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What do unis look for nowadays???
I got 8 A*s and 2 As at GCSE and 6 As at AS Level, predicted straight As for my A Levels, grade 8 at piano, potential black belt at taekwon-do, 2 jobs, three english prizes from school and various other english-y stuff - and i got 3 rejections!
I was rejected from Warwick, Cambridge and Edinburgh (without interview for the latter). I just don't know what they look for any more. Does anyone else know? It was completely disheartening for me as I've always felt that I can talk passionately and innovatively about English because I've always loved it but apparently this isn't the case. I know a bunch of people who got Bs, Cs and Ds at AS and they're going to do Law or SPS at Cambridge!
Does anyone else feel that there's something totally unfair about the whole system? Why did I even bother working hard? Also, what did people get asked at interviews? My third Cambridge interview (I was pooled) was horrific - I was asked about different genres of criticism (e.g. psycho-analytical)!!! I've done lots of secondary reading but found that one difficult! She also started asking me about film as well
When I look back to university interviews, it doesn't seem like any of them would give a firm idea of what a student is really like.
What does anyone else think???
I was rejected from Warwick, Cambridge and Edinburgh (without interview for the latter). I just don't know what they look for any more. Does anyone else know? It was completely disheartening for me as I've always felt that I can talk passionately and innovatively about English because I've always loved it but apparently this isn't the case. I know a bunch of people who got Bs, Cs and Ds at AS and they're going to do Law or SPS at Cambridge!
Does anyone else feel that there's something totally unfair about the whole system? Why did I even bother working hard? Also, what did people get asked at interviews? My third Cambridge interview (I was pooled) was horrific - I was asked about different genres of criticism (e.g. psycho-analytical)!!! I've done lots of secondary reading but found that one difficult! She also started asking me about film as well
When I look back to university interviews, it doesn't seem like any of them would give a firm idea of what a student is really like.What does anyone else think???
Scroll to see replies
Jelkin
I got 8 A*s and 2 As at GCSE and 6 As at AS Level, predicted straight As for my A Levels, grade 8 at piano, potential black belt at taekwon-do, 2 jobs, three english prizes from school and various other english-y stuff - and i got 3 rejections!
I was rejected from Warwick, Cambridge and Edinburgh (without interview for the latter). I just don't know what they look for any more. Does anyone else know? It was completely disheartening for me as I've always felt that I can talk passionately and innovatively about English because I've always loved it but apparently this isn't the case. I know a bunch of people who got Bs, Cs and Ds at AS and they're going to do Law or SPS at Cambridge!
Does anyone else feel that there's something totally unfair about the whole system? Why did I even bother working hard? Also, what did people get asked at interviews? My third Cambridge interview (I was pooled) was horrific - I was asked about different genres of criticism (e.g. psycho-analytical)!!! I've done lots of secondary reading but found that one difficult! She also started asking me about film as well When I look back to university interviews, it doesn't seem like any of them would give a firm idea of what a student is really like.
What does anyone else think???
I was rejected from Warwick, Cambridge and Edinburgh (without interview for the latter). I just don't know what they look for any more. Does anyone else know? It was completely disheartening for me as I've always felt that I can talk passionately and innovatively about English because I've always loved it but apparently this isn't the case. I know a bunch of people who got Bs, Cs and Ds at AS and they're going to do Law or SPS at Cambridge!
Does anyone else feel that there's something totally unfair about the whole system? Why did I even bother working hard? Also, what did people get asked at interviews? My third Cambridge interview (I was pooled) was horrific - I was asked about different genres of criticism (e.g. psycho-analytical)!!! I've done lots of secondary reading but found that one difficult! She also started asking me about film as well
When I look back to university interviews, it doesn't seem like any of them would give a firm idea of what a student is really like.What does anyone else think???
Over two years I was twice pooled and then twice rejected in the end. First time from Christ's and second time from Trinity. Coming close twice and still not getting it wasn't easy. For a while I thought "ah the system's not fair" and was bitter about it and whatever. The fact of the matter is that there are not a sufficient number of places for people who could study the course there. I don't believe that everyone doing English at Cambridge is better then me. However, you have to come to accept it. You were pooled, you came close, you have to try to get over it. There are two things people told me after I found out I hadn't got at place. Both pissed me off no end at the time. They're true though. Firstly, English is ridiculously competitive. Secondly, the means of choosing are not foolproof; interviews are imperfect but they are also probably the best selection method available.
