ArnRand said:
Yo if you don't mind, can I ask you a few questions? (I want to get on the same course as you, and am applying in a few days.)
1. What AS marks did you get? (percentages)
2. What was the interview like?
3. What did you do on your personal statement (roughly)
4. What other unis did you apply for?
Thanks.
Sure thing! A few of my module scores are off the top of my head but they'll be in the right area.
1.These are all marks that I got after my first year of college, I can post my second year results if you need them at all later.
A in AS maths and A* in A level maths (did all of A2 maths in my 1st year):
C1-100% C2-98% C3-95% C4-100% D1-95% S1-95%
A in AS Physics:
PH01-110(92%) PH02-118(98%) PH03-58(97%)
A in AS Chemistry:
F321-80(89%) F322-123(82%) F323-45(75%)
Notice that my Chemistry was a lot weaker than my Physics/Maths scores, when I got my offer my offer wasn't just for A*AA out of any of them, it specified an A* in chemistry and then AA in Physics/Further Maths. So my offer was essentially A*Maths A*Chem APhysics AFurther Maths. They did this because they knew it would challenge me most. So my advice here would be to try stay well rounded when it comes to your scores, because if there isn't much difference between them, they'd probably just give you a standard A*AA offer and not try to make you focus on your weaker subject.
2. The interview was actually the easiest part of getting in I'd say, although the run up to and the start of the interview is as terrifying as they make out, if you keep your cool things really do go smoothly.
My interview basically went:
Introduction --> Simple maths questions --> a bit harder maths questions --> Physics problems --> Any questions? --> Done.
30 minutes really does blaze by in those sort of situations, the only advice I can give is keep your head on, because chances are if you've got the interview, you're going to be able to answer all of their questions to a pretty good standard if you just stay calm.
Edit: Keep in mind this was my interview at Churchill College, they could differ quite a bit throughout other colleges.
3. I really can't remember much about my personal statement, though I think I've got it saved on my PC somewhere, I could send you the whole of it in a PM later if you think that would help. Also, I really advise you to seek help from your college/school with your personal statement, specifically the people that have been handling the university application process for a number of years, because they really know how personal statements should look.
4. I applied for:
Durham - Theoretical Physics
Manchester - Theoretical Physics
Leeds - Theoretical Physics
Leeds - Chemistry
If you need anything else just ask, I know how much of a pain UCAS and uni applications can be, just get all the help you can with it for the next few months, I know that really helped me out.