[deadmongoose]

Ok, it is my dream to study architecture at university.

I missed my offers last year and resolved to take a year out to improve my A Level grades from BBB to AAA. (Maths, Physics, Art)

My offers for architecture are:

Nottingham AAA
Sheffield AAA
Newcastle AAA
(I didn't get offers from what I hoped could be my insurance choices!)

I really haven't worked as hard as I should have done for these retakes and I think it is likely that I will come out with AAB or ABB in august. This will mean missing all of my offers (as I only have AAA offers). If I get AAB it is possible that the unis may still take me, however ABB is pretty much no go.

As I see it my options (assuming I don't get my offers) are:
- go to a lesser uni through clearing (although I received an offer from LJMU last year with BBB and would feel like I had wasted a year in going to a similar uni through clearing)
- forget about uni and accept failure
- take a second year out to reapply (different course or uni with achievable grades)
- apply to study abroad

there are so many more questions I need to answer but I just need to clarify some thought right now as I think I might implode otherwise,

thank you, Elliott

(i have probably missed some information as I'm pretty stressed atm, please ask if there are any holes)

[Claire888]

(Original post by deadmongoose)
Ok, it is my dream to study architecture at university.

I missed my offers last year and resolved to take a year out to improve my A Level grades from BBB to AAA. (Maths, Physics, Art)

My offers for architecture are:

Nottingham AAA
Sheffield AAA
Newcastle AAA
(I didn't get offers from what I hoped could be my insurance choices!)

I really haven't worked as hard as I should have done for these retakes and I think it is likely that I will come out with AAB or ABB in august. This will mean missing all of my offers (as I only have AAA offers). If I get AAB it is possible that the unis may still take me, however ABB is pretty much no go.

As I see it my options (assuming I don't get my offers) are:
- go to a lesser uni through clearing (although I received an offer from LJMU last year with BBB and would feel like I had wasted a year in going to a similar uni through clearing)
- forget about uni and accept failure
- take a second year out to reapply (different course or uni with achievable grades)
- apply to study abroad

there are so many more questions I need to answer but I just need to clarify some thought right now as I think I might implode otherwise,

thank you, Elliott

(i have probably missed some information as I'm pretty stressed atm, please ask if there are any holes)

We applied to almost the same places which is weird. What I would say is that at the Newcastle open day they said they they couldn't fill up all of their places with all applicants getting AAA. So they sometimes let in people with offers of AAA when they only get AAB, so that is something to think about. I know that they will accept people like this because my predicted grades were AAB and they offered me AAB, so out of the 3 options you have that would be the easiest to get into in my opinion. I put Sheffield as my firm and I know they make a point of not accepting people without AAA, even if you get A*A*B you won't neccessarily get a place.

I would say don't completely give up on 'lesser' universities, I have LJMU as my insurance and although honestly I would much rather go to Sheffield it is still really good for architecture. They concentrate on helping people to get good jobs at the end of it and have good contacts with practices. I also know someone who did the full architecture course there and loved it and has a good job, after getting a first there, so it isn't the be all and end all going to a russell group university.

Personally I think everyone is worried about meeting the grades, I know I am. Honestly I am planning on begging if I don't get in on grades and hope for the best. Architecture is a long haul and I can't bring myself to think about a gap year so I think you would regret a 2 year gap period. If you don't get the grades but really want to do architecture don't waste another year, just try to find somewhere on clearing otherwise it will be at least another 8 years until you qualify.

Good luck

[deadmongoose]

Claire:

Thanks for the advice, I agree that a 2 year gap would be a bad idea. I guess I'll go for Sheffield firm and Newcastle insurance then and deal with the rest on results day!

[A128]

If you think you may miss your results prepare for the worst, make sure you understand everything about clearing before results day....anyway im sure there will be a lot of places in clearing this year in the middle to lower uni so if you do miss the grades, i doubt it would ruin your chances of uni, maybe just the top ones...

[squeakysquirrel]

(Original post by deadmongoose)
Ok, it is my dream to study architecture at university.

I missed my offers last year and resolved to take a year out to improve my A Level grades from BBB to AAA. (Maths, Physics, Art)

My offers for architecture are:

Nottingham AAA
Sheffield AAA
Newcastle AAA
(I didn't get offers from what I hoped could be my insurance choices!)

I really haven't worked as hard as I should have done for these retakes and I think it is likely that I will come out with AAB or ABB in august. This will mean missing all of my offers (as I only have AAA offers). If I get AAB it is possible that the unis may still take me, however ABB is pretty much no go.

As I see it my options (assuming I don't get my offers) are:
- go to a lesser uni through clearing (although I received an offer from LJMU last year with BBB and would feel like I had wasted a year in going to a similar uni through clearing)
- forget about uni and accept failure
- take a second year out to reapply (different course or uni with achievable grades)
- apply to study abroad

there are so many more questions I need to answer but I just need to clarify some thought right now as I think I might implode otherwise,

thank you, Elliott

(i have probably missed some information as I'm pretty stressed atm, please ask if there are any holes)

I was speaking with someone whose son has applied to Newcastle to study architecture - and apparently applications are down 5% this year. So there is hope. It is not the most popular of courses - so you may yet get in. But that is no excuse for slacking - pick up that revision book now!!.