Factors that may enhance chances of place in Uni

[Mo-Zaki]

Hi, I go to a grammar school and I have always wanted to become a Doctor. Im in year 10 so there is still a long time ahead of me before I need to think about Uni but I was just wondering; if your parent goes to a uni does it enhance your chance of going to it. For example, my dad went to Imperial College and got his Phd in Maths there and then worked their for 6 years as a researcher. If the university see this will it boost my chances of entering it? Also, does going to a grammar school help?
I am just asking if these factors will give me a small boost, because I know that grades and the interview are more important. I am predicted A* in all my GCSE apart from English Language and English literature (A and A). I have already obtained an A* in ICT and I am doing my ICT AS over years 10 and 11 (predicted A).

[agneishd]

Hi, I go to a grammar school and I have always wanted to become a Doctor. Im in year 10 so there is still a long time ahead of me before I need to think about Uni but I was just wondering; if your parent goes to a uni does it enhance your chance of going to it. For example, my dad went to Imperial College and got his Phd in Maths there and then worked their for 6 years as a researcher. If the university see this will it boost my chances of entering it? Also, does going to a grammar school help?
I am just asking if these factors will give me a small boost, because I know that grades and the interview are more important. I am predicted A* in all my GCSE apart from English Language and English literature (A and A). I have already obtained an A* in ICT and I am doing my ICT AS over years 10 and 11 (predicted A).

simply put, where your parents went has no bearing at all on whether or not you are offered a place

don't think going t a grammar school makes a difference either, as they look at grades (GCSE and AS), personal statemtn, reference and predicted A2 grades

i think unis look favourably on those who have been to schools where the majority don't achieve very many A*s when comparing, e.g. if student A has 11 A*s but everyone in his school gets that, its not as good as student B with 11 A*s where in his school hardly anyone can muster an A*

but that really doesn't factor in much, just get many an A*!

[Singh.Simran]

They shouldn't. I can't comment on whether a particular interviewer may know him, or ask about him having seen your surname or similar...

But until any better evidence, it's a reasonable assumption that the admissions process is fair and equal. Insofar as it isn't, but let's not get started on discrimination and the like.

Similarly school is irrelevant. There's no reason why it would make you better. Indeed i know for a fact that for some universities (cambridge and presumably some others) it can have a small detrimental effect...

What you need, for imperial especially, are grades, good bmat, and an ability to talk about medical issues and issues generally at interview, about what being a doctor means and entails. Also be a good allrounder, extra curricular activities and the like, but most of the decision would appear (caveat the wording) to be based academically.

Of course this is medicine and so uber-competitive, so anything you can do to look better is important. A killer ps is an essential for anyone at any school, so if you want to start now (early for most but why not?) keep a notepad or similar with good things you've doen or otherwise to put in it... and start writing a draft in year 12 sometime, early on, redo it many times, and ask people on here.

[agneishd]

They shouldn't. I can't comment on whether a particular interviewer may know him, or ask about him having seen your surname or similar...

But until any better evidence, it's a reasonable assumption that the admissions process is fair and equal. Insofar as it isn't, but let's not get started on discrimination and the like.

Similarly school is irrelevant. There's no reason why it would make you better. Indeed i know for a fact that for some universities (cambridge and presumably some others) it can have a small detrimental effect...

What you need, for imperial especially, are grades, good bmat, and an ability to talk about medical issues and issues generally at interview, about what being a doctor means and entails. Also be a good allrounder, extra curricular activities and the like, but most of the decision would appear (caveat the wording) to be based academically.

Of course this is medicine and so uber-competitive, so anything you can do to look better is important. A killer ps is an essential for anyone at any school, so if you want to start now (early for most but why not?) keep a notepad or similar with good things you've doen or otherwise to put in it... and start writing a draft in year 12 sometime, early on, redo it many times, and ask people on here.

Re personal statement, i'd ask only a few, and teachers are good as they can annotate/have a lot of experience
anyway, its early days for that! most of what will go on there you have yet to do i'm sure, but start joining clubs and stuff

[Singh.Simran]

Ask as many as you can, but collect what they all say and pick the best of it.

Teachers are good but not great - many are out of touch with the system, or have the ingrained ideas which make a ps boring.

Also. learn bs skills. going to a club once counts, as does having the vague intention of joining it

[-Petrie-]

Definately no advantage/disadvantage to things you've mentioned.

Except, obviously, the higher your GCSEs, the better.

[Mo-Zaki]

Thanks a lot guys. So, ill have to start focusing on getting the best grades possible at school.

[agneishd]

Ask as many as you can, but collect what they all say and pick the best of it.

Teachers are good but not great - many are out of touch with the system, or have the ingrained ideas which make a ps boring.

Also. learn bs skills. going to a club once counts, as does having the vague intention of joining it

Pick the correct teachers! course you should be writing the things that make it outstanding/interesting yourself, get a teacher for example to touch up the overall flow of it, and another to say what you should include, etc.

and with clubs, be sure you can talk about them before adding them!!!

[agneishd]

Thanks a lot guys. So, ill have to start focusing on getting the best grades possible at school.

yup don't underestimate the power of the GCSE grades... everyone has 3As at A-level, GCSEs do help differentiate the good from the better

[Gizmo says -]

join cubs, macca.