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.

Ursula I just spotted that the draft statement went in. Hooray!

She wrote it in one sitting. She had been mulling it over for some time but it all came tumbling out once weshe started.

Excellent news on draft statement Ursula.
Ds has received an offer from Loughborough - 35 points (IB student). Leeds and Warwick are his top choices. Had an offer from Warwick (38) but waiting to hear from Leeds.

Ursula - DS's offer was in line with what we were told at the open day as he has three science subjects, so ABB instead of the normal AAB. Other offers have also been in line with the course requirements.

They've come thick and fast now...he's had an identical offer from one of his other choices, an invitation to the applicant day for the one that interviews (although it says this "chat" doesn't influence whether an offer is made (?)) and an unconditional offer from another. The unconditional offer doesn't say whether you have to put it as firm though, and doesn't give any grades for if it weren't unconditional, so does that mean it's unconditional even if he puts it as his reserve?

Breaking news!!! DS1 has made a start on his personal statement! He has done 56 words of a preliminary draft.

Congratulations to all those who have received offers, and good luck to those waiting.

Yesss Second! Getting started is definitely the hardest bit!
And well done to your DD Ursula, must be a huge relief that it’s done. Are you still in SA?

DoIStay I’m no expert, but that sounds like a genuine, actual unconditional offer! Congratulations to your DS! What a nice position to be in!

Yes we are still in SA but just chilling at my DBs so dd is managing to get some work done.

Her tutor has responded to say it is a really good start and just needs a bit of embellishment in places. He has asked her to get all the other stuff sorted and said she could submit next week. But she wants to visit the Hull Open Day mid November. I've told get there is no rush (as threads on here have convinced me) but it would be nice yo be getting some offers.

So does unconditional mean it doesn't matter what grades you get?

Yes, for an unconditional the grades don't matter, but I believe you must firm that choice.

From what I’ve seen on here and TSR, there are a few universities that have been giving “unconditional” offers, but on the condition that the student makes it their firm choice.

So not truly unconditional, especially because most seem to receive one from their would be insurance choice, so they have to make a decision whether to gamble for their preferred course, or take the easy option but settle for a not so desired course.

These “unconditional if firmed” offers tend to come in a separate email though, after the standard offer appears on track.

So it sounds to me as if Doistay’s DS has an actual unconditional, which will be unconditional whether used as firm or insurance. Which is absolutely wonderful, and a very very nice position to be in!!

Congrats to those who have DC’s with offers. Excellent news.

And 👍🏼 to those who have submitted/started their PS’s. DS’s is with his supervisor and is still awaiting comments.

Yay. Things seem to be moving along nicely for everyone.
Ds1 had a postcard saying they were looking at the application and he can expect to hear between December and February from one uni. It's nice for him to have had an acknowledgment.
I rounded the dc up today and we made Christmas cake, something to take his mind off it for a while. Next year I guess I'll be making an extra one.

We had a bit of excitement - DS had a date for an interview. It feels like another step forward.

Lots of good news on here. Congratulations everyone!

We went to University of Chichester open day this week. This is DS first choice (he wants to study Performing Arts). We were really impressed, the campus is small, which DS liked as it didn't seem too daunting and the course looks perfect for him.

However I'm struggling to get through to him he needs to look at other options and have a plan B for if he doesn't get accepted. He seems to think it's a done deal that this is were he's going!

Violet at least he has found somewhere he likes the look of.

Violet DS knows where he wants to go and I have to keep trying to get him to give some thought to his other choices.

DS has had his second interview date so I spent last night looking at train times (yes, that is his job but he's away at the moment). We had a quick chat about strategy and playing hard to get in the "pick me" dance as his first choice has a history of offering cash inducements. He would be happy with the standard offer but the standard offer and enough cash for a laptop would be even better.

We used to live in one of the villages near Chichester. It's a lovely part of the country, close to Portsmouth or Brighton, near the countryside and within touching distance of the sea.
The train links are usually good as well except at the moment with the strikes etc.

Thanks Little I love it down there so it will be great if he does get in

Saw this and thought it may help those with DCs who haven't finished their PS yet: www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-41761824

Thank you chocolate
I'll show it to DS tomorrow.

DS has spent much of half term supporting a close friend who is suffering from depression, so no further progress on the PS (or much else), but I'm pleased he has turned out to be the sort of person who'll be there when you need him.

That’s very lovely of him TheSecond. He might need support himself after this week, it can take its toll on youngsters.

I am not looking forward to this half term. I’m sat here with a calendar filling in all the stuff that’s going to be happening with dread. It’s really long and dd seems to have filled it with various stressful things. I must remember to buy some vitamin c for us all, especially as she still has her cold and has now kindly shared it with me.

Your DS sounds like a very lovely young man TheSecond.

Here’s to the start of the next term....DS is taking it seriously - he and his pals have gone off to (yet another) concert tonight. The night before school starts back 🤔.That takes it to a total of about 10 since the start of the half term up to Christmas! He has also got himself another job. He was working hospitality at a premier league football club but didn’t get many shifts, he is now joining the ranks of retail. I’m waiting for the “you don’t know how hard it is”! We will see how it goes....

Hello

I read this thread a couple of weeks ago and it frightened me to read that people have already had offers back! We are still at personal statement stage and not getting very far. There seems to be so much advice online (lots conflicting too) that it’s quite overwhelming. We have managed to get some words down on paper but it certainly doesn’t flow and I think it’s possibly too much ‘ I learnt how to manage my time, how to be a great listener, team player ....” without specific examples. Sigh. It seems so much easier back when I applied 100 years ago and statements were submitted by post and written by hand!

We are still at personal statement stage and not getting very far.

Yep, join the club. DS has written 600 characters (of a first draft, unedited and unread by anyone but him).