Two kids with two different attitudes

[Theredlampshade]

We have two kids in year 13.

One has put in her UCAS application already before the Oxbridge deadline and she was advised it would make her look like a potential Oxbridge candidate. She is predicted A*AA and wants to firm and insurance uni's that will take BCC. She's had the offers already.

The other is predicted ABB and hasn't applied yet but wants to apply to 2 x uni with expected grades of AAA and 1 x AAB and 2 x ABB. if he gets offers he will firm and insurance the highest offers.

I feel like I'm battling with one who says she can't face being anything other than "top of the class" and that's why she wants to go to the lower offer universities and the other who I feel might be setting himself up for disappointment as he's possibly aiming higher than he's capable of. I think his predicted grades are fair ones as are hers.

I know it's their choice and their lives but I just wanted to vent a bit!

[yeOldeTrout]

I have something more extreme than this with 2 of mine, still before GCSEs. Does your head in, doesn't it?

[FFSYourself]

My 4 DC are all at Uni now and I've first hand experience of the overconfident and the underconfident UCAS applicant I'm not sure which is worse. thankfully, they are all now happy at their Unis. I think it tends to work out for most students.

The UCAS Adjustment process is brilliant for student who are overly cautious. My DD2 refused to apply to an 'asperational' Uni as she was so nervous of not being able to acheive her grades. In the end she did better than expected and was able to 'upgrade' to a better Uni on results day.

[Theredlampshade]

Thanks for the replies. Good to know about adjustment although I did wonder if all the "good" places will have gone by then?

[FFSYourself]

It's hard to know what places might be available to applicants that are eligible for adjustment. DD got a AAB place at a RG uni for a stem subject - you have to phone around on results day and see what's about. It's all a bit of a gamble. think how much better it would be if students applied for places after they received their results.

[NewLife4Me]

My dc are totally different.

Ds1 slow plodder and managed all c's at GCSE, worked hard and tried his best/ couldn't do any better.
Did a BTEC and went to Uni. He is now a manager at a company responsible for logistics for engineers and fitters.

Ds2 bright lad, but couldn't be bothered, he went as far as AS level, no uni and works in a call centre.

DD is 11 very gifted, attends a specialist school and is ambitious, determined, motivated and single minded in where she wants to go.

Even though ds1 and 2 have significant differences, dd is a whole different ball game.

I'm told this is unusual for dd but not so much for the ds's

[Travelledtheworld]

I have one in year 11 who has already set his sights on Cambridge. If he keeps working hard he will probably get there.

The older one in year 12 in sixth form at very good Grammar School can't be arsed to do any school work and hasn't given any though whatsoever to what she will do after next year.

[jaxxyj]

I have twins dd has ucas form in to school waiting on references, first choice is a bbb when she is predicted abb. DS hasn't decided what course or where, hasn't started his PS ( although he is going to a Salford open day on his own tomorrow which I suppose is something) it is frustrating and tiring having two different types of worry at the same time!