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Can I apply to mathematics with AAAB

my Final UCAS predictions are AAAB in Economics, Physics, Math and Further-math
parents are forcing me to look ambitious so I am really worries I can't get into any of my UCAS choices, they are currently Oxford, Imperial, UCL, KCL and manchester (I know Oxford Imperial are just delusional dreams, but is it possible for me to apply for UCL at all?)

Update: thanks for responding, a new short list in my head would be something like UCL, KCL, Southampton. Which unis are recommended by ps ranking? (that's the most important list Asian companies look at when I apply for a job)

Reply 1

Oxford, Imperial, UCL, KCL and manchester

Too many high-risk choices - especially the first 4. These are all mega-competitive Unis for Maths, and every year thousands (yes, thousands) of applicants who meet or even exceed, the entry requirements, are rejected. This means you could easily end up with just an offer from Manchester - or no offer at all. You haven't stated the entry requirements for these choices - but if any of these choices are asking for an A*, then you are certain to get a rejection

Assuming you meet the entry requirements, applying for Oxford and one of the London choices before the October deadline would be a a sensible initial application. You may get responses before January, and could then add 3 informed choices ('strategic') before the Jan deadline to maximise your chances of offers.

Less competitive AAA offers for Maths include :
Undergraduate - Lancaster University
Courses | Mathematical Sciences | Loughborough University (lboro.ac.uk)

And a sensible AAB choice would be Sheffield or Southampton, or for a ABB Insurance, Liverpool or Cardiff.

Reply 2

Original post
by Kizksakura
my Final UCAS predictions are AAAB in Economics, Physics, Math and Further-math
parents are forcing me to look ambitious so I am really worries I can't get into any of my UCAS choices, they are currently Oxford, Imperial, UCL, KCL and manchester (I know Oxford Imperial are just delusional dreams, but is it possible for me to apply for UCL at all?)
Oxford and Imperial will reject you (they require A*s in maths and Further maths, and A's in all other subject)
UCL will reject you (at a minimum they require A*A* single and further, OR A*A in Mathematics and Further Mathematics, in any order, and a 2 in any STEP Paper or a Distinction in the Mathematics AEA)
Etc.

I don't mean to be patronising, but you have to play the cards you have been dealt - which (unless in the case of some exceptional admission test results and extenuating circumstances) is insufficient for any of the universities you have listed there.

Remember that they are the top institutions in the world with people frequently applying with 3, 4, 5 sets of full A* and high admission test results. Your application is unlikely to make it very far with any of the above listed universities, especially with a B in FM when you want to apply for Mathematics.

I highly recommend talking to your parents about this. You only get 5 applications, so using them on universities which you have a very low chance of getting into is unwise. Having one or two at most is fine, maybe KCL or Manchester as your most ambitious applications, but otherwise the rest should match up more closely with your academic profile.

Also remember, at the end of the day you will be spending 3-4 years of your life here. Even if you got into Oxford, Imperial or UCL, you need to consider whether the pacing will actually be right for you. Many talented 'ace' students shatter under these universities, so it is not something to take lightly.

Good luck whatever you chose.

Reply 3

Original post
by KWad
Oxford and Imperial will reject you (they require A*s in maths and Further maths, and A's in all other subject)
UCL will reject you (at a minimum they require A*A* single and further, OR A*A in Mathematics and Further Mathematics, in any order, and a 2 in any STEP Paper or a Distinction in the Mathematics AEA)
Etc.
I don't mean to be patronising, but you have to play the cards you have been dealt - which (unless in the case of some exceptional admission test results and extenuating circumstances) is insufficient for any of the universities you have listed there.
Remember that they are the top institutions in the world with people frequently applying with 3, 4, 5 sets of full A* and high admission test results. Your application is unlikely to make it very far with any of the above listed universities, especially with a B in FM when you want to apply for Mathematics.
I highly recommend talking to your parents about this. You only get 5 applications, so using them on universities which you have a very low chance of getting into is unwise. Having one or two at most is fine, maybe KCL or Manchester as your most ambitious applications, but otherwise the rest should match up more closely with your academic profile.
Also remember, at the end of the day you will be spending 3-4 years of your life here. Even if you got into Oxford, Imperial or UCL, you need to consider whether the pacing will actually be right for you. Many talented 'ace' students shatter under these universities, so it is not something to take lightly.
Good luck whatever you chose.

Thank you, I know they are quite high risk choices, just needed some one other than myself to convince my family that choosing this ambitiously this not a wise choice.

Reply 4

Original post
by McGinger
Oxford, Imperial, UCL, KCL and manchester
Too many high-risk choices - especially the first 4. These are all mega-competitive Unis for Maths, and every year thousands (yes, thousands) of applicants who meet or even exceed, the entry requirements, are rejected. This means you could easily end up with just an offer from Manchester - or no offer at all. You haven't stated the entry requirements for these choices - but if any of these choices are asking for an A*, then you are certain to get a rejection
Assuming you meet the entry requirements, applying for Oxford and one of the London choices before the October deadline would be a a sensible initial application. You may get responses before January, and could then add 3 informed choices ('strategic') before the Jan deadline to maximise your chances of offers.
Less competitive AAA offers for Maths include :
Undergraduate - Lancaster University
Courses | Mathematical Sciences | Loughborough University (lboro.ac.uk)
And a sensible AAB choice would be Sheffield or Southampton, or for a ABB Insurance, Liverpool or Cardiff.

that is some very useful recommendations. I do know my choices are just not realistic, but don't know what unis are suitable for my grade, thank you for the advice.

