Starting year 13 2016

So sorry about your DS, Tilly.

B'ham does seem keen on unconditionals for some subjects. I don't know what it's like now but I got 2 degrees and a DH there. That was somewhat over 3 decades ago though.

Ono, do you think they give out a lot of unconditionals? DD got one too It isn't her first/insurance choice but she said that if she is struggling with her A'levels by May, she will put it first!

I don't want to say what's wrong with DS as it is personal to him, but it has basically meant a lost term. So far

Teta, glad your DD's interview went OK

Bebumba, glad to see Sheff is his favourite

Excellent news about the unconditional ono

DS has just sent his PS to his mentor (who I emailed to say 'please give him a shove') so maybe his application will be in soon.

I've just mentioned B'ham and unconditionals and as it's one he is applying to that piqued his interest! Might spur him on...

DS has had an unconditional offer from Birmingham which was his first choice so he is very pleased. His girlfriend has also had an unconditional for biomedical science of some sort. It seems they are being very generous this year with the unconditionals as we also know of at least another 6 at his school (although some of these are Oxbridge candidates). So now I just need to keep the pressure up about the need to maintain good grades for future employment!

Nice to see things moving along for everybody. Ds has had offers from Southampton, Liverpool, Cardiff and Bangor. He has been invited to an interview at Sheffield to 'discuss the terms of his offer'.
He was offered an interview next Tuesday but it clashes with his driving test date and as there is a 3 month wait for a test he has rescheduled the interview. Unfortunately, that means waiting until February but he doesn't seem too perturbed. Sods law that Sheffield is his top choice.
Sounds like a tiring trip Teta.

Fine here.Dd's Surrey interview seemed to go ok.I'm recovering from the journey there and back.12.40 arrival at travel lodge the night before due to the original one being full ( even though we had paid for it ),and a 6 hour journey home with a diversion through the Oxford colleges.

Thats good, ono! All well here - DD had an inset day, spent a lot of it doing physics while listening to Christmassy music, she said.And another inset on monday so she's got time to come out for a decent walk with us tomorrow which is nice, spending too much time inside working tbh. Interviews tues and wed, Cambridge and Sheffield.

DS has had another offer from Leeds for History, AAB with A in EPQ and A in History. The damned EPQ is done at last but it's been worth it for the Leeds offer if nothing else. How is everyone?

What's the matter with your DS BTM?

DD has had her appointment with the Uni application teacher at school, and had a glance at her references, so all set to go (finally getting it sent off) hopefully at the beginning of next week.

I hope we get some nice offers back!

Plenty of juggling here with just two

teta Sounds like me about three years ago. It gets easier - well apart from the emergency dash up to the University of York which took six hours. We only get the occasional clash with our four now.

Glad your ds has finally decided on his subject Horsemad.

I hate epq's. I know how valuable they are but they suck up all the time.

God teta, that sounds very tricky juggling - sending good luck to your DD.

So glad DD opted to not do EPQ!

HSM, I had the practice run with DD and thought things would be less stressful with DS - wasn't planning on him developing a serious illness at the start of Y11! However, he is very slowly getting better and I am hoping that he can get back on track.

Huge respect for those with multiple kids to juggle!

I reckon DD's school had the epq timing sussed well - most were finished last academic year but some given extensions so they could work on it over the summer and then complete before the last halfterm. I think they can be good if, as in DD's case, they fill in a gap which can't be covered by A levels.

Reading this I'm very glad dd's school made them complete their Epq last year.Even though the writing up in 2.5 days wasn't fun.
Dd1 is very apprehensive about her Surrey Interview next week It lasts 3.5 hours and includes lunch at the start apparently.We have to go down the night before and that day Involves several logistical issues with all 4 kids having different pick-ups.Hence I've to co-opt my parents into ds1 parents evening with several crucial questions,cancel the piano lesson ( for all 4).This required much discussion as two of them have an exam in two weeks and ensure dh picks up dd2 from Speech and Drama.Dh will not serve any useful purpose at parents evening for various reasons!

Dds grades are a little slippery too.

Ono, sympathies. Dd hasn't even reached half way on her Epq. It's going to be a last minute stress/ panic.

Hi everyone, I've been away for work all week so slowly decompressing now! DS has had another offer from Nottingham, AAA so although both offers are similar, he is pleased and says he has something to aim for now. This is the last weekend of EPQ, we are all thoroughly sick of it now.

Lol, he hasn't applied anywhere yet but will be Newcastle, Leeds Liverpool and Birmingham. He's only applying for 4 because he only liked 4 out of all he visited.

Good news Horse that your DS has finally decided! Where else has he applied to?

Wouldn't it be funny if they ended up at the same place.

Hey Ono, great news about Newcastle! Their History talk was brilliant I remember.

DS is applying to 3 of the unis your DS has applied to and it will be History he has finally finally FINALLY decided!

Ono - glad he didn't have to worry for long, that was fast!

He's applied to Leeds, Birmingham, Soton and Nottingham

Well done to him, ono! Where else has he applied?