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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:
JGBMum · 07/08/2010 18:55

Those MNetters with DC in Y13, how are you holding up?
Each time I think about 18 August, I feel sick, and DS is only in Y12, but the results will determine where he applies to in the Autumn.

MABS - am emailing you. DS contacted BA but sadly didnt here anything from them!

pippop1 · 07/08/2010 19:03

AS and A level results come out on Thursday 19th August JGBMum. You've got an extra day's worry ahead!

I have two sons who are three school years apart. This (DS2)is my 6th consecutive year of GCSE/AS/A level results. It's enough now!

JGBMum · 07/08/2010 19:28

Blush but definitely on the Thursday, right?

Sixth year????? Noooooooo!

MABS · 07/08/2010 20:04

please do email me jgbmum

JGBMum · 07/08/2010 20:32

MABS - sent Smile

MABS · 07/08/2010 21:23

i replied, dh will have a word, will let you know

pippop1 · 07/08/2010 23:23

It's always a Thursday for GCSEs, ASs and A2s,(has been for those six lovely years). I work on Mondays to Weds so would have had to take the day off otherwise (for my own sanity never mind the DCs).

We are currently discussing who will drive to school to get the results. Me or DC2. I will leave him there (unless results are really bad when I shall be needed to help him make decisions).

I'm sure some people have much longer consecutive suumer exam results than six years. I only have two DCs.

sayithowitis · 08/08/2010 00:28

Can I just wish all of you, and your Dcs, the very best of luck for 19th August? And to say, don't despair if things don't appear to go right on the results front?

DC1 had a dreadful A2 year and ended up not even applying for UNI. took a gap year to re-evaluate, was fortunate enough to find a job that was on a year's contract and took time to really think about the future. Ended up applying to five places (already had results of course), got offers from all of them and has just finished first year at a university that is very well known and well respected. He could not be any happier, has done brilliantly well, so well that the university has awarded him a substantial scholarship for next year, and he is so looking forward to what the next couple of years brings his way. He is not doing the course he thought he wanted to do, but is doing what he really wanted to do all along (It is a pure science)and, most importantly, can see a future ahead where, if he carries on as he has done, the world will be his oyster.

So, as I say, good luck to you all, but don't panic if results are not what you expected, because you might just find, like DC1, that something better is just around the corner.Smile

duchesse · 08/08/2010 00:45

Can I just pick the collective brains and ask what happens if one isn't able to be there on August 19th to collect AS results? Do they mail them out to us? Or will we have to go into school when we get back from holiday on the 27th to fetch them? School were quite insistent that we must have discussed A2 options with our son in the two weeks before school starts again, but in the event we'll only get about three days.

mumoverseas · 08/08/2010 08:25

My teenager is a little 'tetchy' at the moment. Like you say, its so important to know how they are doing now as not long til the UCAS applications have to be in. DS working hard on his PS this weekend (I hope!)

duchesse at DS's school they can go in at (I think) 10am and collect them and if not collected by lunchtime they are posted out. Am pretty sure he can also check online from 7am and that will be interesting (seeing him getting up that early!)
There is no way we could go on holiday over results day and have to wait longer for results.

sayithowitis sounds like your DC did very well, really good to read things like this

JGBMum · 08/08/2010 09:32

MABS - thank you, read your email this morning. Have advised DS to take some smart clothes on hols with us, in case he gets the chance of an interview.

sayithowitis what a great post. I think it can be hard to see beyond the results and to what happens if they are disappointing. Your post is a great reminder that A-level results are not the only thing that matters. It's great to hear your DS is doing a course that really suits him, and that he is doing so well on it Smile

duchesse at DS's school you can phone them at 12 to get the results if you cannot get in, and they will post them out as well. If you phone the school then there should be admin staff working who can advise you.

mos hi, my DS is starting to get a little tetchy too (great word).
He is on PS v4 as he was lucky enough to get onto a headstart course and has lots of great examples from there that he needs to include on his PS.
At the moment, he is concentrating on his Theory Driving Test as this is coming up shortly.

....but I am insisting the PS comes on holiday with us so he can update it before school starts Grin

mumoverseas · 08/08/2010 09:40

oh god, DS is learning to drive now. He only turned 17 last month so has only had a few lessons. Yesterday he was very pleased that he had gone into second gear! So glad I'm not teaching him, I don't have enough patience.

