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Original poster

support thread for those of us who have DC submitting UCAS applications in the next few months

815 replies

mumoverseas · 21/08/2010 14:53

Thought we should all get together and calm each other down/mop fevered brows/hand around glasses of wine etc. We've seen other go through it over the past few months and it will be our turn soon.

DS has just got his AS results which were not too bad. AAAB. The B suprised him as it was for maths and we'd expected a B for french which he had not studied for a few years as sat his GCSE early. He says he will re-sit one of the maths modules and one of French ones to get a higher A Hmm

He (we!) has been considering various Unis over recent months and has visited 4.
PS is all in hand as is extended project (whatever all that is about) but time is creeping by and not long now til his mid Oct deadline (one of his choices is Oxbridge)

There has been so much in the papers over recent days about the lack of places at University at the moment and stories of how so many good students did not get places as they didn't put 'insurance' choices.

How is everyone else coping and how do we get our children to make realistic choices?

OP posts:
lovemydog · 02/12/2010 22:48

MOS you would hope they'll be understanding, yes. However, DS's girlfriend has an interview at Newcastle tomorrow (medicine). She can't get out of her village because of snow. Newcastle say they cannot guarantee her another interview. She can't be the only one affected by the weather, can she?

Original poster
mumoverseas · 03/12/2010 05:34

Shock that is bloody awful. I do hope she manages to get there ok. Bastards, not fair putting that much pressure on the kids Angry

OP posts:
webwiz · 03/12/2010 12:24

Thats awful lovemydog I hope she managed to sort something out.

How is your DS MOS ?

funnyperson · 03/12/2010 12:51

Cant get into work due to ice. Am lurking on chat threads.

Original poster
mumoverseas · 03/12/2010 15:56

Hi webwhiz He is fine, thanks for asking. He seems very cool about it all. To be honest, I don't think it was really his first choice. I think he felt he HAD to apply as an academic scholar etc etc. I gather he is not alone in the rejection which I'm relieved about although I do feel guilty for feeling like that. There is just o much pressure on them which isn't good not when they have exams very soon

He REALLY wants to go to Durham so fingers crossed he receives positive news from them.
How are things with you? How are stress levels Grin

OP posts:
webwiz · 03/12/2010 16:17

We are all quiet here at the moment - I'm driving DD2 to Southampton next Wednesday (weather permitting!) for a maths open day which we are looking forward to.

Durham will be lovely and cold at the moment - one winter the snow was so deep when we came back from the Christmas holidays that I actually had to follow behind DH and step in his footprints or I'd disappear into a snow drift! I think DD2 couldn't stand all the trips down memory lane whenever we looked at DurhamSmile

ShrinkingViolet · 03/12/2010 17:50

we're off to Bath for a Maths open day on Wednesday - are Southampton doing a series of them, do you know? Only DD would like to visit and meet interrogate the lecturers, as Southampton was one of her "I like the sound of the course and some of my friends have visited and told me what htey liked and didn't like about the place" choices not getting involved even though I thought that was a silly way to ==choose--.
But on the plus side she has an offer from Exeter (AAA) so is thrilled that someone somewhere thinks she's up to a maths degree.

funnyperson · 03/12/2010 19:17

Southampton university was closed today though its website says it will return to normal by Monday. DD has an offer from Sussex which will be her insurance (AAB) at least its near home.

funnyperson · 03/12/2010 19:27

I took DS round Southampton last year as he had a good offer from them but hadn't visited. The visit was helpful as we noted that- there was no beach or sailing near the Campus as Southampton is a big ferry/cargo port.
The halls of residence were not as clean or well kept as, say, Nottingham. Academically however it was very sound.

webwiz · 03/12/2010 20:51

ShrinkingViolet Southampton are doing a series of them for those with offers, DD2 has to have an informal interview with someone in the Maths department as well as the tours. Well done to your DD on the Exeter offer.

I'll be checking the weather forecast before we set off anywhere funnyperson DD2 has an offer from Nottingham as well but they are offering visit days right through till february and if she wants me to go as well it will have to be after christmas now.

webwiz · 03/12/2010 21:14

Oh and DD2 has just told me she has an offer from York Grin

JGBMum · 03/12/2010 21:39

Shrinking violet, funnyperson and webwiz - congrats on the offers Smile

DS had a visit to Surrey on Wednesday and they have come back with an ABB offer - he doesn't know yet! This was always his first choice for his backup so I think he'll be pleased.
Just waiting to hear from Bristol now, but I expect this will be some time in Jan.

MOS - hope your DS hears form Durham soon.

Hope everyone else hears more good news soon.

Ponders · 03/12/2010 21:55

oooh, congrats on all the new offers!

thekidsmom · 04/12/2010 11:25

On balance it seems like there's more good news coming through than rejections at the moment - a gradual trickle of successes ...

We are still waiting for York, Bristol and Nottingham... and waiting, and waiting....

Original poster
mumoverseas · 04/12/2010 12:02

still waiting on Durham.... and waiting... Grin

OP posts:
seimum · 04/12/2010 21:49

Seems to be a good week for news - DD2 has an offer from Lancaster (one of her preferred choices) - ABB for History & Politics.

Only UEA & Leicester to hear from now.

Does anyone know if university admissions departments keep working over the Christmas holidays? Or is it a case of if you don't hear in the next week or so, then it's a case of waiting till January?

Ponders · 04/12/2010 22:44

I don't know, seimum, but I think they work office hours rather than academic hours, iyswim. So they should be there at least until the end of school term....(but I could be wrong)

anyway well done to DD on Lancaster Smile

webwiz · 05/12/2010 13:38

seimum one of DD1's offers came in a few days before Christmas so I would presume most university admission departments are still working when the students aren't there. UEA doesn't actually finish till the 17th Dec this year so they will definitely be there till then at least.

harvalp · 05/12/2010 13:50

Universities do work normal office hours, staff get the same sort of holiday entitlement as office workers. Do not forget that in most Universities, certainly RG ones, students are a sideline to their research work!!

seimum · 05/12/2010 19:22

Thanks everybody

seimum · 06/12/2010 11:37

Post has arrived with a promisingly thick envelope from UEA for DD2. Can't wait for her to get back from school.. (Steaming open the envelope is probably not justified as she'll be home soon after lunch)

webwiz · 06/12/2010 12:38

If you want any info on UEA Seimum DD1 is in her second year there.

seimum · 06/12/2010 13:34

DD2 has an offer from UEA, but it is AAB, which she is concerned she may not get (her predicted grades are ABB).

Thanks for the offer webwiz, I will ask DD if there is anything she wants to know.

webwiz · 06/12/2010 14:23

Well done to your DD Seimum Smile

Pohl · 08/12/2010 20:16

I'm new here and my dd has literally just sent her UCAS form off. She's hoping to study English Literature at Birmingham, Lancaster or Warwick. Her preference is Bham though. It's all a minefield to me. Here's hoping everyone gets what they want.