Svenparty said:
I'm in my final stages of planning: Looking for courses etc and now my lecturer has informed me that the "Welsh Bacc" course(150 equiv) has been cancelled /replaced with a lesser and that I am frozen at around 200 UCAS points for my two year practical course.
Really anxious now about applying to GOOD universities which usually want more than this. Lecturers not being helpful and I have to apply by monday.
Im assuming that nothing has changed in the 3 years since I applied it thats the case here's what you need to do.
Pick 1 or 3 good universities, these can be right up including places you didn't think you would get into before your points got frozen. These are you ideal choices. The right course, the right locations. You couldnt ask for more.
Next pick 1 or 3 (depending on if you picked 1, 2 or 3 good uni's) compromises. There are as the statment suggests, compromises. The course isnt "quite" what you want but the main elements are there and the location is still perfect. Or the location is a little suck but the course is still spot on.
Finally, pick 1 or 2 (again depending on how many you picked before) out and out bottom. Places that you KNOW you can get into unless everything really does go to shit in your exams. They are looking for D's across the board style. This doesnt necessarily have to be a bad uni, more often than not grade requirement are high because of quantity of applicants not becaue you actually need the grades, if this is the case for your course then some of the less main stream unis could have just as good departments but ask for far less grades wise (this is where visiting uni's is really telling, some of the better uni's departments are actually quite bad because all their funding goes to 1 or 2 pet departments but they still ask for high grades, all is not always as it seems). The grades are what you are really looking at here though, providing the course is in the same ball park and you could physically stand living there.
Remember though, that you DO have more time to pick! These 5 are
only preliminary, and you'll get offers back. Many unis take students not grades, so going to the uni, meeting the staff and leaving an impression can make up for poor grades. If push comes to shove and you decide you no longer want ANY of them, you can decline all your offers and opt for clearing. I knew several people who did this and get in a place they are happy to be. If you know where you want to go in this instance, contact the uni before clearing start, arrange some interviews and you could well get a letter on results day offering you a place, also not unheard of.
When the option for your 2 come in, make sure youve done your reading! Some unis, I believe Bristol is one (don't hold me to it CHECK!), out and out reject you if you dont put them first! In this case if your not sold on Bristol and don't want it first there is no point in picking it as your second. Keep this in mind. If you are unsure if they do this ring the admin department at the uni, they are pretty open about it. If you cant get a straight answer, ring the uni's student union and ask them! They will be straight with you, and if they dont know will probably find out for you. They pull a lot more weight than you do.
Generally in this final stage, your first choice should be the creme da la creme, unless they offer triple A and you know youll get CCC only if your lucky, and a backup. When picking your here, be realistic, lying to yourself here about the grades you will get can only hurt you!
If you want to know how the uni will value your course, ring the department admin. This is what they are here for. Just because some places rank your course down now doesnt mean other will!
Be honest to yourself. Pick a broad spread of unis with a variety of asking grades. Keep your options open for as long as possible. The moment you get those offers, start digging for information and make an informed choice.
Hope this helps
GL!
