Letter: Let down by Ucas system

Asma Ahmed
Wednesday 21 August 1996 18:02 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Sir: You are quite right to recommend a system of university entrance in which students apply after receiving their A-level results ("Lessons of the scramble for university places", 19 August).

I am one of many 18-year-olds who received their A-level results last week and I am embittered by the Ucas system, which I feel has let me down badly. I was predicted mainly C grades and on the basis of this felt unable to apply for the highly competitive degree course, which demanded A and B grades, that I had originally hoped to do. However, after receiving my results (two A grades and a B), I find that it is too late to secure a place on that course at any university in Britain for 1996. I will now have to reapply for 1997.

I firmly believe that a system in which students apply after receiving their results would be fairer to everyone. Any system which relies so heavily upon teachers' predictions on what students are going to achieve, one year before the exams, is bound to be grossly unfair and woefully inaccurate.

ASMA AHMED

London N22

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in