Advice on applying to a stretch university

[Radoy]

Hi everyone: Wondering if someone could give me a steer in supporting my daughter in her university application.

She is taking a year out for an IBM internship. She very much wants to study History at a specific university, but the requirement is AAB and she achieved BBB at her A levels. She called them to see what they might think, and they said her grades "are a bit lower than our standard entry. We suggest that students retake some of their A-Levels to improve their grades, but I don't know if this is possible for you if you will be working full time."

It's true she's working more than full-time hours, and retaking any A levels wouldn't be fair to IBM when she's committed herself to work full-time for a year. She was only two-points off an A in one of her subjects.

The university went on to say: "We are not able to say at this stage if we will be accepting as we do not make decisions by e-mails. We need to have the UCAS application, as we take the whole application into consideration."

She had cancer a few years ago, and had to work really hard to catch up, and is no stranger to hard work.

My question is this: Should she apply? This doesn't sound like an absolute no to me, and her IBM role involves a lot of writing, editing and speaking which further supports higher level History. She definitely won't be able to retake her A levels given her current commitments, and she doesn't want to apply if there's no chance. Would very much appreciate some views. Many thanks.

Hi, OP -

Your DD sounds hugely admirable. For that reason I’m sorry, writing as a former Russell Group admissions tutor, to say that unfortunately I think being two grades off the requirement in History is generally a bit too much of a stretch.

However, your DD will be applying with known grades. She should get quick Unconditional Offers or Rejections. If this is one if five choices, there is no harm unless it is crowding out another attractive option.

I understand completely why no one can give her an answer until she applies, although I know it is frustrating. Does she have any markers for a contextual offer from this uni?
The cancer is relevant IMO as it will definitely have affected her education. This should be discussed, ideally in the letter of reference and also very concisely in her PS. That she can show the internship is relevant also may help.

I am not optimistic but an offer from this uni would not be the wildest thing I’ve ever heard, given the circumstances. Best wishes

Thanks so much. :-)

PS Perhaps the letter from the school could mention how close she was to grade A in one of her ALs? Although last year’s AL grades were moderated to fall about half way between 2019 grades and Teacher Assessed Grades during the pandemic, so it will be thought that they are more lenient than the grades of pupils sitting ALs in Summer 2023.