Starting year 13 2016

Same here BTM. DD is still waiting to hear from Bristol before deciding where to firm. She hasn't even mentioned anything about accommodation.

She regularly complains about her email being full of 'pick me' messages from the universities and not much else. I tell her that's what the delete button is for. It's a fortunate position to be in, having universities begging you to study there.

Teta, your poor DD, I think I would have cried, never mind her! Maybe they thought she had a strong application and could be stretched a bit more at interview (or maybe the interviewer is menopausal and had an 18 year old son who decided to sort out the referencing on his history coursework at gone midnight and required her help....zzz, think I need a strong coffee!)

DS has firmed Birmingham but nothing has changed on Track and he's getting worried. I think they do random allocation of accommodation as long as you apply before May so not first come first served

Hi Teta, all is. Ot lost, my DD gave what can only be described as a really wrong answer to an interview question at Bristol but she still managed to get an offer. The MMIs count for a lot too!

Thanks Horse! I'm pretty sure Bristol (possibly DD's firm) isn't first come because her bf got a late offer and I bet he didn't get his accommodation organised swiftly but he is in a great halls which DD is very of!

teta, I don't remember any of this either!

From recollection with DS1 two years ago, pretty much all the unis didn't do first come, first served for accommodation.

I know Leeds last week said it wasn't first come first served as well, so I think that's not the norm, BTM.

Errol, I think your DD is correct re Soton's accommodation, seem to recall the same when DS1 applied.

Teta, your DD'S interview sounds terrifying. Fingers crossed for her.

Juggling, sounds like your DD has several good options there.

Veterinary medicine Littleho.I think she was unlucky in getting a tough interviewer.She said everyone else had nice farmey-looking vets and came out saying they were lovely.But this one time she really did need some luck .
It all sounds a very exciting time for everyone.Decisions,choices,options,offer days and accommodation possibilitys.I don't remember any of this when I went to University.

Eeek! Do lots of places do first come first served for accommodation? Do/could they apply for that now?
DD isn't ready to make a decision on her firm yet!

DD has her last offer in, from Nottingham. I'm not sure if she's going to specify her firm and insurance till after she's visited Murray Edwards in the middle of March. She's fortunate that apart from Cambridge her next choice is Southampton and (if she's got this right) they don't do first come first served for accommodation, and most of it looked ok to her.

Had a good trip, with friends, to Swansea University this week. DD liked the course and the lecturers so it's definitely a contender but slight negatives were it's a long way from us and I don't think Swansea was looking it's best on a drizzly day in February. Need a trip down the Gower in the sunshine in Spring or Summer to do it justice I think. But we had a fun trip even though all tired by the time we got home.
Quite exciting to feel we have some contenders though!
Various combinations being considered depending rather on whether upcoming Reading visit can win her heart. (Looks promising and is also nearer than Swansea)
DD still considering Sheffield offer also, and visiting them tomorrow (as well)

teta. My goodness that interview sounded hard. Hope she is ok now. What subject ?

teta, it sounds like she coped well. Dd had tough questions a Loughborough, but at least they warned her first!
Dd also had an interview for a Saturday job ( two actually, the second an hour long group thing, for a Saturday job!) she didn't get it, but I told her it was a good experience.
I do think these things put our young people under a lot of pressure, she is suffering bad headaches at the moment which I think is stress.
We are still waiting for one offer, so she can firm and insure, and apply for accommodation.

Oh teta, how horrid. Poor DD - don't blame her for the wine.

Thank god my DD didn't have any interviews! Two nice students have rung up from 2 of her offer-universities and she asked them lots of questions though

Oops,my post was a bit incoherent last night!
Took dd to her final interview yesterday.Following a lovely admissions talk where they said the interviewers would be gentle she was grilled by a lady who obviously hadn't read the memo.Really difficult research and highly technical questions were fired at her relentlessly and she said at one point she nearly burst into tears.The other lady in the interview looked worried and started asking her some lovely 'fluffy' questions about her personal statement so she could gather herself back together.She came out distraught but had to go back in for the mmi's - which she said were good - luckily.
Dd was really upset on the way home and I had several glasses of wine very quickly last night!!Dd has luckily gone off to Milan this morning and will hopefully forget the residual trauma.

Hope your 'baby' had a good time today Horsemad.What is a Jaegerbomb?I'm sure I've had it in the past....just can't remember what it is!

I can still remember the joy and wonder of having a newborn .....and the apprehension!Enjoy your son.
I was watching the mums at the interviews today and it was clear how much they adored their sons it was lovely to see how their sons lit up when they saw their mums waiting for them post interview.

Me, BTM! Bought for me by my 'baby'

He did, or you did, Horse?!
I hate Jaegerbombs - they taste like medicine!
DD, however, thinks they are "da bomb"
Happy 18th to him!

Had first ever Jaegerbomb tonight and LOVED it!!

Yep ono, he's my 'baby' I will have to get a dog or something!!

Big hugs for Horse today - is DS your youngest? I felt quite emotional too but part of me was thinking 'do I really have to do this all over again with DS2?'

DS's 18th today. I am feeling old!

Part of me would like to turn back the clock and do it all again and part of me thinks, Naaaaah!!

Feeling a bit emotional though (due to lack of sleep) - bit like when I gave birth

Oh and we've been to the park for a game of frizbee and a coffee in the cafe - almost memories of half-terms gone by, though DS will be at home for another 3 years

We have half-term this week and are doing applicant days in Swansea (with an overnight stay nearby) and Sheffield (DD going on her own to this by train, partly as it's a re-visit so half a hope she may be able to find her way there and back OK!) DS has a friend over today and is going to theirs as return favour later in the week.
DD busy revising Geog today (glad her non-art subjects are getting a look in) for mocks when they go back.
They've been advised to make Uni decisions after mock results but I'm not sure how much influence they will have on our decisions. But worth giving them your best shot anyway - all good practice for the real thing, which as you say ono will creep up on us very soon I dare say. Anyway that timing will coincide quite well with finishing our Uni visits too.

Slightly alarmed mixed with excited to see some Uni accommodation is open for booking now, once you've made your firm choice (and insurance - though generally can only choose accommodation to go with the firm at this stage)