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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:
IShallWearMidnight · 20/02/2011 09:43

DD1 isn't sure if she likes Lancaster (Matsh open day yesterday) or not - apparently it was "too much like school" and they talked about "homework". It was a long day for her though (left at 7.30, got home at 23.15). Not as long a roadtrip as yours though MOS.

What did you like about Exeter (DD has to make a decision without being able to visit, as I don't think we can fit it in) so we're gathering impressions.

webwiz · 20/02/2011 11:59

Glad you liked Exeter mumoverseas and that your DS is closer to making decisions.

IShallWearMidnight that was a long day! We aren't going to Exeter either but DD2 has decided not to consider it as it is AAA and she wants a lower insurance offer.

We're off to York on Tuesday for a bit of shopping, a stay overnight and then open day on Wednesday. Then we are going to Bath the Wednesday after and that will be it for visits.

Original poster
mumoverseas · 20/02/2011 14:54

Just really liked the feel of it there IshallWear. Can't say specifics although did really like that law dept and law library all under one roof, unlike Cardiff.

In case it helps people, the lady we saw at Exeter said that on results day IF you don't get the grades don't assume all is lost. They apparently have a huge team on hand to talk to students who didn't get grades and although not guaranteed they will do what they can to still ensure they have their place. Might be worth bearing in mind

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ajandjjmum · 21/02/2011 19:18

A friend of our is at Exeter studying History - she absolutely loves it.

unitarian · 27/02/2011 02:20

Last year the universities got the results on the Sunday before the students got them on Thursday - at least that was true of the ones DC's friends were concerned about.

That meant that the unis had time to look at those who had just missed their offer and decide whether or not they were still wanted.

I thought I was the only Mum stalking TSR last year! It's nice to know there were/are others. It's strangely addictive.

If you're still waiting, don't despair. DC was nerving up for interview at first choice uni this time last year and the last interview wasn't until April 15th.

peteneras · 27/02/2011 21:43

For the medics, he has a friend who had no offer . . . He applied to 4 top unis rather than going for one that was not so ambitious that would offer a fall back.

Please don't ever make that mistake re one that was not so ambitious that would offer a fall back.

Medical schools are insanely competitive, if anything else the ones that was not so ambitious are the worst of the lot. I would suggest, play to your strength. If your UKCAT is good, apply more to schools that take UKCAT. Likewise GCSE A*s. Don't commit medical suicide by going for more than two BMAT schools. I know of someone who applied to three BMAT schools and flung the lot solely because one of his/her sections was 0.2 below the cut-off even the other sections were brilliant. Trouble is BMAT test comes after UCAS closing date.

unitarian · 28/02/2011 00:07

That's absolutely right.

Take the UKCAT test then decide how to apply depending on that result.

Apply to no more than two BMAT schools either.

thekidsmom · 02/03/2011 10:07

Well, so much for my 'no news is good news' bravado of the last few months. DD was gutted last night to be rejected by Bristol. Such a shame as we were there last week vising DS and she really really wanted to go there.... would be easier if she didnt see DS enjoying life so much there!

Its no consolation to know there are 1200 applicants for 64 places (English) - we think she's top 64!! why can't they see that - they're blind

So at the moment she is only holding an offer from Birmingham and STILL waiting for two more decisions...

mamatomany · 02/03/2011 10:38

I read English at Birmingham, a far superior establishment Wink fingers crossed for you.

thekidsmom · 02/03/2011 10:57

Well thank you for that encouragement, mamatomany! She does of course love the Birmingham course or she wouldnt have put it as one of her five.... I think it might just be the familiarity of Bristol that she was hoping for....

Original poster
mumoverseas · 02/03/2011 11:46

sorry to hear that the kidsmom, but she does still have a good offer and is waiting on 2. Where is she waiting to hear from? To be honest, would it really be a good idea going to the same place as an older brother or would he have left by then anyway?

DS is updating UCAS today with his firm and insurance. He decided on Exeter for firm and I've just seen on skynews they have announced they will be charging the maximum 9k from next year so glad he changed his mind about his gap year

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ajandjjmum · 03/03/2011 13:50

DD has had an offer from Edinburgh - so that's great news. But she is unlikely to make the grades (not being defeatist but honest) - her Biology is dragging her down big time. Just doesn't 'get it'.
Does the worry every stop?!!!

