Parents of Year 12s - exam time again! (oh no!)

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

Just noticed we were running out of thread!

She could stick the EPQ in the qualifications section and save on the word count. This is all I have for you:

Under the "other qualification" section with the massive list there is Extended Project (Level 3) under "E"

Unless they've a clear view it's a v difficult decision.

EPQ is technically a qualification at level three. Dd1 has done hers on a linked topic to her future study and a few places say they drop grades if there's a good EPQ. She's in an area with less applicants to places though.

I think DD's school have said mid-September for Oxbridge, mid-October for everybody else for personal statements.
They have been encouraged to get a first draft in to be looked at before the end of term though, so that they know if they're along the right lines or not when they quickly bash out a second draft on the last day of the holidays while they spend the entire summer painstakingly and thoughtfully drafting and re drafting.

I agree though, for dc who are unsure what subject they want to do, the PS is a ridiculously difficult task.

I have suggested taking a year out to dd as it seems a far more sensible (and less stressful) idea to apply with actual grades.

I took a year out and I thoroughly recommend it in terms of applying to uni with grades already. It's not stressful at all as the uni already knows if you meet their criteria or not, in my case. Other things might catch your eye though, so uni might take a back seat til later when you have more idea what you want to do.

We're off to Durham tomorrow.

So is DD's boyfriend. Newcastle for us.

Thanks for the advice on the EPQ :) that's helpful to know.

Think there's a few of us off to Durham today.

We might see each other and never know.

Need a secret signal!
We will be at languages and dd1 wants to see Trevs(?) college. Arriving 11:30ish

Anyone at Newcastle today?

We were there yesterday. Huge thumbs up from DS. He liked the course, the place, the people and the accent!

Nottingham today.

We're at Durham now. Dd likes the look of the course, the uni is getting the thumbs up, the bailey colleges have been ruled out and we're now looking at the hill colleges. Josephine butler is the favorite so far.

Secret sign: I'm carrying a purple fleece, dd has a backpack with the universe on it.

DS been to Nottingham today. He really liked the campus, course not quite as flexible as Warwick.

Re personal statements, he is still to definitely decide between maths and engineering, he has a week in Leeds doing engineering week after next, am hoping that will confirm his decision. No way can he write PS before then. School wanting it started before summer and drafted by Sept ready to be polished in school.

No EPQ at DS's school, he has done engineering education scheme though - his group project which also gets him gold crest award has got through to the national big bang fair next year.

We looked at Trevs. Dd1 liked it.

DS liked Nottingham.

Not as much as he did Newcastle which he thinks may be his first choice.

Dd really liked Durham. She thinks that will be her first choice. She dragged me round far too many colleges, we ruled out the more traditional colleges once she realised most of their accommodation is in shared bedrooms. Shared bathrooms is fine apparently, but shared bedroom is not, she needs her own quiet space. She likes St Mary's, which is fine by me.

DD liked Newcastle, her boyfriend didn't like Durham at all. He thought they were snooty and stuck up, and quite negative about his course.

DD had thought she wanted to do biomedical science, but has now decided she wants to do medicine. We are now cancelling some open days and focusing on different ones

Interestingly Newcastle aren't interested in EPQs, AS levels or personal statements.

I'm slightly worried that so far there are two courses/unis that dd loves, but nothing else so far is really comparing. I can see why they standout so much for her. it's fine if she gets offers for them both, but if she doesn't, she really needs a back up or three.

What subject is she looking at Kitten?

Maths Iamastonished. Her favourites are Warwick and Cambridge. Her next favourites are nothing so far.

Lots of time yet OYBBK. She can put in her form with just those two in October and add others later.

DD has finally accepted the extra A level she would need for the courses she was setting her heart on is unrealistic. An A grade at a totally new subject is a tall order in a year!

She and her friend did a self guided tour round Liverpool uni on Friday, she loved the City but isn't sure about the course.

She's very keen on Edinburgh as a city and likes the look of the course there.

She wants to look at Warwick, but as she also says she wants a city, I don't think it will suit her but she needs to see for herself.