should i bother with extenuating circumstances?
hi everyone!
first of all, could someone help me understand how it works - do i just get my reference writers to mention it in the ucas reference box bit, or do i have to write about it somewhere?
secondly, i've just put together a few bullet points but i don't know if i should even bother submitting it as extenuating circumstances, so if anyone could help i would really appreciate it! i don't know if it will just come across as pitying or idk
For the past three years, my grandmother (living abroad) has been fighting Stage 4 cancer. My mother and her sister have been taking turns to care for my grandmother. As a result, my mother has been staying abroad for more than six months in any 12-month period.
Meanwhile, I lost my paternal grandfather two years ago, and my maternal grandfather also left us in Feb. This has accentuated the situation for my parents and has taken a toll on their emotions.
During this time, my father and I have been managing the household work while I juggle my academic and non academic pursuits.
first of all, could someone help me understand how it works - do i just get my reference writers to mention it in the ucas reference box bit, or do i have to write about it somewhere?
secondly, i've just put together a few bullet points but i don't know if i should even bother submitting it as extenuating circumstances, so if anyone could help i would really appreciate it! i don't know if it will just come across as pitying or idk
For the past three years, my grandmother (living abroad) has been fighting Stage 4 cancer. My mother and her sister have been taking turns to care for my grandmother. As a result, my mother has been staying abroad for more than six months in any 12-month period.
Meanwhile, I lost my paternal grandfather two years ago, and my maternal grandfather also left us in Feb. This has accentuated the situation for my parents and has taken a toll on their emotions.
During this time, my father and I have been managing the household work while I juggle my academic and non academic pursuits.
Reply 1
I don’t know indepth and I didn’t have the same kind of extenuating circumstances but I would definitely mention it. Also I believe there’s a section on the UCAS form that your school fills in which is something along the lines of ‘additional notes’ - it’s different to the references but you can always get your references to mention it (although they have limited words).
I’m also not sure how your school/you are doing it but for me we had a main teacher who would check over our application before it was properly sent off (only they could send it off after we had submitted it to them through the UCAS app). If you are doing it the same way I would 100% speak to them. Either way I would definitely add it as extenuating circumstances, it wouldn’t really be about pity but more understanding that a lot has been going on outside of your exams and it has most likely affected/impacted your studies.
I hope you can get it all sorted and goodluck!!
I’m also not sure how your school/you are doing it but for me we had a main teacher who would check over our application before it was properly sent off (only they could send it off after we had submitted it to them through the UCAS app). If you are doing it the same way I would 100% speak to them. Either way I would definitely add it as extenuating circumstances, it wouldn’t really be about pity but more understanding that a lot has been going on outside of your exams and it has most likely affected/impacted your studies.
I hope you can get it all sorted and goodluck!!
Reply 2
20
do i just get my reference writers to mention it in the ucas reference box bit, or do i have to write about it somewhere.
Its a single reference compiled by your school. You should ensure that the person who does this - Head of Sixth or a relevant admin person etc, is aware of your circumstances and ask them to include it in the reference. You should not mention this at all in your Personal Statement. Many Unis will also want a special form completed by both you and your school - one example from Bristol : Extenuating circumstances | Study at Bristol | University of Bristol You need to check this with all the Unis you apply to.
Just be aware that this will not get you a lower grade offer. It just means that Unis may be more flexible about your overall GCSE profile (but not any specifically required GCSE grades), and that they may be more flexible on Results Day. However, neither aspect is guaranteed - and it doesn't mean you would have a place regardless of the A level grades you actually achieved.
Its a single reference compiled by your school. You should ensure that the person who does this - Head of Sixth or a relevant admin person etc, is aware of your circumstances and ask them to include it in the reference. You should not mention this at all in your Personal Statement. Many Unis will also want a special form completed by both you and your school - one example from Bristol : Extenuating circumstances | Study at Bristol | University of Bristol You need to check this with all the Unis you apply to.
Just be aware that this will not get you a lower grade offer. It just means that Unis may be more flexible about your overall GCSE profile (but not any specifically required GCSE grades), and that they may be more flexible on Results Day. However, neither aspect is guaranteed - and it doesn't mean you would have a place regardless of the A level grades you actually achieved.
(edited 9 months ago)
Reply 3
Original post
by abcdefghilmnhi everyone!
first of all, could someone help me understand how it works - do i just get my reference writers to mention it in the ucas reference box bit, or do i have to write about it somewhere?
secondly, i've just put together a few bullet points but i don't know if i should even bother submitting it as extenuating circumstances, so if anyone could help i would really appreciate it! i don't know if it will just come across as pitying or idk
For the past three years, my grandmother (living abroad) has been fighting Stage 4 cancer. My mother and her sister have been taking turns to care for my grandmother. As a result, my mother has been staying abroad for more than six months in any 12-month period.
Meanwhile, I lost my paternal grandfather two years ago, and my maternal grandfather also left us in Feb. This has accentuated the situation for my parents and has taken a toll on their emotions.
During this time, my father and I have been managing the household work while I juggle my academic and non academic pursuits.
first of all, could someone help me understand how it works - do i just get my reference writers to mention it in the ucas reference box bit, or do i have to write about it somewhere?
secondly, i've just put together a few bullet points but i don't know if i should even bother submitting it as extenuating circumstances, so if anyone could help i would really appreciate it! i don't know if it will just come across as pitying or idk
For the past three years, my grandmother (living abroad) has been fighting Stage 4 cancer. My mother and her sister have been taking turns to care for my grandmother. As a result, my mother has been staying abroad for more than six months in any 12-month period.
Meanwhile, I lost my paternal grandfather two years ago, and my maternal grandfather also left us in Feb. This has accentuated the situation for my parents and has taken a toll on their emotions.
During this time, my father and I have been managing the household work while I juggle my academic and non academic pursuits.
Hi there!
I’m so sorry to hear that you have been going through a really difficult time.
There is usually a section on the UCAS form for your school to add anything about this however, if you are worried , it is absolutely best to email the admissions team for the university you are applying to and let them know. This way they can link it to your application.
I hope this helps ,
Rebecca, University of Central Lancashire Ambassador
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