If you are predicted ABC is it worth applying to a uni that asks for AAB?

[Miladymilord]

Dd has one a level - a C but is taking two more next year - predicted AB (she had gf and changed subjects)

The course she really wants asks for AAB.

She's also doing an epq.

Is it worth applying to a uni if you are a couple of grades below?

[LeiatheSchnauzer]

Bath like the EPQ but she'd need to get an A in it for it to make any difference and even then it only drops the offer by one grade (for Physics this was from a standard a star aa offer to aaa but no idea for other subjects).

[BubblesBuddy]

It’s interesring that Bath and some other universities lower offers for an EPQ. Am I correct in thinking it’s the better schools that offer this? Therefore it’s selecting by post code. I think it should be discounted if it’s not available to all. It certainly ensures they fill up with a more educationally privileged student by taking it into account and it’s also a qualification where informed and academically able parents can help it along .

[KnotsInMay]

BubblesBuddy: the lower offers along with an EPQ would be because if the huge extra workload in doing an EPQ. So students disadvantaged by not doing an EPQ will be advantaged by having extra time at their disposal to study A levels.

At Dc school only a set number of students are allowed to do an EPQ because of the workload for teachers. They have to apply to be allowed.

[Miladymilord]

BubblesBuddy: the lower offers along with an EPQ would be because if the huge extra workload in doing an EPQ. So students disadvantaged by not doing an EPQ will be advantaged by having extra time at their disposal to study A levels

Exactly. A lot of schools don't offer it because it takes away from valuable study time. Because dd is only studying two subjects she is taking an epq to look more attractive to unis. If she was doing a straightforward a level 2 year course then she probably wouldn't have bothered.

[BubblesBuddy]

That would all be fine if the offer from universities was 3 A levels and not 3 and an EPQ. The EPQ is optional and not always avsilable in less good schools. It clearly disadvantages their bright students if they apply to a university that lowers offers for an EPQ. Any qualification that is impossible for some students to access should not be part of the selection process.

Not much point in taking an A level early and getting a C though and then thinking an EPQ makes up for it. As others have said.

[Miladymilord]

She hasn't taken an A level early. She took it at the end of 2 years study BUT had GF so missed so much work in Yr 12/13 she took two new (easier) subjects at the beginning of year 13, carried on with 1 which she took at the end of year 13 and has stayed for an extra year (so Yr 14 of you like).

[BossWitch]

I've got late pregnancy brain melt, but I am really confused by the time scale/ time line of her study! She will need to be really good at explaining it in her personal statement (am assuming gf is glandular fever? She may need to supply medical evidence of how severe, how much time lost etc.) Otherwise unis will be unlikely to want her over a student who got the same, or better, grades in the traditional 2 year time frame.

[ErrolTheDragon]

That would all be fine if the offer from universities was 3 A levels and not 3 and an EPQ.

The only cases I've heard of have been to still make the offer on 3 A levels but discount one of them by one grade if they get a good grade in the EPQ. So I don't think it does more than slightly offset for the extra workload.

[Miladymilord]

bosswitch yes there will be many better qualified candidates! I think she'll probably play it safe and apply to places with lower entry requirements. If nothing else I am sure she will get something through clearing with ABC even if the timescale is skewed by the GF.

[BossWitch]

Don't forget there's the upwards version of clearing now too, for if they get better grades - adjustment i think its called.

[FrameyMcFrame]

Look at the offer calculator online
It varies by course a lot.
Many unis don't use predicted grades. Glasgow for instance.