Applying for computer science

Darksword

Can't get enough of FH
Joined
Feb 10, 2004
Messages
2,678
Well, im currently studying Politics at university but have come to realise that this isn't the career path i wish to choose, which is a bit anoying as i wish i had realised this a few years ago. Now im left with A-levels that are inappropriate for applying for computer science or computer engineering, so im looking to take a foundation course to rectify this. However, i've reached a problem, what exactly should i be writting about in my personal statement?

I've always had a passion for computers and i love working with them, i generally understand a fair bit about computers and usually keep in touch with regular technological advancements, be it hardware, software or integration into everyday life, but since i didnt study ICT for A-levels, i'm not left with much to talk about, the largest thing i've done with computers is create a database system linked with excel to carry out mediocre tasks and simplify otherwise tedious work, but that was back at GCSE.

Any advice anyone could give me?

as im applying for a foundation course they said my personal statement and reference would be very important on determining if i am accepted since i've already achieved me A-levels. So for me this is very important. Anyway thanks for any help anyone can offer:)
 

Gamah

Banned
Joined
Dec 22, 2003
Messages
13,042
I'd look at the course and see what they study..most do Java afaik then buy a book and explain you are currently learning X Y Z etc.
 

DocWolfe

Part of the furniture
Joined
Jan 3, 2005
Messages
2,855
I had a-levels in English, Business Studies, Chemistry and and as-level in Physics... if you've got a computer related background, such as myself, where I was making database driven websites at the age of 14, not a must though.

Generally as a requirement you need a B or greater in Maths at GCSE too, as the course I was on... in the first and second year was highly mathematical. The course I did a Newcastle University gave foundation Maths classes, to help people who didn't do maths at a-level the chance to catch up.

Came out with a 2:1 :p
 

Darksword

Can't get enough of FH
Joined
Feb 10, 2004
Messages
2,678
DocWolfe said:
I had a-levels in English, Business Studies, Chemistry and and as-level in Physics... if you've got a computer related background, such as myself, where I was making database driven websites at the age of 14, not a must though.

Generally as a requirement you need a B or greater in Maths at GCSE too, as the course I was on... in the first and second year was highly mathematical. The course I did a Newcastle University gave foundation Maths classes, to help people who didn't do maths at a-level the chance to catch up.

Came out with a 2:1 :p


i have a B in maths and having spoke with manchester university, my BB dual award in science, along with my A-levels makes me borderline for the foundation year, and it will come down to my other gcse results and my personal statement/reference. so right now i want to write a really good personal statement. But if i get in to the foundation year then im good to go. Newcastle have a foundation year with computer science which is also good and im applying for that aswell but havent been able to get in touch with anyone from admissions.

thanks for the help guys, my personal statement is almost done, ill post it up tomorrow evening for criticism and for any advice anyone can give me, thanks :D
 

Gamah

Banned
Joined
Dec 22, 2003
Messages
13,042
Basicly, I am doing the same as you but I will have an MCSE to back me up and various programming knowledge..however I am still doing the "access" course at a local universtiy so I can get into a better uni some place else. I dont really think i'll have much trouble though with professional qualifications and an access course under my belt.

Look into getting some professional qualifications, they are quite expensive but worth it if your serious about IT.
 

Darksword

Can't get enough of FH
Joined
Feb 10, 2004
Messages
2,678
Gamah said:
Basicly, I am doing the same as you but I will have an MCSE to back me up and various programming knowledge..however I am still doing the "access" course at a local universtiy so I can get into a better uni some place else. I dont really think i'll have much trouble though with professional qualifications and an access course under my belt.

Look into getting some professional qualifications, they are quite expensive but worth it if your serious about IT.

if id have realised what i wanted to do 3 months ago i definatly would have spent this year getting more knowledge and qualifications under my belt, but i only decided a few days ago after alot of thinking that im going to go for it there isnt much time till the ucas deadline so im trying to get everything sorted for monday while also revising for my current degree course exams which are over hte next two weeks. if i get accepted for a foundation/access course then i'll drop out of uni and spend the next 8 months getting up to scratch on my maths and IT and maybe take a course at the local college if theres a short one that will help but time is a major factor for me here :(
 

Mojo

Fledgling Freddie
Joined
Feb 27, 2004
Messages
1,940
The firstline support + cert option rather than college/degree might be an option, thats how i got into it.

