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?

bloody hell, I thought I had enough and I've 'only' got 4! Big age range though, 9 months up to 16 years.
It is a very stressful time isn't it. I can't believe I'm stressing about it already and he won't be applying until next year. Then its the looooonnnng wait

Have visited 3 Unis with Dd1 over the last few months,Staffordshire ( 5-6 hours away!),Canterbury ( 3 1/2 hours away) & Bournemouth ( 2 1/2 hours away) - she wanted to visit Wolverhampton but the open day was on the same day as Staff so has added it to her choices and if she gets an offer they then have another open day. She wants to study Forensic Science so had a limited number of Unis she was interested in.
Sussex Uni just down the road but do not do a course for her!
Any experiences on her Unis of choice?
Canterbury Uni we found to be the worst of all we saw - absolutely dreadful accommodation

mumoverseas i have 16 month old

As for waiting until January to make offers, DS has applied for what is considered a popular course at Edinburgh. In their application receipt, they said that they may not make offers for popular courses until after the January deadline.

Other that that, DS was advised by his school to get his application in fairly early on. Not so early as to appear to be applying to Oxbridge, though. Half-term seemed to be a good target.

ds has applied to edinburgh too and has been advised march!

again i think it odd as all the other offers will be done and dusted ...

IYLM-sorry you didn't like Canterbury. Is that what we oldies knew as Kent University (on the hill), or ChristChurch (down in the town)?
I always thought Kent had a nice campus and Canterbury is v nice place. I think a lot of students live out though.

I have a year to go before all this kicks in, but I really do not understrand the grant system. If I earn (just) under £25000, what is DS entitled to in the way of grants and/or loans? I have 3 DCs and am on my own in Scotland if that makes a difference. Is there a good website which spells it out? Oh for the days of grants for all.

i think someone linked to a good thing yesterday -will look for you now....

Sherbert, scottish universities work differently. I know non-scots pay tuition fees, but they are less and I'm not sure if Scots pay anything. Check it out if they want to stay in Scotland.

i think 1/3 lower for non scots

JCOS, so you JUST win on the biggest age gap between smallest and tallest

Just got an email from DS which he sent last night after his first UCAS 'lesson'. Apparently it is extremely important to have some paid employment to put on the form (apparently there is a section?) Looks like he will have to get a summer job but they must be pretty limited at his age.

Have others DC had paid employement to put on the form?

Mumoverseas this section is obviously new this year - previously any work was included in the personal statement. I wouldn't make my teenager rush out and get a job because of it rather I want her to have a job for the little bit of financial independance it would give her (there are no jobs for 16 year olds where we live at the moment despite months of looking for one).Also I am sure it is not extremely important to have worked and it is a bit naughty of the school to say so since this has never been asked for before.

Thanks for that webwhiz although I think I may not pass it on to DS. Quite like the idea of him getting his butt out of bed before lunchtime during the summer hols

DS1 (16) has a temporary job for M&S just until Christmas. He won't stay on after even if offered as it is 16 hours in 4 hour shifts. At the moment this is eating into XBox time rather than revision times but as he is doing Highers he will need to work very hard after Christmas. Job has been great for his social skills. He looked everywhere and was very lucky to get this.

Glad he will have something to put on his form - all his friends seem to be off to the Arctic or flying planes with the ATC!

UCAS form employment section
DS used employment information to demonstrate that he had worked for same employers for good periods of time and the customer service skills and other useful things he has done in his shop job.

must ask ds about that paid employment section
we were a bit gutted as ds had kept the same job since aged 14 and no where showed that...

mumoverseas i am not sure i win

ds is 17 and 3months
dc6 is 16 months

you tell me

I didn't notice an employment section in DS's application. Perhaps if it is blank, it doesn't show up?

He put his voluntary work into his personal statement.

His school recommended that sixth-formers do not get jobs during the school year.

ooh i just asked ds and he DID have the employment section- in extra details he said...

he also put the volunteer stuff

just a little snippet about scottish universities

ds said some boys at his school sadly got rejections from edinburgh today so i am wondering if it is all an urban myth about no response from edinburgh until next year

i do think there is quite a lot of bobbins bandied about with regard to ucas etc

a lot of the 'rules' seem not to be hard and fast

JCOS its very close
DS1 is 16 yrs 4 months and DS2 is 9 months. My maths is crap but think it is a close one.
Assume you are sticking at 6 as I'm definitely sticking at 4 which was 2 more than planned

Glad your DS had something to put in the employment section. A bit of a worry as not many jobs around for anyone in our area, let alone students

ds5 was born 1 month before ds1 turned 16 so i think we are slightly more silly in the gap stakes but lets face it - both of us mad!

ds very grumpy methinks interview stress - seems to have gone bi polar

Good news!

DS has just received his first offer.

He has been offered ABB from Exeter, but already has an A in the bag, so effectively he has to get BB this year, which should not be a problem.

He would be very happy to go to Exeter.

/relief

Well done fivesets DS, it is a relief, I know

yes, it does seem to be a bit random, the rules etc from ucas. Another example of some people in the know and others not (as usual), but presumably UCAS does have to abide by their rule that every application is treated equally as long as it is in by the 15th Jan. There may be early offers for those who apply early, but that doesnt mean that those who apply on, say, 14th are actually disadvantaged. They must keep places back.

DD is at Exeter (2nd year) and is loving it. What is his subject?

wow fivesets delighted for you and ds!!
lovely offer !

well done!