How much do GCSE's really matter at university?
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Original post by In One Ear
Are those your actual GCSE's or have you yet to sit them? If you've yet to sit them, why not just push yourself to get several A*s?
I have already Recieved those GCSE's. And I am in AS year. I am guessing they are not good enough then?
Original post by Babydollyxo
I have already Recieved those GCSE's. And I am in AS year. I am guessing they are not good enough then?
No, they're fine. Focus on getting good AS grades, and do some voluntary work.
Original post by I don't know
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=UCL+gcse+requirements
In seriousness, though, your personal statement and A levels are much more important. Wait until you've finished your A levels before you start worrying about this.
In seriousness, though, your personal statement and A levels are much more important. Wait until you've finished your A levels before you start worrying about this.
I have thoroughly been through the UCL website, and yes they do have minimum requirements that I meet but English is a course that is so competitive that I am wondering even if my A levels are fine would they then look at GCSE's ...
Original post by charlie9872
Original post by charlie9872
No, they're fine. Focus on getting good AS grades, and do some voluntary work.
Thank you. and Yes I am doing voluntary work.
Also, can anybody else advise me in what other things I should participate in to strengthen my personl statement?
Original post by Babydollyxo
I'm thinking of applying for good universities. For example UCL as i want to study English. If i was to get AAA (English,Maths,Psychology) and recieved A*AAAAAABB at GCSE, and my personal statement consists of charity work, active membership in sport, member of debating society and taking part in ethical debates in front of 200 people, do you think I have a chance of getting in to a University such as UCL? Or am I pushing it as my GCSE's aren't that good?
THEY BARELY MATTER.
To some universities they might be considered but your A-levels and PS mean so much more.
I got far worse gcses than you (AAAABBCCDE) and got into Bristol, LSE, York, Leeds and Brum because I had strong a-levels and PS. You are definitely not 'pushing it'. Oxbridge with those GCSEs would be risky but still do able
Original post by clementinemary
Original post by clementinemary
THEY BARELY MATTER.
To some universities they might be considered but your A-levels and PS mean so much more.
I got far worse gcses than you (AAAABBCCDE) and got into Bristol, LSE, York, Leeds and Brum because I had strong a-levels and PS. You are definitely not 'pushing it'. Oxbridge with those GCSEs would be risky but still do able
To some universities they might be considered but your A-levels and PS mean so much more.
I got far worse gcses than you (AAAABBCCDE) and got into Bristol, LSE, York, Leeds and Brum because I had strong a-levels and PS. You are definitely not 'pushing it'. Oxbridge with those GCSEs would be risky but still do able
Thank you!
Original post by In One Ear
Are those your actual GCSE's or have you yet to sit them? If you've yet to sit them, why not just push yourself to get several A*s?
How are they 'not related'? Maths will arguably give her an edge because it will show clear evidence of logical thinking and rationality and Pysch. demonstrates a personal interest and ability to understand difficult ideas- both important for any degree.
Original post by Babydollyxo
I'm thinking of applying for good universities. For example UCL as i want to study English. If i was to get AAA (English,Maths,Psychology) and recieved A*AAAAAABB at GCSE, and my personal statement consists of charity work, active membership in sport, member of debating society and taking part in ethical debates in front of 200 people, do you think I have a chance of getting in to a University such as UCL? Or am I pushing it as my GCSE's aren't that good?
You will be fine. Just make sure you have a personal statement that stands out. Seriously as long as they don't bump up the entry requirements you will be fine.
Original post by charlie9872
No, they're fine. Focus on getting good AS grades, and do some voluntary work.
How on earth would voluntary work make someone more suited for an English degree?
OP - if you're not already doing it, extra subject-related reading is the thing to do, especially since you're applying for English.
Original post by kerily
How on earth would voluntary work make someone more suited for an English degree?
OP - if you're not already doing it, extra subject-related reading is the thing to do, especially since you're applying for English.
OP - if you're not already doing it, extra subject-related reading is the thing to do, especially since you're applying for English.
Thank you! Just wondering, how would I prove extra subject related reading though? Other than stating it on paper?
I realised after applying last year that York needed a MFL. I emailed explaining my situation and they gave me an Offer. If you explain they can be lenient.
Ah, so it was a genuine question! We get so many people on here that pose a question about their brilliant grades just to show off or be a troll. No your grades are great
My GCSE's were: A*A*AAAABBC and I have 5 Offers from decent Universities including Cambridge. So in my experience GCSE's don't matter very much. That being said there is talk of some universities really caring about them. Apparently Durham wants a certain amount of A*
That said if there is one topic that leads to rumours and hyperbole its University applications...I suppose it's because the process isn't particularly transparent. What I am trying to say is that although some people proclaim to 'know' that a certain University wants a certain number of A*'s unless it is on the website or they spoke to an admissions person from the university then they cannot 'know'. There was one boy in my school last year who was rejected from Oxford because he GCSE's were average despite his UMS scores being insanely high...This is the only definite example I have.
