DS fixated on going to Imperial College..

[BaconAndAvocado]

He's currently in Year 10 doing his GCSEs and wants to go on to do a Chemical Engineering course at Imperial College.

I know very little about it, apart from it being one of the top universities for Chem Eng courses (I think!)

DS is now talking about re-taking a Chemistry module, for which he got an A, because "Imperial College only want A* s at GCSEs"

Is this true?

DS has Asperger's Syndrome and Imperial has become a bit of a recent obsession. Whilst I'm incredibly proud that he already has a path drawn out for himself, I realise that the likelihood of him gaining a place there is small.

Should he put pressure on himself and re-do the module to try and get an A* or would it not make any difference if he already has an A.

Thanks in advance

Imperial told us they reserved about 40% of places for full fee paying overseas students. DS says that's about correct - however he's mixing with a good range of fellow students and he wasn't used to a multi cultural environment. The Chinese do tend to stick together i think, but there are plenty of other people and cultures, and they all have to mix for their various types of team-work.

Please do speak to the admissions or Outreach team rather than just going with what people on StudentRoom say. There are loads of misconceptions around. Going to open day is a great idea - perhaps go to one or two others so he can get an idea that there are other wonderful places to go as well and that he won't have 'failed' (IYKWIM) if he doesn't get an offer from Imperial.

Would it be a good idea to go to an Open Day whilst he's in Year 10 or 11?

Thanks harriet for a sweet post!

We are incredibly proud of him, particularly as his difficulties have held him back in the past at school.

You may need to register for the Open Day. I think Y11 would be ok, but again the university could advise. Sometimes they have taster days for younger students.

I think Imperial had a science fair (for the public) a few weeks back, and I think they do other public engagement-type events. Perhaps he'd like to go to some of that sort of thing (sorry if you do all that already)?

I'd be proud too - good luck to him!

He went to a Science Fair recently, which is where he got the idea for Imperial!

Open days are fine at any age - universities are invariably keen to get people interested young - some start outreach work in Y5.

FWIW I'll be working university open days this summer and I (and my colleagues) are more than happy to see people planning ahead.

Bacon when you accompany him to the Open Day, you should get plenty of chance to find out what their pastoral support is like. I think it varies a great deal from Uni to Uni. It isn't a factor for my DS1 this September but DS2 is going next September and he has Asperger's. It's a factor for us because while he's a very clever person, some days he can't find his own arse with both hands. I dread him festering, unwashed, in a room alone. So it will be a major consideration when we go to open days.

Well done your son for going for it, though! It's great when they 'come good' after being told they were naughty and lazy in primary school

he can't find his own arse with both hands that rings a lot of bells here!

I wonder what they do for Scottish students, my son is considering Imperial for mech eng (but will probably stick to Scottish unis). There are no UMSs up here, you just have your standard grade and higher results and for imperial would get a provisional offer based on advanced highers. I presume they just look at your highers and predicted grades.
My son is being put off unis with alot of overseas students because he wants to have a social life and lots of clubs as well as study.
Imperial does sound a bit hot housy, good if you want to do pHds etc, may suit someone with aspergers.