Can you apply for AAA unis on UCAS if predictions are currently AAB( MEng)?

[Tr3hern3]

Just that really and how much of a gamble is it if you can?

Ds doing Maths, Physics and Chemistry is the potential B. Has been told he’s capable of A A A but need more evidence for A in maths and A in chemistry.

You apply for whatever you like, although school/college may advise differently! What do they say?

Normally recommend 1 or 2 aspirational unis (for your DS it may be AAA/AAB)
1 or 2 'realistic' i.e. same or below predicted e.g. AAB/ ABB
1 'had a really bad day if I don't get it' uni = BBB

However there are some unis who will often accept a dropped grade and others who never will!

Bear in mind that grades are meant to be being suppressed downwards back to more 'normal' levels next year!

Yes, you can apply for whatever course with whatever predicted grades, there isn't a pre screen as such before ucas applications are sent to unis to look at. As to how much of a risk it is depends. If he has a strong personal statement, has some choices within the range of his predicted grades, there isn't fierce completion for places on the particular course then chances are that overall its less risky than using every choice to apply for courses that need the same. If just applying to one at a competitive uni then yes, risky!

Have school given him his actual UCAS predictions yet? Most schools give these as 'if things go really well on a good day' levels, rather than just standard predicted grades.

Jeez personal statement. How do we know what to put and if that is strong? Feeling really overwhelmed. We can’t give him much help with all this.

And do the unis not look at the predicted grade then? Won’t they just pick all the AAA and not the AABs?

For engineering in I expect strong interest in technical problem solving, systematic logical approach but also interested in innovation/creativity, project work, teamwork, hands on approach, sustainability, any relevant work experience or exposure to industry and what inspires about it, any interest in a particular discipline.

No because they give conditional offers, so if a student it's predicted AAB they might make them an offer at AAA depending on course requirements if they like the personal statement, extra curriculars etc because the student still has time to push for that third A. Also if they do end up with one grade lower they might still get in if the course isn't oversubscribed or lots get a lower than expected grade in a particular subject due to marking boundaries or a hard exam that year. My best friend at sixth form had an AAA offer, she absolutely bombed her French oral exam and ended up with AAB her first choice uni still took her

Schools normally help with personal statements. There is guidance on UCAS website. No harm in including one or two ambitious choices as long as others are realistic and safe.

@Tr3hern3

Jeez personal statement. How do we know what to put and if that is strong? Feeling really overwhelmed. We can’t give him much help with all this.

Don't overthink it. He will have access to help at school, and there's loads of advice online. PS aren't always read anyway. This is his process remember not yours. Just make sure he gets it done on time.

School will help with personal statement. At DDs school they covered it in PSE sessions. Then there was list of teachers they could approach as a mentor and they chose one most relevant to the subject.
For engineering it will likely be maths/physics teacher and they will have experience of getting kids into engineering.
They won't do it for him but they will give him pointers and will read and comment on his PS

Ds1 was predicted ABB
Applied to an RG uni which required AAA
They offered him AAB
Then they dropped another grade if he firmed them! So ABB.
He got AAA :)
Sometimes it works out. Depends on.the course though obviously. Unlikely to happen with medicine or law.

I agree you can apply for AAA with AAB currently predicted as aspirational choices. Check too to see if eligible for contextual offer as that means they accept lower grades than the advertised AAA. The Uni should have a webpage where you put in your Post Code and other information and then will tell you if eligible for contextual offer from them.

PS :
Sports, hobbies, volunteering, travelling, interests, any awards won, any extra curricular work in his chosen subject?

He should also get references from his current tutors.

Try and tailor the PS to his chosen subject

@Jng1

Bear in mind that grades are meant to be being suppressed downwards back to more 'normal' levels next year!

Actually A*/A will not be back to precovid rates of 20% but will be at around 35% but yes not as high as the 49% of 2021.

Further beware that there will be people applying with grades in hand.

Also MEng may not offer to people applying with lower than requirements predictions. You may be better off applying for BEng courses that allow you to "trade up" to MEng if your uni first year grades are good enough.

@Tr3hern3

Jeez personal statement. How do we know what to put and if that is strong? Feeling really overwhelmed. We can’t give him much help with all this.

DDs was mostly a description of how she'd come to want to do an engineering degree (and then be an engineer) starting with getting interested in electronics in tech lessons in yr 9 and then various other stuff along the way including some designing and building of robots. What your DS writes is up to him - the key word is personal, but the 'why I want to do this course and why it should suit me' is the main thing.