Anyway, where do you have offers from? I was also rejected from three Unis this year: Durham, Warwick and Cambridge. (That's with straight As and a Distinction for AEA English). Ironically, the first time I applied, Durham gave me an AAB offer. I think that goes to show that to a degree the process is slightly arbritary.
Well I definitely agree with that! I have offers from York (AAB), Royal Holloway (ABB) and Durham (AAA - sorry). I know people who were rejected from most unis but accepted to Oxbridge....very confusing. I'm currently choosing between York and Durham.
Warwick actually treated me very badly - they gave my mate a place and didn't reply to me until in exasperation I emailed them at the beginning of this month to ask why - then, without replying, they rejected me. A while later, they emailed me saying, "oh by the way, you were rejected" (paraphrased
), so I emailed back asking if it was possible to find out why it was rejected. They never replied. So the whole uni experience has so far left me bitter and twisted!
Warwick actually treated me very badly - they gave my mate a place and didn't reply to me until in exasperation I emailed them at the beginning of this month to ask why - then, without replying, they rejected me. A while later, they emailed me saying, "oh by the way, you were rejected" (paraphrased
), so I emailed back asking if it was possible to find out why it was rejected. They never replied. So the whole uni experience has so far left me bitter and twisted!
I think it's a lot on the extra reading now to be honest, because they simply get so many candidates with grades such as yours. Often it's also down to the interviewer, often the interview process can be very unfair as not everyone gets the same level of questions etc. Also, does anyone think it's possible that people with such great grades might get rejected from places such as Warwick/York etc as those unis might assume that person will get an offer from Oxbridge therefore they will be second choice and a wasted place? I have nothing to back me up on that, it's just something that just crossed my mind.
RoisinHan
I think it's a lot on the extra reading now to be honest, because they simply get so many candidates with grades such as yours. Often it's also down to the interviewer, often the interview process can be very unfair as not everyone gets the same level of questions etc. Also, does anyone think it's possible that people with such great grades might get rejected from places such as Warwick/York etc as those unis might assume that person will get an offer from Oxbridge therefore they will be second choice and a wasted place? I have nothing to back me up on that, it's just something that just crossed my mind.
I think that definitely comes into it, yes. It's a crazy tactic by the Universities to be honest as they'll lose a lot of people who would have happily studied there. Having said that, they have far too many applicants and the Universities have to narrow down the number of people to whom they give offers anyway.
When I applied, I got rejected from 4 too. I pretty much realise why though:
Oxford - hey, its oxbridge! You gotta expect it. Plus, my interview was crap - I was scared stiff
Warwick - don't accept lit/lang. But they lied to me about this at an open day!
UCL - Over 2000 applications for 75 places means only the absolute best will do.
York - No idea why. Probably the lit/lang thing. Since visiting however, I realise that I would have disliked it there. Hell, one English student there didn't even know what Beowulf was. I jest not - the cretin!
Essentially, it wasn't about my ability at the subject; it was the fact that I took lit/lang and my A level subjects (when picking them, I wanted an Art career). For all I know, I could be innately better at English than an Oxbridge student.
Oxford - hey, its oxbridge! You gotta expect it. Plus, my interview was crap - I was scared stiff
Warwick - don't accept lit/lang. But they lied to me about this at an open day!
UCL - Over 2000 applications for 75 places means only the absolute best will do.
York - No idea why. Probably the lit/lang thing. Since visiting however, I realise that I would have disliked it there. Hell, one English student there didn't even know what Beowulf was. I jest not - the cretin!
Essentially, it wasn't about my ability at the subject; it was the fact that I took lit/lang and my A level subjects (when picking them, I wanted an Art career). For all I know, I could be innately better at English than an Oxbridge student.
