Would you encourage your DC to accept university offer?

[hawleybits]

We're not sure. DS has two good offers but given the unfortunate circumstances isn't sure whether to accept this year. His course will involve many practical units and I cannot imagine how the course would work if teaching online is still going on. DD is in her second year and is doing little or nothing.

Universities are putting the pressure on but DS is concerned that if he accepts he might not be allowed to defer. DS has already had a gap year, albeit cut short because of COVID.

I really feel for universities but what would you suggest?

DS had a very swift reply to his email yesterday. They have given him the opportunity to defer and still be guaranteed a place for 2021. We were quite surprised at this but it now gives DS a little more time to consider his options and he has until mid June. I sincerely hope that our current situation will have improved sufficiently to make it possible for him, and many more to take up their places.
Meanwhile, he has a job - not a very exciting job but he's earning some money and thinking about contingency plans.
I hope this will give others a bit more hope and positivity.

Not a straightforward answer really...
There will undoubtedly be more places at the better Universities due to the drop in foreign students, also with predicted grades rather than actual exams, pupils may get better grades than they thought.

Opportunities for Gap year travel or employment are going to be severely limited for those that don't go to Uni.

The economic fallout is going to be hugh and many of the places that are there this year may disappear in the future, so a poor course at a weaker newer Uni may be culled. Universities may have to close/merge etc.

If you are on a course that has started, you may end up at a better Uni, I suspect that you will be OK.

If you defer, there may be more competition or fewer places and foreign students may be back.

For me, I would be thinking of up-rating the institution I went to and not deferring.

But for gods sake.....do a proper degree that is going to repay the 3/4 years income you are going to forego as well as the cost of paying for tuition and living costs.

Look at apprenticeships and alternatives, only go to Uni from a position of informed choice, not as a sheep because all your mates are going!!!