The Student Room Group

Help on Uni decisions!!!

I will be predicted A*AA, and of my 4 choices (still deciding on my fifth) all the grade requirements are AAA. Is this wise? Is it likely that I will get an offer even though I am really only up by one grade? Is it better to have 2/5 choices have AAB requirements maybe so I can be safer?

Please give me advice, i’ve left this decision really late.. 😭😭😭
Reply 1
it honestly depends on how confident you are in your own abilities along with how competitive the course is, along with whether you can get good alternatives in clearing if it were to come to that.
what course is this for? and what universities have you applied to?
The usual advice for your 5 choices is :

1 choice just above your predicted grades - 1 grade and not in a vital subject.

3 choices at your predicted grades - these are your most likely offers

1 choice well below your predicted grades - as an Insurance choice that you would still want to go to.

Just be aware that ALL courses asking for AAA are competitive. This means that just meeting or exceeding the entry requirements could still mean a rejection. One strategy is to apply to only 3 AAA choices at this stage, wait to see what,if any. offers you get and then add your remaining 2 choices just before the Jan deadline.
Reply 3
Original post by klafow
it honestly depends on how confident you are in your own abilities along with how competitive the course is, along with whether you can get good alternatives in clearing if it were to come to that.
what course is this for? and what universities have you applied to?

thank you for replying!!
I will apply for chemistry in Edinburgh and biochemistry in Bath and Manchester and Queens, they’re all really competitive right? I should probably replace some options with lower requirements. What requirements do you think are suitable for my predicteds? I’m just so scared of having no offers 😭😭
Reply 4
Original post by McGinger
The usual advice for your 5 choices is :

1 choice just above your predicted grades - 1 grade and not in a vital subject.

3 choices at your predicted grades - these are your most likely offers

1 choice well below your predicted grades - as an Insurance choice that you would still want to go to.

Just be aware that ALL courses asking for AAA are competitive. This means that just meeting or exceeding the entry requirements could still mean a rejection. One strategy is to apply to only 3 AAA choices at this stage, wait to see what,if any. offers you get and then add your remaining 2 choices just before the Jan deadline.

thank you for replying!!
In that case I will do as you say and apply to 3 AAA, do you think AAB is low enough below my predicteds or should I apply to 2 ABBs as insurance? I really am scared of no offers 😭
Reply 5
Original post by sherlockse
thank you for replying!!
I will apply for chemistry in Edinburgh and biochemistry in Bath and Manchester and Queens, they’re all really competitive right? I should probably replace some options with lower requirements. What requirements do you think are suitable for my predicteds? I’m just so scared of having no offers 😭😭

mm yeah it does sound quite competitive, and i honestly your fears are valid i feel the same way with my own application. AAB/ABB sounds like a pretty safe offer for your predicteds, assuming your performance in school isn't way below what you've been predicted.
if i were you i'd go for 3 AAAs, an AAB and an ABB. however i'm not best placed to give advice on this so take what i'm saying with a pinch of salt and go for what you think is best
good luck with your application!! you got this ❤️
Reply 6
Original post by klafow
mm yeah it does sound quite competitive, and i honestly your fears are valid i feel the same way with my own application. AAB/ABB sounds like a pretty safe offer for your predicteds, assuming your performance in school isn't way below what you've been predicted.
if i were you i'd go for 3 AAAs, an AAB and an ABB. however i'm not best placed to give advice on this so take what i'm saying with a pinch of salt and go for what you think is best
good luck with your application!! you got this ❤️

Thank you so much!!
Good luck on your applications too, we will both smash this!!

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