How does DS1 show on his UCAS application that his Chemistry A level was done in one year.

[lazymumofteenagesons]

He did 3 A levels in 2010 and then changed his mind about what he wanted to do at university. He eventually decided he wanted to study Pharmacology and joined a course aimed at resitters to do a 1 year A level in Chemistry. This was very intensive and he did extremely well and got an 'A'.
However, when he comes to fill in his results for UCAS application 2012 there is nothing to differentiate between this being a retake after doing badly in it first time.
He will make sure this comes out in his personal statement, but if admissions people just scan the results it could be that he flunked it first time round.
The reason he is concerned is that chemistry is the most important of the a levels for this course. I wondered if anyone (admissions tutors?) could shed some light on this.

[goinggetstough]

He could either put it in his personal statement or get his referee to put it in his reference.

[oldmum42]

We had similar problems last year with DS1 application - the easiest thing to do is mention in in the PS instead (Scottish qualifications in our case), I think he put something along the lines of "my extra off-column "Higher" shows I can plan and study effectively on my own without supervision".

But I think you might be able to add a word after chemistry on the form? Ie "Chemistry (crash), grade A". I don't think the form precludes that.....it would make whoever is grading the application look twice.

We would say "crash" in Scotland, doing a extra, previously not taken subject in less than the usual time, but I'm sure you English have a different word?

Some Unis may allow you to email details of non-standard Qualifications direct to them.

[lazymumofteenagesons]

The actual form does not allow you to add anything extra against the subject, you have to select the subject from the drop down.
I think his best option is to phone the admissions tutors for each of his choices and ask advice from them.
I just think that there is a huge difference between doing the A level in a year and taking it over 3 years (ie. with a retake) and it might give him an edge.
He was planning to mention this in his personal statement, but there is always the chance of the application being refused before the ps is read.

[ellisbell]

universities will look first at the 3 A levels gained in one sitting. If his grades in those and his GSCEs match course requirements his application will get through any filtering and reach an admisisions tutor. If he doesn't have the grades to meet course requirements without the A in chemistry then it won't. It does no harm to e-mail the admissions people or phone and ask for advice.

[lazymumofteenagesons]

One of the courses requires AAA including chemistry. His first 3 were AAB (maths, biology, RS), so it is possible for this choice he may not get through unless they accept the change of direction and the chemistry the following year. Anyway I think a phone call is the way to go.