Does it matter which sixth form you go to?
I am currently suffering from a dilemma as to what to do.
I have recently (and quite suddenly) declared that I am not willing to wake up as early as 5:30 to travel to sixth form. Firstly, the sixth form I want to go to requires two bus rides - which is quite costly - so... With that being said, I suddenly made complications for myself when I suddenly decided to reconsider my choice of sixth form.
Like the title asks: Does it matter which sixth form you go to?
I ask you, fellow students and the kind people of student room, to help me out here, whether you speak of opinion or personal experience (though I'd much rather prefer the latter).
Because here are the choices:
a) Go to this really chavvy sixth form that was once on the verge of closure due to its extreme "inadequacy", but has since recently improved to a Grade 3 standard according to Ofsted, with - and I quote - "a good sixth form" that has "strong teaching", with most people getting into their first choices. Most people here seem to do BTECs though and only 37% receive A*-B. BUT, it is closer to home and does offer the options I want.
b) Travel over an hour to my first choice of sixth form, however, recently fell from its renowned Grade 1 standard to a Grade 3. But, the students move on to good universities (aka some went to Oxford, etc)
There really isn't that many sixth forms or colleges in my area that are of high standard--those that are great are either private schools or highly competitive grammar schools (which I sadly didn't cut).
SORRY FOR THE LONG INQUIRY I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS D:
But I'd really appreciate your help (thank you!)
I have recently (and quite suddenly) declared that I am not willing to wake up as early as 5:30 to travel to sixth form. Firstly, the sixth form I want to go to requires two bus rides - which is quite costly - so... With that being said, I suddenly made complications for myself when I suddenly decided to reconsider my choice of sixth form.
Like the title asks: Does it matter which sixth form you go to?
I ask you, fellow students and the kind people of student room, to help me out here, whether you speak of opinion or personal experience (though I'd much rather prefer the latter).
Because here are the choices:
a) Go to this really chavvy sixth form that was once on the verge of closure due to its extreme "inadequacy", but has since recently improved to a Grade 3 standard according to Ofsted, with - and I quote - "a good sixth form" that has "strong teaching", with most people getting into their first choices. Most people here seem to do BTECs though and only 37% receive A*-B. BUT, it is closer to home and does offer the options I want.
b) Travel over an hour to my first choice of sixth form, however, recently fell from its renowned Grade 1 standard to a Grade 3. But, the students move on to good universities (aka some went to Oxford, etc)
There really isn't that many sixth forms or colleges in my area that are of high standard--those that are great are either private schools or highly competitive grammar schools (which I sadly didn't cut).
SORRY FOR THE LONG INQUIRY I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS D:
But I'd really appreciate your help (thank you!)
If you mean to progress to University/College then NO it doesn't matter which Sixth Form you go to. Unless your applying for uni in your hometown they won't know the Sixth form. They're not going place you at a disadvantage just because of your education background, more likely they could place you at an advantage seeing you've got potential coming where you come from (From University of Bristol Prospectus I remember them saying they would actually lower the entry grades for Civil Engineering for people coming from Disadvantaged Backgrounds which includes which education you come from).
Short answer NO what Universities/Colleges really care about is YOU (I.e. academic grades, extra-curricular activities and so on). It's up to you to be able to make a statement of yourself and advertise your skills and qualifications. Although I will say though that which Sixth Form you go to won't particularly matter, but for your convenience travel wise and maybe teaching wise it's something that would affect your own education that will affect your grades for Higher Education if you get too tired and stressed so it's something worth thinking about.
I just finished First Year of Uni and I went to two Sixth Form college from a joint partnership of neighbouring schools for certain subjects. One is "high standard" that I did my Secondary Education in and the other is "Chav" that I only did half of my A levels.
Hope this is some help
Short answer NO what Universities/Colleges really care about is YOU (I.e. academic grades, extra-curricular activities and so on). It's up to you to be able to make a statement of yourself and advertise your skills and qualifications. Although I will say though that which Sixth Form you go to won't particularly matter, but for your convenience travel wise and maybe teaching wise it's something that would affect your own education that will affect your grades for Higher Education if you get too tired and stressed so it's something worth thinking about.
I just finished First Year of Uni and I went to two Sixth Form college from a joint partnership of neighbouring schools for certain subjects. One is "high standard" that I did my Secondary Education in and the other is "Chav" that I only did half of my A levels.
Hope this is some help
Honestly, no.
I went to a college which was considered 'below average' but managed to get grades better than some of those who went to top sixth forms. I had really good teachers though
At the end of the day, universities don't give a toss about where you went lol. The only distinction between you and other applicants is your grades
I went to a college which was considered 'below average' but managed to get grades better than some of those who went to top sixth forms. I had really good teachers though
At the end of the day, universities don't give a toss about where you went lol. The only distinction between you and other applicants is your grades
Original post by Secretnerd123
Honestly, no.