And you get paid.
 

kirennia

Part of the furniture
Joined
Dec 26, 2003
Messages
3,857
What year are you in your current degree? If you're in your second or final year and are aiming for a 2.1 or higher, then even if you don't like the course, you would do well to suck it up and finish it. Although it's not related to computer science, having two degrees would most definitely give you a step ahead further down the track.

I'm pretty sure that getting a 2.1 in pretty much any degree course would give you a step directly into the computing degree (might not get into top universities but the difference in teaching is minimal for most courses, it's all down to the facilities). I have quite a few friends who went straight from a-levels into university pretty much because they were pressured into it by the school we were at (looks good for their stats even if it does screw people over). Because of this, by the end of their third year they were stuck having to take another degree.

One friend sticks in my mind as he went to cardiff doing the wrong degree but finished it anyway and is now doing a medicine degree purely based off of his 2.1 merits.

What they say about your personal statement is 100% true. Personally I screwed up my a-levels (long story but I ended with c/d/e) after having very good GCSE results. These a-levels all had absolutely nothing to do with computing and I proceeded to take time out from education before going back. I took no courses, had gaps everywhere and basically just worked damn hard on my personal statement to show that I was willing to work very hard when I got there.

I was accepted for the computing degree course being 100 points short of what they were asking even with having 12 hour production line night jobs as my references.

The main point I'd suggest is that for a personal statement is that nothing which has happened in your life is negative! You have learnt from everything, found everything interesting and most things you have done have been because you wanted to find something out about your given course. Show that you have at least looked at some sort of programming language(s) to give off an air of enthusiasm :p Extra curricular activities should always be something whcih you sound really enthusiastic about as well.

Just remember not to put all of your eggs into one basket. What happens if you drop politics and computer science isnt what you expected either; be sure before you make a big move like this.
 

Lamp

Gold Star Holder!!
Joined
Jan 16, 2005
Messages
22,952
My only advice is go with your gut instinct

Sometimes I wish I had studied computers at uni instead of law

but you never know what life's gonna throw at you

sometimes it works out, sometimes not

Computing sounds good. Go 4 it and good luck
 

Galadry

Fledgling Freddie
Joined
Dec 26, 2005
Messages
73
What sort of computing do you want to do ? There's quite a variety of roles.

It's worth bearing in mind that politics will make you suited for doing IT stuff in a business around politics, often it's understanding the business as much as understanding IT that is important.

For many companies recruiting IT staff, the type of degree isn't very relevant. Certainly used to be that the preferred course for programmers was Philosophy, rather than IT, as it taught you how to think better.

In real world IT, the most important thing by far is experience, both of IT and Business. If you get to the point that you can explain IT to the Business people, and the Business to IT people, and can understand both reasonably, you're set ! Getting the experience can be tricky, be willing to start right at the bottom and move on from there.

In my experience, anyway.

Darzil

(oopsie, wrong login)
 

Darksword

Can't get enough of FH
Joined
Feb 10, 2004
Messages
2,678
kirennia said:
What year are you in your current degree? If you're in your second or final year and are aiming for a 2.1 or higher, then even if you don't like the course, you would do well to suck it up and finish it. Although it's not related to computer science, having two degrees would most definitely give you a step ahead further down the track.

I'm pretty sure that getting a 2.1 in pretty much any degree course would give you a step directly into the computing degree (might not get into top universities but the difference in teaching is minimal for most courses, it's all down to the facilities). I have quite a few friends who went straight from a-levels into university pretty much because they were pressured into it by the school we were at (looks good for their stats even if it does screw people over). Because of this, by the end of their third year they were stuck having to take another degree.

One friend sticks in my mind as he went to cardiff doing the wrong degree but finished it anyway and is now doing a medicine degree purely based off of his 2.1 merits.

