The Student Room Group

Is it worth applying to the ivys with stats like these?

I am a student from the UK (England) and I’m soon going to get my predicted grades, but I roughly know that they’re going to be A*AA. I think this translates to a 4.0 gpa but I’m not too sure.

I’m interested in studying computer science, and knowing how competitive the ivy's are, especially for international students, I’m doubting my extra curricular activities.

My extra curricular activity’s are:

1. Tutoring GCSEs students in maths and Computer Science

2. Volunteering, organising networking and panelist events, and creating projects with a charity dedicated to giving young people recourses in
helping them in their academic journeys

3. I’ve completed several work experiences, my most reputable one being with Fujitsu but it was virtual so I’m concerned it won’t be taken as seriously

4.I do taekwondo and am currently a red belt. I have participated in sparring competitions and won gold several times, but just before I was going to compete on a national level, my family could no longer afford it. However I am soon going to rejoin, and believe that I could begin to compete on an intercollegiate level if I get accepted to a school in the US, but I’m still contemplating whether this is still worth mentioning.

5. I am currently completing a Data Science course and have coded my own personal projects

6. I won silver in the senior maths challenge (UKMT)

7. In January I will be assigned a mentor that works in the computer science sector and will be able to work on several projects with them.

Even though this feels like a lot, after seeing the much more impressive and countless extra curriculars other students have done, I’m feeling discouraged and don’t think it’s worth applying.

I have extenuating circumstances for my GCSEs because my mother got very sick during y10-11, but I’m worried that university’s in the US won’t care like the UK unis do.

Is it worth applying it?
Don't try and "convert" your A-level results to a GPA. That's not how it works and those colleges will be familiar enough with the system to evaluate it in the context of the A-level grades themselves.

I don't think there's anything to suggest you have no chance, although equally I do think it's a longer shot regardless. If you are happy to pay the application fee then no reason not to roll the dice.

In terms of extenuating circumstances, I suspect the process is somewhat different but if you spin it as a sob story in your essay then that may be fine...?
Reply 2
Original post by artful_lounger
Don't try and "convert" your A-level results to a GPA. That's not how it works and those colleges will be familiar enough with the system to evaluate it in the context of the A-level grades themselves.
I don't think there's anything to suggest you have no chance, although equally I do think it's a longer shot regardless. If you are happy to pay the application fee then no reason not to roll the dice.
In terms of extenuating circumstances, I suspect the process is somewhat different but if you spin it as a sob story in your essay then that may be fine...?


Ahh I see. Yeah, I agree that it’ll probably be a long shot, especially with only having A*AA, but I think I could talk my teachers up to an A*A*A but I’m still not too sure.
Thanks for the advice :smile:
Original post by Alslil
Ahh I see. Yeah, I agree that it’ll probably be a long shot, especially with only having A*AA, but I think I could talk my teachers up to an A*A*A but I’m still not too sure.
Thanks for the advice :smile:

Realistically like I said, if you don't mind the application fee then I don't see any reason not to try. I wouldn't suggest pegging all your hopes and dreams to it and having some other plans in the event that doesn't go anywhere, but if you are happy to pay the cost to apply then you never know, might win out that lottery! :smile:
Reply 4
Original post by artful_lounger
Realistically like I said, if you don't mind the application fee then I don't see any reason not to try. I wouldn't suggest pegging all your hopes and dreams to it and having some other plans in the event that doesn't go anywhere, but if you are happy to pay the cost to apply then you never know, might win out that lottery! :smile:


I’ve also applied to KCL, UCL, QMUL and Royal Holloway which I know I have a better chance to get in anyways, so I know I won’t be hopeless if I get rejected.
Original post by Alslil
I am a student from the UK (England) and I’m soon going to get my predicted grades, but I roughly know that they’re going to be A*AA. I think this translates to a 4.0 gpa but I’m not too sure.
I’m interested in studying computer science, and knowing how competitive the ivy's are, especially for international students, I’m doubting my extra curricular activities.
My extra curricular activity’s are:
1. Tutoring GCSEs students in maths and Computer Science
2. Volunteering, organising networking and panelist events, and creating projects with a charity dedicated to giving young people recourses in
helping them in their academic journeys
3. I’ve completed several work experiences, my most reputable one being with Fujitsu but it was virtual so I’m concerned it won’t be taken as seriously
4.I do taekwondo and am currently a red belt. I have participated in sparring competitions and won gold several times, but just before I was going to compete on a national level, my family could no longer afford it. However I am soon going to rejoin, and believe that I could begin to compete on an intercollegiate level if I get accepted to a school in the US, but I’m still contemplating whether this is still worth mentioning.
5. I am currently completing a Data Science course and have coded my own personal projects
6. I won silver in the senior maths challenge (UKMT)
7. In January I will be assigned a mentor that works in the computer science sector and will be able to work on several projects with them.
Even though this feels like a lot, after seeing the much more impressive and countless extra curriculars other students have done, I’m feeling discouraged and don’t think it’s worth applying.
I have extenuating circumstances for my GCSEs because my mother got very sick during y10-11, but I’m worried that university’s in the US won’t care like the UK unis do.
Is it worth applying it?

Hi there,

If you need any help or guidance about this, feel free to get in touch with a member of our admissions team here: https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/chat/.

Best wishes,
Royal Holloway, University of London Official Rep

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