Are my Uni applications silly?

I'm applying for History and English with 9999988877 at Gcse and 3A* Prediction. So far I've chosen Oxford, St Andrews, Warwick, Durham and Loughborough. Is this list aiming too high/ unrealistic?

No. This discussion has now been resolved.

How can you be sure

I'm applying for History and English with 9999988877 at Gcse and 3A* Prediction. So far I've chosen Oxford, St Andrews, Warwick, Durham and Loughborough. Is this list aiming too high/ unrealistic?

I don’t know anything about you, but looking from your grades you seem like a high achieving student so don’t feel like your applications are silly. It is a good idea however, to have a backup or plan B in case you don’t get it. What did your teachers say about your choices?

I haven't really spoke to teachers yet, but they might tell me to add a backup in which case I'll swap one out for Leicester maybe

That seems advisable. Just in case you don’t get into your higher unis and so you have a place for this year.

Leicester would be quite a step down from those.
I’d be inclined to pick 4 choices and wait and see if I got at least one decisions before Jan 31st.

4 feels a bit risky incase they all say no but maybe I will

That’s why you leave the fifth choice open for as long as possible. Then you may know whether you need a safe choice or not.
Worst case you get no decisions back and just add a fifth choice with the same info you had available to start with.

I had no idea we could do that! I'll definitely consider it

No worries, so long as you submit the non-oxbridge choice by Jan 31st it’ll be at no disadvantage compared to early applicants.

Considered Oxford/Canbridge? 🤔

Not at all, have a look at the stats vs St Andrews..
You’re obvs doing well from your grades. Be confident in yourself.
Anyway, the application process is fun and definitely developmental.
Plus, Oxford has a branch of Ben’s Cookies. St Andrews does not, although it’s made up for by the fudge donuts of Fisher & Donaldson.