Good luck with your DS's test JGB

JGBMum · 08/08/2010 09:44

Thanks! Just spotted you on another thread, Happy Anniversary btw.

DS was 17 in May, after his first lesson he came back very excited and told us that he had learned how to turn left - but only how to turn left Confused

Fortunately, he now can turn both ways, yay!

mumoverseas · 08/08/2010 10:18

Thanks JGB. Just wish for once I could spend it with DH Sad Every year we say we must spend the next year together but it never happens. DS1 is being lovely though, he has just gone to the shop for supplies and is making me a bacon & brie roll. Yummy.
So glad your DS can turn both ways, he'll stand a better chance at his test Wink
I'm sure we weren't that bad Hmm

JGBMum · 08/08/2010 11:06

MOS - assume DH is still in middle east?

I presume you can blackmail persuade him to take you out for a belated anniversary meal on your/his return?

Hope you enjoy the bacon and brie roll - very upmarket, its bacon and ketchup here!

Re the driving, it's only the theory test, but yes being able to turn both ways is good, perhaps he'll even master changing gears one day (without murdering the gear stick in the process) Grin

mumoverseas · 08/08/2010 11:30

JGB - yes, he is still there for his sins Sad
I'm hoping we can have a nice meal out when he is back which will be lovely. The place where we married is doing a special offer on lunch at the moment (normally very expensive) so hopefully we can go there if DC1 and 2 look after 3 & 4.

LOVE bacon and brie and obviously don't have it that often.

Keep me posted about your DS's progress. Has he made firm choices for his UCAS application yet?

JGBMum · 08/08/2010 11:45

MOS - re university,

subject to getting good grades, DS is looking at Bristol, Cambridge (prob a long shot), Southampton, Surrey and Warwick. He likes Bath but it's only about 8 miles away so too close to home.
How about your DS? And if the autumn review recommends a change in funding, will he be able to go in 2011 rather than take a year out?

MABS · 08/08/2010 12:59

happy Anniv MOS, will i see you for lunch on 22nd? do hope so. i offto dxb on thurs for a week!

JGB, i will let you know when i hear anything from dh, he has asked for meeting to discuss your ds application on tues.

I dread all this stuff, dd going into year 11 next month so all to come......

mumoverseas · 08/08/2010 13:24

JGB also subject to grades, DS is looking at either Cambridge or Oxford (still undecided) Southampton, LSE, Kings and possibly Exeter although he has not been and visited yet but hears it is good.
Not heard anything ref change in funding? Do tell? I think he might still like to take a gap year even though was initially forced to do it by circs but would be good to know there are other options.

MABS are you following me around the threads today? Wink
Think I'll be giving 22nd a miss, think DC1 and 2 are away so no babysitters but in any event, probably best I don't go Sad

JGBMum · 08/08/2010 19:26

MOS - in the news recently, a big review on uni funding to announce its findings in the autumn. One idea that was being floated, but has been rejected I think, was to replace fees with a graduate tax so no fees would be paid upfront. Not sure what other ideas they will come up with but I think they want to give unis more freedom to increase their fees.

DH went to LSE for his Masters - many years ago now though!!

MABS - thank you, a bit scarey that your DH has called a meeeting. DS now rather nervous!

mumoverseas · 08/08/2010 21:58

I never have time to watch the news, too busy being a taxi driver.
DS was only planning on a gap year due to the rule about having to have been resident in the UK for 3 years prior to commencing Uni and he will only have been here two years next summer as he did his GCSEs in ME. He would be treated as an overseas student and I understand that at present there would huge fees

MABS · 08/08/2010 22:17

JGB tell him not to worry. dh just not happy that there was no response, thinks it v unprofessional.

MABS · 10/08/2010 08:18

very pleased BA made contact JGBMUM, good luck

JGBMum · 10/08/2010 22:24

University funding and Graduate tax - link here for another thread on this subject.

mumoverseas · 11/08/2010 09:25

Thanks for that JGB, will have a look later and have sent link to DS. Don't think I'll be posting though, AIBU scares me Wink