Hi all,
A little late to the party, but have spent the past couple of days catching up with most of this thread (been a bit quiet at work).I was hoping to get some thoughts on my application.
After average GCSE's and relatively poor A-Levels (due to a complete lack of effort on my part). I went on to a BSc Computer Science (with a specialisation in Artificial Intelligence) at university, but due to unfortunate circumstances, I only ended obtaining a 2:ii.
Following this I went travelling, and whilst travelling I had an (admittedly very cliched) epiphany after being hospitalised and coming close to death. This was the prompt I clearly needed to kick my arse into gear.
When I returned home from travelling, I got a job as a network technician in a secondary school, and after 1 year there, I began teaching Computing and Mathematics.
I have been accepted to start my PGCE at the Institute of Education (ranked number 1 for teacher training in the world) in Sept. 2015 and have been awarded the British Computer Society's scholarship for outstanding teaching candidates.
I also started a distance learning LLB Laws (2 year course) a year ago (intending to specialise in medical law), but stopped after my first year as it just wasn't medicine. I averaged an Upper 1st through that year, but have decided it just isn't what I want to be doing. This was also while I was working full time (9-3.30 teaching + several hours marking and planning lessons per day).
So, aside from my educational background, I have an abundance of extra curriculars. My experience is somewhat varied from the usual, but still within a public health/care role. I have worked alongside a private physiotherapist (2 evenings per week and most Saturdays) for several months now as well being a strength and conditioning coach for athletes (from amateurs up to national competitors). I have plenty of experience in public relations roles, and hope to attain some work in care homes/hospices over the summer (prior to starting my PGCE).
Aside from needing to study for the GAMSAT (no easy task, I know), is there any thing else you guys think I could improve on to help supplement my poor educational background.
I appreciate this is a lot of info, so thank you anyone who takes the time to read this entire thing, but for those who didn't, here is the TL;DR summary:
Poor grades in early education.
Have shown a commitment to working hard.
2 years experience teaching technical subjects.
Any input, critical or otherwise is appreciated!
Cheers,
Dave