What do Warwick look for?

Hey,
I have gotten 'preliminary' predicted grades for summer back, and these were BCD. I am trying to get these grades up so I have a stronger application to Warwick, when I get my actual predicted grades. Is there any extracurricular activities that I can do during lockdown to make my personal statement more appealing? Also, I have 1 A, 2 Bs and 7 Cs in my GCSEs, will this lower my chances in receiving an offer at all? I am planning to apply to Cybersecurity.

What subjects are your A Levels in?
Just to check, are you currently in year 12 here?

You're going to need to get a lot closer to the AAB region before you apply, and I'd advise making sure you have a good range of grades across your 5 uni choices.

As for super-curriculars: get yourself read up on cyber-security related news, have an idea of what you want to do after your degree and listen to/watch some talks online on the subject.

Unfortunately very low predicted grades could mean your application is rejected before getting to the PS. (which only gets light consideration usually anyway) As above you should aim to get at least a few grades higher. (would say at the very least BBB for a course with AAB standard offer, preferably higher)

The thing you want to do in your PS is get across why you want to study the subject, it shouldn't be a laundry list of things you've done. Talk about what really excites you about cybersecurity and link in any recent reading you've done as part of this. You might want to look at Warwick's reading list for a nudge.

My subjects are Govt and Politics, Psychology and Biology. STEM subjects are preferred by Warwick to go onto the Cybersecurity course, and I guess I have two already (not sure if Psych is counted as a STEM). I am currently into year 12, going into year 13.

I have started to ask around to do extra curricular activities, and am educating myself well. I am starting to read books etc.

Okay, my advice would be not to pin your hopes on Warwick and instead to make a good all round application for consideration by your 5 University choices - Warwick is but one of them.

Reading books is a great start

Yeah, I have basically got the idea that they need to get up before I can apply with some confidence to Warwick. Any idea what the minimum threshold really looks like with them? If the PS is just going to be why I want to study the subject, how will I get in what I want to show off? (work experience, shadowing, EPQ etc) I am having a look at Warwick's reading list, I think I have found the correct page, and have narrowed down some key books to read!

Not sure, ideally you should have AAB but with ABB or BBB you'd probably have a fair chance.

Well yeah, you should use those to evidence your interest and commitment to the subject and link it to that. The personal statement all ties in to "why I want to study the course and why I'm a good candidate", is what I was trying to say, too many people turn it into a laundry list of things they've done!

Hey,
I have gotten 'preliminary' predicted grades for summer back, and these were BCD. I am trying to get these grades up so I have a stronger application to Warwick, when I get my actual predicted grades. Is there any extracurricular activities that I can do during lockdown to make my personal statement more appealing? Also, I have 1 A, 2 Bs and 7 Cs in my GCSEs, will this lower my chances in receiving an offer at all? I am planning to apply to Cybersecurity.