New Batch of Year 13 parents this way!

Lots of good news on here. Congratulations everyone!

We had a bit of excitement - DS had a date for an interview. It feels like another step forward.

Yay. Things seem to be moving along nicely for everyone.
Ds1 had a postcard saying they were looking at the application and he can expect to hear between December and February from one uni. It's nice for him to have had an acknowledgment.
I rounded the dc up today and we made Christmas cake, something to take his mind off it for a while. Next year I guess I'll be making an extra one.

Congrats to those who have DC’s with offers. Excellent news.

And 👍🏼 to those who have submitted/started their PS’s. DS’s is with his supervisor and is still awaiting comments.

From what I’ve seen on here and TSR, there are a few universities that have been giving “unconditional” offers, but on the condition that the student makes it their firm choice.

So not truly unconditional, especially because most seem to receive one from their would be insurance choice, so they have to make a decision whether to gamble for their preferred course, or take the easy option but settle for a not so desired course.

These “unconditional if firmed” offers tend to come in a separate email though, after the standard offer appears on track.

So it sounds to me as if Doistay’s DS has an actual unconditional, which will be unconditional whether used as firm or insurance. Which is absolutely wonderful, and a very very nice position to be in!!

Yes, for an unconditional the grades don't matter, but I believe you must firm that choice.

Yes we are still in SA but just chilling at my DBs so dd is managing to get some work done.

Her tutor has responded to say it is a really good start and just needs a bit of embellishment in places. He has asked her to get all the other stuff sorted and said she could submit next week. But she wants to visit the Hull Open Day mid November. I've told get there is no rush (as threads on here have convinced me) but it would be nice yo be getting some offers.

So does unconditional mean it doesn't matter what grades you get?

Yesss Second! Getting started is definitely the hardest bit!
And well done to your DD Ursula, must be a huge relief that it’s done. Are you still in SA?

DoIStay I’m no expert, but that sounds like a genuine, actual unconditional offer! Congratulations to your DS! What a nice position to be in!

Breaking news!!! DS1 has made a start on his personal statement! He has done 56 words of a preliminary draft.

Congratulations to all those who have received offers, and good luck to those waiting.

Ursula - DS's offer was in line with what we were told at the open day as he has three science subjects, so ABB instead of the normal AAB. Other offers have also been in line with the course requirements.

They've come thick and fast now...he's had an identical offer from one of his other choices, an invitation to the applicant day for the one that interviews (although it says this "chat" doesn't influence whether an offer is made (?)) and an unconditional offer from another. The unconditional offer doesn't say whether you have to put it as firm though, and doesn't give any grades for if it weren't unconditional, so does that mean it's unconditional even if he puts it as his reserve?

Excellent news on draft statement Ursula.
Ds has received an offer from Loughborough - 35 points (IB student). Leeds and Warwick are his top choices. Had an offer from Warwick (38) but waiting to hear from Leeds.

She wrote it in one sitting. She had been mulling it over for some time but it all came tumbling out once weshe started.

Congratulations on the offers.

My DD has had two offers inline with the website and one that was lower from Bristol. She was very pleased as that takes a bit of pressure off.

Oh that’s brilliant news DoIStay!
I’d echo what Voilets said - that sometimes a reduced offer is made after interview (depending on where it is/subject etc) so could be worth doing for an insurance choice?
Wonderful to have his first choice though!

DD’s offers have been exactly as stated on the website - although one has changed from the 2017 requirements from ABB to AAB. Annoyingly it’s the one she chose for her insurance place, and doesn’t feel quite as safe anymore!
Her other offer is AAA and we predict the other 3 that she hasn’t heard from yet will all want at least one star (if they make an offer at all!)
DD has been analysing TSR and it seems that for her course almost everyone gets at least one rejection, and that’s not including Oxbridge.

And we'll done to your ds doistay

That's what worries me. That her 4 main choices will all be high.

Congratulations doi x

Fab news doi. DS did an interview for 2nd choice and they gave really low offers after interview. If it doesn't cost too much to get there, can be good practise. But so brill he has 1st choice.
Ursula - the 2 we have are in line with what web page has but one is unconditional if she firms which she will not so nice to have but not useful.

Are the offers your dc are getting realistic and in line with those quoted in the prospectuses?

Thanks

Yes, he's very pleased. It also means he probably won't need to put himself through the interview at one of the other unis, as they would be likely to offer the same or higher, and would never be his first choice, so I think he's quite relieved about that. His exact words were "does that mean it won't matter if I mess the interview up?" but he was very happy when I pointed out he probably needn't do it at all.