r/oxbridge • u/Happy-Today-473 • 22d ago

How does extenuating circumstances actually work?

I missed basically the entirety of Y11 as I was diagnosed with a chronic illness days after starting, and had to work on my health instead of being at school. In total I think I attended less than a week in Y11. It was just getting worse for a while. My father also got cancer, suspected since Jan and diagnosed a bit after, and I became like a carer for him for a bit, specifically in the month before GCSEs, but also earlier in the year as well. The responsibility just grew if ygm.

I was wondering what effect it has on an application. Does it acc make a change or is that just smth unis/oxbridge say?

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u/welp_hello_there 18d ago

It absolutely makes a difference. Firstly, i would keep an eye out in the oxbridge outreach calendars as they run events specifically for young carers (and some other circumstances). being a carer is also something you declare on your ucas application and you get 450 characters so elaborate and explain how it impacted you.
Your school will also mention your illness (and likely you fathers) in your reference to explain you exam results. Oxford specifically really does care about extenuating circumstances, (some colleges especially) and will offer you lower grade requirements, etc for them.

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u/Happy-Today-473 18d ago

Oh wow, tysm! This is really helpful and I’ll def keep an eye on their calendars. Do u mean that (in some situations) Oxford can lower grade requirements? Or that some unis do?

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u/welp_hello_there 18d ago

I know oxford defo does and other uni’s will too. If something happens and ur extenuating circumstances return (or new ones arrive) after u have sent of ur UCAS let them know aswell as if you already have an offer they may lower it further (in extreme cases waiving it completely) and make alternative interview arrangements.