What they say about your personal statement is 100% true. Personally I screwed up my a-levels (long story but I ended with c/d/e) after having very good GCSE results. These a-levels all had absolutely nothing to do with computing and I proceeded to take time out from education before going back. I took no courses, had gaps everywhere and basically just worked damn hard on my personal statement to show that I was willing to work very hard when I got there.

I was accepted for the computing degree course being 100 points short of what they were asking even with having 12 hour production line night jobs as my references.

The main point I'd suggest is that for a personal statement is that nothing which has happened in your life is negative! You have learnt from everything, found everything interesting and most things you have done have been because you wanted to find something out about your given course. Show that you have at least looked at some sort of programming language(s) to give off an air of enthusiasm :p Extra curricular activities should always be something whcih you sound really enthusiastic about as well.

Just remember not to put all of your eggs into one basket. What happens if you drop politics and computer science isnt what you expected either; be sure before you make a big move like this.

thanks, good advice, im currently in my first year of politics, and yeh, i feel like i should have taken a year and done something, infact i was initially planning to take the year out and do a computer related course at a local college, but then i chose university, figuring that my degree would be more important. so now, if i do get accepted for this foundation degree im going to be back wher ei started when i left A-levels.

Thanks for all the advice guys, really useful, almost done with my personal statement so ill post it up in a short while.
 

Darksword

Can't get enough of FH
Joined
Feb 10, 2004
Messages
2,678
well here it is, its not 100% finished, needs a bit of fixing etc. but as im applying for a foundation degree im not sure what i should focus on mainly, my degree i wish to do after? also i havent mentioned my gcse ICT or my A-levels that i achieved as im not sure how relevent this would be, but please read and critise :> also havent mentioned htings such as being bi-lingual as im not sure if this is important?

Since an early age I have had a keen interest in mathematics and logical problem solving, which was first inspired by learning about my fathers engineering career. This interest later developed and grew as I started to use computers, which have had a profound impact on my life, and have come to be one of the most highly used tools in my life. I have always been interested in software engineering and how programs are coded and put together. In particular I have always been fascinated with the development of graphics and vision and how technological advancements have allowed for a greater depth in programming, increasing the level of artificial intelligence in everyday appliances, such as gaming.
My interest in computers and mathematics allowed me to develop an intricate database, linked with spreadsheet and a word processing program to create a system for a local business (Meat Zone UK Ltd.) to take care of tedious tasks, allowing for greater efficiency, while still being very easy to use. In addition to this, I have recently started to teach myself HTML coding and JavaScript, and have found it very interesting, and although challenging I greatly enjoy it.
Outside of computing I have many hobbies; I train in kickboxing and greatly enjoy it, both working individually and training as a team. It has allowed me to develop my confidence, and socialise with people from many diverse backgrounds and of all ages. Through my kickboxing, I represented my club over the summer in competition at various interclub meets.
I was also a member of the Army Cadet Force at my old school, and through them I gained my first aid training, and also worked in groups for activities such as orienteering. In the cadets I also learned the importance of strict time keeping and working towards goals.
I also volunteered at a local primary school and worked with children for three months. In particular it was a great joy teaching them to work with computers and seeing them enjoy what they could get out of it, even from simple programs such as paint and typing practise games.
I am gripped by the prospect of working in computing and developing my skills in this field and working in the fast passed industry, and feel this course is the first step to achieving my goals.
 

