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Are my GCSE grades good enough for CompSci at Cambridge/Imperial/UCL/Warwick/KCL

Hi, im in year 12 and want to do compsci at uni

My predicted grades are A*A*AA+A in EPQ, My GCSE grades are 88777777665,

Assuming i do well on admission tests and personal statement is good enough, Are my GCSE scores going to loose me an offer??

Reply 1

Do not apply to all of Cambridge/Imperial/UCL/Warwick/KCL for CS - whatever your GCSE profile looks like - and you should include Bath in this list as well.

These Unis are all mega-competitive and your chances of an offer, even of you meet/exceed the A level requirements, are limited. Every year we watch thousands people make 5 high risk choices like this, and they often (yes, often) end up with no offers at all. The same applies to other high-risk subjects like Economics and Mech Eng.

I always advise applicants to pick Cambridge and one of the others you have listed.
Look at other Unis for the other three choices - Bristol, Southampton, Manchester, Loughborough etc and at least one choice that is asking for far lower grades - Sussex, Swansea etc.
I know at least one of the target unis above does score your GCSE profile, (or 8 highest grades). So in that sense, yes, it might affect your chances.

McGinger’s advice about applying to five competitive unis is sound, it’s a bit of a lottery regardless of your grades.

If you’re aiming high, I would recommend applying to four choices early, and then waiting to see if you get any decisions back by the Jan 31st deadline. For those kind of unis, you often won’t, but it does give you a chance of getting at least 1 offer/rejection back with which to inform your final choice.

Reply 3

Original post by McGinger
Do not apply to all of Cambridge/Imperial/UCL/Warwick/KCL for CS - whatever your GCSE profile looks like - and you should include Bath in this list as well.
These Unis are all mega-competitive and your chances of an offer, even of you meet/exceed the A level requirements, are limited. Every year we watch thousands people make 5 high risk choices like this, and they often (yes, often) end up with no offers at all. The same applies to other high-risk subjects like Economics and Mech Eng.
I always advise applicants to pick Cambridge and one of the others you have listed.
Look at other Unis for the other three choices - Bristol, Southampton, Manchester, Loughborough etc and at least one choice that is asking for far lower grades - Sussex, Swansea etc.

Thanks, I will keep that in mind,

My predicted went up so now I am at A*A*A*A+A* in EPQ

Do you think these are good options? - Cambridge/Imperial , Warwick , KCL , UCL , City uni of Ldn

Reply 4

Original post by Admit-One
I know at least one of the target unis above does score your GCSE profile, (or 8 highest grades). So in that sense, yes, it might affect your chances.
McGinger’s advice about applying to five competitive unis is sound, it’s a bit of a lottery regardless of your grades.
If you’re aiming high, I would recommend applying to four choices early, and then waiting to see if you get any decisions back by the Jan 31st deadline. For those kind of unis, you often won’t, but it does give you a chance of getting at least 1 offer/rejection back with which to inform your final choice.
Does this mean I can apply to four first and then later on apply to another? sry might be a stupid question

Reply 5

Original post by Chrono147
Thanks, I will keep that in mind,
My predicted went up so now I am at A*A*A*A+A* in EPQ
Do you think these are good options? - Cambridge/Imperial , Warwick , KCL , UCL , City uni of Ldn

Why Warwick or KCL or UCL given the advice you were given?

Look at Bath or Loughborough. Yes you can apply for three or four first and add more choices later.
Original post by Chrono147
Does this mean I can apply to four first and then later on apply to another? sry might be a stupid question

Yes, so long as you submit the remaining choice(s) by Jan 31st.

Reply 7

Original post by Muttley79
Why Warwick or KCL or UCL given the advice you were given?
Look at Bath or Loughborough. Yes you can apply for three or four first and add more choices later.
I didn't choose bath as they require the same A*A*A and so I chose Warwick over it. I will have a look at Loughborough. Thanks

Reply 8

Original post by Chrono147
I didn't choose bath as they require the same A*A*A and so I chose Warwick over it. I will have a look at Loughborough. Thanks

Bath offers more than some of your choices as it has an amazing placement scheme - work experience is important.

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