The guardian angels in one’s life: 06 (The persistent naggers)

 

(This is based on the situation at the time [1978] as I remember it now, 47 years later.)

University applications started in November, with interviews in January (or April??).

    Provisional offers were made on the basis that the applicant got the grades asked for.

    If the applicant did not get those grades (come June or July when the results came out), s/he could re-apply through the clearing system in August or September, either for the same subject at another university that would accept the lower grades, or for a different subject — at that university or a different one — with a lower threshold.

    In those days, there was a small handful of UK institutions that offered degrees in Chinese.  Oxford and Cambridge, with their international reputation, would require an applicant to have higher grades, whilst a polytechnic would take applicants with lower grades.

    So, those who’d failed to get the grades expected for a place on the Oxbridge Chinese degree course could try the polytechnic through the clearing system.  It is a benevolent way of doing things that tries to be as inclusive as possible, giving people another chance to get in (and change the direction of their lives).

    The other side of the coin is:  those who got higher grades than previously expected could “ditch“ the first institution that accepted them and go for a more prestigious one [in the eyes of future employers] — which was exactly what Steve and Hugh were encouraging me to do.  (See https://piccola-chinita.blogspot.com/2025/05/the-guardian-angels-in-ones-life-05.html for more about Steve and Hugh.)

    I’d originally applied to the poly for their dual language degree course, which included six months in each of the countries of my two chosen languages for the Year Abroad (Year 3).  Was accepted straightaway at the interview, and duly went off to do my bit for achieving the grades required.

    When the results came out in June or July, I was nagged daily by Steve and Hugh, who were my classmates on the evening Mandarin course, to switch to SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London).  So as (ha, pun!) not to come across as being ungrateful for their kind concern over my future, I finally applied to SOAS through the clearing system.

    And just in time, too.  I was interviewed on the Friday, one working day before the polytechnic registration on the following Monday.  Talk about close shaves!

    I had to ring the poly on Monday to say, “Sorry, I’m not coming in today to register on your course after all.”  (I’m usually the one who’s jilted…)

    Thank you, Steve (deceased) and Hugh for your untiring efforts on my behalf.  I owe you my next lifetime’s worth of favours.

(London, 1978)