The Student Room Group

Uni Undergrad Choices

My current prediction for A Level is A*A*A* for math, further math and econ.

Was just wondering, is it “safe” for me to apply to Oxford, Imperial, LSE, UCL and KCL or should I sub out one for a more safe option? As all of these are quite competitive
(Ps the course is Math and Stats / Financial Math and Stats)
You could probably pick better maths courses than UCL, KCL, and LSE...Warwick or Bristol would probably be the next best choices. Then put in something that's maybe A*AA or AAA entry criteria for your 5th.
Reply 2
Original post by artful_lounger
You could probably pick better maths courses than UCL, KCL, and LSE...Warwick or Bristol would probably be the next best choices. Then put in something that's maybe A*AA or AAA entry criteria for your 5th.


Hi. I was thinking that but sorry should have mentioned I’m trying to stay in London as much as possible. As much as many unis speak of how not to let finance hinder you, it’s just not viable and I only applied to Oxford because it’s the only one I believe is worth for me to leave London for.

Do you think my choices are too risky due to the competitive uni nature?
Original post by Anonymous
Hi. I was thinking that but sorry should have mentioned I’m trying to stay in London as much as possible. As much as many unis speak of how not to let finance hinder you, it’s just not viable and I only applied to Oxford because it’s the only one I believe is worth for me to leave London for.

Do you think my choices are too risky due to the competitive uni nature?

Most cities are cheaper to live in than London so you'd realistically save money by living outside of London...bear in mind if you're living in your family home, you get a reduced maintenance loan.

I think you're choosing to live somewhere more expensive to go to a worse uni outside of Imperial for your choices...

In any event, they seem fine. If you're sticking to London only then you are stuck with competitive unis because people for some reason are obsessed with studying in London and they get more applicants even though they're not as strong options in many cases. So you just need to accept that. Or just apply to other unis elsewhere.
Reply 4
Original post by artful_lounger
Most cities are cheaper to live in than London so you'd realistically save money by living outside of London...bear in mind if you're living in your family home, you get a reduced maintenance loan.
I think you're choosing to live somewhere more expensive to go to a worse uni outside of Imperial for your choices...
In any event, they seem fine. If you're sticking to London only then you are stuck with competitive unis because people for some reason are obsessed with studying in London and they get more applicants even though they're not as strong options in many cases. So you just need to accept that. Or just apply to other unis elsewhere.


Ah alright . I didn’t know you got reduced maintenance loans, but yea I was plannning to live at home during the study. I may move one out of London atleast then because of maybe competition. Is it safe to assume majority of applicant to these unis are predicted 3-4 A*?
Original post by Anonymous
Ah alright . I didn’t know you got reduced maintenance loans, but yea I was plannning to live at home during the study. I may move one out of London atleast then because of maybe competition. Is it safe to assume majority of applicant to these unis are predicted 3-4 A*?


You're overestimating the importance of predicted grades. You just need to meet the standard requirements.

However it's worth noting for maths at Warwick at least, the offer rate is very high (usually around 90%), however they have very strict offers with STEP or MAT/TMUA requirements which many applicants miss.

Bristol doesn't have those requirements though so if you meet the standard requirements you should be a competitive applicant (granted Bristol is also an expensive city).
Reply 6
Original post by artful_lounger
You're overestimating the importance of predicted grades. You just need to meet the standard requirements.
However it's worth noting for maths at Warwick at least, the offer rate is very high (usually around 90%), however they have very strict offers with STEP or MAT/TMUA requirements which many applicants miss.
Bristol doesn't have those requirements though so if you meet the standard requirements you should be a competitive applicant (granted Bristol is also an expensive city).


I guess it’s inflated expectations as I always hear how the unis (like the ones we spoke about in the post/replies) have majority of applicants with maxed out predicted and so I always assume that even with my 3 A* predicted it’s nothing special. I also doubt my personal statement strength but my teachers all say it’s fine.

Do you think for Bristol/LSE a weaker ps is alright? I’m most keen for LSE as I believe it’s the most “sensible” for my wants
Reply 7
Also because in UCAS they have a statistics for specific courses at each uni and when checking, they say the average grade of applicant holders to be atleast 3A*s for the unis I listed
I think maybe sub out your least fav for a reallt safe one just in case!
Reply 9
Original post by Anonymous
My current prediction for A Level is A*A*A* for math, further math and econ.
Was just wondering, is it “safe” for me to apply to Oxford, Imperial, LSE, UCL and KCL or should I sub out one for a more safe option? As all of these are quite competitive
(Ps the course is Math and Stats / Financial Math and Stats)


I think you could substitute one of the choices for a safety, but otherwise it isn’t as crazy as many people here are saying. I applied this year to Oxford, ucl, lse, king’s and QMUL with the same rationale: the only place where it’s worth to overpay for living costs is Oxford. Plus, staying in London is also a nice thing for building relations and networking.
I would say pick one other (easier to get into) London uni instead of either UCL, LSE or Imperial. This way you’ll have the most competitive (Oxford), 2 very competitive (2 out of ucl, Lse, imperial), 1 competitive but very achievable for excelling students (King’s), and one safety. For myself the latter was Queen Mary but you can pick smth different in London:smile: Best of luck!
Original post by anyakm2006
I think maybe sub out your least fav for a reallt safe one just in case!