Most Universities do not care about your GCSE's as long as they are reasonably high (yours fit into this category). From what I have heard about UCL they don't really care so much. Also, for English and top universities in general, they don't really care about your extracurricular, they care more about your interest and passion for your subject. I didn't mention my extracurricular much but when I did I related them to my study of English. E.g. I helped special needs children, so I stressed how I helped them with literacy, that kind of thing.
Anyway, Good Luck! It's a bit early to be thinking about University when you haven't even done AS exams. My only word of warning/advice is that even if you did well in your GCSE's it doesn't mean you'll do well at A-levels, so be sure to work hard!
Original post by Babydollyxo
I have thoroughly been through the UCL website, and yes they do have minimum requirements that I meet but English is a course that is so competitive that I am wondering even if my A levels are fine would they then look at GCSE's ...
Ah, so it was a genuine question! We get so many people on here that pose a question about their brilliant grades just to show off or be a troll. No your grades are great
My GCSE's were: A*A*AAAABBC and I have 5 Offers from decent Universities including Cambridge. So in my experience GCSE's don't matter very much. That being said there is talk of some universities really caring about them. Apparently Durham wants a certain amount of A*
That said if there is one topic that leads to rumours and hyperbole its University applications...I suppose it's because the process isn't particularly transparent. What I am trying to say is that although some people proclaim to 'know' that a certain University wants a certain number of A*'s unless it is on the website or they spoke to an admissions person from the university then they cannot 'know'. There was one boy in my school last year who was rejected from Oxford because he GCSE's were average despite his UMS scores being insanely high...This is the only definite example I have. Most Universities do not care about your GCSE's as long as they are reasonably high (yours fit into this category). From what I have heard about UCL they don't really care so much. Also, for English and top universities in general, they don't really care about your extracurricular, they care more about your interest and passion for your subject. I didn't mention my extracurricular much but when I did I related them to my study of English. E.g. I helped special needs children, so I stressed how I helped them with literacy, that kind of thing.
Anyway, Good Luck! It's a bit early to be thinking about University when you haven't even done AS exams. My only word of warning/advice is that even if you did well in your GCSE's it doesn't mean you'll do well at A-levels, so be sure to work hard!
Original post by Babydollyxo
Thank you! Just wondering, how would I prove extra subject related reading though? Other than stating it on paper?
You'd discuss it in your personal statement
I'm a maths student and not an English student, so I can't really give specialist advice, but I'd imagine that if you talked about certain books you'd read outside the curriculum and made intelligent and relevant points about what you thought of them, that would prove that you'd read them and engaged with them intellectually. You may also be asked about them at interview.Original post by clementinemary
How are they 'not related'? Maths will arguably give her an edge because it will show clear evidence of logical thinking and rationality and Pysch. demonstrates a personal interest and ability to understand difficult ideas- both important for any degree.
Oh I'm not disputing that they are worthwhile subjects it's just they on very literal level they are not related in terms of subject to English Literature. Many universities on their 'recommended subject' lists for English suggest other humanities such as History, a language, Religious Studies, Politics, that kind of thing. Also I would wonder why a person had picked such subjects when they profess to have such a love for English Literature. Of course the OP may enjoy many subjects and may be very good at all of them, but they are not “The so-called Ideal”. (Not that I think that the subject choice will matter much anyway, they are all sound choices, I'm just biased since I love the humanities so much and they are all related in various marvellous ways
)Original post by Violet_apple
Original post by Violet_apple
I realised after applying last year that York needed a MFL. I emailed explaining my situation and they gave me an Offer. If you explain they can be lenient.
Ah, so it was a genuine question! We get so many people on here that pose a question about their brilliant grades just to show off or be a troll. No your grades are great
My GCSE's were: A*A*AAAABBC and I have 5 Offers from decent Universities including Cambridge. So in my experience GCSE's don't matter very much. That being said there is talk of some universities really caring about them. Apparently Durham wants a certain amount of A* That said if there is one topic that leads to rumours and hyperbole its University applications...I suppose it's because the process isn't particularly transparent. What I am trying to say is that although some people proclaim to 'know' that a certain University wants a certain number of A*'s unless it is on the website or they spoke to an admissions person from the university then they cannot 'know'. There was one boy in my school last year who was rejected from Oxford because he GCSE's were average despite his UMS scores being insanely high...This is the only definite example I have.
Most Universities do not care about your GCSE's as long as they are reasonably high (yours fit into this category). From what I have heard about UCL they don't really care so much. Also, for English and top universities in general, they don't really care about your extracurricular, they care more about your interest and passion for your subject. I didn't mention my extracurricular much but when I did I related them to my study of English. E.g. I helped special needs children, so I stressed how I helped them with literacy, that kind of thing.
