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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think DD should redo her Science GCSE? (Got a C)

57 replies

SteamingFozz · 30/08/2017 23:48

DD did her GCSEs back in 2013!

I know you're all going to tell me to stay out of it because of her age (20) but I'm not pressuring her or anything, it's more of just providing her with that facts.

She has an access course in science where she did well and applied for some of the better unis but didn't get her favourite (Sussex) as was told she needed to have 2 Bs in 2 Sciences or the dual science. She had 2 Cs in the dual science award, so got into a not so good uni, although it isn't bad. It's not that great.

She is doing Biological Sciences so I assume that's rather a competitive job market??? She must be better off getting her degree from the best uni she can!?

AIBU to think she shouldn't go this year and should retake her science GCSE???

OP posts:
Scribblegirl · 31/08/2017 09:02

Echoing others. I would focus on going to UEA (which I agree isn't a shite uni at all) and working her socks off to get the best possible degree she can.

DancingLedge · 31/08/2017 09:05

Btw, I have a DC going to Sussex via an access course. Getting in was tricky - they took 3 1/2 months to make her an offer, despite excellent predicted grades, required additional info, and individual work submissions. So don't assume she would walk in in she got the GCSE grade.

Bird in the hand with UEA?

corythatwas · 31/08/2017 09:09

At her age I would have thought she'd be better off concentrating on getting best possible degree result + relevant adult experience rather than spending time retaking a qualification aimed at 16yos, particularly as there is a risk that Sussex won't take her on a resit anyway.

ilovesooty · 31/08/2017 09:14

Sorry but I can't see any advantages whatsoever in doing what you propose.
And I think she should be left to make her own decisions anyway.

TipTop333 · 31/08/2017 09:20

UEA is an excellent and well respected university. YABU for making her think that it isn't.

titchy · 31/08/2017 09:22

OP what experience do you have to advise her with? Anything useful or specific? Or just 'I'm her mum I know best'?

Your advise for what it's worth is pretty poor and I'd be advising her to snap UEA's hand off.

HTH

LauraAndBaby · 31/08/2017 09:22

Why would you not just be happy for her that she's got into uni!

LaurieMarlow · 31/08/2017 09:25

What you're suggesting is bonkers. There's not a hair's breadth difference between those two universities in the eyes of 99% of employers.

To take a year out to repeat something as inconsequential as a GCSE makes no sense.

Employability post degree will come down to skills gained during the degree, the degree result, relevant experience accumulated, tenacity, being clear about what she wants, preparing well for applications and interviews, surrounding herself with good mentors. I'd advise her to focus on the above and not give her GCSE grades another thought.

Dawnedlightly · 31/08/2017 09:29

UEA is a great and well respected University. There's really no point spending a year to get to Sussex. Which is also great and well respected btw, just not worth investing a year in getting there when the alternative is as good.
Are you worried about her leaving home? Flowers

GingerAndTheBiscuits · 31/08/2017 09:30

Always thought Sussex was Russell's group (as an alumni!) but apparently it's not Grin Oops!

Leave her alone to make her own decisions. It sounds like she's got the drive and determination to succeed and probably doesn't need any advice ;)

BoysofMelody · 31/08/2017 09:44

Why are you anxious for her to go to Sussex, as opposed to UEA? Especially when they're universities of a similar stature, ethos and history ( well-regarded 60s campus universities)

I am an early career academic and in terms of job applications for academic posts, you are rarely asked for qualifications below degree level.

The whole Russell Group thing is a bit of a farce, they're a self selecting group of research focused universities, rather than a badge of quality or any assessment of that research, let alone undergraduate teaching.

In fact, I would say that not only is there no correlation between good research and good undergraduate teaching, but there is likely to be a detrimental effect. If they are focused on employing research superstars, rather than good all round lecturers who regard teaching as a key component of their job, teaching undergraduates is often then dumped on overworked and often junior staff employed on short term or casual contacts.

Aeroflotgirl · 31/08/2017 09:48

If she wants to retake science, than she can. The ship has not sailedHmm. Anyone can take GCSEs at college, at anytime in their life, under adult continuing education! Education does not stop at schoolHmm

LoniceraJaponica · 31/08/2017 09:52

I'm with everyone else here. It would just waste a year.

DD is 17 and we are looking at universities right now. DD wants to do medicine, and the universities are are looking at do take GCSEs into account. The fact that DD got 2 Bs last year has ruled out a couple of universities already. But I think this is a recent thing.

I'm also baffled. If your DD is 20 and took her science GCSEs in 2013 that means she was 13 when she sat them. Is this right?

randomuntrainedcuntowner · 31/08/2017 09:52

UEA is a good uni!

spaghettithrower · 31/08/2017 10:10

UEA is a well-respected uni.
YABU. There is no reason for her to resit her GCSEs. What a waste of time and effort when she should be concentrating on starting her degree course.
Does SHE not want to go to UEA because Sussex was her favourite?

TeaStory · 31/08/2017 10:16

There's nothing wrong with UEA, and IMO retaking GCSEs would be a backward step. I think she's on a good path (until recently I worked in education).

I'm also baffled. If your DD is 20 and took her science GCSEs in 2013 that means she was 13 when she sat them. Is this right?
??? 2013 was only four years ago!

Allthebestnamesareused · 31/08/2017 10:17

UEA - and you are disappointed - wow - just wow!

Your poor daughter has done really well, realised which path she wants to take and gets into a really good uni but instead of celebrating her success want her to take a backwards step.

LoniceraJaponica · 31/08/2017 10:17

D'oh! I am being a bit thick here Grin

LoniceraJaponica · 31/08/2017 10:18

I was thinking of my DD who would have been nearly 13.

TeaStory · 31/08/2017 10:20

I got a bit worried for a second there... time seems to be racing along fast enough as it is! Grin

GreenTulips · 31/08/2017 10:24

Hi - your can retake any GCSE at college under exam conditions - you don't have to go to that college to study - but they can arrange the exam in exam conditions.

I think they charge £50 to sit the exam plus the exam board fee

Worth a phone call for the November resists if she's interested

PaperdollCartoon · 31/08/2017 10:26

YABU, mostly because UEA is a good university, comparable if not better than Sussex, so I don't know why think it's not so good? I work in a field that's pretty snobby about where you went, the majority of my colleagues went to Oxbridge. I have a colleague who went to UEA. It won't hold her back in any way. Russell Group does still mean something, but the 'top 20' is considered the same now.

lou1221 · 31/08/2017 10:26

I am redoing my science gcse, purely because I need a science st grade c for teaching. Unfortunately they seem to be few and far between of where to take the course. I have now resorted to doing an online course. Can she not sit an equivalency test at her uni of choice? I know I could if I wanted to.

HiJenny35 · 31/08/2017 10:29

She's 20, firstly stay out of it, secondly no one pays attention to your GCSEs at 20.

Bekabeech · 31/08/2017 10:37

As someone with Science degrees YABU.
After her Access course there is no point in resitting GCSE of course she would get more than 2 C's. She's already achieved higher than that.

Second I still regret that I didn't apply to UEA because I was "talked out of it". I'd have probably got a better first degree. It is a perfectly good University, and I'd rank it similar to Sussex. (Better for some things.)