DD has changed her mind about which subject she wants to do. She has a place for music but has recently decided that she would rather do History or English instead.
She has her IB results, which is 37 points and now has an unconditional firm offer from a very good university. She is considering possibly retaking one of her Standard Level subjects to get two extra points.
Can someone talk me through the relative merits of applying next year verses going through Clearing next week for a change of subject. Or should she just take up her place and do music?
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Changing subject at Uni - clearing or reapply next year?
30 replies
RandomFriend · 07/08/2015 14:07
OP posts:
MoralityPlay ·
08/08/2015 16:17
Well done to your DD 
37 points is a decent score (despite what it feels like on MN 
) I think your DD should continue phoning around - she could even try this week when the uni's get the ALevel results. She would have to be lucky to get through to someone helpful but it's worth a try. I was worried DS2 would miss his grades and phoned a couple of uni's on his behalf just before the results came out. They couldn't have been more helpful. They were high ranking uni's too. Fortunately DS2 got his grades.
If she really can't decide then she should seriously consider a gap year. I've never met anyone who regrets it. None of my dCs took a gap year but all think they are good option and much better than starting a course you are not sure about.
MoralityPlay ·
11/08/2015 18:45
37 points is good enough to get into many medical schools. It's a very good score.
If she takes a gap year and reapplied then all her offers will be unconditional.
A gap year would give her lots of time to research all her options.
I've just had a quick look at edinbrugh entry requirements and there IB requirements are all over the place 
. Some history courses ask for 40 points and others 34 -
Eg Ancient History is 34 points, Its odd. Maybe you can have a closer look.
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MoralityPlay ·
17/08/2015 16:24
That's great that she has a choice although sometimes too much choice just confuses things. 
. I don't think she has long to decide if she is doing adjustment.
Is accommodation going to be a consideration?
halvedfees ·
17/08/2015 16:48
Hi Random, I would be the same i.e. hoping DD can see the huge benefits of accepting her original offer and go for music - really varied, interesting course, which very few are eligible to study, given the rigorous entry requirements. The transferrable skills gained must be at least comparable to English/History, with even greater career options, if anything. (Added to this, it sounds as if your brilliant DD has landed a place at Univ/Castle(??) - definitely the most sought-after; 
- DS wanted to go there, but has now embraced the idea of the modern one he has been allocated!)
On the other hand, I can sympathise with you DD: it's a more demanding course than her other choices, and the thought of plunging in come October is probably daunting. However, she has done so well to get in - especially to the university she has been offered - and they wouldn't have accepted her if they didn't think she was good enough. (Also, as she probably already knows, there will be lots of history-based modules, as well as the option to take modules from other departments later on).
On Friday, while DS was making his mind up, we looked in depth at what the uni has to offer and were hugely impressed by the pastoral and support system in place; it's certainly not a place where they're left to sink or swim. Remind your DD that the IB will have made her more able than most to cope with the demands of university study, while the collegiate system will make her life much easier, particularly in first year - (this cliched it for DS, particularly when I pointed out how much time commuting/self-catering/generally fending for himself would take if he were to go somewhere where everything isn't laid on).
Good luck - I hope your DD will be happy with her choice, whatever decision she reaches.
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