[ilovecatsforlife]

If you missed your offers and only had options to go to ex poly unis, but had the potential to go to a top 30, would you say take a year out and re-do two papers, or take the place at the ex poly, cause some say prestige matters only for law and IB/consultancy, so surely I'd be wasting my time resitting if I'm not gaining anything.

Thanks

[jelly1000]

(Original post by ilovecatsforlife)
If you missed your offers and only had options to go to ex poly unis, but had the potential to go to a top 30, would you say take a year out and re-do two papers, or take the place at the ex poly, cause some say prestige matters only for law and IB/consultancy, so surely I'd be wasting my time resitting if I'm not gaining anything.

Thanks

I was in this position after results day 2010 and chose to retake, not because of snobbishness, but because I didn't feel comfortable rushing into a decision, having to sort out my own accomodation in a house away from the majority of freshers and thought I may as well retake and therefore see if I can get into a better uni as a goal for my gap year.

[Meat is Murder]

I was in a similar position to you and took a year out and did an extra A level at home with NEC. Now I'm going to a top 20 uni and taking the year out was the best decision I have/will ever make. The uni's I got accepted to last year were ranked between 40 - 50. All my offers this year were from Russell Group institutions.

Take a year out, redo your exams, earn some money, and then reach your potential with like minded people like you. Simples

[YB101]

This is the same problem I'm faced and I don't know what to do Each side weighs out evenly but my parents most definitely don't want me not going to uni this year (i have no idea why) and keep saying things like "when you go to *insert russell group uni*" or "you'll need this for uni" which is making me so depressed

[ilovecatsforlife]

See, I'm stuck. I am hopeful of getting my grades, but if I missed them, I can see why that would've happened. Thing is, you can't even use any of the A2 grades you get in your 'third' year because most graduate schemes don't accept them. So therefore, maybe it's more worthwhile going and just getting a 2:1 and forgetting about top unis.

But then there is a part of me that probably wouldn't want to be in a non-traditional institution as there are many people who attend them who aren't there to study, and to be fair, I worked pretty hard during A-levels. If I did miss my grades, it would be down to just two papers out of 12. Pretty tough on me when all the other papers passed smoothly

Argh, results, hurry up.

Then again, these two posters above seemed to agree that they made the right decision, and that's probably why I would take a year out. I'd probably apply for different courses, something with a firmer career path rather than a non-vocational arts course that I'm currently applying for.

One question to those who did take a year out. Did you put 'predicted' grades for your retakes or did you put it down as pending. Or did you go back to college and apply through them?

Sorry, I don't know how to multi-quote

[YB101]

(Original post by ilovecatsforlife)
See, I'm stuck. I am hopeful of getting my grades, but if I missed them, I can see why that would've happened. Thing is, you can't even use any of the A2 grades you get in your 'third' year because most graduate schemes don't accept them. So therefore, maybe it's more worthwhile going and just getting a 2:1 and forgetting about top unis.

But then there is a part of me that probably wouldn't want to be in a non-traditional institution as there are many people who attend them who aren't there to study, and to be fair, I worked pretty hard during A-levels. If I did miss my grades, it would be down to just two papers out of 12. Pretty tough on me when all the other papers passed smoothly

Argh, results, hurry up.

Then again, these two posters above seemed to agree that they made the right decision, and that's probably why I would take a year out. I'd probably apply for different courses, something with a firmer career path rather than a non-vocational arts course that I'm currently applying for.

One question to those who did take a year out. Did you put 'predicted' grades for your retakes or did you put it down as pending. Or did you go back to college and apply through them?

Sorry, I don't know how to multi-quote

are you sure grad schemes will not look at the 3rd year grades ? What about if I was to do a Msc though, would my A-Levels matter too much?

[ilovecatsforlife]

(Original post by YB101)
are you sure grad schemes will not look at the 3rd year grades ? What about if I was to do a Msc though, would my A-Levels matter too much?

No they won't. Most of them won't, in fact, all of the one's I've seen have requested them all to be taken in one two year period (first sitting). I wouldn't advise an MSc, it probably wouldn't help much because you'd still come out and apply as a graduate, albeit having done a postgrad.

Tbh, the worst case scenario would be me coming out with BBC, which isn't the end of the world in terms of grad schemes. I'm looking to go into accounting, and I've seen a few firms that would be happy to accept that. More likely BBB will be my minimum, but I'm just sick of worrying atm!

[YB101]

(Original post by ilovecatsforlife)
No they won't. Most of them won't, in fact, all of the one's I've seen have requested them all to be taken in one two year period (first sitting). I wouldn't advise an MSc, it probably wouldn't help much because you'd still come out and apply as a graduate, albeit having done a postgrad.

Tbh, the worst case scenario would be me coming out with BBC, which isn't the end of the world in terms of grad schemes. I'm looking to go into accounting, and I've seen a few firms that would be happy to accept that. More likely BBB will be my minimum, but I'm just sick of worrying atm!

So you mean to say even if one comes out with BBC/CCC at A-Level but got say a 1st class degree, vital work experience and such they would still be rejected from Grad Schemes?

