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Attendance at 6th form; do unis look at it?

I've heard that they don't pay much attention to attendance at 6th form/college/whatever, but is it true?

I can't see how the universities would find this out tbh.

Although it depends on your reference - whilst the reference will likely be one showing you in a favourable light, if attendance isn't mentioned at all, the unis will read between the lines and likely realise that your attendance is not so great. However, I doubt it's a major factor for allocation of places though - unless of course you're applying to a very competitive course and it's a tie between offering a place to you and some other student with the same predicted grades as you etc. then the other person might get the place if their attendance is better.

But overall - no, not really a big deal for unis. Your grades and personal statement are of more importance to them. :smile:

Reply 2

CHEM1STRY

Your school would send a reference if you skived too much... it probably wouldn't look too good

Reply 3

i.am.lost

If the school mentions that you take a lot of time off then the unis may be concerned about taking you on. I had a pretty bad attendance in year 12 (~80%) [which has dropped down to ~60% this year incidentally :biggrin:

] so my school didn't mention it in my reference so as not to harm my application. It would be rather bitchy to point out your faults, while your school won't lie for you, they want you to do well so I doubt they'd ever mention it unless they hated you.

Reply 4

Doubledog

If the course is hard to get into it will make a difference if - all other things being equal- other applicants have been turning up for their classes and you haven't.
What did you expect?

Reply 5

Awesome-o

Why on earth would your school tell your prospective university that you haven't been attending class? Don't they want leavers going on to higher education?

Reply 6

Delight :)

I hope they do.. 99% right here :smile:

Reply 7

PsYCho ThInKeR

maybe its just to scare us but when i was applying to uni my sixth form told us that they have to comment on attendance in the reference section.

Reply 8

Doubledog

"Why on earth would your school tell your prospective university that you haven't been attending class?"
It's on the list of things the ucas form asks them to comment on.

Reply 9

kevin_123

Delight :)

I hope they do.. 99% right here :smile:

Well, if you get AAA with 60% attendance that would look pretty damn good.. it's like "Yeah, I'm so smart I only need to turn up for half the lesson and I get straight As.." :p:

Reply 10

Delight :)

kevin_123

Well, if you get AAA with 60% attendance that would look pretty damn good.. it's like "Yeah, I'm so smart I only need to turn up for half the lesson and I get straight As.." :p:

Lool yeah, if only I could get straight A's :frown:

Reply 11

kevin_123

Delight :)

Lool yeah, if only I could get straight A's :frown:

Hehe, what are you getting? And what subjects do oyu take? Just curious :p:

Reply 12

ByronicHero

My attendance was awful. They don't know unless your school decide to tell them.

Reply 13

Delight :)

kevin_123

Hehe, what are you getting? And what subjects do oyu take? Just curious :p:

Lool dunno.. hopefully straight A's.. I take Business Studies, Economics,Government and Politics and History :frown:

wHat about you :smile:

Reply 14

ZJ4GK

I don't think so, I had absolutely shocking attendance last year (40-50%) and I've received 5 offers. The only way it has adversely affected my application is that my grades aren't as good as they could of been.

Reply 15

x_LiNk_x

No, unless it is documented within your reference.

Reply 16

DMed

Nope they won't find out. However, you would have to consider if you have poor attendence (other than for valid reasons) do you really have the work ethic to go to Uni (not been nasty here), as you may be better going out to work for a bit and find out what you really want to do.

At Uni, you can miss the odd lecture (for whatever reason), but after that you fall behind and will struggle when it comes to the exams.