University Application Considerations

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Laz.

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Hi all.

So the time to apply for university has arrived (Gr.12), and I have a few questions.

1. Are achievements and extra activities like sports considered in an application?
2. If I apply with outstanding Gr.12 marks, but also have to submit my lacklustre Gr.11 marks, won't that kill my application entirely?

I will appreciate any advice.
 
Latest marks count generally.

Extra activities - put them on if they ask, but generally acceptance is driven by marks.

Also...applying in Jan seems a little late, no?
 
HavocXphere said:
Latest marks count generally.

Extra activities - put them on if they ask, but generally acceptance is driven by marks.

Also...applying in Jan seems a little late, no?
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Awesome. What about placing 1st in a universities IT competition? Surely that must count for something?

Also, I don't really know the when/what/where of university applications. Care to enlighten me? ;)
 
Laz. said:
Awesome. What about placing 1st in a universities IT competition? Surely that must count for something?

Also, I don't really know the when/what/where of university applications. Care to enlighten me? ;)
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Marks mainly, extra info such as comp is not really looked at unless they have tough choices to make
 
Laz. said:
Hi all.

So the time to apply for university has arrived (Gr.12), and I have a few questions.

1. Are achievements and extra activities like sports considered in an application?
2. If I apply with outstanding Gr.12 marks, but also have to submit my lacklustre Gr.11 marks, won't that kill my application entirely?

I will appreciate any advice.
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It really depends on how "lacklustre" your grade 11 marks are. Considering that it is already Jan (I'm assuming you want to apply for this year) your chances are already slimming down. However, if you Matric marks are quite decent you might still get it. Some uni's might need you to write a letter explaining the late registration. Depends what you applying for.

What ARE you applying for if I may ask?
 
Marks mainly, extra info such as comp is not really looked at unless they have tough choices to make
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That makes sense. They only use that information when they have to distinguish between candidates with near identical marks.
 
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ph4t3 said:
It really depends on how "lacklustre" your grade 11 marks are. Considering that it is already Jan (I'm assuming you want to apply for this year) your chances are already slimming down. However, if you Matric marks are quite decent you might still get it. Some uni's might need you to write a letter explaining the late registration. Depends what you applying for.

What ARE you applying for if I may ask?
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Sorry for not making this clear, but I will be applying for 2015, as I am currently in Gr.12.

Concerning the marks, well... not that good. IT was great at 94%, but others not so. Lets just say I need to improve :)

I would like to apply for a degree in Computer Science.
 
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Laz. said:
Sorry for not making this clear, but I will be applying for 2015, as I am currently in Gr.12.

Concerning the marks, well... not that good. IT was great at 94%, but others not so. Lets just say I need to improve :)

I would like to apply for a degree in Computer Science.
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Get on to the website of the university at which you intend studying and have a look at the admission requirements and deadlines.

They will look at your grade 11 marks and you will probably be required to write the NBT National Benchmark Test, based on those results you will be provisionally admitted. Your actual admission will then be subject to your grade 12 marks being up to scratch.
 
riscbroker said:
Get on to the website of the university at which you intend studying and have a look at the admission requirements and deadlines.

They will look at your grade 11 marks and you will probably be required to write the NBT National Benchmark Test, based on those results you will be provisionally admitted. Your actual admission will then be subject to your grade 12 marks being up to scratch.
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Thank you very much. I will go ahead and do that.
 
Laz. said:
Awesome. What about placing 1st in a universities IT competition? Surely that must count for something?

Also, I don't really know the when/what/where of university applications. Care to enlighten me? ;)
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I helped with placement a few years ago, it is mainly about marks, the rest counts less than 5%. You're placed in a category depending on your APT score. Then it is based on marks and if there is a tie then ''maybe'' the might look at leadership etc.

The University doesn't have time to weigh up Netball vs Hockey.
 
Nicodeamus said:
I helped with placement a few years ago, it is mainly about marks, the rest counts less than 5%. You're placed in a category depending on your APT score. Then it is based on marks and if there is a tie then ''maybe'' the might look at leadership etc.

The University doesn't have time to weigh up Netball vs Hockey.
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Thanks* it's nice to hear from an insider! So I will go ahead and get those marks as high as possible.
 
Yip...if I remember when I applied to UCT all those years ago, they didn't even ask for "leadership positions" or "awards achieved". It's not like in the US or UK where extracurricular activities actually count (I suspect that a partial reason for this is that it would "retard" the transformation agenda of higher education institutions if they did include that as generally people from better schools do more extra-curricular stuff).

In summary: marks, marks, marks.
 
Chris said:
Yip...if I remember when I applied to UCT all those years ago, they didn't even ask for "leadership positions" or "awards achieved". It's not like in the US or UK where extracurricular activities actually count (I suspect that a partial reason for this is that it would "retard" the transformation agenda of higher education institutions if they did include that as generally people from better schools do more extra-curricular stuff).

In summary: marks, marks, marks.
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Pity though... They could use this information to create a more diverse group of students too.

Time to say goodbye to my life, and hello to my books :)
 
Thought you guys might like to know how it's going, so I am uploading my marks for the 1st term:

Afrikaans Home Language: 74%
English First Additional Language: 69%
Maths: 77%
Life Orientation: 75%
Business Studies: 75%
Economics: 88%
Information Technology: 96%

Average: 79.1% (Up from 65%)

Going to go and see my school's career councillor next week to get some advice regarding my Gr.11 marks, as those are not good enough for entry (not even min.), and how it will affect my application to a university.
 
Laz. said:
Thought you guys might like to know how it's going, so I am uploading my marks for the 1st term:

Afrikaans Home Language: 74%
English First Additional Language: 69%
Maths: 77%
Life Orientation: 75%
Business Studies: 75%
Economics: 88%
Information Technology: 96%

Average: 79.1% (Up from 65%)

Going to go and see my school's career councillor next week to get some advice regarding my Gr.11 marks, as those are not good enough for entry (not even min.), and how it will affect my application to a university.
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Don't only take his advice, try and speak to people in the industry and if possible ask them if you can work at their place during the holidays for free. To see what it is like.
 
Nicodeamus said:
Don't only take his advice, try and speak to people in the industry and if possible ask them if you can work at their place during the holidays for free. To see what it is like.
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I'd love that! Unfortunately, I really don't have any contacts in the industry :/
 
Laz. said:
I'd love that! Unfortunately, I really don't have any contacts in the industry :/
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No. Not to be rude but you're going to have to adjust your attitude. You have access to the internet, you're computer savvy so start looking for IT companies around you and ask. You never know, you may just get a bursary from one of them.
 
XennoX said:
No. Not to be rude but you're going to have to adjust your attitude. You have access to the internet, you're computer savvy so start looking for IT companies around you and ask. You never know, you may just get a bursary from one of them.
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I agree. I just don't know how to go about this. Email (and most likely disturb) people at the company? Visit them and say what? Any advice?
 
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