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worth applying for A*AA course if i'm predicted AAAB?

hi! i'm taking A-levels predicted AAAB, is it too ambitious to apply for A*AA courses in top ranking unis? i'm looking to study finance or something similar but all the courses that interest me require too high of grades. i don't really qualify for any contextual offers and i don't think my personal statement would have anything insanely impressive. i'm also currently retaking y12!
i dont study art but tbh im thinking of spending the summer making a portfolio to apply to creative degrees instead. idk what to dooo any advice? 😭
(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 1

The best thing you can you is drop the subject you got predicted a 'B' in and increase your effort in one of the subjects you were predicted an A to get an A star. There's nothing at all to be gained from having 3As and 1B.

Reply 2

Original post
by Makro
The best thing you can you is drop the subject you got predicted a 'B' in and increase your effort in one of the subjects you were predicted an A to get an A star. There's nothing at all to be gained from having 3As and 1B.

the thing is that the B was for my easiest subject (business) and i feel like i can easily get that up to an A*, although it's not a required subject for any of the degrees i just doubt my abilities in getting an A* for my other subjects. but ty for the advice!

Reply 3

Original post
by oblivion505
the thing is that the B was for my easiest subject (business) and i feel like i can easily get that up to an A*, although it's not a required subject for any of the degrees i just doubt my abilities in getting an A* for my other subjects. but ty for the advice!

Taking 4 subjects is pointless and risks spreading your time to thinly resulting in you missing grades. There is absolutely nothing to gain from trying to be clever and taking 4 subjects. A*AA will always be looked on better by universities than AAAB. Drop one and try to achieve the grades required.

As far as whether you will get offers nobody knows. The more competitive the course and university the less likely they are to accept a dropped grade. This is why it is advisable to apply to universities with a range of required grades. Risking 1 or maybe 2 wont be a problem if you have others at or below the grades. If the 2 reject you then you will still have offers. Trying for all 5 is extremely risky and foolish.

Reply 4

As above, drop a subject and focus on the 3 subjects that will actually matter.
For top Unis, having 4 subjects does not make up for having weaker predictions.

Reply 5

Original post
by swanseajack1
Taking 4 subjects is pointless and risks spreading your time to thinly resulting in you missing grades. There is absolutely nothing to gain from trying to be clever and taking 4 subjects. A*AA will always be looked on better by universities than AAAB. Drop one and try to achieve the grades required.
As far as whether you will get offers nobody knows. The more competitive the course and university the less likely they are to accept a dropped grade. This is why it is advisable to apply to universities with a range of required grades. Risking 1 or maybe 2 wont be a problem if you have others at or below the grades. If the 2 reject you then you will still have offers. Trying for all 5 is extremely risky and foolish.

makes sense ty

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