UCAS 5 choices: how many aspirational / realistic / insurance?

[Tatapie]

Hi DS applying for 2021. We've drawn up a long list, it's hard! Even assuming he gets down to his top 5 based on ideal course and environment, how does he pitch the list in terms of his predicted grades vs entry requirements please?

Depends on what he thinks are important. Be realistic about grades. If he averages Bs try a uni that's asking for As but tell him not to pin all his hopes on that one uni.
Ideally he should be happy to go any of his choice of uni.

Our school advised three choices that ask for your predicted grades, one aspirational but realistic choice, one insurance.

So DD predicted AAB. She applied for three requesting AAB, one AAA and one ABB.

She got offers from all of them but one of the AAB choices made an offer at ABB.

Meant to add - our long list was easily cut to 5 once we started doing open days because you get a clear feel for whether you like it or not almost straight away. I'm not sure if open days will run this year though, for obvious reasons, which will make it harder for applicants to decide.

Thanks that's useful and will take it on board. All open days are virtual this year, we're doing those and then hopefully can do a few real life unofficial visits at half term.