retaking and clearing or taking another gap year

I took my a levels last year and ended up with CDD, i am retaking this year and fairly confident i have gotten at least AAA. However, due to my grades the first time round i didn't get the offers i wanted. I want to do a biochemistry degree or something related, do I take another year out and apply with my AAA (or more). OR do I take my chances through clearing???? Or will applying a third time around affect my chances majorly from russell groups. Hypothetically if i got 3 A*'s could I simply call up unis on results day and hope they accept me?

Reply 1

McGinger

"due to my grades the first time round i didn't get the offers i wanted".
Meaning what exactly - do you know this for certain or are you just assuming?

Reply 2

Jess_Lomas

So I'm assuming that when you resat the exams you also reapplied for uni's so do you have any offers at the moment or did you not reapply

Reply 3

emilieh78911

Original post by Jess_Lomas

So I'm assuming that when you resat the exams you also reapplied for uni's so do you have any offers at the moment or did you not reapply

I did reapply but only got an offer from 1 uni which is pretty low tier... and I'm thinking if i've done much better should I try to reapply with actual grades next year?

Reply 4

kelloggss

dont waste your time, go through clearning and find a nice place and start. 3A's is really good. since loads of unis have ABB as base grades, they may go up through clearing so AAA is solid. what would you do in that gap year?

Reply 5

emilieh78911

Original post by kelloggss

Do you think any russel groups would be in clearing???

Reply 6

mitski

Original post by emilieh78911

Do you think any russel groups would be in clearing???

Yes!! Last year bath and Warwick and stuff were in clearing so u should be fine

Reply 7

user488949439

Original post by emilieh78911

Do you think any russel groups would be in clearing???

Probably but which ones nobody knows.

Reply 8

Admit-One

Universities Forum Helper

Life science type subjects aren't especially competitive, so you may have good options in clearing.

Answering one of the original questions, it won't make much difference from an admissions POV if you retake and then take a gap year to reapply.

Reply 9

emilieh78911

Original post by Admit-One

Life science type subjects aren't especially competitive, so you may have good options in clearing.
Answering one of the original questions, it won't make much difference from an admissions POV if you retake and then take a gap year to reapply.