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Original poster

Anyone want to join a year 13 UCAS THREAD?

746 replies

JesusChristOtterStar · 07/11/2009 21:05

We can join in stressing about ucas forms interviews etc?

I am finding it all a very steep learning curve - we could support one another - celebrate and commiserate?

OP posts:
Swedington · 03/12/2009 10:45

Thanks for that arionater. That is interesting.

Sons' school has had a few surprise rejections without interview from Oxford although an equally surprising number of interviews from Cambridge for candidates that the Head describes as "the also rans". You have to be in it to win it as they say.

DS didn't apply to Oxford as he wants to get away from the public school thing - he does go to a selective boys' day school and some of the boys are patsies and have no idea about the real world to be honest. But about half of them are v normal and lovely.

NotanOtter · 03/12/2009 14:32

arionater interesting

swedes i am loving the word 'patsies' although only guessing at the meaning

NotanOtter · 03/12/2009 23:02

certainage - hope it went well for ds

ajandjjmum · 04/12/2009 08:50

Ds has had an interview come through from York. Didn't think they interviewed, so it was a bit of a surprise!

lazymumofteenagesons · 04/12/2009 11:56

What course is it for ajandjjmum? Just sneaked a peak at DS1s UCAS track - he doesn't know I've got passwords - he's just had an offer come through from York. Its for Sociology with Social Psychology.

ajandjjmum · 04/12/2009 17:23

It's Physics lazymum. Ds has given me his passwords, but told me that he'll change them if I look too often. I don't think these kids realise the stress we're under.
Well done to your ds on his offer.

lazymumofteenagesons · 04/12/2009 17:28

Sorry, just come back on and I see further up that its for Physics.

lazymumofteenagesons · 04/12/2009 17:31

I've been looking at least once a day! Actually he only put York on there to fill up his choices. Neither he nor me have a clue what its like, but the course sounded interesting.
I hope it doesn't take places away from others doing that, but the universities must know and gauge their offers accordingly.

Milliways · 04/12/2009 20:58

Don't worry too much about interviews when they don't normally interview.

DD got the grump last year when Southampton wanted to interview her (for MML) but the day after the interview they phoned her and gave her an unconditional offer! Apparently they offer a few each year and so interview for those. They phoned so she knew there wasn't a mistake on Track, and to say they still wanted her to achieve her predicted grades

Swedington · 04/12/2009 21:45

Hello all.

What is the point of an unconditional offer? Can they leave school and go travelling, for example?

Milliways · 04/12/2009 22:12

It takes the pressure off them and normally they end up getting better grades.

Would be a shame not to take the exam after all that work, but if it is a disaster then you still have a Uni place.

DD didn't go there anyway (But DID have them as Insurance)

lazymumofteenagesons · 04/12/2009 22:17

I think they know you are going to take the exams anyway cos it would be too risky just to not bother in case you need them later.

I always thought that unconditional offers were for those who had already taken there A levels. It must be very unusual to get that offer before. She must be exceptional.

Lilymaid · 04/12/2009 22:22

A friend's son got a matriculation offer for Durham a few years ago (of 2 Es at A2) - is that what was described here as "unconditional" as I thought an unconditional offer would be the sort of offer given to students who already had A2s.

Swedington · 04/12/2009 22:25

I would be severely tempted to recommend DS1 went travelling pronto if he rec'd an unconditional offer. I am a baaaaaad parent. Why would you need the A2s later? What for?

Anyway, I don't think they give unconditional offers for medicine.

A boy at school today rec'd a metriculation offer for Cambridge. Which he already satisfies. So he could go off travelling.

Milliways · 04/12/2009 22:51

TBH the offer was for EE, but she already had well above that with AS's (already had a C in 1 subject as had full marks) which effectively made it unconditional.

They also want to attract the good students in.

One of DDs friends was given a large bursary from Reading as she got 4 A grades and so could have gone to a "better" Uni maybe.

NotanOtter · 04/12/2009 23:02

wow milliways that bursary might be tempting!

NotanOtter · 06/12/2009 21:33

just bookmarking it before it sinks
hope all good with y'all
any news?

ajandjjmum · 07/12/2009 11:44

Just checked Track (me...nosey mum?!!!) - nothing new. I still love Durham - although ds wouldn't go there as we've said we'd be visiting every other weekend.

lazymumofteenagesons · 07/12/2009 12:16

Its funny isn't it. DS1 is determined to go to Durham or nowhere and we haven't heard yet. We are a 3 hour train journey away and I'd prefer him nearer! Ajandjj have you heard from Durham yet and if so when did you submit UCAS application. I suppose each department works differently though. I hope we hear before the Xmas holidays. I wonder if they continue during the hols?

Milliways · 07/12/2009 17:22

Durham was the last to make DD an offer, and she applied with the Oxbridge applications, didn't hear until January.

I think some people get the Oxbridge offers and accept them / Decline others so Durham know they have more places to offer?

Lilymaid · 07/12/2009 17:27

DS1 also had to wait until after Oxbridge entrance offers had been done and dusted before being offered a place at Nottingham (Economics). I expect this is quite common for popular courses at top universities.

NotanOtter · 07/12/2009 21:24

ds heard from durham early but school said it was unusual. he has still not had a peep from edinburgh
suddenly dreading him leaving!

Drayford · 08/12/2009 01:49

I've just found this thread - fingers crossed for all those awaiting news.

I am biting my nails for DD who has applied to study music. She's been called for audition and interview to Goldsmiths, but (surprisingly) not to Manchester or City - both have given conditional offers.

Don't suppose anyone knows whether York or King's London audition for Music?? She's had acknowledgements from both, but nothing else yet.

PS Lazymum DD put York down to fill up her choices as well. If your DS is considering it, I'd strongly suggest he checks it out before accepting - DD wasn't terribly impressed with the campus and facilities, (music course is good though), but then she's terribly fussy!!!!!

NotanOtter · 08/12/2009 11:10

hi all just checking in - feeling a bit bleak after ds interview which was this morning but managed to sound chirpy and not cry when he told me about it

drayford york is a funny place - a lot of people love it but it is definitely different
sorry not sure about music but they do seem to interview for most things there

ajandjjmum · 08/12/2009 12:21

Lazymum
Ds hasn't heard from Durham - he submitted UCAS mid October.
Just to second what Drayford said, ds put York down as his 5th option, and we were all very disappointed with the facilities and quality of accommodation when we did visit.
NotanOtter - did the interview not go well - or is it because uni is looming fast?