New Batch of Year 13 parents this way!

kaiserschmarrn I think DC and I agree with your DS, we didn't like it much either. I think we have been swayed by the campus style more modern style university. We had a look around a couple of colleges and thought the rooms were styled on prison cells unfortunately, dripping taps, rusty shelving and some of them not enough room to swing the proverbial cat. We went to talks in the Business Studies building which is very modern but 30 mins walk from town centre and to Modern Languages which is more central but the talk was in room that had been styled on a cellar. Students were all helpful and friendly, but DC thought it lacked spark and energy that she had got from open days at other universities, so is now off the list.

MsAwesomeDragon Snap. DS had a tutor change this term, DS said it was someone he had never seen before. After his first group tutorial he introduced himself, explained his vocational aspirations and said that he would need a reference for this strange thing that college have no experience of by the end of October. That went as you'd expect.

I will be glad when his application has gone in, his reference has gone in and it's all down to DS.

wisba, We were at Durham today.I liked it a lot but DS not so much. He thinks the buildings are ugly. Granted we didn't esky look at the older colleges. Stayed in St Aidan's last night, NOT impressed with the Bahrain arrangements. Visited Josephine Butler this morning, thought it looked good.

Happy birthday to everyone who has birthdays this week.

We had dd's meeting with her tutor on Thursday and I have to say it was a monumental waste of time. Her tutor only took over the form 2 weeks ago, although she does know dd from GCSEs. She had to ask dd what her predicted grades are, and what she got in her mocks last year (she didn't even seem to know that dd also did 2 proper AS levels as well). Then she spent a couple of minutes telling dd to start revising now and how she should already have revision cards for all the y12 material. Then she told me there are no concerns from school, so that was it. I thought we'd discuss UCAS choices and things, but no, nothing like that. I'm not supremely confident in her ability to write a full reference on dd, so I hope she gets some fantastic material from the subject teachers.

chocolate
This is dd now 😭 so much coursework with so little time and deadlines close
Dds eye looks like it’s filling up again which is worrying

chocolateworshipper DD had this in year 12. Fortunately she dropped the really time heavy A level and is finding the three she is doing more manageable. Hopefully your daughter will be able to complete this and pace herself a bit more (unless it is psychology).

DD has a MASSIVE amount of coursework with a short deadline. It's jolly lucky that she isn't having to write a PS or go to open days. This isn't just her exaggerating - I've seen the assignment that she has 2 weeks to complete and it's an incredible amount of work.

She's probably enjoying it more as she has gone with a friend and the boyfriend. And they've met up with another lad who is going to drive them home. Also they know someone already there so he is going to show them his accommodation.

ursula hope your DD enjoys Liverpool Uni. I have one there that has very much enjoyed her first year. Very friendly and sociable.

we went last year. loved it.

Is anyone going to Durham open day tomorrow? DC still battling with PS, hoping to get it nailed over the w/e.

Belated Happy Birthday to Fantasy and your DD, hope you've both had a lovely day.
Happy birthday to your dd too for last week Voilets.

Lobster many thanks for the link - much appreciated

Fantasy & Violets many happy returns on the birthdays

Happy birthday violets it’s clicked what you meant

Happy Birthday fantasy and violets. Ds1 has a way to go yet.

Bristol use the polar data as a criteria for contextual offers as well. Ds1 school won't be on the list but his postcode and uneducated parents are.

They all seem to have different criteria, I can understand why dc who qualify for contextual offers need them- it's a minefield that would be almost impossible to navigate without help, support and advice.

Dd is 19... so we have done the whole ‘18’ thing she’s saying she’s old I laughed and Said what about me? I’m 54 today

Happy Birthday to your DD Fantasy.

Fantasy - Happy Birthday to your DD.

DS is 18 at Easter time so a while to wait....

DD won't turn 18 until after A levels and after prom. She won't even be able to legally drink alcohol at prom.

Many happy returns fantasy. We were 18 here a week or so ago. DD loves it - being ADULT!

Lashings I will try to link to the thread:
(Never managed successfully on the app before - fingers crossed!

Non Oxbridge early application - good, bad or neutral?
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/higher_education/3033121-Non-Oxbridge-early-application-good-bad-or-neutral

Fantasy, in the cases you describe it would be usual for the head teacher's reference to mention the circumstances. These would then be taken into account by the admissions team.