Well, I'll still be doing a Msc either way because I need it in order to progress into my preferred career

[ilovecatsforlife]

(Original post by YB101)
So you mean to say even if one comes out with BBC/CCC at A-Level but got say a 1st class degree, vital work experience and such they would still be rejected from Grad Schemes?

Well, I'll still be doing a Msc either way because I need it in order to progress into my preferred career

Well, it's all dependent on the field you wish to enter. My mate came out with a first and CCC at A-level, he didn't get onto any graduate scheme. The minimum seems to be 280 UCAS Points from 3 A-levels these days. I'm not saying you definitely wouldn't get onto one with CCC and the rest of the stuff you've mentioned, but it'll certainly be more difficult. Also, you don't need to start in a graduate job, you could work you're way up a company. You wouldn't start off at the bottom if you had a degree, but you'd probably be a bit below someone in a grad job

May I ask, what do you wish to do in terms of career?

[Johnny Luk]

(Original post by ilovecatsforlife)
No they won't. Most of them won't, in fact, all of the one's I've seen have requested them all to be taken in one two year period (first sitting). I wouldn't advise an MSc, it probably wouldn't help much because you'd still come out and apply as a graduate, albeit having done a postgrad.

Tbh, the worst case scenario would be me coming out with BBC, which isn't the end of the world in terms of grad schemes. I'm looking to go into accounting, and I've seen a few firms that would be happy to accept that. More likely BBB will be my minimum, but I'm just sick of worrying atm!

From my experience I have not seen this, at least for KPMG and for Lloyds Banking Group. They just want your certificates. Often its just computer filtering, they want to see you got that 300-340 ucas points, as away to remove the high number of applicants. Its worth however retaking and going to a good university as some universities are targeted. Although in accountancy they do not put any weighting in it (but get that 2.1!)

[YB101]

(Original post by ilovecatsforlife)
Well, it's all dependent on the field you wish to enter. My mate came out with a first and CCC at A-level, he didn't get onto any graduate scheme. The minimum seems to be 280 UCAS Points from 3 A-levels these days. I'm not saying you definitely wouldn't get onto one with CCC and the rest of the stuff you've mentioned, but it'll certainly be more difficult. Also, you don't need to start in a graduate job, you could work you're way up a company. You wouldn't start off at the bottom if you had a degree, but you'd probably be a bit below someone in a grad job

May I ask, what do you wish to do in terms of career?

Oh I see. I'm hopeless

In terms of career i've taken up the summer to finally crack down on what/who I want to become! I'll be taking up a life science degree and depending on where I went up I would like to venture into either

IP and Patent Law(A dream I guess now )
Medical and Clinical research
I'm looking into careers into Buisness and financing although I don't know much about it AT ALL
The petroleum industry



Basically, I have no f**king clue But if I can't enter any graduate scheme how else do I go about entering such a career ?

wbu?

[Mevans32]

You need to remember that there are other universities out there, which are a happy medium, if I were you, I'd look at the top 30, so the 'red bricks' and 'plate glass' unis, and see if any of them come up in Clearing- it's always worth a go.

I took an extra year in A-Levels, after getting a bunk room last year & changing my mind over which course I wanted to do, this year I got an offer from one RG member, and four 1994 member with the predictions AAB for History, I've firmed Sussex who say they're more than happy to accept applicants who have taken the extra year they're entitled to.
My friend also changed his mind about his course, and received offers to read Law at Manchester, Bristol, Reading and one/two others. Therefore some universities will accept applicants for Law even with the extra year.

However if you only need to resit two exams then it could be worth taking a year out getting an internship relevant to your course, or just a well paying job, and taking those two papers as an external candidate- although your parents mightn't appreciate the cost (no single parent council discount (if applicable) and no Child Tax Credits (If applicable) etcetera). Moreover many universities often talk about how they prefer applicants who have had a beneficial gap year- so why not go travelling?

I thought out my options from this time last year, and made the right decision resitting the year, as I wouldn't have been happy in Bunk beds doing interpol, but you'll knwo what's right for you, and just go with it, ignore your parents, it'd be worse for them and you if you started a degree somewhere you weren't happy and dropped out or flunked out (:

[ilovecatsforlife]

(Original post by Mevans32)
You need to remember that there are other universities out there, which are a happy medium, if I were you, I'd look at the top 30, so the 'red bricks' and 'plate glass' unis, and see if any of them come up in Clearing- it's always worth a go.

I took an extra year in A-Levels, after getting a bunk room last year & changing my mind over which course I wanted to do, this year I got an offer from one RG member, and four 1994 member with the predictions AAB for History, I've firmed Sussex who say they're more than happy to accept applicants who have taken the extra year they're entitled to.
My friend also changed his mind about his course, and received offers to read Law at Manchester, Bristol, Reading and one/two others. Therefore some universities will accept applicants for Law even with the extra year.

