Mathematics Applicants 2012

My school stats are basically same as yours 100-130 in AS then 60-70 in A2.

1-3 people in Oxbridge each year.

And I think you misunderstood eliotball - 32 out of 101 that applied for Oxbridge, not 101 in his 6th form. Probably a very large sixth form (around a thousand in each year).

Honestly these massive 6th forms just seem weird to me, I can't imagine them but I do know plenty that have 500-1500 people in each year

Oops should have read that more closely. Yeah, in Scotland sixth form colleges are very unusual - most people stay in the same school from Y8 (equivalent) to Y13 (equivalent). So no massive schools.

I've been at my school (in the UK) from Y7 to Y12 so far and am planning to stay till 13 :P

It's these 'sixth form colleges' that seem to be really massive!

And I think you misunderstood eliotball - 32 out of 101 that applied for Oxbridge, not 101 in his 6th form. Probably a very large sixth form (around a thousand in each year).

Hiya,

GCSE: 2A*, 1A, 6B, 1C (short course)
AS Levels: Maths, further maths, physics. Taking up geology next year.
Currently predicted: AAB
Considering: G100. Royal Holloway, St Andrews (it's a dream), Edinburgh, Newcastle, Southampton and some others.
Preparation: Attending Headstart course for maths in the summer. Reading Fermat's Last Theorem and two other books after.
Read a lot into the maths side of cryptography - I find it very interesting.

Can anyone recommend any good maths books to read? Can be about anything maths related.

e:the story of a number by eli maor. Or if you are feeling for more of a challenge, The Calculus Gallery by William Dunham.

I was hoping to start a foundation year this year as a mature student, but that unfortunately out the window.
I'm already self teaching A Level AQA Maths, and now after not getting on the foundation year, am thinking I might have to do 2 more full A levels over the next year Including 2 modules that i still have from my Maths. I was planning on doing Further maths AS anyway, but I think i'll have to do the Full A Level, I've been shot in the foot with rejections this year even though I've discussed my quals before applying, they just lying to me lol.
So now I don't trust the advice I got from Leeds saying as long as I had Maths A Level at an A i'd def be considered for their degree.

Quick question, if I'm going to try and fit in 2 1/3 A levels into 2 exam sittings next year which is no easy thing as I work full time, do you think it'd look **** if I did Accountancy A Level aswel as maths and Fmaths?

I already have a qual in accounts, so thinking it'll be reasonably easy to pick up. But Uni's are deciding to ignore my NVQ 3/4 in accounts, they wouldn't do the same to the A level would they? and I know all 3 are fairly samey, but as an external canditate, there's not a lot of choice for A Levels without coursework/practical exams which I can't do.

Should get A for Maths, no idea for Fmaths as not started, and would hope A for accounts, so aiming for at least AAB, but do you think if i got ABB as a mature student they'd understand thats still pretty good going for working full time and being out of education for 11 years, i'm only just getting back into it lol.

Would apply to Leeds, Sheffield, Hallam, York and Manchester, althought the last 2 are quite a long commute

e:the story of a number by eli maor. Or if you are feeling for more of a challenge, The Calculus Gallery by William Dunham.

Completed my first ever STEP question! I think it might have been easier than most cos it's the first question in the paper (1998, Step II).

So pleased with myself

Completed my first ever STEP question! I think it might have been easier than most cos it's the first question in the paper (1998, Step II).

So pleased with myself

You started with STEP II? awesome

I was gonna do some yesterday, but I didn't for some reason

It's definately an awesome feeling. Nice one.

Did my first ever STEP III question a month ago, it was awesome

Thanks! I wasn't planning to start with STEP II . One of my friends (a very nice girl who's about average in our maths class) challenged another (maths/physics genius) to a maths duel. I've been nominated referee, so I was looking out a question for them to do. I chose five to print off from a STEP II paper and as I was waiting for it to print my eye got caught by a random middle line from this question, which I realised I could do. So then I had to do the whole question! (And yes, I have some very geeky friends. They also watch Doctor Who and Firefly, and read xkcd.)

Haha I am kind of a geek but I just completely lack motivation:
read the first 200 or so xkcd's, haven't bothered looking at the rest
watched the first 7 episodes of Firefly, haven't bothered downloading the rest
I will do my second STEP question and more STEP questions at some point
almost finished reading a mathemician's apology... over about 2 weeks, i've forgotten it all now

Wow, sounds pretty good to me! Most.unis consider further maths a definite plus, and I doubt they'll mind accountancy. Maths, FM and physics is a very common combination as far as I can tell and that's no more samey than what you're suggesting. I'm sure they'll take your circumstances into account. Good luck with the application!