Little sister flunked her Uni entrance exam

CamillaRhodes

Hi guys, not sure if this is the right forum for this but couldn't think where else to put it.

My little sister (in-law) just found out she's flunked her entrance exam to Uni. She's from and lives in a country where, despite her having left school with the equivalent of 600 points in her Leaving (you take 5 subjects, and she got the highest grade in all 5), your entrance into Uni is based solely on one entrance exam. Seems like she choked on the day, I've no other explanation for it, cos she's a very brilliant hard-working girl.

She's obviously really gutted, she was so excited to go to Uni, and her mum's being a bit of a b*tch about it tbh (saying that she aimed too high by applying to the top Uni in her country, rather than the crappy local one - you only have the option of applying to one Uni, as all the entrance exams are on the same day).

I really want to buck her up a bit, encourage her that this isn't the end of the world and point out all the various options that are available to her, but at the moment it's all ringing a bit hollow. If she were here in Ireland, I'd tell her she could either get a job for the year, make a bit of money, have a bit of time-off from studying, until she reapplies next year. Or else go overseas for a bit, volunteer in a developing country, something like that.

But she's from a non-EU state where employment rates are low and salaries are even lower - she's never had a part-time job through school, so going and getting a job for a year may be really difficult. It would certainly require her to move out of home (in a small village - she went to boarding school) and to the city, which is something she can't afford without a job - catch 22. And without any money, she can't really go off travelling. She speaks English, not fluently but enough to get by, but her nationality removes any chance of getting a visa somewhere where she could get a job while travelling, like Canada or Oz.

If anyone had any words of encouragement, or ideas of alternative paths I could share with her, it would be great. My heart breaks to think of how down she is now, with her mum condemning her for being too ambitious (which IMO is a good thing, she was right to aim high - she was the top student in her year in school!) Thanks.

skooterblue2

Well She could go bowl in hand to the local college and ask them if they have a place on any course, at least she would spent the year learning some course.

She could try and get a job any job, just to tied her over. Voluntary work is always a great option for personal development.

Its not the end of the world but she will have to cut her cloth to measure this year. She might get an insight into what she want to do with her life.

Take her out for a meal or let her have some alone time....She needs a bit of space to think. It will work out for the best.

Sleepy

Could she come over to you and your other half for a year, not sure but presume her brother living in Ireland would help with a visa? Look to get work here (maybe as an aupair or something?) and get her English fluent before re-applying to university next year? Would help the year be a worthwhile experience for her whilst possibly saving some cash towards uni.

Alternatively, could she go to college here? Again, I'm presuming the resident family member would help with a visa but most countries have equivalence measurements for each other's school leaving qualifications. Obviously, if she's from a non-EU country she may be liable for massive fees here but perhaps worth looking into? With those sort of results, it'd be no harm looking at scholarship programs either.

Motley Crue

I can't really offer you any great advice, although I was in a similar position in Ireland myself after finishing the LC, without knowing the country that she resides in?

If it's a non EU state where salaries are low then I guess that rules out 8 of the remaining 18 countries, states and principalities - and places of a similar nature - which are essentially tax havens in most cases and (in the case of Norway and Iceland) places were the wages are high because the living cost is high.

I would therefore have to assume that she comes from Eastern Europe, either part of the former Yugoslavia or the former Soviet Union, and I have to be very critical of the countries choice to only allow students to partake in one entrance exam, on one day, and not to have an option (like a CAO form) which essentially ignores the need for an entrance exam. Also, the very notion of an entrance exam might mean it's a private college, and there was money exchanged for the entrance exam in the first place?

If her nationality removes any chance of a Visa then, again, I have to assume the country is in either political turmoil or she will face a certain stigma for belonging to this country? I guess you have 3 options, either to let her come to Ireland and stay with you (if that's where your based) and try and get a job for the Summer...but she could face flack for that as well...plus you run the risk of her staying here illegally....allow her to remain where she is and keep trying to get a job and take an entrance exam the following year...or...apply for a holiday Visa for three months and take her in and see if she can find a job and set herself up in that time?

As you've said yourself, she has no money, and no chance of a job where she lives. If she doesn't move in with you in Ireland (provided you're in Ireland) then she probably won't be going anywhere for the year, bar finding a job in her own country.

Whatever the case, your mother in law shouldn't be as critical of her as she is, and you seem to be giving her the right advice (if you've given this advice) but you should also be mindful just in case it was her intention to purposely flunk the exam because she doesn't believe, for some reason, that a college education will benefit her. If you've broached this subject with her you might find she has something else on her mind?

skooterblue2

Maybe a year in an English speaking environment might help, If she only has enough to get by maybe apply to one of smaller Further Education institutes may have a suitable course for her to do to give her a working knowledge of English. I definitely think being left at home for a year with her month will get her depressed and demoralised. Travel broadens the mind.