To apply to unis with entry requirements with entry requirements higher than predicted grades

[AmberDalia]

I want to do adult nursing and my predicte grades are BCC and most unis want BBB however one uni as part of a access programme I can get in with BCC. HOWEVER I do have extenuating circumstances with dealing with multiple close family deaths mid year 12 . I don't know whether to apply for extenuating circumstances as nursing has to deal with deaths and they may see me not fit for the role .

email them and ask if they'd consider that in an application, they won't think differently of you for asking.

Absolutely try it but be realistic. Don’t use up more than 2 of your uni options on unis which ask for higher grades. Just choose the couple that you like the most but if you don’t get them then you’ll at least get into the ones asking for your predicted grades

Ring the Uni's you are considering and have that discussion with them - they can advise you on your chances - no harm is asking them to consider your past year - close people dying is not the same as dealing with death at work so I doubt they would hold it against you

I spoke to the head of nursing at Keele recently and she really likes prospective students to talk to them rather than worry or not apply

Okay thank you I will do that 😣

Definitely apply for it. Nursing is evidence based, and the evidence says students who suffer a bereavement tend to get lower grades than they normally would.

They wouldn't think you aren't suitable for the role, a bereavement in your personal life is very different from when it is someone you are trained to care for.

Good luck with your application.

@Eleanorbellanor 4 out of my 5 choices are above my predicted grades because I don't want to move out for uni . 3 are over if the uni gives me a reduced offer because of my access programme

@ghostyslovesheets Keele is one of the universities I am really considering . I loved the look of it and it is only one grade above my predicted .

That is true and I'm going to have to talk to the head of sixth form after the holidays on whether he can apply for extenuating circumstances for me however I doubt he will say yes as they are very strict on that sort of stuff because they want to look 'prestigous'

It's a buyers' market for higher education at the moment (I wish it weren't because I work for a university, but it is). Nursing isn't my thing but I do know that they've found recruitment challenging after the introduction of fees. Obviously no one can promise you anything but I would guess that your chances of getting in slightly below the entry requirements are pretty good.

Most universities are competing hard for students these days - I definitely would give it a try.

@BanginChoons Thankyou for the advice I will go speak to the head of sixth form after the holidays as he is the one who has to apply for extenuating circumstances . I hope he says he's but they're normally very strict on these sorts of things .

Then I’d definitely recommend ringing round. With nursing and other healthcare degrees in particular, they’re more likely to lower their grades because of the shortage of healthcare professionals. They’re also very personality focused so if they think your character is a good fit at the interview, you’re in for a great shot at it

@LisaSimpsonsbff @HotChoc10Thankyou I will definitely give it a go . & Hope I get offers from at least some universities .

they're normally very strict on these sorts of things
Even if you don’t succeed with the extenuating circumstances, there’s still no reason they won’t lower the grades for you regardless unless they’re really oversubscribed

@Eleanorbellanor yes I think I do have the personality for it and I hope that will shine through if I get invited for an interview. Thank-You for the advice

I got CCD for my A-levels and i got in through clearing to study nursing with a uni who wanted BBB. Beat over 100 other interviewers for the place, must have interviewed well.
No extenuating circumstances, i just hated my a-level choices.
It's worth a shot op, and we're in such a staffing crisis i wouldn't say your odds are looking that bad!

Go for it. It worked out very well for DS - just make sure you have a couple of safe choices in your final five and possibly avoid the very oversubscribed unis who can afford to be choosy. Whatuni shows how many applicants there are per place ...
Good luck!

@Greywalls12 congratulations on getting in . Clearing is looking like my plan if I don't get any offers but my sixth form are insisting on me applying and I would like to see if I can get any offers .

Again congratulations

@UsedtobeFeckless Thankyou and congratulations to your son . I will apply and hopefully get some offers and go from there .

Oh and they definitely wouldn't hold you grieving over a family death against you, they would absolutely understand.
You're allowed to be human and have emotions, especially when caring for end of life patients in nursing. If you don't care/have no feelings towards your patient dying, you shouldn't be a nurse imo, they don't expect you to be made of steel!

I'm actually qualified now, this was over 4 years ago but thanks and good luck!

@greywalls12 yeah I agree I definitely will go to my sixth form head to ask him if he could include it.

Thankyou so much for the advice and I wish u well in your future career of nursing

It's always worth having a punt! DS turned down an unconditional in favour of an ABB offer ( his back up was a reassuring CCC ) even though his predicted grades were somewhere BBCish ... He managed a BBB and Bristol took him anyway so you should definitely give it a try! As others have said, it's a bit of a buyer's market at the moment. Just make sure you've got some safe choices alongside your aspirational ones so you're covered either way.

@usedtobefeckless I definitely will apply to them and have one safe choice but I don't want go to a university I don't like for the sake for it . So hopefully if I don't get in I will either go through clearing Or take a gap year get some experience and apply again .
Thank-You

Don't think of applying anywhere you don't like just for the sake of a low offer! It sounds like you have loads of good things going for you - best of luck!

@usedtobefeckless Thankyou for the advice . I appreciate it ☺️