RoisinHan
I think it's a lot on the extra reading now to be honest, because they simply get so many candidates with grades such as yours. Often it's also down to the interviewer, often the interview process can be very unfair as not everyone gets the same level of questions etc. Also, does anyone think it's possible that people with such great grades might get rejected from places such as Warwick/York etc as those unis might assume that person will get an offer from Oxbridge therefore they will be second choice and a wasted place? I have nothing to back me up on that, it's just something that just crossed my mind.
*wanders into forum*
I think that is possible, although universities like York and Durham (the latter especially) stress that they do not work on such a basis...if you think about it, in many ways it works to their best interests. Not every Oxbridge candidate will make their offer (or even receive one come to that!), thus other top universities are often keen to ensure they can take them instead. I wouldn't think universities like Durham simply assume that, say, a AAAA applicant will automatically be applying to Ox/Cam, and then reject them out of hand - because of the reason above, plus Oxbridge isn't for everyone.
i don't know what warwick are looking for. i think they have a big purple hat and pull random names out of it. i know someone who has just got an offer from warwick - without interview - for english - (what the???) i wouldn't worry about it. you've got a great CV they must have been insane.
sophie are you pinktango? If you're not i'm sorry i brought this up. Evil Muffin - i do combined at the moment too, i think that is why i got an offer from Nottingham as they focus on a mix of lang and lit but i think it might have hurt my application at other places like Durham. Even thought they say they accept it. Grrr. At the end of the day though there are just a lot of us fighting for places - they have to pick somehow. I'm sure we'll all be happy wherever we end up. xx
mousey
sophie are you pinktango? If you're not i'm sorry i brought this up. Evil Muffin - i do combined at the moment too, i think that is why i got an offer from Nottingham as they focus on a mix of lang and lit but i think it might have hurt my application at other places like Durham. Even thought they say they accept it. Grrr. At the end of the day though there are just a lot of us fighting for places - they have to pick somehow. I'm sure we'll all be happy wherever we end up. xx
Damnations, why didn't I apply to Notts?!
Oh well, they probably didn't have a year in the US course
sophieD
i don't know what warwick are looking for. i think they have a big purple hat and pull random names out of it.
I would like to think not
Actually, I don't know why any uni would pick me, so perhaps it's true.But it's true that Warwick seems to reject a lot of people who have offers from other top unis. But then, amazing alevel grades don't always equal success at uni.
To jelkin.
i got an offer from warwick for english and creative writing and a rejection for english (without even an interview) i also got rejected from York and Edinborough (but hey didnt every1) no1 knows wat unis want these days i think it largely comes down to interviews and wat the individual interview thinks is a good characteristic. U shud be proud of ur results on their own merits not where they got u into. Not to mention that York and Durham are amazing unis. all in all my message would be to stop fricken complaining u dunst ur gna do fine watever
i got an offer from warwick for english and creative writing and a rejection for english (without even an interview) i also got rejected from York and Edinborough (but hey didnt every1) no1 knows wat unis want these days i think it largely comes down to interviews and wat the individual interview thinks is a good characteristic. U shud be proud of ur results on their own merits not where they got u into. Not to mention that York and Durham are amazing unis. all in all my message would be to stop fricken complaining u dunst ur gna do fine watever
Rachelingo
To jelkin.
i got an offer from warwick for english and creative writing and a rejection for english (without even an interview) i also got rejected from York and Edinborough (but hey didnt every1) no1 knows wat unis want these days i think it largely comes down to interviews and wat the individual interview thinks is a good characteristic. U shud be proud of ur results on their own merits not where they got u into. Not to mention that York and Durham are amazing unis. all in all my message would be to stop fricken complaining u dunst ur gna do fine watever
i got an offer from warwick for english and creative writing and a rejection for english (without even an interview) i also got rejected from York and Edinborough (but hey didnt every1) no1 knows wat unis want these days i think it largely comes down to interviews and wat the individual interview thinks is a good characteristic. U shud be proud of ur results on their own merits not where they got u into. Not to mention that York and Durham are amazing unis. all in all my message would be to stop fricken complaining u dunst ur gna do fine watever
like you can talk - i had to spend ages consoling you when you were rejected from warwick, then you got accepted for english and creative writing anyway, you big hobo!
