When to put firm and insurance uni choices???

So at the moment I’m choosing my firm and insurance choices between UCL AAA, Bath ABB, Exeter BBC.

I want to go to UCL and obviously I’m going to try my best to achieve AAA but something can always go wrong so I’m not sure. I think it’d be good to leave Exeter as my insurance as they gave me a very low offer but I’d rather go to Bath tbh.

I still don’t know what to do. Since the deadline to choose firm and insurance is June 4th, I thought maybe I can wait until them and just see how my exams go because by 4th of June I will have already done half of my exams. Does it sound like a good idea or should I make my decision quicker???

Reply 1

mesub

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post by Kridrik313

Take all the time you need to make an informed decision (of course please do it by the deadline though!)
You should have been invited to applicant visit days/offer holder days - make use of these to narrow it down.

It sounds like you want UCL, and are happy with Bath as an insurance. Your firm and insurance don't have to be miles apart in terms of grades.

Reply 2

University of Bath

Official Rep

Original post by Kridrik313

So at the moment I’m choosing my firm and insurance choices between UCL AAA, Bath ABB, Exeter BBC.
I want to go to UCL and obviously I’m going to try my best to achieve AAA but something can always go wrong so I’m not sure. I think it’d be good to leave Exeter as my insurance as they gave me a very low offer but I’d rather go to Bath tbh.
I still don’t know what to do. Since the deadline to choose firm and insurance is June 4th, I thought maybe I can wait until them and just see how my exams go because by 4th of June I will have already done half of my exams. Does it sound like a good idea or should I make my decision quicker???

Hi there!

Lovely to hear you're considering Bath in your choice mix.

I agree with Mesub - there is no pressure to make your decision sooner rather than later as long as you do it by the deadline, and no, your F and I do not need to be far apart in terms of grades. However, what's a bit more important is that your insurance is pitched at a level which will give you a safety net (i.e. 1-2 grades below your predicted grades).

It sounds to me like like you're leaning towards UCL as your firm and this sounds like a solid decision as long as you're happy with the course contents, campus vibe, area etc 👍️ its often motivating and helpful to put an aspirational choice as your firm option. Your insurance should have lower requirements but it also needs to be somewhere where you'd be happy to go should you not quite get your firm.

So all in all, my advice would be to aim for UCL like you seem to be doing anyway, and add as your insurance whichever you feel you would rather go to so long as the grades they're asking are 1-2 lower than you're predicted.

I hope that makes sense and helps a bit - best of luck with your exams and making your choices 🙂

Holly
University of Bath

Reply 3

McGinger

Since the deadline to choose firm and insurance is June 4th, I thought maybe I can wait until them and just see how my exams go because by 4th of June I will have already done half of my exams.

Yes - good plan. Many people make their decisions and then get a crisis of confidence during exams and wish they had made different choices. Unis don't care when you make these decisions, as long as its before the deadline.