I'm an Imperial College Physics student! Feel free to ask me questions!

Hey Gavin, I'm hoping to apply for mech engineering where the requirements are A*A*A, what do you think my chances are? I'm retaking C3 to get an A* and also the physics coursework, what should I do about my M1 also?
I'm taking the whole A level further maths next year (which gives me an edge). I have read a lot of books relating to engines, engineering etc... and I'm getting some work experience also in engineering in september.I'm also planning on taking the physics A2 olympiad. My teachers in my school really like me and will predict me A*A*A or A*A*A*(I'm dropping economics) and will give me a good referee letter, realistically speaking, what do you think are my chances of getting an offer? Thanks for helping the community, and what else could I do to boost my chances?

What interests you about studying physics as a subject?


Posted from TSR Mobile

Yeah,there is a lot of maths in it, though most of it is stuff like differential equations,mechanics (etc) which I try to get familiar with on the spot and apply them. But most of the physics is just mechanics (duh ) so i think I'll enjoy that a lot!

Okay, can I just do further maths to AS then? Plus, from your experiences from A level, the requirement to take further maths in year 13, do I just have to generally get an A in AS maths?
Btw, there isn't a requirement for further maths:


"We require A*AAA or A*A*A in Mathematics, Physics and further relevant A-levels, one of which must be from Further Mathematics, Chemistry, Design and Technology, Biology, Electronics, Computing or Economics."

And all of my subjects are all in that description.

Thanks

Do you mean get an A in AS further maths? Well if you did, it would greatly help in your application. Since most of first year physics is just further maths, getting an A would show you are intellectually capable of getting through first year mathematics.

At my physics interview, I was also questioned about my mechanics, but I had done it a year early which seemed to help me get away with it. If you can show you've improved your mechanics since your exam somehow, that would help immensely. I would expect mechanics questions in your interview. So just practice it a lot. I would even look at STEP I mechanics questions. Expect to be questioned on everything at the interview. You might get lucky and won't be asked small details but you might. So if you're retaking anything, be ready to answer why. Your mathematics seems to be good but an A* would have been very beneficial at this stage. However you can explain in the interview that you are doing all of your further maths modules next year giving you a chance to get two A*s regardless of resitting C3 (as you get A*s in pure mathematics and additional further mathematics still ). They will ask you why you under performed in economics.

To boost your chances, I would look at ways to show improvement academically over summer (maybe attending or watching lectures) or do some engineering 'experience' day/week or something.

Tbh - I'm not too sure. I think asking an Imperial Mechenger might be of more use.

Sorry.

Good luck though

Hmmm.... I would email the admissions office and ask. I would think so but double check. It helps that you're doing FM also - they might ask for an A* in that instead.

Hey Gavin, thanks for the reply! What if I take extra mechanics module, such as M3 M4 and M5, it would count as a 4th subject,
Would it be worth it and give me a big advantage at getting an offer or not?

If you didn't do Further Maths at A-level expect that you'll have to work harder than some of the UK students that have done further maths. But you are at no 'disadvantage' as such. A large percentage (if not the majority) of students aren't actually from the UK and in their education system are unlikely to have done Further maths also. So they will also be learning this stuff for the first time. The lecture courses assume no further maths knowledge and they teach you everything you need to know. For those that have done further maths before though, they may find some of the content simply revision rather than learning it new for the first time. The point of first year is to bring everyone up to the same level so that everyone is on equal footing for second year.


Hope to see you in the corridors of Blackett next year!!! You might even be my kid next year (I'm not a creep - Look up the Mums and Dads scheme at Imperial :P)

Hi Gavin, my college denied me the chance to do A-Level Physics because they said I wouldn't be able to cope with it. I was thinking of self teaching my self the course and taking the exams. I'd love to get your opinion on that. Thanks x

That would definitely be great!!! Look up on how you're going to do the practical assessments. If you do OCR I might be able to help you out a bit.

If you self-study physics and can prove yourself mathematically, with the addition of reading around physics, you might even stand a better chance in the interview compared to other students! But lemme think about it. I'll get back to you

Do you guys do joint projects with other departments?

Hi

This might be a difficult question to answer.

I get the feeling with London universities that quite a high percentage of students commute from parents' houses. What percentage of students on your course would you estimate live at home? And if it is highish, does it affect the social aspect?

Thanks.