**Problem**

[Russ11]

Hey everyone!

I'm 18yrs old currently on my year out from uni. Next year I will be studying Aerospace Technology (Hons)BEng at Coventry Uni.

The problem is at A-level my grades weren't anything liked I hoped! I got Geog C Physics D & Chem D. I was predicted alot higher.

I have passed aptitude tests,I used to glide I have nearly 3Hrs Solo (Too expensive to continue!)

Anyway I'm a little worried about my A-level grades
(but in GCSE i got 9 A-C [3*A/4*B/2*C])

If I apply to BA after my Honours degree will they reject me or will they consider my gliding as an advantage?

Many thanks to whoever reads and reply's.

[AffirmBrest]

Can't speak for those who have experience of BA, but most airlines/companies (mine included) shouldn't really care what your A-levels are if you have a good degree.

Most ask for min GCSE grades in Eng and Maths just to prove a minimum level of literacy and numeracy, and bluntly speaking, why would an airline care if you got an A or an E in Chemistry or Politics or other subject irrelevant to their business.

A good degree (2:1 nowadays) will show that you can apply yourself and are capable of motivating yourself and working to a high academic standard - ie. you are likely to succeed on the ATPL course.

And before I get all the usual replies..I don't mean that you NEED a degree to do the ATPL course, just in terms of you application form you have shown a level of academic acheivement that suggests you have qualities which will make you academic success more likely!

Other tips...keep gliding/flying. I'm sure if you were motivated enough then you could find a local college which had a gliding club if yours doesn't, and is probably the cheapest way to get yourself airborne!

And finally...you don't just have to apply to BA to get a Cadetship: Aer Lingus, Air2K, Air UK, BM etc. all run schemes that are worth finding out about.

Godd Luck!

[jollygreengiant]

A good degree will probably get you to the first stage of selection - after that it is up to you.

As for the gliding - I don't think it would harm your application.

[Pandora]

All you poor innocent school leavers out there who worry about not having 12 A* GCSEs please stop wringing your hands and listen. Whether you have 5 grade A A-levels or 2 grade Cs, you have passed the minimum academic criteria for entry into BA. I have said this already on another post started today. If you are doing a degree even better. But what is really, REALLY important is to balance your qualifications with a demonstrated (ie. gliding, PPL, UAS, Air Cadets.....) and to have a life. By this I mean when they ask you what else you do in life besides going to college and plane spotting at the local airport you will have a rich and varied list of hobbies and social interests that you are good at and can talk/write with conviction about.

Lecture over, just remember airlines look for real people, not exam passing personality free robots.

Russ11 - don't let anyone or anything pet you off you final ambition. I messed up my GCSEs and my A-levels, and got run over just before my 3rd year degree exams, thus managing to cock those up as well, and still got into BA.