Am I screwed for Uni applications?

I am looking to apply for CS and was wondering if it was even worth it to apply to top unis like imperial/oxford. My predicted grades are 4A*s but everyone applying has those grade. I haven't really done any math/ programming competitions and my teacher's only asked me to read more on the subject / do my own projects to show my passion in the subject.

I am starting to practice MAT and TMUA papers and I have been scoring around 7.2 on TMUA and around 80% on MAT but I am not sure if that is even enough to secure an interview because of my poor super curriculars. My GCSEs are also not stellar with 1 6 and the rest 7-9s

EDIT: I also did an EPQ but im not sure if the unis would even care abt it

(edited 10 months ago)

Reply 1

HaseebAhmad

8

you've got perfect a level predictions, things you require now is a good bulky personal statement, maybe read a book about Ai or some shi ( that's what I did I applied this year ) for me I had the predicted grades I had a pretty good personal statement all it came down onto in the end was GCSE's durham rejected me because of only gcse factor keep in mind I had got all 7-9s in all of my gcses but some people with all 9s applied and **** and that's what it comes down to, for imperial and UCL you'll have a solid chance if you can make your self good at entrance exams because those are the final deciding factors

Reply 2

MalarckyS2

OP

7

Original post by HaseebAhmad

you've got perfect a level predictions, things you require now is a good bulky personal statement, maybe read a book about Ai or some shi ( that's what I did I applied this year ) for me I had the predicted grades I had a pretty good personal statement all it came down onto in the end was GCSE's durham rejected me because of only gcse factor keep in mind I had got all 7-9s in all of my gcses but some people with all 9s applied and **** and that's what it comes down to, for imperial and UCL you'll have a solid chance if you can make your self good at entrance exams because those are the final deciding factors

Do you have any opinion on UCL vs Kings? I'm not sure how the admissions process goes so I'm kinda still deciding between the two

Reply 3

HaseebAhmad

8

UCL has an aids of an entrance exam they added this year Kings doesn't, Ucl is said to have prestige. tbf the entrance exam will be easy if you just practice for it even though they whole heartedly say you don't need any preparation. if you haven't really been a reader your whole life your gonna hate it BIG ASS comprehension texts where you have to pick out DETAIL it feels like the UCAT but for computer science not also to mention you have to get like 90th percentile to have a chance to get into UCL in this stupid exam one of my friends got 86th percentile and he still got rejected its HOME STUDENT theory bro they let people with like 50th percentile internationals get in but yeah UCL I'm jus saying watch out for that damn admissions test

Reply 4

KWad

11

Original post by MalarckyS2

I am looking to apply for CS and was wondering if it was even worth it to apply to top unis like imperial/oxford. My predicted grades are 4A*s but everyone applying has those grade. I haven't really done any math/ programming competitions and my teacher's only asked me to read more on the subject / do my own projects to show my passion in the subject.
I am starting to practice MAT and TMUA papers and I have been scoring around 7.2 on TMUA and around 80% on MAT but I am not sure if that is even enough to secure an interview because of my poor super curriculars. My GCSEs are also not stellar with 1 6 and the rest 7-9s
EDIT: I also did an EPQ but im not sure if the unis would even care abt it

I mean I'm in the same year as you so I don't know how much my advice is worth, but as far as supercurriculars go, you have a whole summer holiday to sort something out. I'm certain you can do some coding projects in that time and read a book or something. Maybe even find an internship or a work experience. As for GCSEs, they should be ok depending on how good your secondary school is academically (i.e. if they are an average performing state school then those grades should be fine) since most unis look at GCSEs contextually. Your MAT score is good considering how early it is for MAT prep. Two or three months down the line your MAT score will definitely be a few points higher if you do consistent practice, which is certainly on or above average for admitted Oxford students (looking at past admission statistics on the CS dept. website). There are no promises, but if you do the right things you should be able to make a competitive application a few months from now.
Again take it with a pinch of salt because I am also in the same year as you, but I think what I have said is fairly accurate.

Am I screwed for Uni applications?

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