Nichita Condorachi
- Subject area
- Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering
My Clearing Experience
I went to school in a low socio-economic area, where few of my student friends would progress to higher education. Despite this, I knew that I wanted to pursue a degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering that was close to my friends and family in London. However, when I missed the entry requirements in maths at my first-choice university, I went home and started the clearing process.
Through clearing I contacted the universities at the top of my list. I was recommended Loughborough University by a friend, and so I researched how it ranked in league tables. It was its teaching quality, links with industry, central location, amazing campus and offering of catered accommodation that influenced by decision.
During clearing, I spoke to a member of the Loughborough University academic team who talked me through the course content and what to expect in the coming years, and the course matched my interests and future career aspirations. I then received a verbal offer over the phone that guaranteed my place.
My experience of organising accommodation after securing my place in clearing was very simple, and it exceeded my expectations. I did not expect to receive any accommodation on campus at this late stage but there was still some available that suited my needs, and so I was pleasantly surprised that everything worked out. Whilst it may be a very fast paced and emotional event for some, I can confidently say that I found clearing straightforward because I contacted universities immediately after I found out my results.
My advice would be to contact your top universities through clearing immediately, as courses have limited places and are allocated on a first come first serve basis. I had several universities to choose from and I found it useful to talk through my options with friends and family so I could make an decision based on what was important to me.
My Loughborough Experience
I would recommend Loughborough University because the campus has a strong community feel where diversity is welcomed. The University is accessible as you will find everything you need either on campus or in the local area. It is also very sports orientated and so there are lots of opportunities to have fun, relieve stress and make new friends.
I am really enjoying my course; the quality and enthusiasm of the teaching inspires you to work hard. Every student is given access to the online “Learn” resource that allows you to watch lectures back at a convenient time to assist with your learning. The facilities are state of the art, clean and modern and have equipped me with technical industry skills.
There are also opportunities to acquire relevant industry skills and experience whilst being at Loughborough University. I have been contacted several times by Talent Match, who provide paid short-term internships relating to my course.
I have been offered support with writing my CV which led to being offered industry experience at ‘Cummins Inc’ in Daventry and at the 'Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering at Loughborough University' as a Digital Systems Developer. I am proud of securing these in my first year because I appreciate how competitive employment opportunities can be.
I am also looking forward to pursuing a one-year placement as part of my 3rd year studies. I would ultimately like to work at Intel as a Silicon Semiconductor Chip Designer, after possibly pursuing an integrated master’s degree at Loughborough University in Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
My advice to future students
It is important to research league tables and visit as many universities as you can so that you have a contingency plan, just in case your first-choice universities don’t work out.
If you join Loughborough University like me, I recommend joining as many clubs or activities as you can to get the most out of your university experience, and being allocated a place through clearing has certainly worked out as the best outcome for me.
