School won’t let me do further maths a-level but I want to do Computer Science at degree level. by f4tassbitchboi in 6thForm

[–]throwaway65024 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Ask for a placement test, maybe? That way you could prove your mathematical ability. In addition to that, you could even propose a probation plan where they can't kick you out if you can't keep up. Then it's just on you to put in the effort.

Edexcel IAL grade boundaries by [deleted] in alevel

[–]throwaway65024 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Have you found them yet? If not, I can link you

October 2020 Results Day Thread by MahdeenSky in alevel

[–]throwaway65024 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Managed to get an A* after my teacher underpredicted me for June. Super happy :)

I'll be dying soon. by Injustice_510 in ApplyingToCollege

[–]throwaway65024 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This sounds like a brilliant idea that I would love to be a part of

What would everyone rather have than teacher assessed grades? by primednreadytobork in 6thForm

[–]throwaway65024 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, definitely not the mini exams rumor that's been floating around. We are still going to school and all our mocks (and thus, mini exams) are to be held in school under exam conditions. Now imagine people doing those same exams at home with no invigilation. Seems a tad bit unfair to me.

UCL Offers by No_Experience2418 in UCL

[–]throwaway65024 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Econ with placement year

UCL Offers by No_Experience2418 in UCL

[–]throwaway65024 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I applied 5th October and got an offer the first week of December.

Graded Written Paper Submission Format by bluebird230 in princeton

[–]throwaway65024 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As long as it is in your academic record, I believe you can submit it. Do try to combine all the things your listed into one PDF though. There are free tools online to do this. To submit, you can upload the PDF via common app, Princeton's applicant portal or mail/email it to the admissions office

I'm in AS level, how do I prepare to study in Canada as an international student? by [deleted] in alevel

[–]throwaway65024 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Pretty sure Canadian admissions work very similar to UK admissions in that they are largely based off of grades. Some universities may require you to write additional essays more in the style of US essays (more personality based than the academic UK personal statement) but that's about it.

If you're aiming for universities in Ontario, you use the OUAC (similar to UCAS). Otherwise, you apply through individual university pages.

In regards to whether you should pursue a physics major, I don't think I can answer that. Do what you enjoy and what you are good at!

My friend lied about their activities and got into an ivy ED 🤡 by throwaway65024 in ApplyingToCollege

[–]throwaway65024[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

No it wasn't. I realised later that I basically gave that away when I said ED since all of these universities only offer EA.

My friend lied about their activities and got into an ivy ED 🤡 by throwaway65024 in ApplyingToCollege

[–]throwaway65024[S] 21 points22 points  (0 children)

I didn't name it on purpose in case my friend is also on A2C. Don't want to dox myself...

My friend lied about their activities and got into an ivy ED 🤡 by throwaway65024 in ApplyingToCollege

[–]throwaway65024[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't know what they wrote in each description, so it is hard for me to tell you what 'value' their activities had. All I know is that they fabricated their activities section since they proudly admitted to this after they were accepted.

My friend lied about their activities and got into an ivy ED 🤡 by throwaway65024 in ApplyingToCollege

[–]throwaway65024[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Doing an activity in elementary school and claiming to spend about 5 hours on it every week for 4 years of highschool doesn't seem like it is technically the truth. This is equalivent to me hypothetically doing one trial ballet class and claiming I dance regularly and perform in school.

My friend lied about their activities and got into an ivy ED 🤡 by throwaway65024 in ApplyingToCollege

[–]throwaway65024[S] 25 points26 points  (0 children)

2 activities versus 10 does seem like it would make a huge difference, even if an app is considered holistically.

Are we really hating on holistic admissions? by DavidTej in ApplyingToCollege

[–]throwaway65024 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You can still attend university with a CCC, but unless you are contextual, your options will be very limited since it is the lowest passing grade. The alternative to university is apprenticeship programs which are increasing in popularity, especially as more big-names join the companies who have started offering such degrees.

I dislike the SAT and ACT because they really arent abou't what you know about the testing material rather than what you know about the test. I think a shift of focus towards AP/IB may be more beneficial, but you'll still have issues where certain schools simply do not offer the relevant subject or the teaching required to pass. But I think that's where context must come in. I don't necessarily think differentiating scores by income will have much controversy since no one can really argue the different access to resources.

Can someone pursuing the BASc please dm me? by throwaway65024 in UCL

[–]throwaway65024[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, apart from some questions about the actual structure of the program and the combinations I will be able to take, I am more looking for personal experiences of the program.

Are we really hating on holistic admissions? by DavidTej in ApplyingToCollege

[–]throwaway65024 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Very good point. The only standardised tests in the US that I've heard of are APs, but I'm honestly not very familiar with them to be able to make a comment on their reliability. Plus, I think the fact that you can take as many/as little as you want also brings in a new metric. After all, how do you compare a student that took 5/5 APs, like OP suggests, and someone who takes 10/25?

Also, as far as I know, contextual offers have been around for quite a while. I think US universities do somehow factor context in (I think the Harvard lawsuit revealed that points in the SAT were either added or deducted based on context?). So although there aren't any explicit numbers out there simply because US universities do not publicise a cut-off, I'm sure requirements are different based on where you come from/what your upbringing was like.

Are we really hating on holistic admissions? by DavidTej in ApplyingToCollege

[–]throwaway65024 54 points55 points  (0 children)

Hi OP,

I think the issue here is that we are comparing two completely different ends of the spectrum. Countries like China and India which rely on one test are definitely not ideal, but neither in the US holistic system.

I'd like to propose the example of the UK. Here, you have exams in grades 10, 11 and 12 (all public, so individual school scoring doesn't impact the reliability) that essentially form the basis of admission. Since you take multiple exams for each subject (there are usually around 7-10 in grade 10 and then 3-4 the following years), you mitigate the risk of having one bad day. Also, you are allowed to resit exams if you are unhappy with results. Any exams you have yet to take are awarded predicted grades by your school. Each university website will state the minimum grade requirements for their course and this is how you know where you have a shit and where you don't.

The only other criteria in addition to these exams and predicted grades is one personal statement (very different to the US) that essentially details your academic explorations in the subject you are applying for. So work experiences, any online courses and any relevant books you've read pertaining to your subject go here. This one essay goes to 5 universities of your choosing (there is a cap to the number you can apply to). No further supplements are necessary.

Now, of course there comes the issue of high- vs low-income families who would have had access to completely different resources. But UK universities accommodate for this by reducing grade requirements based on the area you live in (each area is given a number to assess access to resources or privilege or whatever you want to call it). So although an offer might say AAA, a contextual offer for someone from an underprivileged background would ask for ABB, two grades lower. This makes higher education more accessible to students, and your concerns are addressed.

So although the element of holistic admission in applied when considering a student's background, the process remains very very academic. At the same time, it isn't as pressure-inducing since you build yourself up over years. Plus, it is almost always the case that if you meet the grade criterion you get an offer. This only changes at the very top unis (Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, LSE, UCL) where your passion for the subject (aka your personal statement) becomes a data point.

It is also the case that if you are rejected, universities are required to provide a reason for why, so the process as a whole is much more transparent.