Gap year to do further maths
I’m aspiring to study Computer Science at unis like Imperial, UCL and Oxbridge , and I’d love some advice on my situation and gap year plan.
I’m currently in Year 12, studying the following A-levels:
Maths – A*
Physics – A*
Computer Science – A (aiming for A*)
Although it isn't all A*s I'm still in year 12 so I reckon I'll achieve 3 A*s in the real exams. I know not opting for further maths was quite a bad decision which I still regret.
And these are the GCSE grades I achieved: 999877753
With the 3 in drama, 5 in English language with 9s in maths science(9-8) and English literature.
I did suffer from some health issues during year 10 which ruined my coursework for drama therefore was doomed to get a bad grade anyway.
These illnesses also persisted in year 11 and during the exams thus why my GCSEs are below the average Oxbrimp applicant.
My idea for a gap year is to self study further maths and get a predicted grade and apply through my current school whilst also doing an internship at my dad's friends company which specialises in AI and also maybe make a small tech start-up to do with AI or something to help with an ongoing issue in the world.
My family and I are new to the British system as my parents studied abroad, and I’m the eldest. If I receive offers from universities like KCL for CS or Queen Mary’s JMC, would it still make sense to take a gap year for a chance at Imperial/Oxbridge?
Would my plan make me a competitive applicant, and is this a sensible approach? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you for your time
Reply 1
Three things I would suggest:
1.
Make sure that these universities would take A levels sat in different years rather than at the same time. Otherwise your FM may not be counted.
2.
Make sure that if you do take a gap year and apply to these that you still do have a decent backup plan, like KCL or QM. There are a huge number of really good quality and respected computer science courses at Universities that are not so oversubscribed, especially ones outside of London.
3.
If you can, visit as many as you can on open days and get a feel for the place. Prestige is only one small factor to consider and it must be a course that feels right for you in a city you feel at home in. For computer science it absolutely must provide you with work experience opportunities as your CV experience will be more important than where you did the degree, when you apply for jobs.
My only advice would be to be wary about applying for too many mega-competitive Unis.
These sort of Unis reject thousands of CS applicants evert year despite them meeting or exceeding the entry requirements. Two plus Oxbridge is probably worth the risk, but make sure that your other choices are far les competitive.- for example, not Warwick and Bath.
Three things I would suggest:
1.
Make sure that these universities would take A levels sat in different years rather than at the same time. Otherwise your FM may not be counted.
2.
Make sure that if you do take a gap year and apply to these that you still do have a decent backup plan, like KCL or QM. There are a huge number of really good quality and respected computer science courses at Universities that are not so oversubscribed, especially ones outside of London.
3.
If you can, visit as many as you can on open days and get a feel for the place. Prestige is only one small factor to consider and it must be a course that feels right for you in a city you feel at home in. For computer science it absolutely must provide you with work experience opportunities as your CV experience will be more important than where you did the degree, when you apply for jobs.
Hello there, thank you for replying
I've checked the unis I've mentioned and they all either condone or encourage gap year provided I engage with activities and events which will better prepare me for the chosen course i.e work experience and further maths.
I'm also planning to apply to JMC queen mary and surrey as backups as well as Cambridge, imperial and UCL.
Thank you for the advice, I'll defininitely take a look at open days and similar events.
Thanks so much for the advice!
My only advice would be to be wary about applying for too many mega-competitive Unis.
These sort of Unis reject thousands of CS applicants evert year despite them meeting or exceeding the entry requirements. Two plus Oxbridge is probably worth the risk, but make sure that your other choices are far les competitive.- for example, not Warwick and Bath.
Yeah my other 2 will be AAA or less probably queen mary and surrey
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