Predicted grades AAC, applying for courses that ask for ABB

[13lucky]

My DD has been predicted AAC in A levels Music, Psychology and Maths respectively. She wants to apply for Psychology at a couple of Unis where the normal grade offer is ABB. I'm wondering how likely it is that she might get an offer or whether this is unlikely. Thank you for any advice you may be able to offer.

She may get an offer - or she may not. Psych is a relatively popular course I think so they may have candidates who have the required PG.

It depends to some extent on the uni as well - obvs again more popular unis can be more choosy. I would certainly include an ABB uni if it is one she really likes - one choice rejected (if that happens) is not the end of the world. But she should also include choices where the offer is lower - tho I doubt if many list AAC as an offer. Maybe at least one place that offers BBC or perhaps BBB? It's a trick one as a lot of unis seem to expect more parity between results, when really there may not be.

Is there any way she can try to raise her game to make the maths a B (I mean the actual result)? If that becomes AAB suddenly much more is open to her. She could get a clearing place or apply with grades in hand.

I think the predictions are realistic to be honest. I was hoping that with the Maths it might go in her favour as there is quite a bit of Maths in Psychology but at the Open Days they have stressed that you don't have to be massively mathematical...so I thought they might like to see Maths A level on there and, given that it's a hard A level, they might be generous and offer a place...but, you're right, it is a gamble!

I think it’s worth applying for ABB courses if she really likes the university and the course. They’ll likely offer ABB so it’ll be up to DD to try and get the B in maths. Some courses use UCAS tariff in which case AAC would be the same number of UCAS points as ABB.

Maths was the a level my ds dropped a grade in. Predicted A and got B. Fortunately, his B prediction in history jumped to an A.
I did think how useful maths is though and how for ds having a B in maths better than an A in another humanities subject.
Maths will be useful for your dd in life.
Ds applied for range of grades. BBB at Surrey the lowest.
Interestingly, this year Surrey, Essex, Royal Holloway, York all in clearing and think he would have had a chance at them this year if slipped to AAC.
Not for Bath which he got though.
Good luck.

She could email the admissions departments and ask them. Not just about an offer but also likelihood of acceptance with AAC - they’re usually incredibly helpful.
If the offer remains ABB then she needs to actually get the ABB results. If AAC is realistic then she really needs offers reflecting this, unfortunately. Some universities on the day may end up accepting AAC but others won’t. We can probs give you a very good indication of the ones that won’t. Which unis is she considering?

@WilderRose was this for psychology? I’m surprised at York in your list of clearing places as I thought they only had international places available for psychology.

No sorry @NotDonna it was for politics and International Relations which is less competitive I guess than psychology.

Some universities on the day may end up accepting AAC but others won’t. We can probs give you a very good indication of the ones that won’t. Which unis is she considering?

that was really poorly worded! I mean if the offer is ABB some unis would still accept AAC on the day. The difficulty is guessing which ones these are. That’s why speaking to admissions is a good start.

It's worth applying. Years ago I had the same grades as your dd is predicted and got into a course at a uni which normally asked for ABB.

Personal statements can make a difference I think and with an A level in music I imagine her extra curricular activities might be quite strong.

I'd have insurance options too though.

Yes she should apply. AAC is essentially the same grade profile as ABB. As the C is in maths she might want to check if there are no conditions on a number of stem grades at B or above but that would be unusual.

Former Russell Group STEM admissions tutor here.

Firstly, if any of DD’s preferred choices admit on UCAS tariff points this should not be a problem. But the implication is that they do not.

I simply don’t know how important Maths is for Psychology and, therefore, what DD’s chances would be. @NotDonna is correct that on the day, a School or unit that is not filled by applicants who have made their grades will usually admit those who have made a trade off such as DD’s PGs. But first one needs to get an offer, and right now that is the obstacle.

@NotDonna is def right that almost all admissions team members love to help. However usually email is the best way to communicate. DD should contact someone at each of the places she likes best by email and see what they say. Even if the news is uniformly discouraging, it is fine for her to make an aspirational application - no one will remember her name and no one will hold it against her in the unlikely event that they do. But she needs three realistic applications and one very safe one. Her field is very competitive. Best wishes to her

It's a shame it's not an A in maths and a C in music tbh. DD's best mate too psych and got A in A level maths - she found there was a lot of maths content and she was glad she had that background.

Can you say what uni(s) OP? It's true there are some more willing than others to compromise on this sort of thing. Altho that can also be subject-dependent.

Agree with @poetryandwine the way to go is one aspiration (AAB); three realistic (ABC say, or BBB) and one fallback (maybe UCAS points the add up to BCC)

https://alevelmathsrevision.com/maths-tuition-testimonials/

https://alevelmathsrevision.com/

This maths tutor is really good. My son went on a 4 day revision course in the Easter break April 2023 (around £600.00) and got an A in his A level maths (was predicted a B). Worth every penny as he needed an A to get on the University degree he wanted to do.

@clary I’m not knocking your suggestion of a uni offering BCC as an insurance as a range is good but I think you have to be careful applying to ones that are too far from predicted grades IF the predicted grades are realistic (as OP suggests) and not a reach, otherwise quite often DC then don’t want to go there when they miss their firm. If OP seriously thinks AAC is realistic and her DC chooses an aspirational/realistic ABB and an insurance BCC, but gets the predicted AAC, but firm uni does not offset, DC probs won’t fancy the (3 grade below achieved) insurance choice. If they do drop three grades they may be better going through clearing, resitting, applying with grades the following year.
OP It’s very personal and everyone has differing strategies but when it comes to choosing an insurance please encourage your DC to choose one they are totally happy with. Many DC go to their insurance choices (mine included).

They might, but at AAC

Sorry ABB . That in itself is low for Psychology

For Psychology, Hull is always worth considering as a safety choice. 120 ucas points requirement and offers a fast-track Clinical Doctorate programme for its graduates. This is also available at York.

@NotDonna I completely agree. In fact that's the issue. If the OP's DD was looking at PG of ABB it would be a lot easier to find her a suitable uni. Or even BBB. AAC is evidently too much of a gap (in the view of unis) - but really, it can't be that unusual to have one subject two grades lower?

Do any unis at a higher level ask for AA and then a third unspecified grade? I needed BB for my uni place actually haha (had four offers asking for two grades IIRC) but that was 127 years ago so.

That's why I agree that if she does end up with AAC next August, and no suitable uni place, clearing may be a very real option. I imagine a uni that has not filled up on ABB will snatch her hand off. I know that makes no sense tho.

Nowt wrong with clearing btw - my DD as I have posted before got her uni place through clearing and it was a very successful and positive outcome.

Based on my experience with DS1 this year (not psych tho) I'd say she'll be fine. People were getting in to AAB places with BBC (was a funny year tho).

Some of the advice on here should be approached with caution given we are talking about one of the most competitive degrees.

I agree finding a BBB or thereabouts choice is sensible .

Thanks all. A couple of people asked which Uni and it is Surrey that she is interested in if anyone has any thoughts...

Does she qualify for contextual offers?

No

I would concentrate on getting her Maths grade up too she’s still got loads of time. If it’s her ideal Uni take a chance and if it doesn’t pay off clearing or a gap year.

Seriously the 4 day maths revision course my son went on was a game changer for him he was so more confident and prepared for his Maths A level. I think his new mentality helped as much as the exam techniques he learnt in him getting the A in Maths he needed.

My ds had Surrey as his insurance at BBB. Politics though.
He was really impressed with Surrey and was really torn between Bath and Surrey when making his firm and insurance choices.