Probably. I think maybe KCL or UCL. The recommendation of subbing out Imperial/LSE is with good reason but they are too close and and convenient for me with a plus of being good unis.

I was also thinking if I did flop could I not just apply to clearing at a worst uni, which would essentially be the same thing just a bit riskier?
Original post by Anonymous
Probably. I think maybe KCL or UCL. The recommendation of subbing out Imperial/LSE is with good reason but they are too close and and convenient for me with a plus of being good unis.
I was also thinking if I did flop could I not just apply to clearing at a worst uni, which would essentially be the same thing just a bit riskier?


Yeah I think clearing is an option, I just thinking that it kind of saves you the stress of scrabbling to find a place at somewhere you maybe won’t want to go. You have time now to think hard about a safe option that you actually like!
Reply 12
Original post by Anonymous
I guess it’s inflated expectations as I always hear how the unis (like the ones we spoke about in the post/replies) have majority of applicants with maxed out predicted and so I always assume that even with my 3 A* predicted it’s nothing special. I also doubt my personal statement strength but my teachers all say it’s fine.
Do you think for Bristol/LSE a weaker ps is alright? I’m most keen for LSE as I believe it’s the most “sensible” for my wants


For personal statements, I heard from an LSE rep that they read them actually very carefully when people have high grades. They don’t like those who aren’t passionate about the subjects and are only applying because they can/their parents want them to. So, I’d say there your PS should be good.
From the ones you are applying to, the same LSE rep told me that “imperial doesn’t read all statements”. Could’ve been a joke or some rivalry, as those two unis always fight for the best in London placement. But I suppose it’s smth to consider.
Original post by lissaa
For personal statements, I heard from an LSE rep that they read them actually very carefully when people have high grades. They don’t like those who aren’t passionate about the subjects and are only applying because they can/their parents want them to. So, I’d say there your PS should be good.
From the ones you are applying to, the same LSE rep told me that “imperial doesn’t read all statements”. Could’ve been a joke or some rivalry, as those two unis always fight for the best in London placement. But I suppose it’s smth to consider.


I think my biggest issue is that I only wanted to do math later on in year 12, which I mentioned in my ps and reference but it may act as a strong point as it perhaps makes my passion more visible as I’ve done a lot of supercuricular on math since then ig?
Original post by anyakm2006
Yeah I think clearing is an option, I just thinking that it kind of saves you the stress of scrabbling to find a place at somewhere you maybe won’t want to go. You have time now to think hard about a safe option that you actually like!


I will most likely go for the clearing option just because, you chance to get into a good uni is 0 if you don’t even apply so I doubt I’ll regret applying even if I’m rejected
Reply 15
Original post by Anonymous
I think my biggest issue is that I only wanted to do math later on in year 12, which I mentioned in my ps and reference but it may act as a strong point as it perhaps makes my passion more visible as I’ve done a lot of supercuricular on math since then ig?


Oh yes, no need for any “ever since I was a kid I had a passion for…” Just something honest and inspirational:smile: And yes, they love supercurriculars!
Original post by lissaa
Oh yes, no need for any “ever since I was a kid I had a passion for…” Just something honest and inspirational:smile: And yes, they love supercurriculars!


Do they care much for like structure or language? I hope not too much as whilst I spoke of course formally and structured it decently, I feel it doesn’t sound as advanced or well organised as others. A lot of unis of course claim they don’t want to read a thesaurus ps but every “model” ps quite literally reads like that.

And also it’s a math degree… not an English or humanities so I hope the actual writing isn’t as important as it’s contents
Reply 17
Original post by Anonymous
Do they care much for like structure or language? I hope not too much as whilst I spoke of course formally and structured it decently, I feel it doesn’t sound as advanced or well organised as others. A lot of unis of course claim they don’t want to read a thesaurus ps but every “model” ps quite literally reads like that.
And also it’s a math degree… not an English or humanities so I hope the actual writing isn’t as important as it’s contents


Can’t tell you there, sorry. I applied for law, where, for understandable reasons, precise and eloquent language was important. I would say, since it’s a competitive school, it might be a good idea to read it through a bit more. Definitely no need for big words though; no clue why people write like that. With the rise of AI, it will only make you look like a cheater 😂😂
Original post by Anonymous
I guess it’s inflated expectations as I always hear how the unis (like the ones we spoke about in the post/replies) have majority of applicants with maxed out predicted and so I always assume that even with my 3 A* predicted it’s nothing special. I also doubt my personal statement strength but my teachers all say it’s fine.

Do you think for Bristol/LSE a weaker ps is alright? I’m most keen for LSE as I believe it’s the most “sensible” for my wants


LSE is renowned for being extremely focused on the personal statement and its usually recommended for LSE applicants to tailor their PS to the course at LSE.

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