The Student Room Group

Does a gap boost chances at Undergraduate?

7766665554 at GCSE (My school is below average for GCSEs)

Predicted A*A*A in Maths, Further Maths and Computer Science respectively.

If I do a gap year and get A*A*A* in my A-Levels will they ignore my GCSEs?

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Reply 1
Original post by IntegralTrader
7766665554 at GCSE (My school is below average for GCSEs)
Predicted A*A*A in Maths, Further Maths and Computer Science respectively.
If I do a gap year and get A*A*A* in my A-Levels will they ignore my GCSEs?

A gap year will have no impact on your entry. I would actively encourage taking a gap year. It gives you a chance to experience the real world outside education and find out about who you really are.
Original post by hotpud
A gap year will have no impact on your entry. I would actively encourage taking a gap year. It gives you a chance to experience the real world outside education and find out about who you really are.


Yeah lucky for me my parents don't mind me doing a gap year. It puts less pressure on getting university offers
Reply 3
Original post by IntegralTrader
Yeah lucky for me my parents don't mind me doing a gap year. It puts less pressure on getting university offers

Maybe. University isn't the be all and end all and frankly if you are only going because that is what you do, on a life long scale you will find it pretty pointless. Much better work out what the goal is and if that involves uni then go for it. Otherwise hold off and wait. You only have one funded shot at uni. Don't waste it.
Original post by hotpud
Maybe. University isn't the be all and end all and frankly if you are only going because that is what you do, on a life long scale you will find it pretty pointless. Much better work out what the goal is and if that involves uni then go for it. Otherwise hold off and wait. You only have one funded shot at uni. Don't waste it.


I personally would work for myself, I am only getting degree as it shows credibility.
Original post by hotpud
A gap year will have no impact on your entry. I would actively encourage taking a gap year. It gives you a chance to experience the real world outside education and find out about who you really are.

It depends on the subject. Some universities for some subjects specifically encourage or discourage gap years. For Maths, for example, some places discourage them unless you can specifically show that you've kept up your Maths during your gap year, e.g. with tutoring, learning more Maths, etc. ; whereas for Engineering, some places actively encourage gap years if you can get relevant work experience etc. during that time.
Original post by melancollege
It depends on the subject. Some universities for some subjects specifically encourage or discourage gap years. For Maths, for example, some places discourage them unless you can specifically show that you've kept up your Maths during your gap year, e.g. with tutoring, learning more Maths, etc. ; whereas for Engineering, some places actively encourage gap years if you can get relevant work experience etc. during that time.


I was planning on doing a maths degree, so if I don't get offers this year should I just do tutoring in my gap year?
Original post by IntegralTrader
I was planning on doing a maths degree, so if I don't get offers this year should I just do tutoring in my gap year?

Not necessarily tutoring, that was just an example, though that could be helpful. The main thing that they are concerned about is that your potentially going rusty over the gap year.

I did extra further maths modules, STEP and tutoring in my gap year, all of which seemed to help.
Original post by melancollege
Not necessarily tutoring, that was just an example, though that could be helpful. The main thing that they are concerned about is that your potentially going rusty over the gap year.
I did extra further maths modules, STEP and tutoring in my gap year, all of which seemed to help.


Thanks
Reply 9
Original post by hotpud
A gap year will have no impact on your entry. I would actively encourage taking a gap year. It gives you a chance to experience the real world outside education and find out about who you really are.

Agreed!
Original post by IntegralTrader
7766665554 at GCSE (My school is below average for GCSEs)
Predicted A*A*A in Maths, Further Maths and Computer Science respectively.
If I do a gap year and get A*A*A* in my A-Levels will they ignore my GCSEs?

Which year are you in? Predictions are only given in Year 13 - before that they are targets and these are very inflated and unbelievable given your GCSEs
(edited 1 month ago)
Original post by Muttley79
Which year are you in? Predictions are only given in Year 13 - before that they are targets and these are very inflated and unbelievable given your GCSEs


I'm going into year 13. I achieved A*A*A in my year 12 mocks
Going back to the original question, if it’s a course that scores your GCSE profile then they’ll still do so after a gap year.

But as above, you can always use your gap to do relevant super curriculars, so it can be a bit of a boost.
Original post by IntegralTrader
I'm going into year 13. I achieved A*A*A in my year 12 mocks

Predictions should be based on more tha one test. If you are still at the same underperforming school they will be unbelievable ...

Gap years for Maths aren't advised

[So were you truthful about being 16 on your other thread if you are going into Year 13?]
Original post by Muttley79
Predictions should be based on more tha one test. If you are still at the same underperforming school they will be unbelievable ...
Gap years for Maths aren't advised
[So were you truthful about being 16 on your other thread if you are going into Year 13?]


I 'made' (past tense) that money at 16
Original post by IntegralTrader
I 'made' (past tense) that money at 16

And the other points?
Original post by Muttley79
And the other points?


You seem very adamant to proving me wrong 😂
If you dont believe me it's fine
Reply 17
Original post by IntegralTrader
I personally would work for myself, I am only getting degree as it shows credibility.

If you are working for yourself, who are you showing credibility for? Many very talented entrepreneurs like Alan Sugar and Richard Branson wear the fact they didn't go to university but still made a success of themselves as a badge of honour. If anything going to university simply for pride is ridiculous given the cost. Go to university for one of two reasons:

1.

You want to learn a subject because you are passionate about it and want to learn

2.

It is required to achieve some greater aim

Good luck!
Reply 18
Original post by melancollege
It depends on the subject. Some universities for some subjects specifically encourage or discourage gap years. For Maths, for example, some places discourage them unless you can specifically show that you've kept up your Maths during your gap year, e.g. with tutoring, learning more Maths, etc. ; whereas for Engineering, some places actively encourage gap years if you can get relevant work experience etc. during that time.

Ah right. So that isn't about you. It is about them and the fact they only really care about students who are going to maintain the reputation of the university. Do you really want to study somewhere that cares more about its own image than the learning of the students who come through the door?
Original post by hotpud
Ah right. So that isn't about you. It is about them and the fact they only really care about students who are going to maintain the reputation of the university. Do you really want to study somewhere that cares more about its own image than the learning of the students who come through the door?


I am passionate about the subject, I just think that if I get a degree at a top uni and I'm an entrepreneur then I've got all the infinity stones 😂

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