Reply 5

Original post
by Kizksakura
my Final UCAS predictions are AAAB in Economics, Physics, Math and Further-math
parents are forcing me to look ambitious so I am really worries I can't get into any of my UCAS choices, they are currently Oxford, Imperial, UCL, KCL and manchester (I know Oxford Imperial are just delusional dreams, but is it possible for me to apply for UCL at all?)

I'm intrigued as to what your parents argument actually is. Have they seen the entry requirements and just ignored them?

A couple of suggestions....

Bang in a couple of "aspirational" choices, then when you get rejected fill in the rest with more realistic options.

Have a look at foundation courses. I know Manchester offer one.

Reply 6

Original post
by ageshallnot
I'm intrigued as to what your parents argument actually is. Have they seen the entry requirements and just ignored them?
A couple of suggestions....
Bang in a couple of "aspirational" choices, then when you get rejected fill in the rest with more realistic options.
Have a look at foundation courses. I know Manchester offer one.

Just average Asian parents never heard of universities other than Oxbridge. all rest of them are considered to be equally ****. Although themselves haven't been to higher education but they did support me to come abroad to read in an international school, they demand was simply if I don't even try Oxford there is no point for me to continue my highschool education...

Reply 7

Original post
by Kizksakura
Just average Asian parents never heard of universities other than Oxbridge. all rest of them are considered to be equally ****. Although themselves haven't been to higher education but they did support me to come abroad to read in an international school, they demand was simply if I don't even try Oxford there is no point for me to continue my highschool education...

Ah! Well, apply to Oxford early and leave the other 4 blank.

Another approach might be "maths and/with xxx" courses. You might find an A in maths sufficient and also be able to convince your parents that the course is actually better than straight maths?

Reply 8

Original post
by Kizksakura
Just average Asian parents never heard of universities other than Oxbridge. all rest of them are considered to be equally ****. Although themselves haven't been to higher education but they did support me to come abroad to read in an international school, they demand was simply if I don't even try Oxford there is no point for me to continue my highschool education...
Yeah, I feel you. If that the case, then doing what @ageshallnot said is probably a good shout. Send off one application to Oxford and send the rest to unis with lower reqts that you have a better chance of getting into.

I'm Asian too and although my parents are far more understanding, I totally get where you are coming from. Again, good luck.

Reply 9

Original post
by Kizksakura
Just average Asian parents never heard of universities other than Oxbridge. all rest of them are considered to be equally ****. Although themselves haven't been to higher education but they did support me to come abroad to read in an international school, they demand was simply if I don't even try Oxford there is no point for me to continue my highschool education...

Apply to Oxford but rejection is likely unless you do brilliantly in MAT,

Then look at good unis where yoyr prediction will get you an offer.

Reply 10

Original post
by KWad
Oxford and Imperial will reject you (they require A*s in maths and Further maths, and A's in all other subject)
UCL will reject you (at a minimum they require A*A* single and further, OR A*A in Mathematics and Further Mathematics, in any order, and a 2 in any STEP Paper or a Distinction in the Mathematics AEA)
Etc.
I don't mean to be patronising, but you have to play the cards you have been dealt - which (unless in the case of some exceptional admission test results and extenuating circumstances) is insufficient for any of the universities you have listed there.
Remember that they are the top institutions in the world with people frequently applying with 3, 4, 5 sets of full A* and high admission test results. Your application is unlikely to make it very far with any of the above listed universities, especially with a B in FM when you want to apply for Mathematics.
I highly recommend talking to your parents about this. You only get 5 applications, so using them on universities which you have a very low chance of getting into is unwise. Having one or two at most is fine, maybe KCL or Manchester as your most ambitious applications, but otherwise the rest should match up more closely with your academic profile.
Also remember, at the end of the day you will be spending 3-4 years of your life here. Even if you got into Oxford, Imperial or UCL, you need to consider whether the pacing will actually be right for you. Many talented 'ace' students shatter under these universities, so it is not something to take lightly.
Good luck whatever you chose.

State schools do not offer 5 A levels and Oxford only ask for 3 ... Oxford do not give preference to those studying 4 or 5 A levels. Please don't mislead ..

Entrance requirements: A*A*A with the A*s in Maths and Further Maths if taken.
Course duration: 3 years (BA); 4 years (MMath)

https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/courses/course-listing/mathematics
(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 11

All very good choices.

Reply 12

Original post
by Kizksakura
my Final UCAS predictions are AAAB in Economics, Physics, Math and Further-math
parents are forcing me to look ambitious so I am really worries I can't get into any of my UCAS choices, they are currently Oxford, Imperial, UCL, KCL and manchester (I know Oxford Imperial are just delusional dreams, but is it possible for me to apply for UCL at all?)
Update: thanks for responding, a new short list in my head would be something like UCL, KCL, Southampton. Which unis are recommended by ps ranking? (that's the most important list Asian companies look at when I apply for a job)
It is okay to aspirational choices but do consider universities with lower grade entry requirements such as Reading university which was ABC, for an insurance choice. This would help prevent the need to go through clearing, which can be very stressful

Reply 13

Original post
by Kizksakura
my Final UCAS predictions are AAAB in Economics, Physics, Math and Further-math
parents are forcing me to look ambitious so I am really worries I can't get into any of my UCAS choices, they are currently Oxford, Imperial, UCL, KCL and manchester (I know Oxford Imperial are just delusional dreams, but is it possible for me to apply for UCL at all?)
Update: thanks for responding, a new short list in my head would be something like UCL, KCL, Southampton. Which unis are recommended by ps ranking? (that's the most important list Asian companies look at when I apply for a job)

Are you a UK or international applicant? How confident are you in achieving your predications? A lot of estimated grades are very optimistic but that may not be the case for you.

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