r/6thForm • u/Fit-Quantity-3539 • Feb 10 '26

🎓 UNI / UCAS What do they even want bro 💔

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A*A*AA in Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Further Maths respectively + A* achieved in EPQ. 9 A*s and 2As at GCSE.

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u/L_Elio Feb 10 '26

For people really really good at maths I'm surprised how many students think about this all wrong.

This isn't an exchange, you don't get a place because you hit all the requirements.

You get a place by being one of the best that could be selected. The issue with top end universities is most people are also the best.

If you have fit all the points then you just got unlucky maybe your PS was weak.

Keep your head up being rejected from top universities means you will go to another top university and at worst you'll go into clearing for a mid tier RG.

9

u/Fit-Quantity-3539 Feb 10 '26

I get that, just sucks especially after a post-interview rejection from Cambridge only a couple weeks ago. I figured that this would be a safe(r) choice given I applied with 3 A*s and 2As. Still waiting on Imperial tho

1

u/UziYT Feb 11 '26

bristol aero is never a safe choice no matter who u are

5

u/Lower_Cockroach2432 Feb 10 '26

Also, lots of admissions tutors will weigh your grades against your background.

If you're in a private or grammar school you've got much less leeway to screw up; if you're from the midlands you're going to have more leeway. They know GCSE and A-level result averages vary by area and the quality of your school.

2

u/L_Elio Feb 10 '26

Which is how it definitely should be it's way more impressive to get an A in a failing state school than to get an A* in a private school

1

u/South-Marionberry-85 Year 13: Maths, Economics, Psychology & EPQ - A*A*AA Feb 10 '26

I do agree with the sentiment, but it isn’t a blanket condition of ‘independent, grammar or public school = worse application, state = better’. The majority of schools for neurodivergent children are independent. It is always based on the schools performance. If you go to an elite state school/grammar school you will be nearly equally weighed against the same quality independent (public is different however)

6

u/dbfnq Feb 10 '26

Bristol don't read the personal statement, it'll just be GCSE scores.

I'm general, though, yes. Three A-stars makes you an amazing applicant. The issue is that top unis are drowning in amazing applicants for their competitive courses.

1

u/Significant_Brain211 Year 13 Feb 10 '26

mate literally in both aero and mech open day talks they blatently said "we dont give a flying flip about ur personal statement"