University Application Question!

heeeed · 31 Aug 2006 at 18:48

In my experience, you don't need any extra-curribulars whatsoever. They're only bothered about academic ability, and the potential to undertake the course.

That very much depends on the course you apply to. some courses wont look at you if you dont have lots of extra-curricular activities and even work experience

DaveyD · 31 Aug 2006 at 18:50

w11tho said:
In my experience, you don't need any extra-curribulars whatsoever. They're only bothered about academic ability, and the potential to undertake the course.

It's always good to give some detail of your extracurricular I think, as at least they can see that you're not a complete nerd that sits at home studying all day and has some sort of social life + social skills already, but I don't think the actual application/statement will really affect it, as as you say, it's more about acedemic ability in this stage of university.

BBBC isn't bad at all really, but I guess it's going to depend upon what you're wanting to do at university, but most places will just give you a conditional offer saying, get AAB or ABB or something, so then you just have to get the grades in the end, and if the department you're applying to interviews, then it's usually best as you get to talk to staff about grades and worries a lot easier.

Nikias · 31 Aug 2006 at 18:56

I was rejected from my Cambridge college (albeit put in the 'Winter Pool') because my AS grades were "too close to the A boundary". :/

I don't know whether that was just my college or course or whatever, but they seemed to take those UMS scores on the CAF pretty seriously.

Raymond Lin · 31 Aug 2006 at 18:57

One of my friends is a tutor at Bristol university, and she gets through hundreds and hundreds of application every year. What stands out is the student's enthusism on the subject and and achievement they have done outside the classroom. You can imagine anyone who applies for that course would have predicted the same kind or better grades than you, so you need to make it stand out. Any traveling experience, other languages, awards, sporting achievements...etc.

j00ni · 31 Aug 2006 at 19:01

w11tho said:
In my experience, you don't need any extra-curribulars whatsoever. They're only bothered about academic ability, and the potential to undertake the course.

What is your experience, because it seems somewhat limited imo. With the exception of a small minority, you aren't going to apply for a course that you don't meet the min academic requirements for. Thus it is everything other than academic achievements and enthusiasm that make you stand out (like Ray_Lin says)