Year 12s: what will be the first way you research your future options? >>

Help with my choices

Hi,

I was hoping I could get you guys opinions on what I should do regarding my choices. I have 2 university offers for Physics with Astrophysics

Manchester Uni - A*AB (A*A in Maths and Physics, either order), B in Computing

Leeds Uni - AAB (B can be in any of my 3 subjects)

Manchester will be my firm and Leeds my insurance.

My grades after the January exams stand as this -

Maths -
C1 - 93/100
C2 - 80/100
C3 - 70/100
M1 - 87/100

Total - 330/400, meaning I need 150 out of the remaining 200 away from an A. However I can't get an A* without resitting C3. My last two exams are C4 and D1.

Physics -
G481 Mechanics - 63/90
G482 Electrons, Waves & Photons - 133/150
G483 Practical Skills 1 - 58/60
G484 Newtonian World - 61/90

Total - 315/390, meaning I need 165 out of the remaining 210 to get an A and 209/210 to get an A* without resits. I have Practical Skills 2(/60) and Fields, Particles and Frontiers of Physics(/150) left.

Computing (No Jan Exam) -

CG1 - 122/130
CG2 - 54/70

Total - 176/200, both coursework(/70) and exam(/130) left to do this year

I'm almost certain that even with resits an A* in physics will be impossible for me so my only option is to try and get one in Maths (which I do well in class, but generally mess up the exam). I basically see myself having 3 options -

1 - Resit nothing. Focus on getting 3 A's and possibly an A* in computing and hope Manchester let me in with 3 A's or A*AA with the A* in Computing. At this point I should point out my offer for Manchester is already lower than it should be since I was on the MAP program their standard offer is A*A*A - A*AA.

2- Resit C3, resit nothing from Physics. This only adds one extra exam in the summer but if I don't get an A in physics it's irrelevant if I get an A* as I still miss the Manchester offer, that is of course assuming they won't let me in if I get a B in physics.

3- Resit C3 and resit Mechanics from Physics. This does the same as above in terms of the A* but allows me to try and get a few extra marks in Physics in the easiest unit, as I said I think an A* in Physics is impossible for me to achieve so I might as well resit the easier AS module as it is only 2 UMS higher than the Newtonian World.

Thanks for taking the time to read this, so what do you think? 1, 2 or 3.

Reply 1

Clearing and Applications Advisor

What do you see as being the downsides to option 3 which would be your best bet to meet your offer conditions?

Reply 2

the_red_sloth

The only downside I see to option 3 is it's an extra exam in the summer even though it is an AS module. The only thing I'm worried about is by having 6 exams in the summer instead of 4 is I could end up missing both offers by not having enough time to revise everything properly. I think it'll be between option 1 or 3 even though option 1 is basically resigning myself to the fact I'll be going Leeds, which I'd be happy with it's not like I really really prefer Manchester however as I said I'd slightly prefer Manchester.

I'll be having a chat with my Maths and Physics teachers this week as well so hopefully they can give me some guidance as well.

I also just realised I've binned all my Mechanics notes in the summer thinking I wasn't going to resit it, what a idiot I am LOL.

Reply 3

Clearing and Applications Advisor

I'd say plan for option 3 - if the revision gets too much you can always revert to 1 at a later date but there's no harm in giving it a try.

Also check out what the situation is around accommodation at leeds for insurance students - it looks like you'd be guaranteed a room (http://accommodation.leeds.ac.uk/info/100001/prospective_students/14/applying_for_accommodation ) as long as you apply by 1st July (but you'd be amazed how many people don't apply or look into accommodation for their insurance choices and so miss the deadlines!)