Author Topic: IGCSEs in One Year and University  (Read 1488 times)

Offline Sutekidane

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IGCSEs in One Year and University
« on: June 09, 2011, 12:12:03 pm »
Hello everyone!
I only joined my school this year in Year 11, and am sitting the may/june 2011 (the current) IGCSEs. I'm taking 9 IGCSEs; biology, chemistry, physics, maths, english lit + lang, history, french and italian. However, I only began the IGCSE course this year and therefore needed to do 2 years' worth of work in 1 for every subject. My previous school (in a different country) was using the American system and they did things VERY differently than my current school. For example science was one subject and the 3 different components were separated throughout the year, and I consequently knew almost nothing compared to what I should've known at the end of Year 10 (or Grade 9). I also needed to catch up on English Lit + Lang coursework and all of the short stories and poems (I'm not sure if anyone else is doing the 'Songs of Ourselves' and 'Stories of Ourselves' stories + poems) as well as the play 'Death of a Salesman'. For History I also had to do 2 years in 1 etc. etc.

Despite these disadvantages I made many sacrifices and am now almost certain that I'll obtain at least an A (preferably an A*) in almost every subject. It obviously took a lot of time and effort, and I was curious as to what the universities would think of this situation and how they will evaluate it. Obviously if I'm in competition with someone else who obtained similar grades but took the full 2-year program I would definitely be at an advantage, but I wonder if the universities have a specific method of evaluating this circumstance. I'm quite sure (I don't mean to brag) that I'll get very good results in my AS levels next year, and I'm well aware that IGCSEs are inferior to AS + A levels in terms of importance. This handicap, though, has made me very curious and I'm wondering if anyone knows or has any information as to how this disadvantage shall be examined by the universities I will be applying to.

Sutekidane

elemis

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Re: IGCSEs in One Year and University
« Reply #1 on: June 09, 2011, 12:54:31 pm »
They frankly dont care about how many years you did your IGCSEs in.

At the end of the day, its not your IGCSE results that get you into a University; its your A Level results.


Offline Chingoo

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Re: IGCSEs in One Year and University
« Reply #2 on: July 03, 2011, 10:42:39 am »
They frankly dont care about how many years you did your IGCSEs in.

At the end of the day, its not your IGCSE results that get you into a University; its your A Level results.
I'm well aware that IGCSEs are inferior to AS + A levels in terms of importance.

Before I went on to give my advice, I'd like to correct this presumption. Your A-Level results do not outweigh the importance of your IGCSEs. Yes, your conditional offer materializes depending on the grades you obtain in your A-Level exams, but that's virtually all they do for you. Unless you're applying to topnotch universities like MIT, Oxford, Cambridge or Harvard, you don't need your A-Level results to be in the A-A* bracket and most universities settle for B-A, even Cs.

When you apply to almost any university, it's usually much before the A-Level results. The only official statement of your performance and capability are your IGCSEs. As for your AS-Levels, the good and bad news is that although they would reflect your merits too, even if the grades are bad, universities usually oversee it because it's very, very common that students resit their AS components and they consider first-year results to be a 'practice' of sorts. So if you don't have good IGCSE results, you risk getting an offer to begin with.

This is not to depress you or demotivate you. Not at all! In fact, if you're so certain you'll get A-A*s in most of your IGCSEs, you're in the clear. Usually 6 IGCSEs are considered, up to 8, especially the principle subjects (the one you want to major in). So if you get around even at least 6 A*s, you're in the upper slot of students. Even if you don't get those grades or you get them, but you're not satisfied, you can work on your AS Results. AS/A-Level is a HUGE leap from IGCSEs, so don't take it for granted, but if your concepts are clear then you should be able to maneuver it. A good AS-Result is a strong statement about your performance and understanding.

As for universities making considerations and exceptions, it depends on their administrative procedures. If you're applying to a US/UK university, you can always refer to this in your essay/personal statement in a discreet and polite manner, without sounding self-pitying, rather ambitious. Attach any necessary documents like your US High School Reports, teacher testimonials (if allowed) and anything else you feel that could do justice to your plea. If you're a good student as you claim to be, you should ideally have no problem getting into a reputed university. Best wishes! <3
« Last Edit: July 03, 2011, 10:44:54 am by Chingoo »
All that is on earth will perish:
But will abide (forever) the Face of thy Lord--full of Majesty, Bounty & Honor.
Then which of the favors of your Lord will ye deny?


Qura'n, Chapter 55: The Beneficent, Verses 26-28