwick)
-

I took a gap year after Y11 due to some personal issues. Will this affect my chances on any offers?

I am now in Y12 when I should be in Y13.

I am also taking Economics and Business Studies as my sixth form has only one subject per subject block so there is not much choice, although I plan to drop Business Studies at AS, and not carry it onto A2. Will this be a problem?

My AS choices are:
Maths - Will be carrying up to A2
Economics - Will be carrying up to A2
Psychology - Will be carrying up to A2
Further Maths - AS only (Self Teaching)
Business Studies - AS only

I cannot state any UMS marks or AS results as I haven't taken any exams yet although I plan to get AAAa without a doubt (including Maths and Economics). Sad thing is, I have poor set of GCSE results which definetly don't reflect my full potential. They are as follows: 2A*, 1A, 3B, 2C.

Edit: Just read your pdf file and it states Psychology is considered as a traditional strong subject? I thought it was regarded as a 'soft' subject by Warwick?