FrumpyintheFrost · 03/03/2011 17:37

thekidsmom - so sorry the news from Bristol was bad - I think they are dreadful at letting people know. I hope she has some good news from her other 2 choices soon.

mos - good to "see" you, am pleased your road trip went so well, and that your ds has made his choices. I saw Exeter on the news last night, looked lovely - away from the building work Grin

ajandjjmum - congrats on the Edinburgh offer, I know what you mean about the high offers though, hopefully when the Jan results come out next week, we will all be pleasantly surprised at how well our DCs have done

brimfull · 03/03/2011 17:43

ajandjjmum-dd is starting Sheffield this yr , good to hear your ds is enjoying it. Does he live in Endcliffe? Dd keen to apply for accomodation , apparently anytime this month.

thekidsmom · 03/03/2011 18:31

Thanks Mos and frumpy Still waiting for York and Nottingham, good places all, so seen objectively still lots of opportunity.

My DH thinks the same about Bristol, actually - DS and DD would overlap by 2 years, but as its such a big place they could have never come across each other unless they wanted to.

Exeter is a great first choice, mos - several of DS's friends are there and hes had a couple of trips down there and loved it. You must be feeling calm now all the decisions are made.

And fingers crossed for Edinburgh for your DD ajandjjmum - you never know - they must think highly of her to make her an offer so maybe she'll get the grades?

Back to the waiting game....

webwiz · 03/03/2011 22:37

Glad your DS is being decisive MOS DD2 is waiting for next weeks results before making final decisions. We went to Bath again yesterday and she still really liked it so I think it will be Bath first and York second.

Sorry to here about Bristol thekidsmom hopefully there'll be good news soon.

Well done to your DD ajandjjmum - reality can come later!

Original poster
mumoverseas · 04/03/2011 04:36

oooh, I'd forgotten about results next week Blush
In any event, two of his offers were AAA and his insurance of Cardiff was ABB so really his top choice was just out of the two AAA.
Hopefully he will have the safety net of doing 4 A2s.

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ajandjjmum · 04/03/2011 07:19

Thanks for the good wishes - desperately looking for a magical biology tutor - there are 'issues' with the biology department at school. Sad

ggirl - DS is happy, although last term was 'odd'. He coped but certainly felt that uni was the fun packed place he had expected, and there were times he felt lonely. He is in a flat at Endcliffe with four other lads, and it took time for them to gel - but it has happened, and I really feel that he is happy now. Sheffield was insurance, so he was really lucky to get Endcliffe. He was allocated one of the deluxe rooms (he didn't complain!!), and I must admit I think it's worth it for the extra space, if it doesn't put too much pressure on financially. His girlfriend is in a flat of 10 at Endcliffe, and I think that can be a little challenging, although she's reasonably happy and is sticking with her group next year. I think your DD is right to get her application in asap - it's out of the way then, although I know they don't start allocating until after results.

Good luck to everyone still waiting. Smile

ajandjjmum · 04/03/2011 07:20
  • uni was NOT the fun packed place......
brimfull · 04/03/2011 08:06

thanks ajandjjmum , dd is on gap yr so already has results and place , she's hoping they will allocate accomodation for gap yrs earlier ?

ajandjjmum · 04/03/2011 08:10

Not sure to be honest - I think they still don't start allocating until after results, but they do firm first and insurance second. But I know DS applied for his 1st, 2nd and 3rd choices at this time, although it was his insurance. If your DD has any questions let me know, and I'll ask DS. What will she be studying?

brimfull · 04/03/2011 08:18

economics and french
and your ds?

ajandjjmum · 04/03/2011 08:45

Physics. He's learned very quickly that this easy first year you expect doesn't actually happen! He has about 20 contact hours each week plus his own work. He's also got a job at a local shop for 10 hours a week, which is really good for him. The students in Sheffield seem happy - I know that's pretty random - but they do. Smile

thekidsmom · 04/03/2011 20:15

Its all happening this week! Good news to report - offer from York for DD - she's delighted and that may be her top choice now (I went there so I'm really pleased!)

webwiz · 04/03/2011 21:35

Well done to your DD thekidsmom Grin. We loved York when we went last week. It was a bit mad in the city though as it was half term - every child either had a Viking shield or a Viking sword!