However if you only need to resit two exams then it could be worth taking a year out getting an internship relevant to your course, or just a well paying job, and taking those two papers as an external candidate- although your parents mightn't appreciate the cost (no single parent council discount (if applicable) and no Child Tax Credits (If applicable) etcetera). Moreover many universities often talk about how they prefer applicants who have had a beneficial gap year- so why not go travelling?

I thought out my options from this time last year, and made the right decision resitting the year, as I wouldn't have been happy in Bunk beds doing interpol, but you'll knwo what's right for you, and just go with it, ignore your parents, it'd be worse for them and you if you started a degree somewhere you weren't happy and dropped out or flunked out (:

True. But it's so tough to get a job these days. I think it will improve in September, I think many employers know that there's a possibility of a person who has just finished A-levels going to uni in a few months so they don't want someone who's only going to be there short term.

I think you're right, it's only two papers, and it would take 6 or 7 weeks solid revision max to do them. I'd like to get an internship or something, but there really aren't many ways of getting experience. The field I wish to enter is accountancy, so maybe just reading up might be better than work experience. I'd love to go travelling, but I literally don't have any money. I've been trying to get a job all summer. How much would you say I'd need for a month in Canada/America? I'd probably try and work in the Winter and head off in 2013 if I were to take a gap year.

Tbh, I don't think I could take something in clearing, unless I see it as really beneficial. Because I'm the sort of person who likes to think things through and have accommodation and make sure it's the right place for me. A last minute dash to get a place wouldn't be right for me, I don't think.

I'm overthinking hopefully, and perhaps I need to shut up and hide away until results, otherwise I'm gonna drive myself into a hole

[ilovecatsforlife]

(Original post by YB101)
Oh I see. I'm hopeless

In terms of career i've taken up the summer to finally crack down on what/who I want to become! I'll be taking up a life science degree and depending on where I went up I would like to venture into either

IP and Patent Law(A dream I guess now )
Medical and Clinical research
I'm looking into careers into Buisness and financing although I don't know much about it AT ALL
The petroleum industry



Basically, I have no f**king clue But if I can't enter any graduate scheme how else do I go about entering such a career ?

wbu?

Well, you'll just apply for ordinary jobs. Non-graduate jobs. There jobs which all people can apply for and you probably won't have a specific training programme like a grad scheme. You'll be fine

[Mevans32]

(Original post by ilovecatsforlife)
True. But it's so tough to get a job these days. I think it will improve in September, I think many employers know that there's a possibility of a person who has just finished A-levels going to uni in a few months so they don't want someone who's only going to be there short term.

I think you're right, it's only two papers, and it would take 6 or 7 weeks solid revision max to do them. I'd like to get an internship or something, but there really aren't many ways of getting experience. The field I wish to enter is accountancy, so maybe just reading up might be better than work experience. I'd love to go travelling, but I literally don't have any money. I've been trying to get a job all summer. How much would you say I'd need for a month in Canada/America? I'd probably try and work in the Winter and head off in 2013 if I were to take a gap year.

Tbh, I don't think I could take something in clearing, unless I see it as really beneficial. Because I'm the sort of person who likes to think things through and have accommodation and make sure it's the right place for me. A last minute dash to get a place wouldn't be right for me, I don't think.

I'm overthinking hopefully, and perhaps I need to shut up and hide away until results, otherwise I'm gonna drive myself into a hole

Well, luckily for you, you're not getting a job now.. and the Russell Group isn't the be all and end all of universities, all I'm saying is that you need to open up your choices, as there's no guarantees to how your exams went, at least not until next month.
I have no idea how much a trip to Canada/America would cost you, I'm not a Travel Agent and I've never considered anywhere in America other than New York (£600 for flights + Accom + Food), I'd imagine you're looking at £1000-£2000 providing you're not staying at the Plaza..

You need to stop over thinking, it's good to have an aim, but if you get so obsessed by your aim, that's just as pointless as you might get nowhere, due to your over thinking or you might miss the opportunities that present themselves. Just have fun and stay calm.

[niceguyry]

Hey guys it could be worse. Try trawling around the internet for two years after 6th form trying to find the right career/course that is right. Basically I finished A-levels in 2010, with crap A-levels to say the least (I put it down to the fact that I was too confused about what I was doing) and then I got lulled into the "not going uni" thing. Now I see a career in biomedical science having found employment in a pathlab however its not worth me perusing a career through studying BMS though because the NHS is seriously downsizing the grad jobs in this field and research suggest that only the RG grads will be worth the Job in the future. All in all I should of done the third year to try and get into an RG and to feel more confident about the original actual career path I was going for. The question is its pretty hard to say that nowadays you will be considered by a better uni by resitting, best contact the uni you want to get into.

[The Polymath]

(Original post by YB101)
This is the same problem I'm faced and I don't know what to do Each side weighs out evenly but my parents most definitely don't want me not going to uni this year (i have no idea why) and keep saying things like "when you go to *insert russell group uni*" or "you'll need this for uni" which is making me so depressed

Bolded bit - single most annoying and depressing thing parents can say "When you're at Cambridge..." and I'm like "come on, no one can be more than 1% certain of a Cambridge offer "