Help! Get me into the degree program that i want to be in!

[sparkie]

When I changed course I just went to see the admissions tutor for the course I wanted to do and sounded out whether it would be possible. It was just an informal chat and everything followed on easily from there.

I imagine that you'll have to see this tutor at some stage even if you write the email, so my advice would be just to go and see them anyway.

 

[Barrel of Fun]

My point exactly. If you're meant to be some sort of english buff then you should be able to construct a clear and well articulated letter with your eyes shut and your hands tied behind your back.

True, Mr The Fish.
What I meant was that writing an important letter can take practice. Various bits of advice might help.

I am sure Laura could do this without any help, but advice is important. God I need some work today!

 

[ben andrews' girlfriend]

Another tip would be to go to see your current course tutor and convince them that English is better for you. They won't want you to keep on their course (its only going to look bad on them if they dispassionate students) but they'l hardly want you to leave the uni altogether. If they reccomend you for a switch to English then it boosts your case.

Something else they like is if you have become part of the University life, joined societys etc . If you big that up and hint that you might leave the uni altogether if you can switch then theyll be on there knees to let you stay.

Good luck. It took me 7 months to realise I hated Chemistry and move into something that was far more interesting and useful.

Thanks, begging letter to tutor sent!

BTW - BTF - i can write a letter, i just want to write a PERFECT one to get me on this course

 

[Schrödinger's Toad]

Agree with earlier comments about talking to them; you're already in the Uni, so should face less problems than someone applying from "outside". They tend to be very good on this sort of thing - convey your enthusiasm for the subject, and they'll be likely to help you on this.

I assume it's English Lit?

 

[ben andrews' girlfriend]

Agree with earlier comments about talking to them; you're already in the Uni, so should face less problems than someone applying from "outside". They tend to be very good on this sort of thing - convey your enthusiasm for the subject, and they'll be likely to help you on this.

I assume it's English Lit?

It's called "English" however the prospectus is all english literature stuff

 

[Billy the Fish]

What I meant was that writing an important letter can take practice. Various bits of advice might help.

BTW - BTF - i can write a letter, i just want to write a PERFECT one to get me on this course

Fair point. I am quite bored as well, this usually puts me in a pedantic kind of mood, sorry. I'm sure you'll be fine. Good luck

 

[Barrel of Fun]

Fair point. I am quite bored as well, this usually puts me in a pedantic kind of mood, sorry. I'm sure you'll be fine. Good luck

Anything to speed up a friday afternoon. Bit of sedating, I mean debating works a treat.

 

[dcseagull]

It might be worth having a look at the English syllabus and to set out in any e-mail or meeting exactly why you are attracted to particular aspects of the course. Is it possible for you to sit in on a couple of English lectures before you go for your meeting? You can then bring them in your discussions.

Can you also provide them with examples of the work you have done on your current course? I expect that that they will be more interested in reviewing the quality of the work that you have done at Uni to date and your ability now, rather than the qualifications that you got at college.

If you're going to send an e-mail, think carefully about the structure. I would suggest something like the following:

a) What your objectives are for University generally

b) What the Sociology course does and doesn't do to meet your objectives

c) Why the English course will better meet your objectives

d) Your understanding of the minimum requirements for the English course

e) Acknolwedgement of why you don't meet the minumum requirements (be up front about this, don't try and say or imply thier minimum requirements arer unfair!)

f) What other qualities you have or can exhibit that make up for this shortfall.

If you're feeling really brave you could offer to do a 'test' assignment to show how capable you are of doing their course.

Good luck!

 

[jonny.rainbow]

When I was at university plenty of people chopped and changed course.

I had a friend who didn't make the grades for an oversubscribed drama course but met the head of department and talked him round into letting her on the course. Saying something like "I guarantee you I will be leaving this university with a 1st". (She did BTW).

In my experience University is a lot about getting yourself known. If you are genuinely enthusiastic and passionate and won't accept a simple no this is bound to impress the English tutors.

In terms of the grades, this won't necessarily be of great concern to them. I would hazard a guess that in some point in the past 5 years they have taken on people through clearing who haven't made the requirement.

Good Luck.

 

[ben andrews' girlfriend]

Dear Laura,

Thanks for the prompt reply. I have to warn you that we do like our students to be bullet-proof---putting as much effort into the things they have trouble with as the things they like---and the C in English is a real problem for us. If you check out our units
(www.english.soton.ac.uk/survey.htm) you'll see that some of them are pretty demanding... If you'd still like to follow through, get the School to send me your UCAS form and I'll have a look at it and get in touch with you to arrange an interview, but it might be for general advice rather than acceptance,

 

[Barrel of Fun]

Dear Laura,

Thanks for the prompt reply. I have to warn you that we do like our students to be bullet-proof---putting as much effort into the things they have trouble with as the things they like---and the C in English is a real problem for us. If you check out our units
(www.english.soton.ac.uk/survey.htm) you'll see that some of them are pretty demanding... If you'd still like to follow through, get the School to send me your UCAS form and I'll have a look at it and get in touch with you to arrange an interview, but it might be for general advice rather than acceptance,

The door is not closed!
At least there is hope. Show them you are keen. Read up on all aspects of the course so you can quote them if needs be.

