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

Uni choices? A bit stuck? Help pls...

Hey guys, so I'm a bit stuck... I've shortlisted my unis... to these:
- Essex
- Birmingham
- Portsmouth
- QMUL
- ??? idk, bristol :s-smilie:

QMUL and bristol take under 10 candidates for my course.. (it's specific related to a course within dentistry which i understand why it has a small intake).

But all my unis are about 3 hours away from where i live apart from QMUL and B'ham... I'm a bit stuck... I know I want to stay about 1.5 hrs away from home.. but all my unis which offer my course are this far or further (e.g. glasgow etc which is a defo no no).

Also, the grad req are a grade higher than what i'm aspiring for. I'm pretty certain all of them are ABB apart from glasgow being BCC but, that's really far away, so there's no point applying there.

I don't know what to do. I really want to do this course but i'm worried i won't get the grades. I do work my butt off cos i know i need ABB next year.. but realistically i'm no where near clever.. i think i may get BBC if i'm lucky. worst case scenario BCC.. best case scenario ABC (ABB)...