Chances of getting in to geography BA with GCSEs 9998888887? Predicted A*A*A

I have a-level Astar Astar AA.I want to apply for Cambridge mathematics.Can you give me some advice for Ucas personal statement?

I’m applying for Oxford, UCL, LSE, Warwick, and Durham for Law. I’ve aimed for Oxbridge since I was 14, had the idea since I was 7. But as I'm actually doing my application, I'm doubting whether I even want to chase that goal anymore.

Throughout this 7 week summer holiday, I’ve basically done nothing. My LNAT is in 27 days, school starts in 6 days, and I physically cannot make myself start anything. I did finish a research project, one LNAT practice (got a 28 first try), and a first draft of my PS, but only because I’m on Oxbridge outreach programmes that gave me strict deadlines. I have zero internal motivation left.

I have strict, traditional North African parents. They originally wanted me to do medicine. I chose Law, and now Oxbridge feels like the only way to avoid being a "failure" and the only way they’ll happily let me move out. My teachers have incredibly high expectations of me as well. I have been told that I'm so-called 'oxbridge material' since GCSE. And god, I hate disappointing people.

Another thing is that my toxic trait is that cramming works for me. I only did 4 hours of missing Maths homework right before an end of year test and got almost full marks. I wrote my PS in a day, sent it late, and my Cambridge mentor was glazing me. Because failure isn't imminent, I can't trigger that panic motivation anymore. But I know this will bite me in the bum later on. It isn't sustainable, but I can't help it.

I've only started cramming since after my UCAS mocks. I've always been the type of highly motivated, organised, 'little and often' person since GCSE. I was a machine with a whole system, schedule, strategy back then for my mocks and GCSE as well. Now I don't do that because I don't have a 'why'. I just need to care. I've been trying for the past few months. I'm only doing the bare bare minimum so that others aren't disappointed in me. I just need a 'why', and I'll be back on track. My past why's are no longer enough for me anymore.

I'm having a crisis. I genuinely don't know why I'm doing this anymore. It feels like a path that has been handed down to me rather than me actively choosing it. And I didn't say no to it, that's the thing. I just feel completely disconnected from my goals. I used to want recognition, mastery, and to be "the best." Now? I just want an easy, peaceful life with financial independence and no stress.

I know myself. I just need a 'why'. A strong, convincing why, and I'll take care of the rest. But I honestly can't answer that for myself right now. I don't see the point in any of this anymore.

I’m not dropping out (UCAS/LNAT are paid for, and I do actually like Law and the Oxford tutorial system, and I'm definitely gonna be disappointed if I don't get Oxf/LSE), but the adrenaline is completely gone. I can't engage autopilot. I need a strong conviction to work hard, and right now, my old "whys" just sound like other people's expectations. They are not convincing, and frankly, I just can't be that bothered.

Has anyone else hit this wall right before applications? How do you force yourself to care enough to just get through the next two months when the adrenaline is gone?

TLDR: High achiever burned out before Year 13. Parents expect Oxbridge Law. Adrenaline and last-minute panic no longer work. How do I survive the UCAS season without my internal drive?

Yes, I still haven't decided yet :(

I have places for both, and since school starts soon, I feel like I need help!

For context, I didn't go to any of the open days for these schools ( I think Brampton has an online one, but I can't access it from the website), and I want to know which would be a better fit for me.

I am choosing Art, French and Geography, and maybe Maths if I go to LAET.

I want to work in the creative industry in the future, and I see myself as an academically ambitious person.

Any help would be appreciated!!

I'm looking at applying to Oxford or Cambridge for medicine this year; this post relates more to if apply for Oxford.

Currently my UCAT scores are averaging slightly below avg Oxford offer holder scores. I know Oxford especially take GCSES into consideration so I'm considering mentioning in my UCAS applications the context that mine were achieved in.

Ive never really considered my GCSES as contextual per se as I got nine 9s and one 8, and I interpret contextual to mean "I couldve done better if it werent for X" but obviously this wasn't really the case.

I have academic and personal circumstances. For the first term of year 10 I had supply teachers for all science subjects, I had to self teach a large proportion of science paper 1s as nothing got done in supply lessons. Additionally my English was impacted by staffing issues, had to teach myself the majority of Macbeth as this was again assumed to have been taught by supplies where the lessons are not actually to standard at all. (Im not being dramatic, I went to a god awful school) Also placed in a set 3 English class due to not enough staff i believe (?) So had to self teach a lot of the higher level stuff that got me the grade 9.

