Not meeting university offer

Hey guys,

I'm feeling pretty bummed out right now and I could really use some advice. So, I feel like didn't quite well write my IB exam so I will definitely miss the grades I need to confirm my offers to study Maths at UCL or MORSE at Warwick. I'm still waiting on the final decision, but it's not looking good.

I also got accepted into the Rotterdam Economics econometrics double bachelor programme, but I'm not sure how I feel about it. I know it's a great opportunity, but I can't help feeling like I messed up and that I'm a failure. I mean, I really wanted to study maths and now I'm not sure what to do.

So, what do you guys think? Should I just go ahead and accept the Rotterdam offer? Or should I consider other options, like retaking and going for a gap year? Has anyone else been in a similar situation and how did you deal with it?

 
Most Helpful

I don't know if this is useful, but back in my day (admittedly 10+ years ago), UK universities had a "clearing system" for students who didn't meet their grades. This may allow you to study maths at another university in the UK.

If not, then I guess the advice depends on your objectives. If you truly want to study maths, then I'd take the gap year and apply to maths programs at institutions where you feel that you can get in. If you can retake the exams, then do. 

If your objective is investment banking (just reading your profile name), and you don't think that the institutions where you can study maths will be as "target" as Rotterdam, then go for Rotterdam. When recruiting prospects, we care almost not at all what subject someone studied, but HR will screen on the basis of university and that's unavoidable.

(If money is a concern then I guess that complicates things but I'm assuming not as you suggested gap year).

Also:

1) If by "similar situation" you mean has anybody else messed up and feels like they let themselves down, the ABSOLUTELY I've been there and I think everyone else here has too. 

2) I was rejected by my first and second choice universities. It made me feel like a jerk. But I went to my third choice anyway and had the most fantastic and memorable 3 years of my life, which has defined my career, which made me meet the most incredible and inspirational friends, and led me to meet the woman I'm now engaged to. Thing is, you never get to see the counterfactual in life. Whatever you do, you'll have a blast in life. While I don't buy into "everything happens for a reason", you only get to join the dots in hindsight.

 

Odit provident aut in id delectus expedita quia excepturi. Nesciunt eum et molestias et dolorum. Eaque unde est autem ipsa illo et molestias. Veritatis harum odio beatae voluptates similique similique modi. Enim qui consequatur facilis libero aspernatur pariatur quia eius.

Repellendus ipsum in commodi et. Excepturi aut ipsam vero molestiae perferendis et dolorem corrupti. Ipsum similique optio ea voluptas in quisquam est. Asperiores magni atque nemo officia iure id qui veritatis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Perella Weinberg Partners New 98.9%
  • Lazard Freres 01 98.3%
  • Harris Williams & Co. 24 97.7%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 19 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.9%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 97.7%
  • Moelis & Company 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.9%
  • Perella Weinberg Partners 18 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 16 97.7%
  • Moelis & Company 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (22) $375
  • Associates (93) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (69) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (206) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (149) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”