I went to a college which was considered 'below average' but managed to get grades better than some of those who went to top sixth forms. I had really good teachers though
At the end of the day, universities don't give a toss about where you went lol. The only distinction between you and other applicants is your grades
I went to a college which was considered 'below average' but managed to get grades better than some of those who went to top sixth forms. I had really good teachers though
At the end of the day, universities don't give a toss about where you went lol. The only distinction between you and other applicants is your grades
i wouldn't agree, universities care a lot about what type of school you went to for GCSE's and what sixth form for A-levels.
If you go an under-performing sixth form and come out with AAAA it looks much much better than going to Eton and getting AAAA.
the top universities (mainly oxbridge) look heavily into contextual data.
also, some unis give out contextual offers if your sixth form is ****, i got a contextual offer from bristol.
edit: im talking from experience, my grades are **** compared to the average cambridge offer holder but amongst my sixth form im one of the best.
Original post by Vince95
Unless your applying for uni in your hometown they won't know the Sixth form.
EDIT: Sorry, I misinterpreted your use of 'know'
Original post by Kabulkid
the top universities (mainly oxbridge) look heavily into contextual data.
the top universities (mainly oxbridge) look heavily into contextual data.
It's not really heavily. From what I know, contextual data will help you get an interview, but it won't be a factor considered when deciding whether or not to give you an offer.
Original post by potestas
...
Before anything, better grades will ultimately give you a better chance of getting into university, regardless of college. Choose the college that you think will assist you most in fulfilling your potential and getting the best grades possible!
(edited 9 years ago)
Original post by Jooooshy
It's not really heavily. From what I know, contextual data will help you get an interview, but it won't be a factor considered when deciding whether or not to give you an offer.
It's not really heavily. From what I know, contextual data will help you get an interview, but it won't be a factor considered when deciding whether or not to give you an offer.
It will help you get an interview but in cases where they look at UMS, what sixth form you went to is a big deal. For example, if someone averages 93 from a state school would be preferred to someone averaging 93 from a private school, that's logical.
Original post by Kabulkid
It will help you get an interview but in cases where they look at UMS, what sixth form you went to is a big deal. For example, if someone averages 93 from a state school would be preferred to someone averaging 93 from a private school, that's logical.
It can be looked at two ways probably.. Student A from a state school has had to work their ass off for 93. Student B hasn't, but had better teaching. Is it safe to say student A + better teaching > student B + harder work? It would be interesting to see the statistics, namely whether the top achievers are typically from state schools or private schools
Besides, it's just not fair to prefer students from state schools. There would be uproar if it was the other way around. The best student gets in - now that's logical!
Original post by Jooooshy
It can be looked at two ways probably.. Student A from a state school has had to work their ass off for 93. Student B hasn't, but had better teaching. Is it safe to say student A + better teaching > student B + harder work? It would be interesting to see the statistics, namely whether the top achievers are typically from state schools or private schools
Besides, it's just not fair to prefer students from state schools. There would be uproar if it was the other way around. The best student gets in - now that's logical!
Besides, it's just not fair to prefer students from state schools. There would be uproar if it was the other way around. The best student gets in - now that's logical!
Firstly, I went to a state school (a bad one tbh, not horrific but it was bad) so what I say about private schools isn't based on experience, it's just what I think.
If a kid goes to a private school and they know their parents are paying **** loads.. I doubt he'd just sit back and not care, I think private school kids work way harder than state school kids.
Also, it's hard to judge who the best student actually is. I'll be quite honest with you, my GCSE grades and UMS average is poor compared to the average offer holder, my interview didn't go amazing, I felt it was alright but I got an offer, so talking from experience, what school you go to makes a big difference. I don't think I would have got the offer if I went to Eton, then again.... I think if I went to Eton my grades would be so much better, this goes to show that they do take your sixth form seriously (mainly Oxbridge).
Original post by Kabulkid
Firstly, I went to a state school (a bad one tbh, not horrific but it was bad) so what I say about private schools isn't based on experience, it's just what I think.
If a kid goes to a private school and they know their parents are paying **** loads.. I doubt he'd just sit back and not care, I think private school kids work way harder than state school kids.
Also, it's hard to judge who the best student actually is. I'll be quite honest with you, my GCSE grades and UMS average is poor compared to the average offer holder, my interview didn't go amazing, I felt it was alright but I got an offer, so talking from experience, what school you go to makes a big difference. I don't think I would have got the offer if I went to Eton, then again.... I think if I went to Eton my grades would be so much better, this goes to show that they do take your sixth form seriously (mainly Oxbridge).
