In my secondary school, I wasn't given the best opportunities and I was only able to leave with about 6 GCSEs and BTECs adding up to 4.5 GCSEs. We chose our options in Year 8 and could only choose 2/3 subjects. During that time, our school only had a 25% pass rate so they started doing more BTEC's to bring that up.
These are the grades I managed to leave school with:
Maths: A*
English: A
Double Science: AA (*)
IFS Level 2 Certificate: A*
Geography: B (Completed a year early)
BTEC ICT: Double Dist*
BTEC Art and Design: Merit
BTEC Business: Merit
Now I'm at college and preparing to start applying to uni by the end of this year, I've noticed my options are limited because of this. Less people are putting as much effort into helping me because I have less GCSEs to the point where and I quote: "Russell Group unis won't even look at your application". Now I'm predicted AAAB in my AS-Levels and I'm doing everything I can to improve my potential application.
Is it my fault why my GCSE profile is weak? Should I have self-studied and tried to pay for external exams to boost my profile? Should I have spent an extra year doing more GCSEs?
I'm really confused especially since everyone else at my college have about 10+ GCSE's and I have 6? People have even told me GCSE count and quality could be a tipping factor for applying for jobs as well.
Be honest, even if the criticism is brutal, all answers and views would be really helpful
Thanks
Leechayy