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AIBU?

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Original poster

To be upset about ‘university blind’ recruitment

788 replies

Newname576 · 17/05/2023 19:31

DS has overcome so many challenges and has an unconditional offer from Cambridge after achieving 4 A star last year. He has worked so hard and we are so proud of him! But I was upset to learn that so many companies are recruiting “university blind”now - what the hell is the point of going to a top Uni if no one will know about it! My younger child says she will apply to Manchester Met and have a ball even though she too is predicted stellar grades as there is no point going to a top Uni

AIBU to be sad that companies are recruiting blind?

OP posts:
Segway16 · 21/05/2023 18:48

If they got a first and you got a 2.2 - then they’re smarter. I know it hurts, but you’ll cope.

Horsetoday · 21/05/2023 18:48

TheThinkingGoblin · 21/05/2023 18:40

Its cute that you actually believe this.

Some of you seem to not understamd much about how the world actually works, or how much tougher courses are at more elite schools.

Grade inflation is rampant right now in the UK for tertiary education, and many of the older polytechnics are driving this. A "1st" has become almost meaningless now (vs 20 years ago), so hiring companies focus on the school and how rigorous it actually is.

In this situation, Oxbridge is far superior.

Full stop.

Show quote history

The figures uniformly document the same upwards trend. Among the most striking cases of ‘inflation’ were the universities of Bradford (a rise from 48 per cent to 76 per cent), Huddersfield (58 per cent to 81 per cent), and East Anglia (73 per cent to 92 per cent). But top of the list for 2016-17 is Oxford (94.6 per cent); Cambridge, Bristol, Durham, Imperial and UCL also awarded firsts and 2.1s to over 90 per cent of graduating students.

SmartHome · 21/05/2023 18:52

I'm also for it even though it would negate my 2 degrees being from top 5 RG universities by this year's rankings. Graduates should be selected on their skill set, aptitude, achievements and attitude, and organisations should carekfulky test and interview to assess this - rather than judging people on what they were like 5 years ago when they were 17 and whether or not they had pushy parents and were at good schools. Ok proportionally more people of a certain calibre will ahve ended up atvteb harder to get I to unis but I don't want potentially very good people discriminated against for going to Manchester Met because that's what happened when they were 17/18.

TheThinkingGoblin · 21/05/2023 18:56

Segway16 · 21/05/2023 18:48

If they got a first and you got a 2.2 - then they’re smarter. I know it hurts, but you’ll cope.

I went to University in the 90s

We didn't have wishy-washy tutors or rampant grade inflation. A "1st" was quite rare (as it should be). I ended up with a 2.1 which was fine because Math degrees (masters) are supposed to be hard.

Now we have people in 3rd rate Universities claiming a "1st" in math makes them smart.

Do you know what happens to them when they start working?

They crumble. Because they are not prepared for just how much tougher work is vs school (which in their case was made far too easy).

This doesn't help society at all. And until you tighten academic standards in the UK, thw situation will likely continue due to the cost of student loans.

8roses · 21/05/2023 18:58

Just name drop the uni in the interview 😃

ImOutsid3 · 21/05/2023 18:59

@Horsetoday
Yes. You could have done that at literally any other university and gotten the same outcome. This wouldn't be a differentiator for Oxbridge or any other top university.

8roses · 21/05/2023 19:01

Cambridge graduates get an honorary masters to reflect the fact that their undergraduate degrees are much harder 😃

Segway16 · 21/05/2023 19:01

TheThinkingGoblin · 21/05/2023 18:56

I went to University in the 90s

We didn't have wishy-washy tutors or rampant grade inflation. A "1st" was quite rare (as it should be). I ended up with a 2.1 which was fine because Math degrees (masters) are supposed to be hard.

Now we have people in 3rd rate Universities claiming a "1st" in math makes them smart.

Do you know what happens to them when they start working?

They crumble. Because they are not prepared for just how much tougher work is vs school (which in their case was made far too easy).

This doesn't help society at all. And until you tighten academic standards in the UK, thw situation will likely continue due to the cost of student loans.

Show quote history

I achieved a first from a very well regarded university and wouldn’t begrudge someone a first from a low ranked university. This seems more of a class issue than anything else.

8roses · 21/05/2023 19:02

Plus you’d have to provide your degree cert - this blind recruitment is all a sham

Parker231 · 21/05/2023 19:06

8roses · 21/05/2023 19:02

Plus you’d have to provide your degree cert - this blind recruitment is all a sham

I’ve spent years doing final round interviews for graduate students in global corporate finance roles. We don’t know the school, Uni or predicted grade during the numerous rounds of tests, group exercises and interviews. Only after the offer is made and degrees awarded will evidence be required.

Segway16 · 21/05/2023 19:07

8roses · 21/05/2023 19:01

Cambridge graduates get an honorary masters to reflect the fact that their undergraduate degrees are much harder 😃

No, it’s honorary. It’s not indicative of the course itself being harder.

Horsetoday · 21/05/2023 19:15

8roses · 21/05/2023 19:01

Cambridge graduates get an honorary masters to reflect the fact that their undergraduate degrees are much harder 😃

They aren't the only ones - a few universities apart from Cambridge award a Masters for an undergrad degree, are you aware of that fact? and what makes you think that's to reflect the fact that their degrees are harder, Here's the real reason, stop spreading nonsense!

Why is a Scottish undergraduate Masters?
It's mainly because the University of Edinburgh is an ancient university which has a tradition of giving out a Bachelor's degree with honours with an “MA” preceding your degree. It's the same with other super-old universities like Oxford, Cambridge and Glasgow.

