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Is it over for me (low UCAT 2500 and grad applicant)

I graduated with a 2.1 in Biomedical Sciences and got 777766655 GCSEs and ABB A levels (had to retake the A levels due to extenuating circumstances and even then it got screwed up due to COVID I wasn't able to sit the exams, my sister went into care at the time of my A levels but I didn't because I was 18 at the time).

On top of my **** academic profile, I got a 2500 in the UCAT so I can't even counteract my bad grades. I come from a low-income household and received free school meals in primary school to the point that I was eligible for full maximum loan when I was in university (we were eligible in secondary school for free school meals too but my parents opted out so we don't feel excluded in our school). Can I apply as a contextual applicant be real with me is it just not worth applying this cycle? What are my options, please don't say go abroad for me I can't afford it neither do I want to go so far away, although I would consider anywhere in the UK. I was looking at Ireland but I am sure we have to pay international fees for that, I will definitely go for the GAMSAT march sitting but is there any chance at all for 2025 entry??

Reply 1

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Reply 2

Original post by LadyScheherazade
I graduated with a 2.1 in Biomedical Sciences and got 777766655 GCSEs and ABB A levels (had to retake the A levels due to extenuating circumstances and even then it got screwed up due to COVID I wasn't able to sit the exams, my sister went into care at the time of my A levels but I didn't because I was 18 at the time).
On top of my **** academic profile, I got a 2500 in the UCAT so I can't even counteract my bad grades. I come from a low-income household and received free school meals in primary school to the point that I was eligible for full maximum loan when I was in university (we were eligible in secondary school for free school meals too but my parents opted out so we don't feel excluded in our school). Can I apply as a contextual applicant be real with me is it just not worth applying this cycle? What are my options, please don't say go abroad for me I can't afford it neither do I want to go so far away, although I would consider anywhere in the UK. I was looking at Ireland but I am sure we have to pay international fees for that, I will definitely go for the GAMSAT march sitting but is there any chance at all for 2025 entry??

I relate so much to what you are saying about free school meals, maximum student loans etc. I am in this position too. I have basically all the socio-economic disadvantages apart from being a carer. Although I kind of was because my mum was sick but it was mainly my sisters.

I’m not sure about the new systems but some universities can still accept you if you explain your situation or based on wanting to encourage people from underrepresented groups to increase aspirations.

Reply 3

Original post by Butterflywings24
I relate so much to what you are saying about free school meals, maximum student loans etc. I am in this position too. I have basically all the socio-economic disadvantages apart from being a carer. Although I kind of was because my mum was sick but it was mainly my sisters.
I’m not sure about the new systems but some universities can still accept you if you explain your situation or based on wanting to encourage people from underrepresented groups to increase aspirations.

The thing is you need evidence for it, we tried to get in contact with my sisters social workers/ the people who was in charge of our family's case but they wont respond so I can't really get proof of that, and because we live right next door to 2 blocks of student accomodation we do not meet most criteria for our area being ****/low levels of participation in higher education (even though a lot of people in my area who are actual locals dont end up going to uni) ffs. It is what it is, imma probs put in an application for the sake of it but I will probs get rejected pre interview for all of them and study my hardest for the GAMSAT.

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