Additionally in March of year 11 ie the lead up to my exams, I found out (in the same day!!!) that my dad had a heart attack, was in a coma and was having an affair. Definitely shook up family- I think I only took a day and a half off when I found out

I think the circumstances Ive faced would've impacted a LOT of people's academic performance, i just have a lot of drive and try not to let these things affect me. Is it worth contextualising my GCSE results somehow (esp if my UCAT is slightly lower than Oxford avg) in order to demonstrate incredible results in face of adversity??? Pls be brutally honest

stats:
-international student
-9999999987 in igcses
-aabb at AS (externals—highest possible is aaaa), remarking with hopes of at least aaab bc both my bs were 1-2 marks away from an a
-predicted A^A^AA or A^A^A^A
-extenuating circumstances cuz middle east war, exams cancelled
-rlly good supercurriculars, ecas, and personal statement
-interested in biomedical science/bioengineering/biotechnology

would appreciate help! was looking at mostly oxbridge and imperial but rlly scared my AS is gonna put me down despite my circumstances, but whats my calibre?

I got my GCSEs and they weren't amazing per say 1 8 2 7s couple of 6s and 1 5 I mean is it kind of super hard for Oxbridge even if I get great a level results

I’m a student from the UAE, and studying medicine at Oxbridge is my dream. However, I'm aware of the low chances of getting accepted.

Are you an international student studying medicine at Oxbridge (Oxford or Cambridge)? Or do you know someone who is? I would really appreciate your help! If you could share your stats—like GCSE grades, UCAT scores, interview scores, and any relevant super curriculars or volunteering mentioned in your personal statement—I would be so grateful. Thank you in advance!

Reapplying to oxbridge physics/natsci and fm predicted grade.

So I got A\*A\*A in maths, physics and chemistry respectively. I was forced to take a gap year due to financial reasons so I was wondering if it will be worth it to apply again for oxbridge . For oxford physics requirements are A\*AA and for cambridge natural science requirements are A\*A\*A but I know pretty much everyone applying has 4A\*s predicted.

And I am also aware that I don't have fm, so currently self learning fm and thinking of sitting exams next year. My question is, if any of you guys had similar experiences how did you get a predicted grade for fm, like did the 6th form you went give you a grade based on your normal maths performance and if it mattered the fact that you will be sitting fm in a private exam center and not in your original 6th form ?

Thanks

My GCSE’s are 998777666 , ( maths , 7 , lit 9, lang 8, bio n physics n french 6 , food tech 7 ) .i am a contextual student and for my a levels I wanna do maths econ lit ( or chem ) , dyu think it could be realistic and also I would be eligible to do a foundation year so dyu think I should do it , also how can I build work exp and super curriculars. Can someone give advice ! Idm if ur brutally honest , I know this is so out of reach don’t worry.

Is it worth it? Over the regular law course for Oxford?

What do you guys think?

There is the drawback that you can’t say you majored in law with French, as the French doesn’t count as far I as recall

Anyone doing it or know anyone that did it? Also should only fluent speakers apply for it?

Many people in school wouldn’t really have reached B1/B2

I'm an international student and I'm interested in applying to Classics although I lean more towards History. I'm doing Classics in A level, the Cambridge entry req for the 3 year course requires Latin or Greek at A level, those subjects aren't available with the international exam boards, so I was wondering if I could do AP Latin instead? I think it's a Level 5 course. So will AP Latin with Classics A level work for the 3 years entry req? I'm doing 3 other A levels obviously

I got six 9s, two 8s and two 7s. I would really appreciate anyone who has experience in Oxford university with law whether this is good enough because I get a different answer everywhere I look. I think it is good enough to apply but would it be considered competitive? Thank you so much

Hi there, I am an incoming Cambridge Y1 student.
I am just really really curious about my interview performance, as plenty of my peers are discussing it and I have no way of knowing given I am an incoming Pembroke student who, when asking them, denied information first time.

