[Jacklicy]

I am currently a student thinking of applying for the LLB Law course at LSE (First choice), Queen Mary's, SOAS, City and Brunel.

I am doing Maths, Economics, Psychology and Physics for AS and hopefully dropping physics next year at A2. I am also planning to apply for the critical thinking course next year. (Would that help?)

Here are my results for GCSE:

Chinese - A*
Maths -A*
Statistics - A
Chemistry - A
Biology - A
History - A
Physics - B
French - B
Geography - B
English - B
English Lit. - B
I.T - Merit (equivalent to a B)

I've also done a grade 7 piano (currently grade 8) and Duke of Edinburgh Bronze.

Lets say if i got the grades of A*(Economics) and AA (Maths and Psychology) overall for A Levels, what are the chances of me getting into LSE and Queen Mary's next year with pretty bad GCSE grades? And how much do these grades impact on my chances?

Thanks a bunch
Jacklicy.

[Paramore<3]

You call those bad GCSEs?

[dean01234]

(Original post by Jacklicy)

Thanks a bunch
Jacklicy.

GCSE's aren't that important for uni applications...

But you might/ might not get predicted A*AA by your teachers, which could hurt the application.

However if you do fall slightly short wit predicted grades, go an speak to your teachers if they think that you will work hard enough to get the grades they may increase their predictions to help your application.

Some people at my college did that at least.

Also I don't think critical thinking will help, most universities will not accept either critical thinking or general studies as one of your 3 required grades. It will however boost ucas points, but offers from top universities will be given as 3 grades ie AAA , not as a ucas point target. But critical thinking could help you with other subjects, especially economics as it is about arguments and may help you construct better answers for exams.

Sorry the last part was a little back and forth as it appears my AS in critical thinking hasn't helped me in this current situation

[Jacklicy]

(Original post by Paramore<3)
You call those bad GCSEs?

Yep People i know at college have around at least 8 A*/As....so...

[TenOfThem]

(Original post by Jacklicy)
Yep People i know at college have around at least 8 A*/As....so...

... so ...

[Jacklicy]

(Original post by dean01234)
GCSE's aren't that important for uni applications...

But you might/ might not get predicted A*AA by your teachers, which could hurt the application.

However if you do fall slightly short wit predicted grades, go an speak to your teachers if they think that you will work hard enough to get the grades they may increase their predictions to help your application.

Some people at my college did that at least.

Also I don't think critical thinking will help, most universities will not accept either critical thinking or general studies as one of your 3 required grades. It will however boost ucas points, but offers from top universities will be given as 3 grades ie AAA , not as a ucas point target. But critical thinking could help you with other subjects, especially economics as it is about arguments and may help you construct better answers for exams.

Sorry the last part was a little back and forth as it appears my AS in critical thinking hasn't helped me in this current situation

Well i've been doing hardly any work in my psychology classes so predictions would be very poor for that unfortunately.

So do you think it is worth the effort spending 2/2.5 hours each week on Critical thinking classes at college? I heard from our career's officer that it apparently "compliments" your A levels. However after doing a little bit of research it seems that top Unis don't care too much about it.

[Jacklicy]

(Original post by TenOfThem)
... so ...

So....i've got bad gcses...

[Paramore<3]

(Original post by Jacklicy)
Yep People i know at college have around at least 8 A*/As....so...

Wow.

Even with this (completely unecessary) mindset, unis tend not to care too much about GCSEs, as far as I am aware, though obviously depending on course and availability. A-levels are infinitely more important. Don't worry, your GCSEs are fine.

[Jacklicy]

(Original post by Paramore<3)
Wow.

Even with this (completely unecessary) mindset, unis tend not to care too much about GCSEs, as far as I am aware, though obviously depending on course and availability. A-levels are infinitely more important. Don't worry, your GCSEs are fine.

Oh ok, thanks for your help I guess i feel less worried now..

[Hazelcc]

Firstly I agree with other posts re your grades- excellent results! Try not to compare yourself with other people you may know- there will always be people with more/higher grades, but also HUGE numbers with fewer and lower grades.
re uni- as you have a particular uni and course in mind, why not email/contact the admissions tutor for that course and ask what they think about taking critical thinking, and your grades? They are always very helpful and it doesn't harm to make contact.

[Jacklicy]

(Original post by Hazelcc)
Firstly I agree with other posts re your grades- excellent results! Try not to compare yourself with other people you may know- there will always be people with more/higher grades, but also HUGE numbers with fewer and lower grades.
re uni- as you have a particular uni and course in mind, why not email/contact the admissions tutor for that course and ask what they think about taking critical thinking, and your grades? They are always very helpful and it doesn't harm to make contact.

Yes but those better people are my competition, they are the people i will be going against to get a place at my chosen uni.

I will contact them asap then, never thought of that xD

Cheers

[Hazelcc]

True- they may be competition, but uni's also look at your personal statement and school reference, some will do their own admissions tests- they will take everything into consideration- and its always worth a try anyway!
Good luck!

[TenOfThem]

(Original post by Jacklicy)
So....i've got bad gcses...

Bad GCSEs are 3Es and an F

You have above average GCSEs

They do place you in a position where your school will want to predict you Bs (and maybe Cs)

But, if you do as you say and produce grade A work and results at AS then, by the time that you apply your GCSEs will be almost irrelevant

Of course, if you wanted to apply for the few courses at the few universities that state a high GCSE requirement then you will be disappointed but, for the vast majority of courses they will not be a concern

[roh]

(Original post by Jacklicy)
I am currently a student thinking of applying for the LLB Law course at LSE (First choice), Queen Mary's, SOAS, City and Brunel.

I am doing Maths, Economics, Psychology and Physics for AS and hopefully dropping physics next year at A2. I am also planning to apply for the critical thinking course next year. (Would that help?)

Here are my results for GCSE:

Chinese - A*
Maths -A*
Statistics - A
Chemistry - A
Biology - A
History - A
Physics - B
French - B
Geography - B
English - B
English Lit. - B
I.T - Merit (equivalent to a B)

I've also done a grade 7 piano (currently grade 8) and Duke of Edinburgh Bronze.

Lets say if i got the grades of A*(Economics) and AA (Maths and Psychology) overall for A Levels, what are the chances of me getting into LSE and Queen Mary's next year with pretty bad GCSE grades? And how much do these grades impact on my chances?

Thanks a bunch
Jacklicy.

This year's LSE stalking page which may be useful: http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki...age_2012_Entry

LSE are known for being keen on GCSEs, but also allow for a poor school so if your school wasn't great (special measures or something) then it might be worth a shot.

Otherwise you might want to check out UCL who seem more focussed on LNAT than GCSE.

[Lunch_Box]

GCSEs aren't heavily focused on. Critical thinking is probably not considered.