Rejected

[twomadefour]

I'm a mature student.
I've applied for places at university and was hoping to get one uni in particular, because it is close to me.

I went for an interview and got rejected.
Is it possible to get in through clearing once I have the results for my current qualification?

[brizzledrizzle]

Yes.

[windowframe]

If it’s Oxbridge/UCL/St Andrews/Imperial, no.

Any ex-poly course very likely, russell group depends on the course

[BubblesBuddy]

If an interview was part of the selection process initially, it may well be part of the process again for clearing applicants. Just knowing your results may not change anything at all. I would check if they interview again before I got my hopes up. You could go for a different course though.

[twomadefour]

Thanks guys. It was part of the selection process but not at any of the Universities mentioned.

It's ok I guess. What will be, will be!

[QuaterMiss]

How competitive was the course? Do you think you're more or less likely to be accepted at one of your other choices?

[jessstan2]

Yes, do it.
Lots of people are rejected for their first choice but do well somewhere else.

Good luck! Let us know how you get on.

[TwiceMagic]

It depends on the course. If it’s for a course leading to a qualification in health, education or social care, the interview is much part of the selection process.

[Dancingdreamer]

Imperial was in clearing this year for some courses.

[twomadefour]

The course is in social work.
I'm still waiting to hear back from some others for interviews too. This one was the one I preferred though.

[BubblesBuddy]

I misunderstood. I assumed you wanted, via clearing, the identical course at the university that rejected you. Wait for all the replies and then look at clearing of you need to. However your preferred university may well not be a viable choice.

[Needmoresleep]

Write them a nice letter explaining that you are disappointed and explain why the course was right for you, and ask for feedback.

Reread the course requirements, which for vocational courses are usually very clear and which will usually include a wider skill set which has to be judged subjectively. Then read your feedback. Unless the course is very oversubscribed it will probably not be about places, but about you failing to convince them that you are cut out for social work. Which would mean you were unlikely to get a place in clearing either.

Use this feedback for other interviews. If you get them, and understand what when wrong with your first choice, you can decide whether to take up the place or reapply. If you fail to get other places, I would take a look at their feedback and perhaps take a step back and get more exposure to social work via volunteering or other jobs within the sector. (Or add to you academic qualifications or think of a foundation year, if that seems to be the problem.)

Social work is a tough job. Which may be why they don't make getting on a course particularly easy. A relative is studying midwifery which was really hard to get onto, so she is amazed that despite this how many then drop out within the first year or who don't seem to realise why they are there. So not surprising that course tutors do their best to filter at interview stage, even if they don't always get it right. Listen and learn and you will get there in the end.

[twomadefour]

Thankyou so much for all the replies.
It was my first interview and preferred choice, but I still have four other interviews to go to.
Wish me luck !

[FamilyOfAliens]

Any ex-poly course very likely

Do people still use this term instead of just “university”?

[windowframe]

Yes they do, especially outside of ex-poly universities

[FamilyOfAliens]

Just seems strange to still be using that term decades after they’ve stopped being polytechnics.

I guess it means the non-RG universities have someone they can feel superior to

[beckyxo]

Hiya, I do social work at uni and I'm in my last year.

One of the major factors for me getting on the course was that I had lots of work experience. I didn't have experience in a social work team but I did lots of things at different schools and I volunteered at a few other places as well showing that I had experiences with different members of the community. It might be worth looking at what experience you have and then reapply next year if your desperate to go to that particular uni or if they have a January intake.

Good luck though! I would recommend like others have said contacting the uni and asking what it was that made them decline your offer, it shows your being proactive and might help for the future. Sw is such a good course, I love it! xx