Messed up uni choices, seeking honesty.
Hi all,
Last year, I was offered a place at UCL to study a niche course that I lost interest in over the summer period. (I was worried that, despite it being UCL, I would still be judged for studying a completely unrelated degree to finance and consulting. I attempted to change the course but had no luck.) Unfortunately, I was misguided and had been told that I could not apply to transfer while studying, so my options were to stick with the course at UCL or withdraw and apply again the following year.
I decided to take a gap year, thinking that having top grades and a year to improve my personal statement would provide an advantage over other applicants. Despite this, I was recently rejected by all five of my choices (LSE, UCL, Oxford). As it stands, I have an offer from KCL (applied through UCAS Extra), but it's obviously not ideal. I took a gamble, and now I completely regret it. If I had known that it was possible to transfer, I'm 100% sure that I would have stayed on at UCL. Nevertheless, I'm now trying to cut my losses and decide what's best to do.
In theory, I could take another gap year and reapply again; however, this would be the last option as there's no guarantee I'd get in.
I'm thinking of accepting the offer at KCL and requesting to transfer to LSE/UCL at the end of year one so that at least I could still remain at King's. However, if UCL/LSE provides an offer, I would, in effect, be losing out on two years (gap year + year at KCL). Do you think it would even be worth accepting the offer at that point? Or would it be wiser to remain at KCL and apply to a master's programme (LSE/UCL) if I am unable to secure a job at that point?
I would really appreciate it if someone could help provide some feedback/advice.
Thank you.
What were your other 2 choices that you got rejected from?
Yeah frankly here, if you don't know what went wrong this year, taking another year out and reapplying would be kinda dumb.
Kings is a fairly strong semi anyway, I wouldn't really kill myself over it if you did end up having to go there.
Forget about thinking about contingency masters plans which are 3+ years away. You're adding unnecessary stress to your plate that doesn't need to be there and is irrelevant to the current decision. You could just as well go to UCL and fail to get a job and have to do masters.
Thanks for the feedback,
I applied for two courses at both LSE and UCL (both for two different departments - so I wasn't automatically rejected for applying twice).
I suppose I should still be grateful that I have KCL to fall back on.
Maybe a bit late but try out UCAS Extra/Clearing?
I know the top Unis (LSE/Oxbridge) don't enter this stage, but off the top off my head you've got places like:
- warwick
- UCL (perhaps?),
- and other semi targets e.g. Bristol, Notts, Durham.
Good luck man!
Thank you.
I've checked across UCAS Extra and the only available courses at UCL and Warwick are Linguistics/Languages.
You're right, there's still clearing to hope for, but at this rate I'm just going to assume nothing will be available.
Do you think it would be worth rejecting King's if something relevant opens up at Warwick, for example? Though, it probably won't be for their in demand courses (econ) etc.
When I was looking at universities, I understand the chain holds Warwick much higher up than other semi-targets. So I would say that's worthwhile.
Try calling up on results day too, bit of an ache with regards to accommodation etc., but might end up at a better university.
Though I'd say the good thing about King's is the London location, can still make friends with LSE/ICL people & be in the loop + can meet bankers face-to-face for coffees.
Transfers can happen as long as you have the A-Level grades/entry requirements for the course you transfer to.
Surprised you have been rejected despite getting in last-year, if you already obtained the A-Level grades required?
Thanks.
Honestly, I wasn't expecting to get a full house of offers but I would have thought that at least 1 university would help me. I mean it sounds silly, but they accepted me last year - so I clearly met their criteria. Nevertheless, with achieved grades meeting/even exceeding the course requirements I was still rejected.
It's quite disheartening that they'd rather accepting someone with speculative A level grades and inflated GCSE grades, than someone who has actually achevied the grades and shows the same level of commitment to study.
Completely agree with you, I'd assume most universities (excluding Oxbridge) mostly care about those grades and you hitting it I would've thought would get you 90% of the way there.
You'll be fine though, chin up
If you go KCL and graft hard you still have a chance. If not, you'll have a good chance at Big 4 from KCL so you can just go the ACA route. Not the end of the world.
If you do KCL and go to a target masters, you'll have a good chance. Nail your exams and get a good GMAT and it's definitely doable.
I dont know how KCL has managed to gain a reputation as a "strong semi"? It certainly wasn't when I was applying to schools, it's really mediocre. Durham is the only university I would say is a "strong semi", with the rest of the unis being normal semis, KCL incl.
That said, if you're a top student you shouldn't struggle from KCL, but there are better universities to be at. UCL is a target, KCL is not.
Before any KCL numbnuts send MS my way: what sponsors does your finance society have? I had a look and you only have KPMG. It really is not as strong as people on WSO make it out to be.
To be fair, we have one KCL grad who works in equity research where I am.
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