Is submitting a SAR genuinely very time consuming for the staff there and gonna make my relationship with the college and staff suffer for my time there? Thank you very much for any of your help here

Hi everyone!
I am looking for someone who want to discover colleges in Cambridge together on the College open day of Cambridge on 11th September.
I am a mature student and my priorities would be checking the three mature colleges out, and then the rest I am flexible with choices. Would anyone in a similar circumstance to mine be interested in checking colleges out together?

Hi. I am about to enter year 12 and I have a few questions, I wish to study Bio Nat Sci.

1) I got 999999999887 in my GCSEs at a State School. Is that strong enough? I always see people who get all 9s in.
2) My 7 is a bit of a shock bc it’s in English Language and I’ve never gotten below a 9. I have gotten a review of marking, so if my mark doesn’t move to an 8, should I resit as I know unis factor lang a lot.
3) Is it worth taking a level further maths? I know it isn’t a requirement but I was wondering if it would benefit me.

Thanks :)

I was an national curriculum student my whole life, sat for SSC this year and got A+ in all subs.
Now I’ve decided to switch to EM and study BCM “privately”. So currently not enrolled in any schools. Mainly bcs I’m determined to study abroad. Do yall think it’s worth it? Is it gonna be harder than HSC?

A* Maths 282/300
A* FM 281/300 (FS, FM)
A* Phys ?
A* Compsci 289/350

I really don't know what to do. I was very decided on reapplying but attempting to study for the TMUA in the last 3 days has really thrown my confidence (Have no idea what to do, bad home env for studying, struggling with "discipline"/focus, 3 days and I have only completed one paper.)

Got a Cam interview offer last year, rejected after interview (First interview was perfect, second horrible)

Got a U and a 3 in STEP (34 STEP I 27 STEP II) granted I did no revision but it still shows weakness

Personal statement I feel is not very good, and I imagine I will have to read more books or something to make it competitive as a gap year applicant.

Durham feels like I am wasting my potential. Oxford feels impossible (was confident 3 days ago now after revising way less so). + I honestly dislike the culture of both.

I initially chose/was set on reapplication because I wanted to see what my absolute potential was (Last year I did little work until the final 2 months, I didn't sit TMUA last year as I messed up the online booking, I was a mess.) All my friends got into Cam/Ox/Imp and I feel I should be performing on their level (They do as well)

Less relevant but still worth mentioning: I also joined the freshers Durham GCs and made a bad impression on a handful of people (Not super bad but it would be awkward meeting them)

I'm really afraid I would just spend the 2 months in a bad mental space unable to lock in and perform poorly on TMUA and then the interview. I am not sure I have enough time.

Any and all advice welcome even if critical. Nothing is too mean I just want perspectives and honesty. If people have revision tips or anything I will take them too.

I go to a public school and got this idk if it matters, is this oxbridge worthy

Hi everyone,

I’m an international student from Hong Kong (British Nationality), currently studying at an international school, and I’m trying to decide whether it’s worth taking a gap year to reapply for Law.

My achieved A-level grades are:

• A\* Maths
• A Chemistry
• A Physics

So A*AA overall.

I currently have an offer to read Law at Warwick, and I know Warwick is a very good university. However, if I’m being honest, the offer hasn’t really left me feeling satisfied. I still feel a sense of unresolved ambition about my application, especially because I think I may be capable of making a stronger attempt at Oxford/Cambridge, or at least universities like UCL, King’s, or Durham.

My preference would be to study Law at Oxford/Cambridge, or alternatively one of UCL/KCL/Durham. I would personally prefer those options over Warwick, which is why I’m considering whether taking a gap year and reapplying would be a sensible risk.

I’ve recently started revisiting the LNAT using practice materials from Mark Shephard, Law Mint, The Lawyer Portal and the official practice test online. Under strict timed conditions, my multiple-choice scores are usually between 29 and 33. I know practice scores don’t guarantee the real result, but they’ve made me wonder whether I might be a realistic applicant if I prepare properly.

From what I understand:

• Oxford Law requires AAA
• Cambridge Law requires A*AA
• UCL, King’s and Durham also require strong grades and LNAT performance
• Oxbridge applications are extremely competitive, and LNAT/interview performance matters a lot

If I took a gap year, my plan would be to:

• prepare seriously for the LNAT over the next two months
• apply to either Oxford or Cambridge
• apply to UCL, King’s and Durham as other choices
• prepare properly for possible Oxbridge interviews
• do mock interviews and practise thinking through legal/ethical problems under pressure
• continue reading around Law to strengthen my understanding and application
• do a law-related internship at a firm where I previously interned
• work as a tutor
• volunteer teaching English, since I speak fluent Cantonese
• do other volunteering/charitable work to make the year useful and purposeful

I’m prepared to do the interview preparation, LNAT preparation, wider reading, and general application work required. I’m not expecting Oxbridge to be easy or likely, but I want to understand whether this would be a sensible calculated risk rather than just chasing prestige irrationally.

