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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think unconditional offers need to banned

85 replies

Debbie99hastings · 02/02/2019 13:26

For those who haven't received grades.

Dc2 has had all there ucas offers back, predicted ABB/BBB. He had had offers in this range from two Russell groups and two non russell groups that also rank highly to study law. However he has also had an unconditional for a ex poly in the southeast which although saying it is a BCC course let's people in with CCD and DDC etc.

Ds wants to put this as his firm choice, he is almost adamant of it despite being capable of achieving entry into some good law schools. It is driving me mad, how can I change his mind. Law is so competitive he won't have great prospects with this uni.

I understand the unconditional may relieve his stress but it was never his favourite in the first place, it was a worst case scenario option.

Aibu to think this is a great marketing ploy for bad unis to attract students in a time of high competition between unis.

My collegues daughter got into the ABB uni with two grades lower and got in so he has a great chance of getting in.

OP posts:
Boyskeepswinging · 02/02/2019 13:31

There's already an active thread on this very topic in Higher Education.

justasking111 · 02/02/2019 13:31

Tell him to keep his powder dry with those grades. DIL went into law, I am telling you what she says now is don`t!! She worked her socks off for 7 years for 25k a year, now married with two small children and two airbnb lets she earns far more working 10 hours a week. Too many folk go into law, her boss would hire them for a year then spit them out because there are more where they came from as the latest uni. recruits hit the streets.

Sorry to be such a downer.

Racecardriver · 02/02/2019 13:32

There is almost no point in doing a law degree from a non Russel group uni. Does he understand that he won’t be able to get a training contract/pupilage?

Racecardriver · 02/02/2019 13:33

Also worth pointing out that he’ll easily be able to get a law place at a non Russel through clearing so the firm offer doesn’t give him anything. If you want to get into a shot law course it is pretty much a given.

Original poster
Debbie99hastings · 02/02/2019 13:37

From what I heard law is competitive. His top four offers ABB-BBB are all top 25 law schools. (Liverpool, Cardiff, Kent and Sussex). Obviously these aren't the best law schools but they are good with decent grad prospects. The ex poly is number 100+

OP posts:
MirriVan · 02/02/2019 13:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Somethingsmellsnice · 02/02/2019 13:40

What are his likely A level grades anyway?
We were at a talk the other day where a rep from the Uni of Nottingham said that unconditionals usually lead to students dropping 2 grades from predictions.

Does he want to study law merely as an academic study or to pursue a career in law? If the latter then he really needs to get his head around the top grades he will need to secure training contracts (echoing what has been said above).

DH is a Corporate Partner in a law firm and I am an exlawyer but still involved in recruiting trainees.

Shadowboy · 02/02/2019 13:41

As an FE teacher I agree- unconditional offers should be banned- the impact they have on final attainment is huge.

Lokisglowstickofdestiny · 02/02/2019 13:47

I do understand your point OP but my DD has mental health problems and puts herself under huge pressure to achieve to the detriment of her health. We and her tutors support her but we can only do so much. She has been given an unconditional offer and the relief she feels is enormous. She will still work hard as she wants to get the best mark she can but knowing that if her health slips a bit all she has to do is complete her course (extended diploma) gives her breathing space.

Original poster
Debbie99hastings · 02/02/2019 13:50

Does he want to study law merely as an academic study or to pursue a career in law? If the latter then he really needs to get his head around the top grades he will need to secure training contracts (echoing what has been said above

He wants a career in law. He is likely to achieve BBB/ABB.

I spoke to him about pressure reassured him and said about clearing. He hasn't even visited the ex poly. I said about the fact that this uni will take you with only a pulse. I feel like he just wants the easy stress free route which is not what life is about.
He has a BBB offer with Sussex which was his original first choice, this uni has excellent grade prospects and my friends daughter got in two grades lower than her offer last year.

Cardiff also looked really good.

