Raising the Bar

As we get closer to the end of the college year many students will be left anxiously waiting if they get accepted to their first choice university after completing their UCAS form. This year however one of the so called top two Universities Cambridge has raised the bar even higher. This year instead of the typical three A’s they now need an A* and 2 A’s.

The pressure put on students in college is immense as they know once they have got an offer from a University if they don’t get the grades they are predicted then they may not get the place. Now yes I think students need to be challenged and need to want to get the highest grades possible but in a situation which isn’t as pressurised because as it stands one 2 hour exam could change the direction of your life completely.

I think that Universities need to look equally at what the student can bring to the university in the way of other skills, interests, knowledge and character as well as their grades. This is why I think that Universities who ask students to submit work, projects, CV’s etc. are much better placed to judge an applicant and are running a better system.

The problem with the big two Oxford and Cambridge is recently I have been speaking to parents of children who have reached the right grades but still can’t get in so just getting these grades does not guarantee you a place. Some people work hard for years in order to try and get a place at one of the big two and still don’t get in. In the outside world you will need more than grades to get you through so I think it is important that Universities encourage their applicant to be well rounded individuals. As Oxford and Cambridge show it’s not your grades alone that will get you in.

Adam Sibley
Founder of the Talented Young People organisation
www.talentedyoungpeople.com
"Envisage it, Believe it, Achieve it!"
”Shaking up the Youth of Today”

http://www.talentedyoungpeople.blogspot.com