AlmostGreenFingers · 21/05/2023 19:15

8roses · 21/05/2023 19:01

Cambridge graduates get an honorary masters to reflect the fact that their undergraduate degrees are much harder 😃

No, they don’t 😂

Segway16 · 21/05/2023 19:22

It’s entirely honorary based on a class system. There was move a few years back to remove this because it undermines real MAs.

Do you think GCSEs mean more if they come from a private school? They just don’t. If there wasn’t a standardised method of awarding degrees, you would be unable to obtain the same degree from all universities.

Horsetoday · 21/05/2023 19:31

Segway16 · 21/05/2023 19:22

It’s entirely honorary based on a class system. There was move a few years back to remove this because it undermines real MAs.

Do you think GCSEs mean more if they come from a private school? They just don’t. If there wasn’t a standardised method of awarding degrees, you would be unable to obtain the same degree from all universities.

How is it based on the class system - it's a historic anomaly from the ancient universities in Scotland and England.

letloz · 21/05/2023 19:31

Its because they teach them the confidence to be able to sell themselves at interview

Babyboomtastic · 21/05/2023 19:37

Segway16 · 21/05/2023 18:42

Oh shut up. A first isn’t harder to achieve at Oxbridge than it is anywhere else. But it’s “cute” you’re this deluded.

😂😂😂

In that case, most of the 'old poly/lower entry requirement' universities are doing something absolutely amazing!

Their teaching must be the best in the world, because they routinely turn students who got maybe DDD at A level into students getting firsts 3 years later.

In contrast, places like Oxford must have pretty rubbish teaching, if they turn students going in at AAA into students with firsts at only the same rate. They aren't really adding any value at all are they?

🙄

Segway16 · 21/05/2023 19:40

Babyboomtastic · 21/05/2023 19:37

😂😂😂

In that case, most of the 'old poly/lower entry requirement' universities are doing something absolutely amazing!

Their teaching must be the best in the world, because they routinely turn students who got maybe DDD at A level into students getting firsts 3 years later.

In contrast, places like Oxford must have pretty rubbish teaching, if they turn students going in at AAA into students with firsts at only the same rate. They aren't really adding any value at all are they?

🙄

Show quote history

I think university is a pretty good leveller actually, yes. It seems that’s being recognised by employers.

Horsetoday · 21/05/2023 19:50

Babyboomtastic · 21/05/2023 19:37

😂😂😂

In that case, most of the 'old poly/lower entry requirement' universities are doing something absolutely amazing!

Their teaching must be the best in the world, because they routinely turn students who got maybe DDD at A level into students getting firsts 3 years later.

In contrast, places like Oxford must have pretty rubbish teaching, if they turn students going in at AAA into students with firsts at only the same rate. They aren't really adding any value at all are they?

🙄

Show quote history

Not always to do with teaching - sometimes it's hot housing, or intensive tutoring. Getting your freedom at 18 has different effects on different kids. Harder to explain why you went from a AAA student to a 2:2 than going from DDD to a first - lots of kids grow up and become focused - some lack self-discipline and grow wild on their first taste of freedom, and some really struggle with mental health too..

Stopyourhavering64 · 21/05/2023 20:08

Horsetoday · 21/05/2023 19:15

They aren't the only ones - a few universities apart from Cambridge award a Masters for an undergrad degree, are you aware of that fact? and what makes you think that's to reflect the fact that their degrees are harder, Here's the real reason, stop spreading nonsense!

Why is a Scottish undergraduate Masters?
It's mainly because the University of Edinburgh is an ancient university which has a tradition of giving out a Bachelor's degree with honours with an “MA” preceding your degree. It's the same with other super-old universities like Oxford, Cambridge and Glasgow.

Show quote history

...and University of Aberdeen ( established 1495...4 years after Glasgow and almost 90 years before Edinburgh)

TreadLight · 21/05/2023 20:09

Segway16 · 21/05/2023 19:22

It’s entirely honorary based on a class system. There was move a few years back to remove this because it undermines real MAs.

Do you think GCSEs mean more if they come from a private school? They just don’t. If there wasn’t a standardised method of awarding degrees, you would be unable to obtain the same degree from all universities.

You don't get the same degree from one university to the next. An English degree from the University of Manchester is a different degree to an English degree from Manchester Met. Different courses, different assessment, different everything. They moderate between universities, but only among peer institutions so a first from SOAS isn't comparable with a first from University of Bedfordshire.

Segway16 · 21/05/2023 20:40

TreadLight · 21/05/2023 20:09

You don't get the same degree from one university to the next. An English degree from the University of Manchester is a different degree to an English degree from Manchester Met. Different courses, different assessment, different everything. They moderate between universities, but only among peer institutions so a first from SOAS isn't comparable with a first from University of Bedfordshire.

Show quote history

And your sources?

MorganKitten · 21/05/2023 20:51

Newname576 · 18/05/2023 02:07

For sure @Hammerhouseofhorrors. My under-privileged DS (with A stars) will be reading history at Cambridge though. His 2.1 will be judged equally (under blind recruitment) to a student at crap Uni admitted with CCD. It is crazy and I just don’t get it

Crap uni… wow, University is a privilege not a right, as are jobs ALL people work hard for. And just because you went to university doesn’t give you the right to walk into any role you want. You still need life experience and the right qualities..
Cambridge is purely to make social connections and the old boy tie network, fall in the right circles and the blind judgement won’t matter.

Segway16 · 21/05/2023 21:41

Sorry how does this tell me one is better?

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