Garaen

One of Freddy's beloved
Joined
Dec 27, 2003
Messages
985
Since an early age I have had a keen interest in mathematics and logical problem solving, which was first inspired by learning about my father(apostrophe here)s engineering career. This interest later developed and grew as I started to use computers, which have had a profound impact on my life, and have come to be one of the most highly used tools in my life. I have always been interested in software engineering and how programs are coded and put together. In particular I have always been fascinated with the development of graphics and vision and how technological advancements have allowed for a greater depth in programming, increasing the level of artificial intelligence in everyday appliances, such as gaming.
My interest in computers and mathematics allowed me to develop an intricate database, linked with spreadsheet and a word processing program to create a system for a local business (Meat Zone UK Ltd.) to take care of tedious tasks, allowing for greater efficiency, while still being very easy to use. In addition to this,(remove this comma) I have recently started to teach myself HTML coding and JavaScript, and have found it very interesting, and although challenging I greatly enjoy it.(change to: and although challenging i find it extremely interesting - or add a full stop after JavaScript and make a new sentence)
Outside of computing I have many hobbies; I train in kickboxing and greatly enjoy it, both working individually and training as a team. It has allowed me to develop my confidence, and socialise[/b]socialize[/b] with people from many diverse backgrounds and of all ages(change to - It has allowed me to develop my confidence and socialiseand again with people of all ages and backgrounds - or if you leave it blank remove the comma after confidence, comma + and = bad). Through my kickboxing,remove comma I represented my club over the summer in competition at various interclub meets.
I was also a member of the Army Cadet Force at my old school, and through them I gained my first aid training,remove comma and also worked in groups for activities such as orienteering. In the cadets(Capital C? not sure) I also learned the importance of strict time keeping and working towards goals.
I also volunteered at a local primary school and worked with children for three months. In particular it was a great joy(change joy to something else such as pleasure. Enjoy + joy clash) teaching them to work with computers and seeing them enjoy what they could get out of it, even from simple programs such as paint and typing practisepractice games.
I am gripped(strange context, i would use a different word, maybe excited or captivated) by the prospect of working in computing and developing my skillswould advise full stop here and then new sentence - I understand that this is a fast paced...etc) in this field and working in the fast passedpaced industry, and feel this course is the first step to achieving my goals.

I would definitely add the face that you are bi-lingual, it's a very impressive and relatively rare skill. It shows you have an aptitude to apply yourself over a long period of time and highlights your intelligence.

I've just added a few amendments i would make. You can obviously take it or leave it as you see fit. :D Overall it reads well, good job.
 

Darksword

Can't get enough of FH
Joined
Feb 10, 2004
Messages
2,678
thanks, made a few of those changes and added the bi-lingual part in, but nwo im waiting for someone from my school to get in touch with me so i can find out if i can actually apply threw them or not, any other changes/advice anyone can give in the meantime?
 

WiiWii

Loyal Freddie
Joined
Jan 16, 2004
Messages
270
The only thing i would like is that u have a indentation or a blank row between the diffrent parts. Like i have done here, but you might have done that already :( It's easier to read and looks better imho.

Since an early age I have had a keen interest in mathematics and logical problem solving, which was first inspired by learning about my fathers engineering career. This interest later developed and grew as I started to use computers, which have had a profound impact on my life, and have come to be one of the most highly used tools in my life. I have always been interested in software engineering and how programs are coded and put together. In particular I have always been fascinated with the development of graphics and vision and how technological advancements have allowed for a greater depth in programming, increasing the level of artificial intelligence in everyday appliances, such as gaming.

My interest in computers and mathematics allowed me to develop an intricate database, linked with spreadsheet and a word processing program to create a system for a local business (Meat Zone UK Ltd.) to take care of tedious tasks, allowing for greater efficiency, while still being very easy to use. In addition to this, I have recently started to teach myself HTML coding and JavaScript, and have found it very interesting, and although challenging I greatly enjoy it.

Outside of computing I have many hobbies; I train in kickboxing and greatly enjoy it, both working individually and training as a team. It has allowed me to develop my confidence, and socialise with people from many diverse backgrounds and of all ages. Through my kickboxing, I represented my club over the summer in competition at various interclub meets.

I was also a member of the Army Cadet Force at my old school, and through them I gained my first aid training, and also worked in groups for activities such as orienteering. In the cadets I also learned the importance of strict time keeping and working towards goals.

I also volunteered at a local primary school and worked with children for three months. In particular it was a great joy teaching them to work with computers and seeing them enjoy what they could get out of it, even from simple programs such as paint and typing practise games.

I am gripped by the prospect of working in computing and developing my skills in this field and working in the fast passed industry, and feel this course is the first step to achieving my goals.
 

Darksword

Can't get enough of FH
Joined
Feb 10, 2004
Messages
2,678
haha thanks wiiwii, yeh i've done that just doesnt come out on FH, gunna have to put a line between each paragraph on ucas, if my school ever ring me, left 3 messages now and been ringing all day, really need to speak with my old teacher >: (
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Top Bottom