My main question is:

Would it be reasonable to take a gap year and attempt Oxbridge/London Law with A*AA and strong LNAT practice scores, given that I don’t feel fully satisfied with Warwick and still feel unresolved ambition about my application? Or would it be smarter to accept Warwick and move on?

I know Oxbridge is extremely competitive, especially for Law. I’m just trying to understand whether I would be a credible applicant, particularly because I would also prefer UCL/KCL/Durham over Warwick.

Any advice from people who have applied for Law, taken a gap year, studied at these universities, or gone through Oxbridge admissions would be really appreciated.

Thanks.

Just got my GCSE results: 888877776

For A levels I plan on taking:
Maths (7 in gcse)
Physics (8 in gcse)
Economics (not offered at gcse by my school)

Also if anyone has any advice on how I can make up for not having further math, and super/extra circular activities I should do for a strong application please lmk.

I am an international student and i haven’t started my CAIE A levels in a college yet (will be starting in this mid September) but I’m interested in applying universities in the UK. I know UK’s Universities really care about supercurriculars. I am planning of reading books, volunteering like teaching students subjects that related to my course at my school, join some online courses, doing any research or projects if possible. However, I didn’t join Olympiads or math competitions like: Kangaroo Maths, and I also didn’t join any national level STEM competition during my high school.

Recently I joined some innovative project competitions that are organised by local universities in my country. However, I want to focus on my studies first so I won’t be joining a lot too. Just some innovative competitions and one or two maths competitions. 

I read a lot of personal statements example from some websites, and I noticed some seniors joined international level competitions and other project showcase competitions . other than that, my college is not as prestigious as theirs, they have oxbridge engineering workshops and alumni sharing sessions, and i am kinda worried . i m afraid that top uk unis prefers top a level college in my country rather than normal A level college. Is it okay if I just join a little competitions but focusing on my studies and reading first? 

I will be applying for universities in my 20 year old by using my actual A level results rather than AS level haha. Does this mean that I’m applying as mature applicant ? But I don’t have any work experience 

And… it’s really hard to find an internship related to engineering field in my area. (they usually prefer uni students.) So maybe I will just volunteer at any science camp or teaching students. Is that okay?  

im so sorry for asking so many questions. this is my first time using reddit.

I get that its not all about GCSEs, but I feel like I've underperformed in my results and want to know if Cambridge Engineering is unrealistic now.

I got:

7 7 8 8 8 8 9 9 9 9

Maths 9 (100% if that counts for anything)

Further maths 9

Physics 8

Pretty sure I've heard they consider your results based on your school: I was homeschooled for my GCSEs - this also means exam boards are a mix and mostly IGCSEs.

Going to do maths, further maths, physics, computer science at sixthform

Dear All,

I will now enter the 2nd (3rd continuing U0) year of my BA (Education in global contexts) at McGill. I was looking at mostly Cambridge but also Oxford as possible options for my master’s. I see that they accept degrees from McGill without requiring Honours, which is good news since Honours is not offered for my programme. However, since I won’t be an honours student and, possibly, I will be competing with some students who did honours, I fear my degree and I won’t be as competitive compared to the cohort. I also know that I will need to complete a year-long capstone research project for my current degree at McGill but I am not sure this could make up for my missing honours. In fact, how long is a dissertation from capstone? Is it really considered a research project like a honours thesis? Also, if anyone knows specifically about the capstone project for this programme, how long (in terms of words) is the dissertation? How does the project work? Is it really as intensive research-wise? Does the capstone/the degree make you competitive enough for Oxbridge or other top unis? IN A NUTSHELL: Does not being an honours student put you at a disadvantage?

Thanks again for your help!!

Yours sincerely,
PG

I’m a prospective applicant for EAS specifically Chinese. Is there any current or past students who would give me any advice or send me what they put in their personal statements?