Starting year 13 2016

DD is in the library, working Or so she says! Catching up after doing nothing Mon/Tues due attending big 18th party...

It seems that she and her best mate from sixthform are going to pick the same 2 unis for firm/ins for the same course depending on getting offers

Not exactly the same but more or less.
One of the vet schools screen applicants via a Situational Analysis Test and it helps if you have access to someone who can help or do the test with/for you.Dd did as much research before as possible but is obviously not an experienced vet/professional!

I don't know - you'd have thought it would be first come, first served. Did your DD and her friend apply to the same places at the same time for vet?

Dd is back from D of E and amazingly only one blister!The car smelt of the great unwashed however and I felt sorry for the other residents of their train carriage.
Does anyone know whether interviews are often done alphabetically ?Dd has no interviews yet and hasn't heard anything, but her friend has two for next week.I guess we will find out pretty soon but its so hard for them at this stage.

Gosh, popping back here has reminded to check where ds is with his PS. I don't think he's finished it yet and certainly won't be putting the form to UCAS until he's finished open days next month.

DD has the cambridge test next week - anyone else got that sort of thing on the horizon? She had a go at the one set of sample papers - ran short of time. She says she needs to revise GCSE physics so I guess that's the first half of half-term spoken for.

DS got his personal statement back from the head of sixth form so now he just needs to add it onto the UCAS system, pay the fee and then submit it so school can do the references and predictions. I think his choices will be Birmingham, Leeds, Newcastle, Southampton and Liverpool. Progress at last.

HSM if I went away for 10 days the place would be wrecked! I can barely get in his room if I am away for work for 2 days.

Last PE Horse - almost wish that was me. I have a first senior school PE coming up for DS2 who has just started.

I know someone who's doing a course with a gap year in Australia, HSM.

This website gives details of internships in Australia, for undergraduates as well as graduates. Your DD might find it useful?

My last ever PE last night! Where has the time gone?

All ok, apart from being a tad lazy in Maths (handing homework in late).

HSM that's fantastic re the hol away! And interesting that she wants to go with you next year! Is it a poss gap year in Australia?

Parents eve was good last night - they just said she needs to relax more and be confident about what she thinks/has to say. Her PS is done and UCAS paid for - just waiting for a teacher to finish her bit off. Hooray!

That's my DD Errol

I guess unconditionals are great for a student who finds exam grade pressure very stressful, and/or likes to feel in control of a situation?

No - the unis don't know how the student has ranked them.

Do the unis know whether you put them first or last? Sorry, I am a bit clueless about this as you can tell.

DS is wishing he had put his application in earlier (the words 'I told you so..' are not leaving my mouth, honest!)

Opinion is divided on the benefits of unconditionals as some students may take their foot off the gas and achieve lower grades than predicted.

Errol, I think DDs friend did!

Thanks for the info about stuent finance ah!

DD is jealous of her friends who already have offers, but she doesn't seem stressed about it. She showed her ps to a teacher who liked it, only suggested a few minor changes, so she is feeling positive.

They can apply for student finance now, if they want. The deadline is in May or June. You have to put course details on the form, but they can update it later if needed.

I thought the unconditional offers were only if you put them as first choice?

DD's BF (now at Cambridge) had an unconditional from Birmingham, but he chose Manchester as his insurance.

I know Birmingham has a good reputation, but I'm not sure what they achieve from their policy of unconditional offers. I guess they are hoping for a lot of people who may have just missed Oxbridge.

It sort of seems to devalue the university, a bit, though.

Oh, the unconditional DD's friend has is also from B'ham, for philosophy - she's also applied to oxford. Maybe its their strategy, bagging some good candidates. I would guess this approach is more likely to be applied in subject areas where the content of specific a levels isn't a necessity for the degree.

Ono, I wonder if Birmingham do unconditionals to those with good grades/obvious Oxbridge applicants because submitted early? Friends DD got one last year and has taken it up and is loving it

DD would love an unconditional offer!

Teta, I guess in your place if she mentioned it again or you think its bothering her, I'd suggest mailing the admissions tutor - thats not interfering just offering advice she can take or leave.

DS is finalising his personal statement apparently and aims to get it to the head of sixth form tomorrow. He has been onto the UCAS site to register and it took ages to work through all the questions and enter all his GCSEs etc. When do we need to register for student finance or whatever it is we have to do?

DS is starting to feel the heat as some friends already have offers including one unconditional from Birmingham (not sure what course but that friend is an Oxbridge candidate so unlikely to take it up).

Surprisingly I have loved my career although I am very atypical of those in the profession. My original choice of law would have been disastrous for me on reflection! Funny how life turns out.