Anyone want to join a year 13 UCAS THREAD?

[JesusChristOtterStar]

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?

I'm not sure that the language still applies, does it?

My boy is doing A-level this year. Lets just chill, support them,hope they stay safe and hope their dreams come true!{smile}

welcome chewpops!

fat chance of me chilling

We can"t make our kids any cleverer! If they have got it, it will be enough. Let's just guide them and worry when we have real trouble going down!

liking your style

repeats mantra!

Has anyones DC heard from Kings London yet?? DD applied quite early, but has only had an acknowledgement.

Admittedly, she's studying music and there's a huge amount of competition for the few place on offer, but I thought I'd ask anyway....

She's had offers from 3 and an audition at Goldsmiths, but Kings was her first choice and she's getting a bit anxious.

I never thought all this would be so stressful for me, let alone DD!

hello all, well done on all the offers over recent weeks and good luck with those doing AS levels at the moment.

Seeking a bit of advice from all you wise women who have been through all this before. DS is in L6 and had been doing 5 AS levels. I have today received an email from him (he is in UK, I'm abroad) saying he thinks he might drop further maths as he thinks he has taken on too much.
Views appreciated on whether it might be worth hanging in and at least doing the AS (his school don't do January modules so assume exams in May/June) or whether he should just drop it now and stick with 4 AS which hopefully he will then carry on to A2.

Hi Mumoverseas, [waves] no advice, but I'm sure someone will be along with some.
Am I right in thinking he was finding the FM tricky before xmas? What does his tutor think? My DS is also taking FM (1st module exam this week), he is one of only a few at his school taking 5 subjects, and they have all been advised that FM should be seen as their fifth choice so I guess they do expect a quite high fall out rate. Intestingly, they have some Y13 students in the class who come along to some of the lectures (for topics they have a partic int in), but obv they will not be taking the exams.

Hi Justgettingby. Yes you are right, he did say he was struggling back in around November but decided to push on with it.
Annoyingly, we have not met his tutor or any of his teachers. We were due to meet his tutor in September, just after he started as there was a new parents evening. However, his tutor didn't turn up as assumed we wouldn't be there as we normally live overseas so he didn't bother coming.
I was anxious to meet the tutor and teachers so back in December it was arranged we'd meet them on Wednesday 6th Jan as they returned to school Monday 4th. On the day however we got an email from his tutor saying he couldn't make it into school and so he cancelled, even though we said we'd try and get there to meet some teachers. So to date we haven't met anyone and now won't get a chance to until July which isn't good.

We get updates by email but its not the same is it?

I just wish DS had mentioned this when we were home last week so we could have a proper talk rather than via email

It makes sense what you say about it being the fifth choice and I think that several students dropped out quite early in the autumn term.

Good luck to your DS with his exam.

If you cant meet face to face, can't the tutor at least phone you? I agree emails are useful but not the same as having a proper chat.

mumoverseas
Must be difficult for you - although I have found face to face communication virtually non-existent now - ds feels he can handle everything!!!
DS did Maths, Biology, Physics and Geography at AS, and the system the school operates means that he would complete his Maths A level this January, and continue with the modules to make up Further Maths in May/June.
He has applied to Uni to do Physics, for which Further Maths would have been useful, and would have led to AAB offers rather than AAA. However, he decided to drop it as he felt that he could then focus on getting 'A's in his other subjects, particularly when his offers would be based upon 3 'A' levels.
I'm not saying this is the right decision, but he's not a natural genius, and I think wanted some life outside of study, which is fair enough. He did find the FM topics challenging.
He has had offers and interviews from good universities, so it doesn't seem to have had a negative impact.
Sorry this goes on - but hope it helps.

Drayford - can I ask what grade and instrument your DD was when she applied for music?

My DD is nearly 15 and wants to do music with a view to teaching or composing but I think we are running out of time to get to grade 8 (she is between 6 and 7). She is definitely talented but a maverick - spends her free time and practice time making up her own things rather than being disciplined. She plays piano and clarinet. Any info would be appreciated as we don't know anyone who has gone on to do music.

mumoverseas I wouldn't let your son do anything until you have spoken to the school (even though they are making it difficult for you!)about how he is actually doing.

