Univeristy Problem , Any help much appreciated

nyzrox

nyzrox

nyzrox

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Joined
16 Aug 2005
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631
Location
Nottingham
Basically Ive applied to Nottingham Trent University for a Business Course as this univeristy is literally a tram ride away from where i live and will save me thousands being able to live at home.

I have since been rejected due to the fact i don't meet the 5 A-C GCSE's. ok fair enough... BUT i do have 4 GCSE's including the 3 main ones Maths , English and Science. and Also a GNVQ in ICT which my school makes you do as they say its the equivalent to 3-4 GCSE's. I also have a D in PE at GCSE. I will also have the Alevel Grades of ACC which includes Business and Economics which is above there CCC requirements. In my personal Statement i stated i run my own business so i have practical knowledge of business.

So my question is .. is there any way you can appeal there decision? I will do any business or economics course. and if there is how do i go about doing it?

just incase the above doesn't make sence i will sum it up :

Need = 5 A-C's GCSE
I have = 4 A-C's , 1 D , GNVQ ICT ( which i was forced to do by my school and told this would count for 3-4 GCSE's)

Need = CCC ( 240 ucas )
I have = ACC ( 280 ucas )

i also have my own successful business , took part in young enterprise and shares for school.
 
what year are you looking to start? Is it possible for you to do a fast track GCSE or short course at school. In all honesty the best thing to do is speak to both the university and your UCAS adviser at school as they'll have a better idea than anyone on a computer forum :)
 
Email the admissions tutor directly. You have extra curricular activities that usually counts. If all else fails, you could also try emailing the admissions tutor of Nottingham Uni. I know your GCSEs are lacking, but you never know... having a successful business and ACC is reasonable enough. There are some people on my course who didn't get ACC but got accepted.

I was in the Hallward library on campus the other day and saw a lad looking at a GCSE chemistry paper, so he may have doing that. I wonder if any uni's will allow you to apply on the condition you do some GCSEs ?? I don't know if any do and he may well have just opened the wrong paper or something.
 
Have you mentioned that you have your own business and stuff in your personal statement? They tend to look more favourably upon you if you have a real good personal statement that shows you can be independent and keen to learn, than a sheet that says you have all A* grades. I met all the requirements at my current uni but during my interview they were concerned I only got a C in GCSE maths when they wanted a B or higher. Fortunately i made a good enough impression at the interview with my personal statement and they offered me a place!

Although i knew some people who resat the GCSE maths exam in their A-levels so that they could get a better grade. Could try that and let the university know? If not just apply to other Universities.
 
try the admissions tutor, if it's a no go find out how many people they let onto the course through clearing last year my money says it will be quite a few and that they'll drop the GCSE requirments for someone with decent 'A' levels. Clearing would be a gamble but maybe worth it, on a side note you GCSE's are pretty poor for some who is getting Acc at 'A' Level did it never occur to you to resit or take a few more while doing you 'A' Levels?
 
PurpleDinosaur said:
Maybe they have better applicants? It isn't usually a case of "get the requirements and you get a place."
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That's exactly what it is a case of these days. In fact most universities will bend over backwards to get you in - they get more money from the government that way.

Just appeal the decision by contacting the admissions tutor directly.
 
Normally if you show an interest and butter the admisions tutor in they can normally use their powers to sway decisions. This happened to a friend of mine, he's a mature student and basicly messed up all his a levels then went to work. Now late 20's he decided to go back to uni. He managed to persaude the tutor despite his lack of A Levels and experiance. Just gotta come across as being positive and have the right attitude
 
I didn't quite get the 3 C's needed to get into Notts Trent when I applied. I ended up with a B and 2 D's (at A-Level). But I wrang up the admissions line straight away, and the first thing I said was "Please let me have a place" in my sweetest voice, and the lovely lady on the end of the phone let me in. I did have a conditional offer to begin with though, so I guess my place was already reserved and seeing as I only just missed the grades I presume they took pity on me.
My advice is to ring up and state your case as nicely as you can. Also, when you get in, join the canoe club as they are a great bunch of fun people and go on regular trips around the country!
 
Some possible good news :)

The administrator at Trent university said sorry we can not make exceptions. And that i need a GNVQ Merit for it to equal a grade C GCSE. But she is wrong :

GRADE Equivalent GCSE
Distinction A + A
Merit B + B
Pass C + C

the above is only for half Intermidiate GNVQ's and i have a full which says :

'NB. Full GNVQ Intermediate and Foundation courses are worth exactly double the above stated points.'

It would seem she has got it confused with the equivilent to A Levels :

Grade Equivalent A Level
Distinction A + B
Merit C + C
Pass D + E


And i have more then enough Alevels so according to this my GNVQ is worth 4 GCSE's Level C's but i only need the 1 to meet there 5 A-C's requirement. It would also make sence that Bradford would accept me when they want higher requirements then Trent.

ive emailed her this but got a auto reply saying shes not back until january 14th
 
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They've rejected you, you can keep trying and pointing out their errors if you like, but the end of the day its up to them if they want you or not.

It might be best to wait till clearing.
 
Hate said:
They've rejected you, you can keep trying and pointing out their errors if you like, but the end of the day its up to them if they want you or not.

It might be best to wait till clearing.
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yes but the reason they have rejected me is because she has made a mistake. Why else would they not want me? when i have above all the requirements. The only reason she says was my GCSE's which are infact well above there requirements she has simply made a mistake. and i have been polite in my email just pointing this out.
 
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Meh, do as I said, email one of the admissions tutors at my Uni, doubt they'll make that mistake ;). It'll cost you no more to come here than it will there.
 
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