A*A*A*A

[WakingFromTheDream]

My DC is in year 12 and so far predicted 3 A* ( maths further maths comp science and an A in a humanities subject

If they are looking at unis requiring A*x3 for compsci what should an insurance offer look like - AAA or AAB or ????

One Astar AA and one AAA.

It would be a big drop to get AAB but if there is a course they like and would be happy to go to then include it.

A* AA or AAA. I think if they dropped to AAB they could always look at clearing or taking a gap year. They don't want to saddle themselves with too low insurance if they only miss by one grade.

@WakingFromTheDream sorry I know this is a few weeks old, DC was predicted 3 A stars and an A so basically looked at all the unis they were interested in and then looked at the grades needed. I think their lowest uni entry was AAA, then A star AA, then 2 A stars. It does depend where you want to go and so whether it is an issue for an insurance choice or not.

3 A stars for CompSci would only be Manchester (who popped that up from 1 A star pre 2022 entry) wouldn't it? Cambridge, Warwick, UCL, Imperial etc usually ask for 2 A stars at most which would technically be a 1 grade drop.

With those predicted grades your DC should just look at all the unis that offer CS, narrow them down by campus, city, college etc and how far away the uni is, they may want Scottish universities or London ones or want to avoid these, or have a 3 hour journey cut off. Then see if the insurance is relevant. It might be that they choose unis with 1 A star plus AA entry or less.

DC was offered a uni place with a put us first and we will drop our grade entry by a couple of grades across the board! It does happen, if I remember correctly some unis were asking CCC for their ABB entry if they really wanted someone but this was pre-covid. Technically they know that a student will still achieve well and cope with the uni work but it is a sweet deal that takes the pressure off.

Thankyou that's really insightful 👍 🙂

We are in a similar situation, DS1 at state school 6th form. A levels Maths, Further Maths, Computer Science, Physics. Is predicted 4 A, just did mocks and got 3 A and A for Physics. Had Cambridge interview but didn't get offer. Ist choice now Warwick, offer AAA (he got 6.9 in TMUA so doesn't need STEP). Weighing up between Durham offer (AAA or AABB) or Bath offer (AABB) as reserve. He thinks he should get grades for Warwick, but things can go wrong on the day. Both he and I agree Durham is probably the best choice, but just wonder if it is bit of a risk. He's worried there might not be anywhere he wants to go that has places in clearing and he really doesn't want a gap year. Any advice?

Sorry, above post wrong, the starts didn't show. Try again!

We are in a similar situation, DS1 at state school 6th form. A levels Maths, Further Maths, Computer Science, Physics. Is predicted 4 A stars, just did mocks and got 3 A stars and A for Physics. Had Cambridge interview but didn't get offer. Ist choice now Warwick, offer Astar Astar A (he got 6.9 in TMUA so doesn't need STEP). Weighing up between Durham offer A star A star A or A star A B B) or Bath offer (A star A B B) as reserve. He thinks he should get grades for Warwick, but things can go wrong on the day. Both he and I agree Durham is probably the best choice, but just wonder if it is bit of a risk. He's worried there might not be anywhere he wants to go that has places in clearing and he really doesn't want a gap year. Any advice?

I can’t answer as I’m a couple of years behind you but have a son who is interested in CompSci at possibly Bath/Warwick.

Can I ask if your kids did an EQP, and what, if any extra curricular stuff they had in their personal statement?
@WakingFromTheDream @Netcam

@W0tnow, no EPQ, his 6th form thought 4 A levels would be enough work and a full timetable. It's a state school 6th form. He also got a place at a nearby 6th form college which he didn't take up, who had a different view, the EPQ was compulsory there, even with 4 A levels.

DS2 has a place at the new Cambridge Maths 6th form opening in September. He is going to do Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Computer Science A levels. They do not even offer the EPQ and I think they are hoping it will be a stepping stone to top universities. It was highly competitive with an entrance exam and interview and they only take people who are doing both Maths and Further Maths A levels.

DS1 wrote a bit of extra curricular stuff in personal statement, karate, badminton interest in photography and talked about his work experience. But it was mostly about his interest in Maths.

At his Cambridge interview DS1 was only asked Maths questions, nothing about extra curricular stuff of other interests at all. Cambridge obviously weren't bothered about him not doing an EPQ either, although he didn't get an offer in the end.

In fact DS2's interview for the Cambridge Maths 6th form was more thorough.

And Warwick say they do not even read the personal statement very thoroughly for Maths and make offers based on predicted grades and TMUA/STEP.

Thanks that’s useful.

@W0tnow , many academic state and private schools don't offer EPQ's as the focus is instead or 3 or 4 top A level results.

I would go for AAA or Astar AA insurance but it obviously depends on things like which uni he wants and which course he likes.
For CS personal statements they like to know about a love of maths and computing. Supracurricular activities are valued much more than standard extracurricular ones.
My daughter was also doing maths and FM so she only chose university courses that asked for maths A-level. That way she felt there would be (hopefully) plenty of maths in the course.
Good luck