New Batch of Year 13 parents this way!

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

Hopefully this thread will appear on TIO! No need to use it til our old thread is done, but at least we have it for when we are ready.

there we go, someone who knows about the process already Lonicera :)

Thank you all. DD had another meeting with the assistant head of 6th form who, I think, realised that she had gone too far yesterday. She kind of backtracked and offered more help with the personal statement.

She rang me today and told me that DD was more than academically able as far as gaining the right qualifications to get into medical school was, but she was concerned that DD isn't in the best of health mentally and physically, and wouldn't have the stamina to get through a medical degree (which are my concerns as well).

It was the way she put it to DD yesterday that was hurtful. Also, she doesn't have enough experience, which is fair enough. she has tried to shadow medical professionals and do some volunteering but has been turned away because she wasn't old enough (summer born).

It is DD's intention to get experience during a gap year and then apply.

I'm glad they've explained themselves a bit better. Your poor DD!

Can i join in too? I think we're the second offer on the thread! DD's form went in a few days ago and she got an offer from Bristol today. It's more exciting than I had realised!

That sounds much better than saying that she is wasting her time applying, really how harsh is that?

Hope your DD is alright Lonicera. It was a bit of a shoddy way to be treated by the teacher - for her to be so dismissive and then suggest your DD did "something else" what a pile of crap. At least she phoned with an explanation of sorts

If your DD wants to do medicine then she should go for it - in the grand scheme of things a year isn't too long to take out - one of DS's friends re-started Yr12 in September as he was ill last year.

DS1 says he wants to apply in this UCAS cycle. He knows which course and has a very good idea of which institutions. Yet no actual applying seems to be happening. He hasn't logged on to UCAS yet, nor started drafting a personal statement.

It took him until the October half-term of Y12 to pick his A-level options, so I know this shouldn't be a surprise, but it drives me flipping bananas.

I am allowing myself to mention UCAS / post-18 choices to him once a week. If he hasn't done anything by the end of term, the decision will make itself.

Just read my last post. I need to stop complaining and look at the positives. He is healthy, happy and engaged with his A2 studies.

TheSecond DS and I have opposite approaches. I'll have work done and out of the way as soon as possible as I feel guilty leaving it undone and it stops me enjoying anything else. DS does not seem to have a problem with this, he can ignore things totally until the deadline is right upon him and then he starts and gets it done. Of course I think my way is better and I can't understand why he doesn't do things the right way (my way). I have given up arguing now, if he wants to have periods of mad panic in his life well that's his choice.

It is still early in the UCAS process, there will be an internal deadline in school so they have time to write their reference before the actual UCAS deadline and that's the one he needs to have his eye on. If he knows what he wants to do and where then he's way ahead of many of DS's mates. Filling in the educational stuff takes no time at all but the personal statement is capable of expanding to fit the time allowed for it. He could spend a week on it and it be good enough or fiddle with it for two more months for a marginal improvement. It is still only the beginning of October, it's early yet other than for medics/vets/Oxbridge. There is plenty of time yet (and repeat)

Lonicera that is such an unprofessional and awful approach towards your DD by an assistant head of 6th form. If they were concerned that your DD wasn't in the best of health mentally to apply this year, their attitude and lack of understanding in handling the situation makes it even more shocking! I do hope your DD is ok.

Thanks again everyone.

I feel bad about bringing this thread down, especially as some posters DC have already had university offers.

The plan B that DD has is also oversubscribed, so chances are that she won't get any offers and will either reapply or go through clearing.

What are the courses that the students who already have offers for? They mustn't be as popular perhaps?

Congrats lobster!
Lonerica
That’s sounds tough for your dd especially if she has worked hard to get the right grades and she has put the effort in. But the personal statement is a massive thing.

Dds first draft is in for tomorrow for her personal statement. They’ve been offered no guidance or help and hardly anyone knows how to structure it. Dd has completed it.

Side not some of dds friends are applying for medicine but just with biology? Didn’t think that was possible

Lonicera there is absolutely no need to feel bad. It would be a rubbish support thread if none of us needed support. We all do sometimes. This year is going to be a right mix of ups and downs and I hope we will all be there to commiserate and congratulate as needed.

