Four straight A grades but I still can’t get a place at university!

10:42am Friday 3rd September 2010

By Jon Reeve

WITH four straight As in his A levels, you would have thought universities would be falling over themselves to offer James Thorne a place.

But a fortnight after picking up his excellent results, the Hampshire student has been left frustrated after failing to land a spot on a course anywhere.

The clever 18-year-old from West Wellow is currently sweating on his last option in his bid to study medicine and become a doctor – a place on the reserve list at the University of Southampton.

But having to rely on others dropping out, he fears he will have to spend a year out of education and then hope he can be more successful with a second application for 2011.

James – who picked up A grades in physics, chemistry, biology and maths, as well as an A grade AS level in further maths and B in A level general studies – told the Daily Echo: “I’m really frustrated that my hard work hasn’t got me into university.

“I realise it’s very competitive, so I deliberately chose to do more than the standard three subjects.

“The academic requirements are three As or AAB, but they’re also looking for work experience and volunteering.

“I spent three weeks working with children in South Korea, and I’ve done the Duke of Edinburgh award up to silver level.

“I’ve also volunteered at the hospital since September that takes up a lot of my time.”

The Peter Symonds College student applied for three other universities – Cardiff, Nottingham and Imperial College, London – but the best he got was an interview at Cardiff, followed by a rejection letter despite saying he had put in a strong application.

Since getting his results, James has been frantically phoning institutions around the country in the hunt for a place, but with no success.

He said: “I’m trying to find any places that are up for grabs but they’re saying there are no spaces.

“I would like to become a doctor, specialising in neurology or neurosurgery, but because of this I’m basically missing a year of education.

“I’m going to work as a healthcare assistant to further strengthen my application.”

University of Southampton bosses admit it is extremely difficult to get a place on its medicine course.

Dr Chris Stephens, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, said: “The University of Southampton’s medical degree is one of the most highly rated in the country and, consequently, competition is tough – we received over 5,000 applications for our 246 places.

“Although a high level of academic achievement is important, we also look for other qualities in candidates so to ensure they will be able to cope with the challenges of the profession and become successful doctors in the future.”