I reckon that probably the worst thing about being rejected after interview is that it becomes much more personal. Especially for creative writing - they read your work and suddenly you're not good enough
does anyone else feel like that?A lot of people seem to feel that taking the Lit/ Lang A-Level worked against them . . . well, don't you think universities are incredibly narrow minded about that?! I had a feeling that my doing the combined course was going to prove a problem after reading Warwick's prospectus and going to a departmental open day. Sure enough, Warwick rejected me for English and Creative Writing, as did UEA. In the end, I got offers from Royal Holloway (ABB), Lancaster (ABB) and Hull (BBB). I'm predicted AAAA and am going to have a stab at the English AEA in the summer.
The fact that I'm doing the combined course does not make me any less able than someone doing straight Literature. I chose Lit/Lang partly because it fitted in better on the timetable, but also because I wanted to learn more about the language side of English and not specialise too early. The coursework also included original writing options, which I wouldn't have been able to do if I'd opted for pure Lit. The point I'm trying to make is that I had personal reasons for choosing the course I'm doing - I didn't go for it simply because I thought it would be easier.
I'm going to Lancaster now, not because I don't think I'm capable of getting into somewhere like Warwick, but simply because I don't think it's worth the hassle of re-applying. There IS an element of luck in the selection process and many people on this forum are testament to the fact that you can have brilliant grades and still not get in. To anyone who feels they have been rejected unfairly, I would say go to the next best place and just prove them wrong! At the end of the day, it isn't going to make a vast amount of difference to your future career prospects where your degree comes from - it's what you get out of it that counts.
The fact that I'm doing the combined course does not make me any less able than someone doing straight Literature. I chose Lit/Lang partly because it fitted in better on the timetable, but also because I wanted to learn more about the language side of English and not specialise too early. The coursework also included original writing options, which I wouldn't have been able to do if I'd opted for pure Lit. The point I'm trying to make is that I had personal reasons for choosing the course I'm doing - I didn't go for it simply because I thought it would be easier.
I'm going to Lancaster now, not because I don't think I'm capable of getting into somewhere like Warwick, but simply because I don't think it's worth the hassle of re-applying. There IS an element of luck in the selection process and many people on this forum are testament to the fact that you can have brilliant grades and still not get in. To anyone who feels they have been rejected unfairly, I would say go to the next best place and just prove them wrong! At the end of the day, it isn't going to make a vast amount of difference to your future career prospects where your degree comes from - it's what you get out of it that counts.
I do the combined lit/lang too, and I recieved five offers and one rejection. My rejection was from Manchester, but I don't think that was down to me not doing lit A level, because I know people with that who got rejected too. But my five offers proves that a lot of good unis do accept it, but there will always be some picky ones like Warwick and York who don't like it.
Argh, don't freak me out, had just calmed down
English is horribly competitive but then so are many courses (medicine, vet sci, economics, history & law spring to mind for example...) although I can't help being jealous of my friend applying for Physics which if anything is underrepresented - the Oxford college she's applying to only has 1.5 applicants per place!
*Anyway*
Unfortunately, there are so many more applicants than places for English that nothing seems to "guarantee" you a place anymore, and many people are turned away who would in fact be really well suited to the uni and the course - this probably includes you
although it's little consolation. Still, you got offers from some fantastic universities with fascinating courses; just be glad you're not living out my ultimate nightmare of being rejected by them all (I hope that dream wasn't prophetic... 
)
English is horribly competitive
but then so are many courses (medicine, vet sci, economics, history & law spring to mind for example...) although I can't help being jealous of my friend applying for Physics which if anything is underrepresented - the Oxford college she's applying to only has 1.5 applicants per place!*Anyway*
Unfortunately, there are so many more applicants than places for English that nothing seems to "guarantee" you a place anymore, and many people are turned away who would in fact be really well suited to the uni and the course - this probably includes you
although it's little consolation. Still, you got offers from some fantastic universities with fascinating courses; just be glad you're not living out my ultimate nightmare of being rejected by them all (I hope that dream wasn't prophetic... )Related discussions
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