Economics Applicant Thread UCAS 2012

You're conflating two issues here. Firstly grade inflation is political, 'the public' (read: the media) will go crazy if (heaven forbid) exam results stayed the same or fell from year to year (as obviously that means something is wrong with the education system ). Then there is the issue that too many people are going to university, which is partly due to what you say, but also partly due to Labour's ridiculous push for 50% of people going to uni (so, once again, political reasons). These issues are only linked insofar as unis then need to ask for higher grades to make sure they're getting students of the required ability.

Well just found out today that I have to self teach Further Maths AS and take FP1, D1 and S2 in the Summer. Im doing OCR, how difficult do you think it will be to gain an A through self teaching?

Well just found out today that I have to self teach Further Maths AS and take FP1, D1 and S2 in the Summer. Im doing OCR, how difficult do you think it will be to gain an A through self teaching?

That's quite reasonable. I wonder what makes them decide between giving A*AA offers or AAA offers, though.

I think it's something to do with disadvantaged backgrounds. Like if you complete a-levels uninterupted then it's probably going to be A*AA. I still don't understand how Exeter can offer between THREE grades! A*AA-AAB? I just don't get it.

It'd be interesting to get a statistic on how many AAA offers they make (below the standard offer). I'm applying to A*AA across the board, so I guess that's enough pressure for me.

It'd be interesting to get a statistic on how many AAA offers they make (below the standard offer). I'm applying to A*AA across the board, so I guess that's enough pressure for me.

Aren't we aiming high . But if all the universities you like have A*AA offers, why not. I'd rather get rejected by all 5 choices than studying at a university I chose just because it has a lower offer .

Yeah, exactly! I'd hate to only have an AAA offer then end up getting A*A*A*. In fact, I know if that happened, I'd decline the offer and re-apply as I must've done something wrong with the personal statement, etc.

Seriously, when you look at your UMS marks, you can be sure that you will at least get one A* . So YOU really don't need an AAA offer unless you get hit by a bus and therefore won't be able to study for the subjects . It's way riskier for me because our exams aren't as predictable as A Levels unfortunetely... But I am very optimistic and just try really hard

Thanks for the vote of confidence.

I'm back to school tomorrow. Bring on the hard work and (eventual) interview preparation .

I really enjoyed interview prep. Sounds sad but it was a great few months

Yeah, I just need to ensure I make the time to read the newspaper and make it a habit. Maybe a hiatus from here would help.

Does your school do mock interviews or something?

Yeah, I just need to ensure I make the time to read the newspaper and make it a habit. Maybe a hiatus from here would help.

Definitely a good idea. My main sources of information were independent blogs, The Economist (from the library - its far too expensive - although there's a good student offer going around) , BBC blogs, newspapers and general debates/info exchange with teachers

So how are you guys going to be preparing for interview?

Well, I'll try to keep myself up to date with current events (really difficult finding time to read newspaper when you have lots to do for school) and re-read my PS several times. At Oxford tutors like to ask questions on your PS I heard. So I will try to somehow imagine what questions he could ask me . My school doesn't offer something like mock interviews