Top Unis - am I missing something?

[OnTheRoll]

DD is in Year 13, predicted 3 A, already has an A from a language A Level she did last year, and 11 GCSEs all 8/9. Got a great work experience in her chosen field, lots of academic reading, etc., etc. Has been working very hard and aiming for a top uni.

The problem is, it seems that unless she gets into Oxbridge, there isn't a suitable option for her?

We are in SE so decided not to go for Durham/Edinburg as the travel is just too much, 5+ hours, and she would not be able to come home more than once a term. She would very much prefer a campus experience rather than a city uni which rules out LSE/UCL in London.

There are of course great options like Warwick, Bristol, Bath, Exeter. We visited and DD loved them and so did I.

But I cannot help thinking that if she were to go to one of those unis she didn't really need to spend that much time working, studying and sacrificing her free time. Does it make sense? Entry requirements in those unis in her subject are all quite lower than her current and predicted grades.

Would appreciate some perspective.

Depends on the subject I suppose. I was there two years ago. Politics in the second and third years has no contact time in the summer term (I did PPE)

Even if this was correct, most universities will mainly be in exam period in the summer term. Having exams in the second half of the summer term is not something that is particular to Lancaster.

Oxbridge really isn’t the be all and end all. I got into Oxford to study English 20 years ago, had 4 As at a-level ( A* didnt exist then) and I chose to go to Nottingham instead. Gorgeous campus, great course, fab city. I have never regretted it, I had a great 3 years.

It is correct - you can confirm with a quick Google search. I can't comment on other universities as I am not familiar with their timetabling etc. I was just sharing my experience with the OP. PPs suggested LU as an option, and whilst I think it's fantastic university for some subjects, I would strongly advise against it for PPR. The department does not have a good reputation and has been struggling.

I think some students fixate on perfect choice but there will always be compromise somewhere.
Lots are having gap years just to have a breather and really think about what they want as it’s such a huge expense. From all your updates it sounds like your dc may benefit from that.
@Hankunamatata I’d agree op appears to be conflating lower grades with a lesser course. It’s supply and demand. It’s not a mega popular course (like say law) so doesn’t need to ask for top grades even at top universities. Lots of students attending will have all A star grades. My dc’s friend started HSPS this year and her offer wasn’t all A star. Another classmate had a Cambridge history place for 2024 and only need A star in history.

And if you want to do a post-grad at Cambridge you only need a 2:1 from any university and a good research proposal. So for any budding Oxbridge student who doesn't get in, try again when they just want your money and don't care about your qualifications 😁

Most choices in life are a balancing of compromises and most of us put at least some “red lines” in place when deciding things - even quite basic things like which cafe to go to. If you are going to surround yourself with red lines you can’t then complain that your choices are suddenly limited - you did that to yourself. If she wants more choices then she needs to create them herself. Nobody is building a campus uni with a 3A* entry requirement 90 minutes from her parents house.

Er no, this is quite bad advice. If you want to self-fund a 2, i is probably OK, but if you want to apply for a 1+ 3 studentship (ie a year's Masters, then a PhD) offered by the university or by one of the UKRI research councils, you'll need a First.

Warwick grad here. If your DD is as bright and hardworking as you say then I can promise from my experience she will not be bored there and will be suitably challenged!!

Well, she could persuade her parents to move, I suppose!

Not true with my ds’s course.

I know I loved the library too!! And the house system and all the bars, shops and even the launderettes( so need to get out more 😳). It feels very nurturing.

My son was mighty pretty impressed with it having its own Greggs.🤣

I'm sorry but this is very rose tinted!

Obviously we researched heavily re course,
facilities and well being.🙄 It came out extremely well with all and the house system gives you closer contact when needed which my son has used a couple of times, ditto extenuating circumstances. Found support to be very good and far better than what I experienced at uni.

I'm really pleased your son is happy there. I say that sincerely. My experience was dramatically different. Its a great university, but I warn against PPR. That's all I came here to say.

You obviously have an issue which is personal to you. That will happen at every university sometimes.

In both a professional capacity and in my capacity as a parent of a DC studying there I have never found it anything other than a very impressive university with fantastic support systems. The collegiate environment is extremely nurturing and supportive. My youngest child has also just received an offer from them.

How log ago did you graduate @Coolbreezee ? I know Lancaster well - I was an External Examiner there, and have collaborated with colleagues on research grants & conferences. The Politics department has several really world-leading scholars & a great reputation.

Surgicalprecison -"And if you want to do a post-grad at Cambridge you only need a 2:1 from any university and a good research proposal. So for any budding Oxbridge student who doesn't get in, try again when they just want your money and don't care about your qualifications 😁"

Er..,, really? I have one applying for a Master's programme now (at Cambs, applying to Ox). 680 applicants for 20 spaces! She's been told if you don't have a high 1st and relevant internships, don't bother.

Not sure about that, dd applied for postgrad (self funded) with a 1st and was rejected after interview. She's working on her research proposal and is having a second bash at applying this year.

Depends to a certain extent on your subject. Humanities - absolutely a case of ‘how good was your first?’ - and has been this way for decades. Sciences need more bodies to populate the research groups, and combined with more substantial project funding = more studentships available

How much does that return journey cost in petrol? I would imagine close to £100. Trains fee will probably be equally as high.

Also it's a 5 hour drive. Hideous.

I’d definitely reconsider LSE. It’s an amazing university with more of a campus feel than you’d imagine.

I really don’t understand your post! Believe it or not there are youngsters who get offered places at Oxbridge and then reject it ( the no working during term time , short terms etc do not suit all) and vice versa some who get rejected from other unis yet offered Oxbridge or Durham !! It’s not a one size fits all !! There are far more criteria to selection than just top grades , and oversubscribed unis all look for slightly different things, particularly on popular courses. Either your dc gets into Oxbridge; and if not decides to cope with travel; or chooses another uni - but frankly if the attitude is Oxbridge or bust I’d say either re apply next year if unsuccessful or look into some attitude adjustment. Each uni you have mentioned will have a large percentage ( not exceptional) of students who will have reached similar grades ! Of course it won’t be 100% intake A* x3 or 4 ; but nearly all unis will have a mix of those plus students they have lowered grades for because they really want them. It’s the course; their attitude and ability to independent study etc that will determine success at degree level and this is not always directly akin to A level grades.

The disparity in grade boundaries between Oxbridge and everywhere else is really crazy, for the same courses. I have a kid in exactly same position as this. Crossing fingers for Cambridge, if not, she’s thinking Warwick. Personally I wouldn’t worry about the distance. Five hours isn’t too far to go a few times a year to see them during term time, can’t imagine they’ll want to come home during term anyway.

Yes. I don't enjoy driving for 5 hours either, even with a good audio book to listen to.