PGCE 2014 Applications (NOT FOR SPECIFIC INTERVIEW TASK DISCUSSIONS)

So sorry to hear this Josephine, must be really disappointing. I'm not sure I can offer any advice on how to improve your confidence in a matter of days but why not try to 'fake it 'til you make it'? Easier said than done I know, but eye-contact and smiling can really make all the difference, even if you're dying inside. Do you know that you were rejected based on your confidence or is that just your opinion?

My PGCE Primary interview for Cambridge is on Tuesday 21st! And also my first PGCE interview, so very nervous!! When's yours?

Hi there, I had my primary interview for Cambridge last week and I got an offer yesterday! Don't be scared, the interviewers are so nice there and the day runs exactly the way they tell you in the welcome letter! I have accepted my offer but I was at one other interview before Cambridge and it wasn't half as nice a process! If you want to know anything (non-specific of course) let me know

Anyone got the secondary science interview on friday for University of Birmingham? Also for people who have had to do a presentation on a topic of their choice.

I have to do a 15 minute presentation to 6 people on a chemistry topic of muy choice suitable for KS3, with no powerpoint allowed. Any ideas on how I can make the presentation more interactive with visual aids and handouts?

Well done! That's nice to know, thank you Can I ask if you did/ are doing your undergraduate degree at Cambridge or not? I haven't really thought about it much as I have exams/essays at the moment but I might have more questions once I finish them on Monday! I have no ideas about which colleges to pick either!

Who do we contact for feedback if I've been unsuccessful after an interview?


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I'm feeling so disheartened I was unsuccessful in getting a plac last year so I have applied again, I had an interview yesterday and have already been rejected based on my confidence (same problem as last year) I'm feeling rubbish now because everyone says they can't imagine me being a teacher and the fact that universities are saying that too sucks! I have my last interview on Wednesday and it's my dream place but I'm worried I'll have the same issues. Any tips for confidence ?

I've been waiting to hear back from one of my choices for about a month now. Really annoying seeing as I want to accept an offer. I know I could ring up and ask them to release me but I just want to know if they would have given me an offer or not

I think I probably will if I have to...

I've been waiting to hear back from one of my choices for about a month now. Really annoying seeing as I want to accept an offer. I know I could ring up and ask them to release me but I just want to know if they would have given me an offer or not

I highly doubt that would be a reason. They will be so used to seeing pending, it won't be an issue. I take it your primary, in which case it is sadly unbelievably competitive. I really feel for you because I relate to your first post. I wasn't used to this level of competition in undergrad so it really has been an eye opener.

I don't have any useful advice sorry. But try to ask for feedback as to why you didn't succeed and build on it. If you do have to try again next year, see it as an opportunity to build a kickass application and build upon what you've learnt this time round. A year might sound long but it will go fast and it's not the end of the world. Remember, if you really want this, it will happen eventually. Be patient and soon enough you'll get an offer, just don't give up!! Best of luck.

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Hi, I'm sure you have probably heard this many times before but I had/have a serious issue with confidence. Most of the people that know me find that quite surprising. I have given presentations in front of colleagues I've worked with for years and still stutter and stumble. I recently had two interviews for PGCE/Schools direct, one of which was in front of a panel (the thought of which had me trembling) and the other process included a presentation in front of 10 strangers. The best advice I can give you is to try and relax and be yourself. I kept imagining my interviews as conversations, which isn't very easy to do when you have a panel staring back at you, but it can work. I actually now have offers from both of them, it seems the hardest part was actually getting the interview and now deciding between the two.

Fingers crossed for your last interview. If however you are unsuccessful, and this is truly a career you wish to pursue, there are lots of things you can do to help increase your confidence. It is something that will be tested everyday as a teacher as you will be standing in-front of a classroom of students, and very often with a teacher observing you. Try and get some experience in classrooms, getting TA work isn't very easy but the more experience you have, the better for your confidence.

I hope this helps, best of luck for Wednesday.

Are you feeling all prepared for tomorrow?!