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Why have I been rejected without an interview?

I am a mature student on an Access course and Sheffield Hallam rejected me from my Sports Science application.

:mad:

It is very misleading for a mature student to apply, but then not even get an interview. I know I may not be what you'd call a "standard applicant", but why even encourage me to apply if you are not going to check me out at interview? :rolleyes:

Reply 1

jaroxski

1

Maybe they filled their places already, your Access course did not have enough credits, you didn't have a strong reference, you didn't have a decent/strong personal statement. Or they just don't like Access course students trying to take the short cut and will make up an excuse if you ask for a reason.

I was also encouraged to apply just to get rejected. You don't have AAA so everyone will just say you don't deserve this course. The more you think about your rejection the more bitter you'll become, like me.

Reply 2

kellywood_5

17

jaroxski

Maybe they filled their places already, your Access course did not have enough credits, you didn't have a strong reference, you didn't have a decent/strong personal statement. Or they just don't like Access course students trying to take the short cut and will make up an excuse if you ask for a reason.

Just because you're a mature student on an Access course, that doesn't mean they have to interview you- they can still reject you straight away if they want.

Reply 3

munkyboy1980

I applied to manchester uni to do aerospace engineering and had the same response... Their website/prospectus both say that they accept access courses, then 3 people on my course were rejected with no interview. I emailed them and they replied saying that they dont think an access course is of a high enough standard to compete with A level students, which is rubbish...
Half my class have A-level maths and say that although we do a couple of modules less than the A-level, the stuff we do goes into greater detail.. So if they dont accept it why say that they do under their entry requirments???? :s-smilie:

I also applied to liverpool uni for the same course and they have close ties with the college im at and know that the access course we do is of a high enough level...
Its not the same as normal students when mature students get rejected.. most of us have a specific course in mind and due to family and work commitments we cant apply to 6 unis and move away, so really if we get rejected from that uni we're pretty much stuffed...
Another pain in the neck is that ive been told from several people that applying to the same uni for different courses could result in some admissions tutors getting bouts of elitism and rejecting you for applying to a different course instead of just theirs...

Reply 4

Isambard Kingdom Brunel

OP

19

I am not bitter, because I have been made offers from everywhere else.

But whether you like it or not, on certain non-academic subjects (and even things like Psychology, History etc.) mature students are encouraged to apply and most prospectuses say they will "usually" interview all mature applicants.

Oh well, I don't mind. Brunel is ranked #4 in the UK for Sports Science and I didn't have any problems getting an offer there. I guess it must just mean my personal statement was crap according to Sheffield Hallam. :wink:

Reply 5

ChemistBoy

16

Andy Pipkin

I am not bitter, because I have been made offers from everywhere else.

But whether you like it or not, on certain non-academic subjects (and even things like Psychology, History etc.) mature students are encouraged to apply and most prospectuses say they will "usually" interview all mature applicants.

Oh well, I don't mind. Brunel is ranked #4 in the UK for Sports Science and I didn't have any problems getting an offer there. I guess it must just mean my personal statement was crap according to Sheffield Hallam. :wink:

Usually doesn't mean definately. Believe it or not, each university do have slightly different views on what candidates they think are best for their courses. That's the way it goes.

Reply 6

Isambard Kingdom Brunel

OP

19

munkyboy1980

I applied to manchester uni to do aerospace engineering and had the same response... Their website/prospectus both say that they accept access courses, then 3 people on my course were rejected with no interview. I emailed them and they replied saying that they dont think an access course is of a high enough standard to compete with A level students, which is rubbish...
Half my class have A-level maths and say that although we do a couple of modules less than the A-level, the stuff we do goes into greater detail.. So if they dont accept it why say that they do under their entry requirments???? :s-smilie:

I also applied to liverpool uni for the same course and they have close ties with the college im at and know that the access course we do is of a high enough level...

I know how you feel. I do think that some Access courses are lower in standard than A-Levels, and I do feel that 18 y/o deserve the priority because this is their FIRST chance at education, but really if you can complete an Access course to a high standard then of course you are capable of competing at university.

And if admissions tutors cannot realise that then they shouldn't be in education themselves.

Reply 7

carlycaz

I'm on an Access course myself, and we were told before we applied that some Universities would have different policies for Access Students / Mature Students. They are just not aware of the hard work and effort that is put into successfully passing an Access course!

The course i am completing is hard work, and for us anyway we have to get the majority of the course credits at level 3 which is A Level equivalent, so i wouldnt say that we are achieving less than an A Level student.

I can see your point though, it does sometimes seem a little unfair, afterall the Access qualification was introduced to enable mature students to gain a place at an FE establishment!

Reply 8

kellywood_5

17

munkyboy1980

Another pain in the neck is that ive been told from several people that applying to the same uni for different courses could result in some admissions tutors getting bouts of elitism and rejecting you for applying to a different course instead of just theirs...

It's nothing to do with elitism, it's do with you not being committed to any one course.

Reply 9

maucej

Accepting a certain qualification isn't the same as accepting all applicants offering that qualification.

It's probably something on your personal statement or something - rejection doesn't necessarily mean the Uni doesn't see you as a good student, it might just mean that you're not quite suited to their particular course.

Reply 10

munkyboy1980

kellywood_5

It's nothing to do with elitism, it's do with you not being committed to any one course.

But because as a mature students generally can't move away and might have only a single uni to appy to, it would make sense to therefore apply to other courses as a backup. But to have some admissions tutor then reject you on the basis that you have applied for another course is pathetic... I only want to do the one course anyway so if im rejected then im screwed lol

Reply 11

kellywood_5

17

munkyboy1980

But because as a mature students generally can't move away and might have only a single uni to appy to, it would make sense to therefore apply to other courses as a backup. But to have some admissions tutor then reject you on the basis that you have applied for another course is pathetic... I only want to do the one course anyway so if im rejected then im screwed lol

I see what you're saying, but from an admissions tutor's point of view, if they have an applicant who has applied for 6 different courses and another who has only applied for one (and is therefore likely to have a much stronger personal statement) you can see why they'd choose the latter.

Reply 12

g2da3

11

i see what your saying
cant you call in or send them an email or somethink along them lines ?

Why have I been rejected without an interview?

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