OP posts:
Original poster
Debbie99hastings · 02/02/2019 13:51

*grad prospects

OP posts:
Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 02/02/2019 13:55

It’s really not reasonable to want unconditional offers banned because your son is making a bad choice.

My dad has an unconditional from a RG - and yes, it will probably drop her a grade or so.. but on the other hand, she’s visibly less stressed. So I’m delighted.

Original poster
Debbie99hastings · 02/02/2019 13:57

If it was an unconditional from a Russell group I wouldn't be as bothered because your daughter is a guaranteed a good degree. I still don't like the principle of it but nevertheless I wouldn't be worried.

My son is settling on a very poor uni due to the unconditional which is the problem.

OP posts:
Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 02/02/2019 14:00

Yes, but it’s still your son’s choice that’s the problem, not the unconditional offer itself.

Original poster
Debbie99hastings · 02/02/2019 14:01

It is the unconditional, because this is what changed the uni from 5th to first choice. The uni didn't magically shoot up the league tables.

OP posts:
MirriVan · 02/02/2019 14:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

cricketballs3 · 02/02/2019 14:05

As a PP stated - unconditional offers are a nightmare for teachers and they have increased significantly the last couple of years so much so that there was a report last week of them being banned

Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 02/02/2019 14:06

Again. The problem is your son’s choice. He is not compelled to make that choice.

Mosaic123 · 02/02/2019 14:07

Can you look at the requirements for training places with him?

Maybe he can call a recruitment agency or two to get a commercial view of what is wanted? Or a top firm's graduate recruitment office if he is brave enough.

I would have thought he needs to aim for around AAA or he will find it difficult (but not impossible) to secure a place.

Jaxhog · 02/02/2019 14:12

You know why they do it, don't you? it's either a crap 'university' or a crap course ie. no-one else wants to do it. They want your money though and will do anything to get suckers to go for it.

Of course they should be banned.

Itssadsometimes · 02/02/2019 14:13

He will not get a job as a solicitor if he makes this decision.

Frankly it may not be right for him anyway though. So maybe the ex poly is doing him a favour. He can use their law degree and go into business, etc.

But he will not get a job as a trainee solicitor
*unless he he excels working as a paralegal on minimum wage for three years....

Jaxhog · 02/02/2019 14:17

I think as many people being given the chance to get into Uni as possible is actually a good thing. As such, I think YABU.

Really? So you think it's ok to rack up a 30k+ debt to attend a crap university on a crap course that will never get you a decent job? This is what is so dreadful about the current 'university at all costs' rubbish. And why so many people bellyache about a degree not helping their career. All degrees are NOT equal. Employers know this.

Imissgmichael · 02/02/2019 14:22

Racecardriver -“There is almost no point in doing a law degree from a non Russel group uni. Does he understand that he won’t be able to get a training contract/pupilage? ”

Absolute BS. I didn’t go to a RG uni and had no trouble getting a training contract with a major law firm in the city. Every single one of my friends studying law and then the post grad diploma in legal practice at the same uni went on to be lawyers.

daisypond · 02/02/2019 14:22

He's unlikely to get a job, I think. I would also assume you need AAA at A-level to get into one of the bigger law companies - though I'm not sure about other ones. A solicitor friend of mine used to select graduates for training contracts and AAA at A-level was essential - and this was about 15 years ago now, before the introduction of the A* grade.

lpchill · 02/02/2019 14:26

My sister in law went through this a couple of years ago. It seems to me that the lesser unis are doing unconditional offers to guarantee bums on seats as otherwise they really have to compete with the higher universities. My SIL is doing sports science at Hertfordshire. She could have gone to better universities that where well known for it.

The issue she is now getting is that she done a sandwich year with work experience and is really really struggling to get any placements as she is competing against the better well known universities. She will also face this issue when she graduates.

Husband on the other hand done his course in the top uni for his course then done an MSC at the uni world renown for it. He had job offers before he left uni for a lot more than a graduate wage as the uni was very well known for producing good candidates.

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