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Am I being realistic about my uni choices?

Hi

I've already posted this in the economics forum, but didn't get many replies so i thought i'd try my luck here.

I've been receiving mixed signals about where i should be applying to university.

I want to do a BA in Economics and History/Economic History. I got 4A 5B 2C at GCSE under extenuating circumanstances (with a note covering this from psychiatric doctor) and my AS results are:

Statistics- A
History- A
Economics- B
Biology- D

What sort of universities should i be aiming for in your opinion, assuming my personal statement is excellent.

I was hoping to apply to York, Manchester, Liverpool, Essex, Cardiff and maybe Warwick. Are the upper tier universities listed here (York, Warwick, Manc) out of reach?

What other places would you reccommend? Am I aiming too low in some places

Thank you,
Alex

Reply 1

Ancient Monument

I think that you need to read the prospectuses with care.

How about a couple of top tier, a couple of close runs and a couple of middle tier - your AS results are good but the subject is competitive.

I'd be a bit worried about the economics B and no maths at A level (stats is good but economics needs more broad maths especially calculus) if you want to do economics - even as a joint degree.

You might also want to think about ditching the biology and focus on getting top grades in 3 subjects.

You should maybe look at unis who interview and make sure that your PS is extremely strong. You should also be sure that you like the course modules and can appear enthusiastic at interview - ie don't choose unis purely by reputation but look at whether they offer what you want.

You also need to bear in mind that unis outside the top tier take strong applicants, have good staff and courses and, if you are personable, provide employability too. All the unis you mention are in that category.

Reply 2

badgerbadger

Do you know what your predictions are likely to be? If good, you can always decline your grades, put the whole lot of your AS results as 'pending' (certification 2007) and let your predictions speak for you. This was a perfectly legitimate thing to do last year, not sure if it's changed though.

Other than that, I think your univerity choices are wise: if you (and your teachers) think you can acheive the A-Level grades demanded by those universities, there's no reason you shouldn't apply.

Reply 3

67382

My predictions are likely to be AAA-AAB, but i'll be discussing it with my teachers tomorrow. I will also be dropping biology.

None of the uni's mentioned above require A level maths, I spoke to york who said that statistics is more than enough.

Thank you for the replies.

Reply 4

GarethBrown

You don't need anymore encouragement than the universities then! If you've emailed their admissions explaining your situation and they have sounded positive then go for it, they'd deter you if they thought you didn't stand a good chance, they don't want applicants wasting their time do they!

Reply 5

Reading Room

Your AS grades - perhaps with the exception of Biology - are certainly respectable: I've heard of people with much worse grades than you at AS still get places at good unis.

Plus, although Economics is quite competitive, combining it with another subject usually works in an applicant's favour (e.g. I want to do straight English, but have been advised I stand a better chance of an offer if I combine with with, say, anthropology). The advice of 2 from the top, 3 from the middle and 1 from the bottom is usually a good idea when filling the 6 ucas places :smile:

Most importantly, ensure you get a good reference, write a killer PS and work towards good predicted grades. Also send unis info about your special circumstances, if you feel it's relevant.

Reply 6

67382

Thank you for the replies.

How would i go about sending the unis info about special circumstances. Can i just put it in my UCAS or something?

Reply 7

Juno

Get your referee to explain the basics in the reference. If you then feel it needs more attention, you can send the letter directly to the unis with a covering letter of explanation

Reply 8

ssmoose

I imagine with your grades + predictions you'll get offers from at least 1 of your higher tier unis and most if not all of your lower tier ones.

Reply 9

kellywood_5

As someone else said, I'd be a bit concerned that you only got a B in economics when that's the subject you want to study, but you could always decline your AS grades and resit a module to bring it up to an A. Also, I'm not sure about this, but I think Warwick sometimes require a 4th AS, so check that a D is good enough. You have extenuating circumstances for your GCSEs, which aren't exactly bad anyway, so get those mentioned in your reference and they shouldn't be a problem. Your predicted grades are good. Write an excellent personal statement, hope for an excellent reference and you should get some offers. It's not like all 6 of your unis are top, so I think your choices are realistic.

Reply 10

Obscured

Alex_K

Thank you for the replies.

How would i go about sending the unis info about special circumstances. Can i just put it in my UCAS or something?

Get your teacher to mention it in their reference. If you like you could mention it in your personal statement but spin it in a positive way e.g. I did experience difficulties but overcoming them have made me a more mature/ well rounded student blah blah blah!!

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