Got 4A*. Should I reapply (for engineering)?

I got 4A* in Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Further Maths which I did not expect at all. I have an offer from Bristol for Mechanical Engineering. I applied to Cambridge but got around average ENGAA score compared to what everyone who took it got (like between 3-5). Didn’t end up getting an interview. I didn’t manage to apply to Imperial because I didn’t think I’d get such good grades and I didn’t do well at all on a practice entrance exam. I don’t want to regret not reapplying and just going Bristol, but then again I hate the idea of having to go through the whole application process. I’m already so relieved that I’ve finished my A-Levels. Is it in my best interest to reapply? Would it be beneficial?

Original post by likelymiro

I got 4A* in Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Further Maths which I did not expect at all. I have an offer from Bristol for Mechanical Engineering. I applied to Cambridge but got around average ENGAA score compared to what everyone who took it got (like between 3-5). Didn’t end up getting an interview. I didn’t manage to apply to Imperial because I didn’t think I’d get such good grades and I didn’t do well at all on a practice entrance exam. I don’t want to regret not reapplying and just going Bristol, but then again I hate the idea of having to go through the whole application process. I’m already so relieved that I’ve finished my A-Levels. Is it in my best interest to reapply? Would it be beneficial?

Congrats on a set of fantastic results? :biggrin:

Do you think you would be able to score higher on the entrance exams if you applied again?

Original post by likelymiro

I got 4A* in Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Further Maths which I did not expect at all. I have an offer from Bristol for Mechanical Engineering. I applied to Cambridge but got around average ENGAA score compared to what everyone who took it got (like between 3-5). Didn’t end up getting an interview. I didn’t manage to apply to Imperial because I didn’t think I’d get such good grades and I didn’t do well at all on a practice entrance exam. I don’t want to regret not reapplying and just going Bristol, but then again I hate the idea of having to go through the whole application process. I’m already so relieved that I’ve finished my A-Levels. Is it in my best interest to reapply? Would it be beneficial?

Hi @likelymiro

Congratulations on your results!

I understand the feeling of the unknown and wondering if you'd regret it if you didn't try to re-apply. As you will have the entrance exams and application process again, think about whether this is something you want to do again. Bristol is also a great choice - uni and city wise - and I think you would have an equally great time at university.
And also try to consider what you would do in the time before starting university next September if you were to re-apply. There is nothing wrong with having a gap year while you re-apply, but I think it would help you decide if you had some sort of plan for the next year to go alongside your new uni application.

I hope this helps with your decision. 🙂
Emily
Student Rep at BCU

Reply 3

likelymiro

OP

2

Original post by normaw

Congrats on a set of fantastic results? :biggrin:

Do you think you would be able to score higher on the entrance exams if you applied again?

I don’t know. I normally struggle with exams like that where time is very tight. I did all the ENGAA papers too for like a month or 2 before the exam.

Original post by likelymiro

I don’t know. I normally struggle with exams like that where time is very tight. I did all the ENGAA papers too for like a month or 2 before the exam.

In that case it seems like a risk to reapply. Bristol is very good uni and the city is great for students (Bristol grad here). :smile:

Reply 5

lwc21sv

2

Original post by likelymiro

I got 4A* in Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Further Maths which I did not expect at all. I have an offer from Bristol for Mechanical Engineering. I applied to Cambridge but got around average ENGAA score compared to what everyone who took it got (like between 3-5). Didn’t end up getting an interview. I didn’t manage to apply to Imperial because I didn’t think I’d get such good grades and I didn’t do well at all on a practice entrance exam. I don’t want to regret not reapplying and just going Bristol, but then again I hate the idea of having to go through the whole application process. I’m already so relieved that I’ve finished my A-Levels. Is it in my best interest to reapply? Would it be beneficial?

Hi and a massive congratulations to you this is a huge achievement
In regards to your question it truly depends on how you’re feeling about Bristol. This is a very good uni and so are other universities so if you’re not currently happy then you can ring up clearing and find out where spaces are available.
Hopefully this helps

Reply 6

Labradoodle1

17

Bristol is one of the best universities for engineering. Reapplying is risky.

Reply 7

likelymiro

OP

2

Original post by Labradoodle1

Bristol is one of the best universities for engineering. Reapplying is risky.

can I not reapply and defer my Bristol entry or do I lose my Bristol offer?

Reply 8

Labradoodle1

17

Original post by likelymiro

can I not reapply and defer my Bristol entry or do I lose my Bristol offer?

Oh I don't know if that's possible or not, I'm not familiar with the process sorry.

Reply 9

Muhammad Razak

20

Original post by likelymiro

can I not reapply and defer my Bristol entry or do I lose my Bristol offer?

Firstly, congrats on the great grades! 🥳

Secondly, u will lose ur offer as u will have to redo UCAS to reapply. U could reapply to Bristol and they might still give u an offer. I reapplied for Oxford Chemistry back in 2019 on my gap year and I re-did my UCAS (despite holding an offer from Imperial). Imperial still gave me an interview and an offer despite reapplying through UCAS. That doesn’t mean to say that the outcome will be the same for Bristol but I thought I’d add my own experience w it. In terms of whether u believe a gap year is right for u is completely up to u. Will u utilise the time well? What will u do? U could end up w a year in which u travel or work to get some money and reapply. I personally believe w those grades and some hard work there’d be nothing stopping u from reapplying as I’m sure you’d get into a good uni (regardless of whether it is Cambridge/ Imperial etc.) but that decision rests on ur plans. U could end up w a good degree within four years from Bristol and start working right away w/o “being a year behind”. Ultimately, u have to ask urself do u want to lose a year. My point is r u going to utilise that gap year bc if like me u don’t, it can be a waste. Good luck w whatever decision u make

Original post by likelymiro

can I not reapply and defer my Bristol entry or do I lose my Bristol offer?

If you defer and then reapply next cycle, you would have to withdraw from your Bristol offer. You could ask Bristol if they would honour the original offer, if you reapplied to them too next year.

(edited 1 month ago)

Got 4A*. Should I reapply (for engineering)?

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