uni advice

RadoX

RadoX

RadoX

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Sheffield
Well on Monday i get some blood test results back that may make me not able to go in the army *this is not a medical thread and I'm not discussing what it is also in before aids and any other stds ;P*

now I'm considering other options uni is my main other option but i have some problems:

1. i got thrown out of school for being a noob

2. no gcse's because of number 1.

but on the other hand i have the following going for me:

1. a few key skills (level 2 i think)

2. 2 level 2 C&G qualifications (maintain test and configure ict networks and customer support)

3. ive passed semester one of CCNA but i left college to join the army when semester 2 came around (i got on CCNA by showing the college that i know what im on about)

4. i have about £15,000 (available in May this year) in a endowment and £3,000 somewhere else.

I'm wanting to go on some kind of computer forensics or security course i already know a lot and i think if i got a interview they would realise I'm qualified for the course.

question is, is there any chance of me being able to even get a interview with my past record ? and if so do you think ill get in ?

Thanks,
Andy.
 
If you've not actually joined the army yet then why would you leave college?

You might want to look into doing a foundation course with your degree because although you've got some vocational knowledge doing a degree is going to be a bit of a jump. Also perhaps look at OU courses - you don't necessarily have to complete the whole degree with the OU - spend the next year doing a couple of computing/technology courses with the OU then use those to gain admittance to a university full time. If you're unemployed then this option might make even more sense as its free!
 
You'll struggle, but it really depends where you apply and how soon you do it. You're best bet is to go in and talk to an advisor without an interview, show some inititive and explaine verything to them, then hopefully they'll give you an interview. The biggest thing to remember is to look at it from their perspective, you have no major qualifications and thus aren't an attractive prospect to them at all, but once you start mentioning CCNA and other qualifications, an experienced IT lecturer will know you've got potential, maybe!
 
Don't take this the wrong way, but I don't think any university will take you until you've shown that you can stick to something. A year / 2 year 'access to higher education' course might be a good idea - or even go back and get GCSEs and A-Levels at a college then use them to get into uni.
 
RadoX said:
i cant see the point of wasting £500 a semester if im gonna be in the army
Click to expand...

well hopefully you can see it now... the 'if' part being particularly relevant in this instance

I'm not sure you wouldn't be better off completing the course and delaying entry to the army anyway (supposing you're allowed in)
perhaps less useful if you're planning on joining the infantry but could be certainly help if royal signals was where you were headed - certainly something worth considering - perhaps ask some of the sigs types on the arrse forums or something.
 
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I'm doing an Access to HE course, including level 2 (GCSE) Maths and English. Best thing I've ever done and sent my application just before Christmas to go Uni.

Go for it!
 
You're gonna need to show you've changed if you want to be accepted into a remotely decent uni. Get some decent GCSE English and Maths results alongside some AS/A-levels.

I was in a very similar situation to you when I left school but thankfully I turned it round.
 
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You will struggle applying as you are now, but do some access to HE courses, get some GCSEs and A levels if possible and go for it.
 
I think basic GCSEs will help you no end whether you go to uni/join the army or not, Science, english and maths are basic requirements of many jobs. You should think very hard about whether you will actually benefit from university, i went to uni because everyone else was, i wanted to get away from home and i thought i wanted to, i was wrong and have lots of debt with nothing to show for it.
 
Don't the Army put a block on you joining the Army for 6 months or something when you fail the drugs test?

Maybe you could wait a bit longer and join up then?...

.... it can't be indefinite surely?
 
Please remember that many universities prey on students who have little other option and are willing to hand over cash. Regardless of what the present government has told you, university is not for everyone - in fact, for many it is nothing more than a massive waste of time and money.

My honest opinion would be to not waste thousands of pounds on some pseudo-education that is unlikely to land you a job in your desired field (i.e. forensics).
 
"andy" said:
just promise the army your drug taking was a one off and you will never do it again

possibly bribe them with your cash too
Click to expand...

why is it about drugs?

AFAIK they take blood to get your blood type its not routinely screened for drugs as that requires a whole bunch of other tests - drugs test usually involve providing a sample of urine (or at least did when I did it).
 
I dont know how old you are, but to become a forensic scientist, you will be expected to have a scientific degree with a minimum 2.2 pass. You will also need extensive lab experience. there is then a long training program.
Computer Forensics is just a small part of the whole, but you will be required to have a minimum graduate degree in computer science and a lot of relevant experience. This work is normally contracted out to firms like mine anyway.

If you are under 20, I would go to a 6thForm college and get a minimum of 5 GCSE's and get a couple of A levels. If you are older there are plenty of access courses to get you into Uni, but they will not get you onto a science or criminal justice degree, without some form of science based A level, normally biology or chemistry.

You could always complete the CCNA or get Microsoft Cert and go into IT. Study part-time and work your way to it that way. Unfortunately the CSI on the TV isnt how it works in this country, most of the work is contracted out to Labs and IT firms.
 
lol just got in from town and read this, major fail on drugs test conspiracies if you must know its for a rare blood clotting disorder that runs in the family
 
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