US Conservatism vs UK

[Imran Siddiqui]

That's where the 10% overall rate came from. It's more expensive here than it used to be but still loads cheaper to go to college here than in the US. Probably explains the lower drop out rates (most drop outs here are for financial reasons).

Well that's not entirely the reason here (though some do drop out because of money). I've seen plenty just get 'tired' of school and drop out, even though they can easily afford it.

[FrustratedPoet]

Originally posted by MikeH
Why do they need to know what school they attended?

It's written on your exam certificates.

The Uni want some kind of reference for you so they can verify your GCSE and A-Level predicted grades, otherwise you could just be pulling that information out of your ass.

Some information would be best hidden from the application process, but previous and current academic achievement obviously shouldn't be. The name, address and contact information of the school is needed to verify any claims the student makes about their academic career on their application form.

[FrustratedPoet]

In fact, that question was so dumb I'd have replied "Own goal" if we'd been on a certain other forum.

[MikeH]

they could find that out just by knowing your name and exam board.

[FrustratedPoet]

Fair point, but that won't work for your predicted A-level grades (which, as you know, your school assign to you directly and are the primary thing Uni's look at when you're applying).

[MikeH]

Ah, sorry misread that.

There could easily be a way set up for the schools to put your predicted grades into UCAS for the unis to check without knowing what school you are from.

[FrustratedPoet]

"Easily", like "cheaply" is not a word that can apply to any kind of beauocracy in this country.

[MikeH]

We should never change anything then.

[FrustratedPoet]

/me puts his fingers in his ears

LALALALALA

There is no problem! There is no problem!

[Solly]

How so? How were they to know what type of school I went to from my postcode. People go to both posh private schools (about 100 metresa from my house) and very bad state schools (about 500 metres from my house) in my postcode.

Well it would give them some idea. Basically all those that are "deciding" who goes where see are exam grades. No race stats, no money stats, no income stats etc. Just exam grades, and some identifying code of the candidate that would mean zilch to them.

By the way if postcodes mean nothing, explain to me why if I moved from this M28 postcode to M27, car insurance premiums go up around 40%...