Cambridge and Durham application

I’m really worried about the fact I only just meet the needed A level grades to do law at Cambridge and Durham - A*AA. I think (well, hope) I’ll do relatively well on the LNAT exam as I’ve done practice tests and found myself getting 26/42 (which I’ve been told is good?)

My tutor also said she’s pleased with my personal statement and she thinks it will stand out, but I think you never really know to be honest. On top of this I’m a carer and live in an area that has low participation rates in higher education - it qualifies for a contextual offer, but I know Cambridge doesn’t do contextual offers and Durham does, although I have been told that Cambridge take this into consideration in applications.

My question is really - what would you say my chances are for both universities? I have been thinking about possibly bumping my history grade up to an A* through extra essays which would leave me with A*A*A for predicted grades, but bearing in mind I’d only have ten days to do so with the deadline being the 15th of October for Oxbridge applicants, and I’m not sure if my tutor will go for giving me a higher grade unless I do the most groundbreaking essay she’s ever seen lol

Reply 1

Scotland Yard

Universities Forum Helper

Original post

by Anonymous.00

I’m really worried about the fact I only just meet the needed A level grades to do law at Cambridge and Durham - A*AA. I think (well, hope) I’ll do relatively well on the LNAT exam as I’ve done practice tests and found myself getting 26/42 (which I’ve been told is good?)
My tutor also said she’s pleased with my personal statement and she thinks it will stand out, but I think you never really know to be honest. On top of this I’m a carer and live in an area that has low participation rates in higher education - it qualifies for a contextual offer, but I know Cambridge doesn’t do contextual offers and Durham does, although I have been told that Cambridge take this into consideration in applications.
My question is really - what would you say my chances are for both universities? I have been thinking about possibly bumping my history grade up to an A* through extra essays which would leave me with A*A*A for predicted grades, but bearing in mind I’d only have ten days to do so with the deadline being the 15th of October for Oxbridge applicants, and I’m not sure if my tutor will go for giving me a higher grade unless I do the most groundbreaking essay she’s ever seen lol

You know, it's not a trick, if they ask for A*AA, then you have a reasonable chance to get in if your predicted grades are A*AA, although just how big your chance is, is hard to say. Your LNAT score and personal statement will also play a big part on your chances so no one here will be able to give you a precise answer! Although your carer experience should be looked at favourably by both of them too. Your postcode/school, combined with your high predicted grades, should presumably be looked at favourably by Cambridge, but again, hard to say your odds other than they seem reasonable. I'd obviously apply to a couple of safer options to balance the risk though!

Re: bumping your grades. You can if you want to, but don't worry if you're unable to. You've got a very tight window until the deadline so it'd be quite the mean feat to pull off if you did!