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Predicted Grades Issue (UCAS)

username3309998

Hi there,

I’m studying

(edited 3 years ago)

Reply 1

Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post by zakv72

Hi there,

I’m studying my a-levels at home on the linear specification for all my subjects (Maths, Econ and RE) also self-taught..so no tutors to predict grades and no colleges for internal assessments of any kind. I won’t have predicted grades when the UCAS window opens..my GCSE’s were not the greatest..I achieved 5 C’s but this was long ago and wouldn’t want universities basing anything on my past results. Any advice? Modular spec had its benefits I guess lol.

Who are you going to ask to write your reference? Predictions are optional, a reference isn’t.

Reply 2

Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post by zakv72

Yeah I know but any idea who might be able to do a reference for me if I’m not in school/college and also a mature student now? I’m aiming on going to a good university so my predicted will matter a lot right? Thank you

I don’t know who you know who might be suitable to provide a reference. Are you still in touch with any teachers from school? Or a work manager who could provide a reference? Or a family friend?

Reply 3

Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post by zakv72

None of the above apart from maybe a family friend but would they be able to give me predicted grades? And would accept what they put down? Will it not be bias in a way.

Who would you ask for a reference if you were applying for a job?

Your reference is more important than your predicted grades.

Reply 4

Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post by zakv72

Confused. I meant the family friend would write up my reference and I understand that it’s most important. I could get someone to write a reference but getting the predicted grades are looking like a huge issue for me.

Predicted grades are optional. Your referee doesn’t have to provide them.

If a university needs them then they’ll contact you after you apply to ask for them.

Reply 5

Isinglass

Perhaps it would be better to wait until next year to apply, when you actually have your A level grades? You could go straight into Clearing with an application on results day, I think?

Of course, you risk none of the 'top universities' you are aiming for having places in Clearing. But at the moment, you are offering them very little to go on, apart from a bunch of elderly and not very good GCSEs.

Could you not have taken the AS levels in your subjects anyway? Even if they no longer contribute to the A level grading, it would have given the universities something to go on. And it's something that at least one of the 'ultimate top' universities, Cambridge, prefers.