New Batch of Year 13 parents this way!

Actually my son told me that you don’t list your choices in order of preference anymore but I didn’t believe him 😂 anyone else out there who had barely attended any open days yet??

I'm actually wondering if she's putting it off as she doesn't want to go next year.

I wonder this with DS. If he's certain about applying this year, then surely he'd be a bit more proactive.

Personal Statement Draft One is still at 600 characters. I feel like we need netmums-style tickers.

DoI, it's been a rollercoaster at times. Getting the right work experience within the time frames has caused massive highs and lows, every time he's had a bad test result his stress levels would go up.
The application process is slightly different for each university so his administration has had to be good so that he hits deadlines (reading tsr not all dc have been quite as organised and have been submitting very close to deadlines-as in minutes ).
He is navigating his way through it all very well though- his determination and desire to work as a vet has kept him focussed.

My advice for your dc is start looking for work experience early, it will give something to talk about even if outside the date requirements but also leaving the placement with a good impression means they can go back later- this will help.

I've sent DS off to school with a flea in his ear this morning.

I have told him to double check with his subject teachers re predicted grades for UCAS - they are on target for the uni's he wants to apply to according to his end of term report but we need to be sure and he is to chase up his supervisor about his personal statement.

I'm another one that didn't know that you could submit with 3 choices and then add on... school didn't tell us this at any of the meetings....

Littledrummergirl how has your DS found the process for vet med? My youngest DS is hoping to do it, but has another three years before we start the whole process with him.

No order of preference - the UCAS form lists them alphabetically on the confirmation page.
I tried to persuade ds1 to keep a choice for later but he said it's vet med or a gap year. He is calm, I'm a wreck but I'm hopeful sure it will all work out in the end.

Interesting that they can submit without all five.

I understand that there is no order of preference anymore hmm

Didn’t know about being able to add choices later! Well we have just spent the past 2 hours writing more stuff down (hard for me when I know little about the subject) so let’s see if we can bring it all tougher over the next few days.

I was under the impression that you have to list your options in order of choice,is that correct?

I am also worrying that we have only been to one open day and missed one for a university that is now apparently appealing! Good to hear from others in similar positions!

No sign of a PS here. Very unlike DD as she normally has things done in good time. I'm actually wondering if she's putting it off as she doesn't want to go next year. Time will tell.

Congratulations on all the offers rolling in.

Ms AD no, your DD can't be 18! I'm glad you had a good time in London. DD was there at the same time, following on from the previous shows discussion, she doesn't recommend Kinky Boots!

The Personal Statement can feel like the most overwhelming part too. It felt like DD struggled with it for ages, but in reality there were a few weeks of “thinking about it” and “jotting odd ideas down”, first draft was then written in one day, followed by about a week of editing and reducing a little bit at a time, and then boom! It was suddenly done. I think once they get in The Zone it starts to flow.

Also remember they don’t have to have all their choices on when they submit. So if they have 3 universities they know they want to apply to, but want to look around more before deciding on the other 2, they can submit their application ASAP (to get the process started and maybe even some early offers in) and add the other 2 choices any time before the January deadline.

My DS is also still very much at the draft stage of the PS. College have set a deadline of 2 Nov so he needs to pull his finger out! He also needs to get motivated and book some more open days so he's got some alternatives to his first choices. He's approaching it all in his usual also back style If has made me feel rather anxious reading on here that some people already have offers so I'm glad others are in the same position as him.

I feel sick The secondofhername! Sorry to hear you’re in the same boat! Apparently it’s going to be finished and submitted by the end of the week (hah!)

We are still at personal statement stage and not getting very far.

Yep, join the club. DS has written 600 characters (of a first draft, unedited and unread by anyone but him).

Hello

I read this thread a couple of weeks ago and it frightened me to read that people have already had offers back! We are still at personal statement stage and not getting very far. There seems to be so much advice online (lots conflicting too) that it’s quite overwhelming. We have managed to get some words down on paper but it certainly doesn’t flow and I think it’s possibly too much ‘ I learnt how to manage my time, how to be a great listener, team player ....” without specific examples. Sigh. It seems so much easier back when I applied 100 years ago and statements were submitted by post and written by hand!

Your DS sounds like a very lovely young man TheSecond.

Here’s to the start of the next term....DS is taking it seriously - he and his pals have gone off to (yet another) concert tonight. The night before school starts back 🤔.That takes it to a total of about 10 since the start of the half term up to Christmas! He has also got himself another job. He was working hospitality at a premier league football club but didn’t get many shifts, he is now joining the ranks of retail. I’m waiting for the “you don’t know how hard it is”! We will see how it goes....

DS has spent much of half term supporting a close friend who is suffering from depression, so no further progress on the PS (or much else), but I'm pleased he has turned out to be the sort of person who'll be there when you need him.

Thank you chocolate
I'll show it to DS tomorrow.

Saw this and thought it may help those with DCs who haven't finished their PS yet: www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-41761824

Thanks Little I love it down there so it will be great if he does get in

We used to live in one of the villages near Chichester. It's a lovely part of the country, close to Portsmouth or Brighton, near the countryside and within touching distance of the sea.
The train links are usually good as well except at the moment with the strikes etc.

Violet DS knows where he wants to go and I have to keep trying to get him to give some thought to his other choices.

DS has had his second interview date so I spent last night looking at train times (yes, that is his job but he's away at the moment). We had a quick chat about strategy and playing hard to get in the "pick me" dance as his first choice has a history of offering cash inducements. He would be happy with the standard offer but the standard offer and enough cash for a laptop would be even better.

Violet at least he has found somewhere he likes the look of.

We went to University of Chichester open day this week. This is DS first choice (he wants to study Performing Arts). We were really impressed, the campus is small, which DS liked as it didn't seem too daunting and the course looks perfect for him.

However I'm struggling to get through to him he needs to look at other options and have a plan B for if he doesn't get accepted. He seems to think it's a done deal that this is were he's going!