Anyway, Good Luck! It's a bit early to be thinking about University when you haven't even done AS exams. My only word of warning/advice is that even if you did well in your GCSE's it doesn't mean you'll do well at A-levels, so be sure to work hard!
Ah, so it was a genuine question! We get so many people on here that pose a question about their brilliant grades just to show off or be a troll. No your grades are great
My GCSE's were: A*A*AAAABBC and I have 5 Offers from decent Universities including Cambridge. So in my experience GCSE's don't matter very much. That being said there is talk of some universities really caring about them. Apparently Durham wants a certain amount of A*
That said if there is one topic that leads to rumours and hyperbole its University applications...I suppose it's because the process isn't particularly transparent. What I am trying to say is that although some people proclaim to 'know' that a certain University wants a certain number of A*'s unless it is on the website or they spoke to an admissions person from the university then they cannot 'know'. There was one boy in my school last year who was rejected from Oxford because he GCSE's were average despite his UMS scores being insanely high...This is the only definite example I have. Most Universities do not care about your GCSE's as long as they are reasonably high (yours fit into this category). From what I have heard about UCL they don't really care so much. Also, for English and top universities in general, they don't really care about your extracurricular, they care more about your interest and passion for your subject. I didn't mention my extracurricular much but when I did I related them to my study of English. E.g. I helped special needs children, so I stressed how I helped them with literacy, that kind of thing.
Anyway, Good Luck! It's a bit early to be thinking about University when you haven't even done AS exams. My only word of warning/advice is that even if you did well in your GCSE's it doesn't mean you'll do well at A-levels, so be sure to work hard!
Ahh thanks alot
I know, I am working very hard! Also, you mentioned relating your extra curricular with your passion for English.. What sort of things would you suggest I do then?Original post by Violet_apple
Original post by Violet_apple
Oh I'm not disputing that they are worthwhile subjects it's just they on very literal level they are not related in terms of subject to English Literature. Many universities on their 'recommended subject' lists for English suggest other humanities such as History, a language, Religious Studies, Politics, that kind of thing. Also I would wonder why a person had picked such subjects when they profess to have such a love for English Literature. Of course the OP may enjoy many subjects and may be very good at all of them, but they are not “The so-called Ideal”. (Not that I think that the subject choice will matter much anyway, they are all sound choices, I'm just biased since I love the humanities so much and they are all related in various marvellous ways )
)And how would I find the 'recommended subject' list for English? I can't see it on UCL's website?
I know this question has been asked, many times in face, but there has never been any real definitive answer.
So I've got 7 mainly C grades at GCSE but I excelled at AS, getting ABC but doing a couple of re-takes in January, and now predicted AAB. How much will universities care about my GCSEs? (I was restricted by the foundation paper, but my referee said he couldn't put anything in his reference because it was about the time I'd spent at college; not school)
So I've got 7 mainly C grades at GCSE but I excelled at AS, getting ABC but doing a couple of re-takes in January, and now predicted AAB. How much will universities care about my GCSEs? (I was restricted by the foundation paper, but my referee said he couldn't put anything in his reference because it was about the time I'd spent at college; not school)
Original post by Violet_apple
I have 5 Offers from decent Universities including Cambridge.
That's great, congrats!
Can I just possibly ask, did you apply through the CSAS or just normally?Original post by Sarah_888
I know this question has been asked, many times in face, but there has never been any real definitive answer.
So I've got 7 mainly C grades at GCSE but I excelled at AS, getting ABC but doing a couple of re-takes in January, and now predicted AAB. How much will universities care about my GCSEs? (I was restricted by the foundation paper, but my referee said he couldn't put anything in his reference because it was about the time I'd spent at college; not school)
So I've got 7 mainly C grades at GCSE but I excelled at AS, getting ABC but doing a couple of re-takes in January, and now predicted AAB. How much will universities care about my GCSEs? (I was restricted by the foundation paper, but my referee said he couldn't put anything in his reference because it was about the time I'd spent at college; not school)
It will depend entirely on the subject you choose to study, the universities to which you intend to apply and, more importantly, the strength of all the other aspects of your application. Your GCSE grades, within reason, certainly won't make or break your application but strong grades will work in your favour just as much as bad grades could work against you.
Original post by kerily
How on earth would voluntary work make someone more suited for an English degree?
OP - if you're not already doing it, extra subject-related reading is the thing to do, especially since you're applying for English.
OP - if you're not already doing it, extra subject-related reading is the thing to do, especially since you're applying for English.
It doesn't matter what degree you are talking, it strengthens the application when competing against others at highly competitive universities such as UCL.
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