[LydiaLight1994]

So I've come here as I've always been told conflicting advice, and would like someone else than a student advisor/my mum to ask!
I want to apply in 2013 (in my gap year) for History BA at:
1.Durham
2.Kings College
3.York
4.Exteter
5.Bristol

Slight problem is that I had a crappy few months going through my GCSES and flopped, and didn't achieve my predicted grades, getting 3 a*s 5 a's and 2 b's.
I'm doing IB currently and am predicted somewhere in the 39-41 region and hope to have a full personal statement as I do a number of History related activities etc..
Even though I look quite strong now, is it even worth applying to uni's as prestigious as these with GCSES like mine?
Any feedback would be BRILLIANT.

[Vulpes]

(Original post by LydiaLight1994)
So I've come here as I've always been told conflicting advice, and would like someone else than a student advisor/my mum to ask!
I want to apply in 2013 (in my gap year) for History BA at:
1.Durham
2.Kings College
3.York
4.Exteter
5.Bristol

Slight problem is that I had a crappy few months going through my GCSES and flopped, and didn't achieve my predicted grades, getting 3 a*s 5 a's and 2 b's.
I'm doing IB currently and am predicted somewhere in the 39-41 region and hope to have a full personal statement as I do a number of History related activities etc..
Even though I look quite strong now, is it even worth applying to uni's as prestigious as these with GCSES like mine?
Any feedback would be BRILLIANT.

Universities will generally place more emphasis on your IB predictions than your GCSE scores. However, you should look at the university prospectuses & websites to check if they have any specific GCSE requirements. Your IB prediction is quite high so that shouldn't be too big of an issue imo, provided you achieve that score.

I haven't looked into the History BA degree so I can't give you advice on the listed universities. However, be sure that you apply with a backup option with slightly lower requirements.

I would definitely recommend the TSR PS Help service when you get around to writing you personal statement.

I'm not studying History so I can't offer you subject-specific information but I hope this helps.

[ByronicHero]

Yes.

I had offers from two of them with CCCEE at GCSE.

[OSharp]

Should be ok with those GCSEs, they're hardly a disaster, if you have exenuating circumstances make that apparent to the university. Other than that the only advice is to look at the prospectuses and course requirements for most courses having 8A/A*s will be ample.

Your IB is more important.