The Maths/Further Maths combination is sold by some schools as more like one and a half A levels rather than two full ones and hence ok to take as a fifth option. The reality is they require a lot of work during the course (lots of maths questions for homework) BUT when it comes to exam time there should be less time needed for revision as the concepts are already learnt. DD2 does Maths and Further Maths and she sometimes needs a bit of time for the FM concepts to sink in even though she is very good at maths.

DD2 considered taking 5 AS rather than 4 but her school favours the 4 done well approach. Some weeks she could have easily manage another subject and then she will be snowed under with masses of work with just 4.

Thanks very much for all your advice and comments. Am going to try to obtain an email address for his FM teacher and cut out his tutor who has never been particularly helpful and according to DS he only spends 5 minutes a week with him. Hopefully by contacting his FM and possibly his Maths teachers I will get more information.

Thanks again

mos - ring/email the Head, he will get it sorted, he will be horrified, i know him pretty well. if you need any numbers/email - just shout to me.

Hi MOS. My DD started with 5 AS levels (Maths, Eng Lit, 2 languages & History). She was tempted to try & continue all 5 but it really did get too much (4 essay subjects + she found Maths really hard) so she dropped History.

I think it is better to get 4 good grades than 5 lower ones. I have not heard of any offers demanding 5 A levels!

Re the sibling thing, we get that too. DS is in Yr10 and feels the pressure of his sister having blazed a trail. However, he is incredibly bright too, but excels in totally different subjects so cannot make a direct comparison.

Well done to all those with offers. Hope you all made the modular exams in the snow!

Sherbert - DD wants to be an opera singer, therefore her voice is her main instrument and she passed Grade 8 with distinction and is working towards her diploma. However, she does play the Viola to Grade 8, Piano and Organ to Grade 5 as well. (Oh and Grade 5 Theory - vvvvv important). She is taking a general music degree (A level results willing) in case her voice doesn't pan out, with a view to teaching Music or History of Music as a fall back. If all goes well, she hopes to go on to a good conservatoire to develop her singing further.

For many BA Mus or BMus courses DD has found that universities do appear to be looking for a certain amount of musicality (if that's the right word) but her Director of Music at school thinks actual grades are not necessarily key but it is important to be able to play to Grade and around a Grade. Much better to have an extensive repetoire and build on that, than struggle at a grade.

My son also wants to study music, but he is heading more towards Music Tech. There are many many types of music degree. Some of the courses are incredibly different, ie performance, research or composition based.

I think your DD would have loved Dartington when it was still going, maybe somewhere like that would suit her better, or possibly a music school for sixth form. CAM me if you'd like some info on schools as we researched extensively for DD!

MOS - At Habs they only do 3 subject at A2 and they are very successful with their Oxbridgers.

DS who is a medicine applicant is taking 4 subjects to A2 level. It is sufficient.

Lots of courses won't count the further maths at A3 in any case. For example for Medicine your son would need to get A*AA and this could only include either Maths or Further Maths but noth both.

A3 A2

mos i agree less is often more and am of little help here other than to say a few cambridge colleges have made offers of 4 A2s this time and this is a trend which - it is muttered- is set to increase..

these A2 all 'hard' subjects ie no critical thinking or general studies

Swedington which courses won't count further maths at A2? I must admit I have never heard of this before.

NAO - really? An offer for 4? Gosh. I've never heard of that. Sons's school got 20 into Oxbridge this year and apart from the odd metriculation offer, they were all A*AA for Camb and AAA for Ox that I heard of. Perhpas because sons's school also do STEP and AEA, which I don't believe your son's school do, do they Otter? In any case, MOS's son is thinking of dropping to 4, so surely fine for '11 intake with 4?

I would have thought 4 at the best grades possible than 5 and spreading yourself a bit thin.

Otter, How is your Cambridge success story? What are his other offers?

DS has interviews at Sheffield and UCL next week and week after. Bang in the middle of exams which is less than ideal. Pah.

I think most med schools don't accept Maths and further maths for example:Glasgow med school

Not sure about other courses as have only ever had experience of one son, applying this year to read medicine.

Oh thats ok if its medicine Swedington DD2 is still in year 12 and fancies Chemistry at the moment so lots of maths seems to be a good choice for the courses she's interested in.

Here is the list of med schools A level requirements

DS1 was specifically advised not to take Maths together with Further maths as he was considering reading Medicine. I'm really not sure about other disciplines. My guess is it's great for anything truly mathsy and physicsy degree relateted otherwise, caution.

I'll go check for law.