Lonicera do not feel bad. Ds1and I have discussed that he may well be reapplying next year with grades in hand. With a supportive teacher 10 days is plenty of time to put together a great ps.
Ds1 has been advised to focus on what he learnt, what he liked/didn't like, what inspired him.

I don't know how it works for medicine, unless a specific amount and type is asked for then it won't matter as long as she gets across what has inspired her.

Absolutely agree that there's no need to feel bad Lonicera. I hope school get their finger out and help her structure her ps properly.

In a massive turn up for the books, dd has apparently handed in her PS for her teachers to have a look at. I was thinking she hadn't done anything more than notes, but apparently she's on her second draft. Her teacher seems to think she'll have the school bit ready by next week, so we may be in a position to submit a lot earlier than I expected because I would be leaving it to the last minute

Dd has a free first thing tomorrow so she is going to get her nails done. Such a relief as she was worried she wouldn't have time to get them done before her 18th party on Saturday.

Sorry, wrong thread.

I wish.

😩

Ursula. Preparing for an 18th is a very important business!

Fantasy I’m often quite surprised about what you say about your dds school given it’s a fee paying school. She doesn’t seem to be getting even the level of support many of our dc seem to be getting in State schools. They must have experience in writing PS. Is it because they are busy with the early entry students at the moment?

You made me laugh Ursula. Laughs have been in short supply over here as I've had my mother in hospital for the last three weeks. I suppose it gave me something else to worry about other than DS completing his HE application.

I'm avoiding waking him up this morning because he's going to start with a monologue of grumbling. He's applying for something else and if that goes well he will not be applying through UCAS but he's timetabled to spend another lesson today working on his UCAS application. It's done, his personal statement is slightly changed from the one that went off last week on another form, all the other bits are complete because he had to do them for the other form.

I don't want him to submit it now because all the courses that he would apply for interview all applicants. He either wastes hours of college time on a form that's complete or days of college time travelling to interviews to then (hopefully) withdraw his application. He's asked college if he can be excused the UCAS session but I can't see him wiggling out of the one size fits all tuition.

I will be glad when it's half term.

DS's list of priorities this week in order have been:-

Buying replacement studs for his football boots

Texting me for the past few mornings to see if I have managed to get some concert tickets

Going to the bakery factory shop to buy cake as it's his turn to supply them in Geography this week

Homework and EPQ

Lonicera please don't feel bad, it's the support on here that keeps us all going, especially when you feel like you're having to do this all by yourself with little guidance! Knitting do hope your Mum is on the road to recovery as sounds like a hectic time with DS doing double applications!

DD has two more Uni visits to go & is finally at the stage to submit her form to school after completing her choices. I'm hoping as two teachers have agreed her PS that Ho6th Form doesn't have any further comments as want this done then.

Thank god it's Friday! Is it just me, or are the weeks just whizzing by?!

Did you get the concert tickets starfleet?

At dds college there is a 1 hour timetabled lesson each week with tutor support where they are working on UCAS applications, researching opportunities, preparing CVs etc (depending on which route they are taking) so there is plenty of support available. She is reviewing possible apprenticeships.
dd is busy trying to organise her 18th celebration with her friends, applying for part-time jobs etc.
We have also sorted out the new (adult) passport application. After days of trying to get photos signed, we have found out (by phoning passport office) that if you are updating from a child to adult and your photo is still recognisable, you don't need a counter-signed photo. So we have filled in the on-line forms and sent it off.

I don't think there is anything wrong with applying to unis post A levels either. In many other countries this is the norm and for some I think it would alleviate a lot of the stress caused by the current system.
Lonerica I think it's up to the unis to make a decision about whether health would affect your dds ability to be a doctor rather than the school but it may not be a barrier. Many say on their websites "if you have a medical condition please contact us before applying" owtte.
Fantasy there are only a very limited number of unis that accept students directly onto medical degree courses without Chemistry A level. There are also some medical schools that have the equivalent of a "Foundation" year for those without Chemistry A level. So if they have researched this properly they can still be offered places.

Welcome doistayordoigo

Welcome and big congratulations toomanytolist !!

Please don't feel bad lonicera - you lot have been amazing when I've needed support. This is simply the best thread on MN - we congratulate those that have good news and we support those who are struggling.