Gutted - Missing out on a 2:1 by 0.23%

BlackCoat2k10 · 24 Jun 2011 at 19:52

Missing out on getting a 2:1 on my Software engineering course by 0.23%. What a kick in the teeth. I have had a rough year with various issues.

But I have attempted to strive through it all as best as I could. However I bummed out on my exams and as such it has totally destroyed what could have been a 1st class mark.

I have appealed against the mark but will not hear anything for atleast 10 days, that 0.23% has so much weight behind it to determine the next few years of my life. Its shook me quite a bit.

Has any one else had similar experiences? and if so what did they do in order to get them selves up and back at the top career wise?

matt1 · 24 Jun 2011 at 19:57

Hopefully you will get a viva and they'll amend your degree classification.

I failed 2 exams in my first year and had to spend the summer revising for resits. It was very tough knowing your friends are enjoying the summer but things don't always go smoothly in life. Since then I studied harder for my exams and have not failed anything.

You have had a rough time but it's important to remain positive and try your best in the things you do.

FosterK · 24 Jun 2011 at 20:05

It may sound like a bit of a cop-out, but you should definitely speak to your department/course co-ordinator about the issues you've been having. That way, they may take it to review. I know they do that here in Lancaster, can't speak for your uni, but I'd imagine there'll be some kind of support in place for situations like yours.

All the best mate, hope you get it sorted.

House · 24 Jun 2011 at 20:11

Getting a 2:2 instead of a 2:1 is not a disaster. Once your a few years into your career it won't matter at all.

But as people have said see what happens sounds like your doing everything right.

Sin_Chase · 24 Jun 2011 at 20:17

As much as I sympathise with your problems you were 0.23% off the mark and that's that really.

BlackCoat2k10 · 24 Jun 2011 at 20:21

House said:
Getting a 2:2 instead of a 2:1 is not a disaster. Once your a few years into your career it won't matter at all.

But as people have said see what happens sounds like your doing everything right.

I completely agree with this, a few years of experience masks over any qualifications at degree level, they would just take note of any training I have had since.

I also agree I just didn't hit the mark by such a minor percentage, it is my fault in the end. I just have a very nice job lined up and they require a 2:1, without that mark I have to start looking all over again and will consider other sectors and maybe some part time courses to boost my chances a bit.

IceBus · 24 Jun 2011 at 20:23

Did you really miss out by 0.23% or did you miss the cut-off to get rounded up by 0.23%?

aproctor · 24 Jun 2011 at 20:25

BlackCoat2k10 said:
I completely agree with this, a few years of experience masks over any qualifications at degree level, they would just take note of any training I have had since.

I also agree I just didn't hit the mark by such a minor percentage, it is my fault in the end. I just have a very nice job lined up and they require a 2:1, without that mark I have to start looking all over again and will consider other sectors and maybe some part time courses to boost my chances a bit.

They will let you in when you show them your score.

Xelene · 24 Jun 2011 at 20:26

House said:
Getting a 2:2 instead of a 2:1 is not a disaster. Once your a few years into your career it won't matter at all.

But as people have said see what happens sounds like your doing everything right.

People don't care too much that I got a third, have enough solid experience for it not to matter. They ask why, and just say was too busy working full time job to study much.

nydryl · 24 Jun 2011 at 20:28

If you literally got 59.77% (or 0.23% off the exact mark required for a 2:1) then you should speak to your advisor or year head about the possibility of an appeal. If you had a viva this year that was of a 2:1 standard that should help to make the appeal a success. It's too late to mention the mitigating circumstances. However true they may be you really need to notify the relevant people before you sit the exams.

House · 24 Jun 2011 at 20:28

BlackCoat2k10 said:
I completely agree with this, a few years of experience masks over any qualifications at degree level, they would just take note of any training I have had since.

I also agree I just didn't hit the mark by such a minor percentage, it is my fault in the end. I just have a very nice job lined up and they require a 2:1, without that mark I have to start looking all over again and will consider other sectors and maybe some part time courses to boost my chances a bit.

Talk to them, assuming you don't get some HR drone and you get the person who is actually your line manager to be they maybe understanding and still give you a chance. But obviously wait to see what the uni says first, no need to rock the boat if you don't have to.

That and being "the guy who has a good excuse" is not a good way to star a career no matter how justified and genuine it is.

Pestilence · 24 Jun 2011 at 20:55

I missed a 2:1 in my degree by 1%. Literally, 1% more overall and that was it. Our results were published a week before graduation so didn't appeal it so as not to cause any hassle there. In hindsight I probably should have.

Skeeter · 24 Jun 2011 at 21:36

I got 68.something % in my degree, and my Uni ran a 3% round up thin if you fit certain critera. I didn't it any of it so missed out on a 1st by just over 1%. It annoyed me that someone could have got 57% and been rounded up to a 2:1 and have got the same grade as me when I had nearly 12% more marks.

But hey ho, its over now, and it hasn't affected my career so far. I do however make a point of putting the 68% on my CV.

Gideon Lorr · 24 Jun 2011 at 21:44

You really should have spoken to your department some time ago if you were having so many issues, thats what they are there for!

Dark Sun · 24 Jun 2011 at 21:48

If you didn't get the grade you wanted don't dwell on it but its worth speaking to your tutor about it. My friend got a third and has done very well for himself. Like someone else said, once you have a few years of experience it doesn't really matter. Just make sure when you have interviews you are positive in your attitude and you'll be fine. My boss said I was hired because he thought he could simply get on with me on a daily basis. Qualifications are only one tick in the box so to speak.

Dabbles · 24 Jun 2011 at 21:48

Why does everyone bleat on about 'missing out' on a degree level by tiny margins, when they knew the criteria to get the grade they would like before they took any exams?

The boundaries are there for a reason.

IceBus · 24 Jun 2011 at 21:50

Dabbles said:
Why does everyone bleat on about 'missing out' on a degree level by tiny margins, when they knew the criteria to get the grade they would like before they took any exams?

The boundaries are there for a reason.

This. If you want a 2:1, or a First - set yourself targets, work hard and get it. I got what I wanted by a clear 4%.

Tripnologist · 24 Jun 2011 at 22:06

ignore

Scrutinize · 24 Jun 2011 at 22:22

I wouldn't want to be job hunting in the current market as a grad without a 2:1 as a lot of grad recruitment programmes are filtering very aggressively. You may want to consider a masters.

Ultimately though, your grade is not the key to success, it just open doors. Success is down to self motivation & self belief, determination, tenacity, taking the right risks/opportunities and hard work. Plenty of people do well without a degree, there are people I know who have a degree but are nothing short of a ‘waste of space’.

Vonhelmet · 24 Jun 2011 at 22:24

mrk1@1 said:
I wouldn't want to be job hunting in the current market as a grad without a 2:1 as a lot of grad recruitment programmes are filtering very aggressively.

Indeed. It's all well and good when there's a lot of hiring going on and you can actually get a word in edgeways with HR, but at the moment there's loads of applications and very few jobs, so they'll be sifting very aggressively based on qualifications.