If a kid goes to a private school and they know their parents are paying **** loads.. I doubt he'd just sit back and not care, I think private school kids work way harder than state school kids.
Also, it's hard to judge who the best student actually is. I'll be quite honest with you, my GCSE grades and UMS average is poor compared to the average offer holder, my interview didn't go amazing, I felt it was alright but I got an offer, so talking from experience, what school you go to makes a big difference. I don't think I would have got the offer if I went to Eton, then again.... I think if I went to Eton my grades would be so much better, this goes to show that they do take your sixth form seriously (mainly Oxbridge).
Most of my friends who go to private schools really don't care that much, because their parents are rich and the money means nothing to them. If a student's parents are killing themselves financially to send their child to a private school, then fair enough, they're probably going to graft.
If what you say is true, then why isn't there more state school students at Oxbridge than private school students?
Congrats on your offer from Cambridge
Original post by Jooooshy
Most of my friends who go to private schools really don't care that much, because their parents are rich and the money means nothing to them. If a student's parents are killing themselves financially to send their child to a private school, then fair enough, they're probably going to graft.
If what you say is true, then why isn't there more state school students at Oxbridge than private school students?
Congrats on your offer from Cambridge
If what you say is true, then why isn't there more state school students at Oxbridge than private school students?
Congrats on your offer from Cambridge
I think there are more state school kids, but only by a margin. I guess its cos state school kids are let down by the education system to the extent that Oxbridge can't look that heavily into contextual data. i.e they won't give someone who got ABBB at AS an offer thinking they if they went to a private school they would have got AAAA with 95+ UMS avg, even though this may be the case for a lot of students.
thanks, i have mixed feelings, i firmed it and insuranced imperial and i have no idea on whether i got the grades for cambridge but i'd rather live in london and study at imperial.. either way both are good institutions i guess.
Yeah, but it can just as equally be flipped around. Two students get AAAA at private schools, but one of them would have still got AAAA at the worse state school in the UK while the other BBBC. This is why I think entrance exams are a great idea
Ah, I'm feeling nostalgic! I firmed Oxford, insured Imperial, and also thought I'd missed my offer! Although my Imperial offer was higher, so if I missed mine I was f**ked. I'm sure you've nailed it. Best of luck!
Ah, I'm feeling nostalgic! I firmed Oxford, insured Imperial, and also thought I'd missed my offer! Although my Imperial offer was higher, so if I missed mine I was f**ked. I'm sure you've nailed it. Best of luck!
Here is my opinion:
I think it does matter. Being surrounded by people who want to achieve similar goals to you will motivate you to do better. I was in the same situation as you : My school has recently been put in special measures by Ofsted. So I applied to a grammar school and I was lucky enough to get a place! The school is inadequate for a reason.....
In my opinion you should aim to go to the better school.
Saying that, everyone is different and if you are self motivated enough to do you work then I would see no problem.The choice is yours :P
I think it does matter. Being surrounded by people who want to achieve similar goals to you will motivate you to do better. I was in the same situation as you : My school has recently been put in special measures by Ofsted. So I applied to a grammar school and I was lucky enough to get a place! The school is inadequate for a reason.....
In my opinion you should aim to go to the better school.
Saying that, everyone is different and if you are self motivated enough to do you work then I would see no problem.The choice is yours :P
I don't know... I mean, honestly, my education background isn't all too perfect. I come from quite a bad primary school and although my secondary school is okay (it's still filled with a lot of troubled kids and a lot of underachievers), my educational background isn't that much to admire.
Nonetheless, I am quite a highly motivated student with most teachers telling me that I'm quite the overachiever. For example, there was a big mess up with coursework and my whole year ended up having coursework worth at a U. I ended up getting an A* -- considering that we redid 2 years worth of work within a couple months. Along with this, most of my grades are at an A (if not a B minimum).
I'm just worried that if I go to the nearer sixth form I would ruin my chances of going to a good university, even though I know I will work extra hard (I'm not really much of a people person so me + parties + socialising in general is ew and I'm spending my summer studying my choices so hmm...)
Nonetheless, I am quite a highly motivated student with most teachers telling me that I'm quite the overachiever. For example, there was a big mess up with coursework and my whole year ended up having coursework worth at a U. I ended up getting an A* -- considering that we redid 2 years worth of work within a couple months. Along with this, most of my grades are at an A (if not a B minimum).
I'm just worried that if I go to the nearer sixth form I would ruin my chances of going to a good university, even though I know I will work extra hard (I'm not really much of a people person so me + parties + socialising in general is ew and I'm spending my summer studying my choices so hmm...)
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