When you talk to them, if that is possible, say that you are willing and ready to put in some work over the summer. Perhaps it might be worth getting your English teacher to write a reference for you and maybe attempt to explain why you were unlucky to miss out on a B. (if that is possible)

 

[chip]

Dear Laura,

Thanks for the prompt reply. I have to warn you that we do like our students to be bullet-proof---putting as much effort into the things they have trouble with as the things they like---and the C in English is a real problem for us. If you check out our units
(www.english.soton.ac.uk/survey.htm) you'll see that some of them are pretty demanding... If you'd still like to follow through, get the School to send me your UCAS form and I'll have a look at it and get in touch with you to arrange an interview, but it might be for general advice rather than acceptance,

I'm a reasonably senior academic at Soton and have been an admissions tutor at Sheffield (mathematical sciences). Some years ago, the way to get onto a course that you couldn't get the A levels for was to accept one you could and then change. That still happens a lot now.

How did you do in your semester 1 exams? Are you going to take the semester 2 exams? I would be more interested in your performance at university than A levels if you have taken the exams as they are a better indication of potential. Have you used lame excuses with your tutor or lecturers when you haven't done assignments? Will your tutor say nice things about you - they will be asked.

To be honest I'm surprised that you got into Soton with those grades anyway, but there is light on the horizon and some clouds. Next year the higher fees come in and applications are going to lower for most subjects and English is one of those. Schools have an admissions quota and if this is not achieved there is a financial penalty (for both over and under attainment). However, will you have to pay the full fees? Would that affect your choice of what you will do? That said, there would be no penalty for messing the schools around so you have nothing to lose in trying to change. Would you go to another university with less demanding entry criteria? Thats not such a good idea as the course and lectures are unlikely to be as well thought of or worthwhile - but if it really is English you want to study would you make that sacrafice? (PS, a mate of mine who did social policy has been a customs officer for the past 15 years so you are probably doing the right thing).

 

[Bry Nylon]

Passion and desire are what count now. Grades are grades and can't be changed.

When you get face-to-face show them the sort of person that would be an asset to their faculty. (Seeing as Barrel started the whole quote thing, I'll chuck one in too: "Nothing worth anything was ever achieved without enthusiasm." - Ralph Waldo Emerson, yankee writer and poet.

Good luck

 

[Moshe Gariani]

I'm a reasonably senior academic at Soton [...] Would you go to another university with less demanding entry criteria? Thats not such a good idea as the course and lectures are unlikely to be as well thought of or worthwhile - but if it really is English you want to study would you make that sacrafice?

I wouldn't discount the option of taking up a place at a "less demanding" university. I've heard that even reasonably junior academics at such institutions can spell correctly.

 

[Wardy]

Not read the other replys so sorry if this has already been said but I would say something like this.

Though I know I did not obtain the grades specified for the course I have relaised over the last few years that my real love is English. I would welcome the chnace to prove to you that I am able to do well in this degree. Prehaps when we meet I could show you some of the work I have done?

 

[chip]

I wouldn't discount the option of taking up a place at a "less demanding" university. I've heard that even reasonably junior academics at such institutions can spell correctly.

I'm sure that they can, but I bet they can't think as well, win as much research funding or have such a good standing in their field. The quality of the institution and its staff will be reflected in the courses it offers and that is a tradeoff that BAG might like to consider.

As I said, I am a mathematical scientist not a humanities scholar. As long as I get my Greek right then I can leave the rest to Word and a bit of proof reading.

 

[Moshe Gariani]

As long as I get my Greek right then I can leave the rest to Word and a bit of proof reading.

in that case let's hope your Greek is better than your Latin...!

 

[Mr Banana]

I would strongly advise not using exclamation marks in any letters you write to them. And try to get your smelling and glammar write as well.

 

[Moshe Gariani]

I would strongly advise not using exclamation marks in any letters you write to them.

useful tip...

- also avoid dashes, smilies and ellipses...

 

[Dave the OAP]

[B


To be honest I'm surprised that you got into Soton with those grades anyway, [/B]

Only being slightly patronising then mate.

FFS, she worked bloody hard getting those A levels at a Community College not noted for its academic prowess as well as coming top in her year for her GCSE results all A's and a couple of B's. Then to suggest you are surprised she got in, devalues all the work she put in.

Perhaps you have been cocooned in education too long and need to get out in the real world. Patronising twat