[JasmineSparkle]

I didn't really take school seriously. When I chose my GCSE's I wasn't even considering university, so I took two BTEC's (I know, what the hell was I thinking?!) BTEC ICT and BTEC Business. My GCSE results were A, A* , C , Distinction, C, C, Pass, and C.
There were a few other insignificant GCSE's I got but I cant remember them right now and they were no better than a C. So my GCSE results are pretty unimpressive, but I found something I am very interested in and I am doing Politics, English Literature, Law and Philosophy at A-level. Since I have got my head down at college and made some sort of conscious effort - I am predicted A's.

To cut my long story short, what I really want to know is where can I go from here? I have crap GCSE's but my A-Levels (should) be all right. So will my GCSE marks limit where I can go to university or what I can study? Just any information about where I can go from here would be so appreciated. Will my bad GCSE's hold me back?

Thanks

[Natalie21]

(Original post by BillyBongos)
Will my bad GCSE's hold me back? -Yes they will

6+ A*s at GCSE
4+ A*s at A level
and tons of work experience.

You are competing with people of this calibre - so resit your gcse's or do medicine in Czech republic

This isn't even in the medicine forum... :P

[LCM2]

(Original post by BillyBongos)
Will my bad GCSE's hold me back? -Yes they will

6+ A*s at GCSE
4+ A*s at A level
and tons of work experience.

You are competing with people of this calibre - so resit your gcse's or do medicine in Czech republic

she never said she wanted to do medicine, she's not even doing medicine related a-levels... and what makes you think every person for every course has those grades? :s

[Bulbasaur]

No, I wouldn't say they would really, at least not in the majority of cases. You have an A and an A* in there anyway. Perhaps avoid universities which are known to be GCSE whores- LSE, Oxbridge (though if your UMS is brilliant Cambridge would forget about your GCSEs) and a few others. I'd say GCSEs probably carry the last weight in your UCAS application in comparison to other components. What are you thinking of studying at uni, assuming you've just finished AS?

(Original post by BillyBongos)
Will my bad GCSE's hold me back? -Yes they will

6+ A*s at GCSE
4+ A*s at A level
and tons of work experience.

You are competing with people of this calibre - so resit your gcse's or do medicine in Czech republic

What are you on about? Nowhere in the OP's post did they say they wanted to go into medicine, nor do their A level choices indicate they would consider it at this stage.

[Intriguing Alias]

(Original post by BillyBongos)
what's wrong with medicine!

Who said there's anything wrong with it? It's just entirely irrelevant to this thread.

[writergirl]

(Original post by JasmineSparkle)
I didn't really take school seriously. When I chose my GCSE's I wasn't even considering university, so I took two BTEC's (I know, what the hell was I thinking?!) BTEC ICT and BTEC Business. My GCSE results were A, A* , C , Distinction, C, C, Pass, and C.
There were a few other insignificant GCSE's I got but I cant remember them right now and they were no better than a C. So my GCSE results are pretty unimpressive, but I found something I am very interested in and I am doing Politics, English Literature, Law and Philosophy at A-level. Since I have got my head down at college and made some sort of conscious effort - I am predicted A's.

To cut my long story short, what I really want to know is where can I go from here? I have crap GCSE's but my A-Levels (should) be all right. So will my GCSE marks limit where I can go to university or what I can study? Just any information about where I can go from here would be so appreciated. Will my bad GCSE's hold me back?

Thanks

Whether your GCSE grades will hold you back relies on which university you're considering. Personally, I don't think your GCSE's will hold you back...if your AS and A2s are good, then that is what admissions officers will look at and take into consideration.

There's a lot of emphasis placed on the importance of GCSEs, however take it from me, I have just graduated from university and from experience can say that your gcses are not the sole concern...if you have extra hobbies and interests and a smashing personal statement then there is nothing to say you can't try for any university you want.

There is a wealth of choice regarding universities, and friends of mine have secured university places with gcse, As and even A2 grades a lot lower than yours, don't give up the hope just yet, OP.

[LCM2]

(Original post by BillyBongos)
what's wrong with medicine!

that wasnt my point...im doing medicine next year.
my point was that you put her down for no reason for a course she didnt even want to do.

[Origami Bullets]

What grades did you get in English and Maths? If you got less than a B in those, then that will prevent your from applying to some courses at some unis. However, if that's the case then it will be stated on the university's website.

Assuming you achieve AS grades that are predominantly A grade, then you haven't really ruled yourself out of going anywhere. Oxford & Cambridge & LSE might be a bit questionable, but your grades will get you into a Russell Group uni.

[EKR93]

(Original post by BillyBongos)
what's wrong with medicine!

Nothing's wrong with medicine, but you shouldn't assume everyone wants to study it.

[JasmineSparkle]

Thanks for advice and help!

I do NOT want to study medicine!!! There is nothing wrong with it of course, it just isnt my sort of thing! I was thinking more of a Politics degree!

Anyway thanks again!

[Rhino1991]

I think if you have B in English and Maths GCSE you should be totally fine. My friend got into a top Uni with C's in those at GCSE though.

If you have a well written personal statement and reference then you will be fine. Where abouts were you looking at going?