Economics Applicant Thread UCAS 2012

OP

Original post by thegenius31416

On the other hand, at my school we start our A2 work for all our subjects so missing that would be a bad idea.

We also start our A2 courses. But don't you think visiting possible university choices would be worth missing a couple of days of school for? (Especially when you've got the whole summer to catch up!)

Reply 402

thegenius31416

12

Original post by tateco

We also start our A2 courses. But don't you think visiting possible university choices would be worth missing a couple of days of school for? (Especially when you've got the whole summer to catch up!)

Hmm, I guess but for me it's not really that useful. 3 days off is enough to help you decide between the ones you're not sure about and to go to the Oxbridge one to help choose your college. There's also often the opportunity to go on a non-open day to look around too (some even do tours).

I think that your university experience is largely going to depend upon the people you're with, not where you are. There really isn't a lot at an open day you can't find out some other way.

Reply 403

OP

Original post by thegenius31416

Hmm, I guess but for me it's not really that useful. 3 days off is enough to help you decide between the ones you're not sure about and to go to the Oxbridge one to help choose your college. There's also often the opportunity to go on a non-open day to look around too (some even do tours).

I think that your university experience is largely going to depend upon the people you're with, not where you are. There really isn't a lot at an open day you can't find out some other way.

Yeah I agree that you can get all the information you need online but it's still probably worth going to have a look. Maybe I won't bother going to the ones I'm sure I'll apply to and just go for the one's I'm unsure about?

Reply 404

thegenius31416

12

Original post by tateco

Yeah I agree that you can get all the information you need online but it's still probably worth going to have a look. Maybe I won't bother going to the ones I'm sure I'll apply to and just go for the one's I'm unsure about?

For a start, definitely go to the Oxbridge one so you can find out which college you want to apply for and a bit about the more complicated (i.e. Interviews and tests) application process.

Then I would suggest going to ones where you have doubts about the campus, location or facilities etc.

If you're sure that a particular course is perfect for you, I wouldn't let first impressions of the campus put you off applying.

I just don't think it's worth wasting days finding out nothing much when you could be learning useful stuff.

Ultimately, it's up to you but that's my advice :smile:

Reply 405

I'm not too sure whether I'm allowed time off for attending open days. I'm assuming so long as they're prestigious to some extent, they feel pressured into letting me attend because of fears I won't apply :smile:

, though maths coursework is filling me with a sense of dred, I think we have 3 days to complete the big pack of work that amounts to a mere 3% of our course, I would skip it, but then again UMS? :frown:

I'm headed to Cambridge, I think, unless I'm busy.
I enjoy going to open days just to gain a sense of the atmosphere, the staff and the students. Plus it's an amazing day out when I need a break from all the work stress.

Reply 406

I was just wandering the forum and found the Medics' Profiles. I think I can safely say thank goodness Economics isn't as competitive as Medicine. :eek:

Reply 407

thegenius31416

12

However, if you were to look over some applicant profiles and entry requirements for other courses...

There aren't many more competitive courses than Economics (medical sciences excluded).

Reply 408

OP

Original post by Groat

I was just wandering the forum and found the Medics' Profiles. I think I can safely say thank goodness Economics isn't as competitive as Medicine. :eek:

Just a shame that straight after medicine it moves to economics and law. And economics is arguably worse than law (at the top end) as admissions have strongly preferred subjects for economics of which law is exempt.

Reply 409

OP

The worst bit for them is the horrible statistic that 60% of applicants get no offers back at all (is it 60? I think it might even be 80 :| That must be so daunting, and it's so specialised the only way you can get into it afterwards is reapplying or doing a science degree first...)

Reply 410

Original post by tateco

Just a shame that straight after medicine it moves to economics and law. And economics is arguably worse than law (at the top end) as admissions have strongly preferred subjects for economics of which law is exempt.

Of course I realise how competitive Economics really is! I'm just glad we haven't got it as hard as medics, who all seem to have perfect extra curricular activities and work experience yet still get rejected.

Reply 411

OP

Original post by Groat

Of course I realise how competitive Economics really is! I'm just glad we haven't got it as hard as medics, who all seem to have perfect extra curricular activities and work experience yet still get rejected.

Must be awful for them, I suppose at least we can rest safe in the knowledge that we have good doctors that have had to work hard to get where they are.

Reply 412

jamiepango

2

I was thinking of applying to do medicine but I found out I suck at chemistry... :colondollar:

Reply 413

OP

Original post by jamiepango

I was thinking of applying to do medicine but I found out I suck at chemistry... :colondollar:

Suck at it how much? If you can still vaguely do it and think you can get through next year and come out with an A (after a lot of hard work), then you definitely have a shot at medicine. It's not like there's going to be loads of chemistry in your degree...

Reply 414

Has anyone considered applying at different times during the period? I'm thinking of submitting Cambridge, LSE, UCL and Warwick by 15th October, then waiting a bit longer to choose my 5th choice. That way, if I've already been rejected by a few before Christmas, I can make my 5th choice a safe one, but if I've already got an offer, I can go for a more risky 5th choice.

Does that sound logical?

Reply 415

Original post by Groat

Has anyone considered applying at different times during the period? I'm thinking of submitting Cambridge, LSE, UCL and Warwick by 15th October, then waiting a bit longer to choose my 5th choice. That way, if I've already been rejected by a few before Christmas, I can make my 5th choice a safe one, but if I've already got an offer, I can go for a more risky 5th choice.

Does that sound logical?

I never knew you were able to do that?
Though to be fair, I only found out deferred entry existed through thorough research.
I don't like my careers advisors.. :rolleyes:

That sounds like rather a logical plan, I might nab it. :cool:

(edited 13 years ago)

Reply 416

Original post by SillyString

I never knew you were able to do that?
Though to be fair, I only found out deferred entry existed through thorough research.
I don't like my careers advisors.. :rolleyes:

That sounds like rather a logical plan, I might nab it. :cool:

Yeah, UCAS says you can add a choice as long as it's in the allotted period. So make 4 choices by 15th October then add the 5th in by 15th January.

If I'm paying £9,000 a year on tuition fees alone, I'd like to feel I'm going for the best universities!

Reply 417

Original post by Groat

Yeah, UCAS says you can add a choice as long as it's in the allotted period. So make 4 choices by 15th October then add the 5th in by 15th January.

If I'm paying £9,000 a year on tuition fees alone, I'd like to feel I'm going for the best universities!

That's perfect then :smile:

I would go for it :tongue:

I'm taken to that view, after meeting representatives from City and SOAS :rolleyes:

I wish more firms didn't withraw their scholarship schemes.. *sigh*

Reply 418

Original post by SillyString

That's perfect then :smile:

I would go for it :tongue:

I'm taken to that view, after meeting representatives from City and SOAS :rolleyes:

I wish more firms didn't withraw their scholarship schemes.. *sigh*

There are graduate schemes out there that will pay off your student loan (if you work for them for two years, I think).

Although a friend told me that not many universities will have given offers by the January 15th deadline, so it probably won't make much difference.

Hmm!

Reply 419