Year 12 #3: Open Days and Predicted Grades beckon

[whistl]

Yikes! The title has just hit me! It's too soon! I'm not ready!!

Thread number 2 link: https://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/further_education/3443840-Year-12-2-Carols-commutes-a-few-stocking-fillers

@EllenJanesthickerknickers - like it!

@whistl - Bath is on the list. Will probably go to that one as we have friends who live there.

Bath isn't on the list at the moment but personally I'd love to visit it!

Bath is on DS2's list as a possible, but the open days clash so we can't get there until September.

Is anyone in Cambridge for masterclass on physiology and neuroscience masterclass April 13th?
Dgds sixth form 34 applicants for Cambridge this year, so far 16 interviewed 9 confirmations but med students still waiting for interviews or confirmations surprisingly late it seems.
Also noticed that in her school having to really push for added help for uni application to Cambridge as dgd only one going down psychology/ behavioural/neuroscience route. Wrote email to this effect and now putting in one to one for her. They have fantastic Renaissance and enrichment programme but weighted towards medicine hence lecturers and talks are aimed mainly in medicine, law and politics. None on her subjects, likewise if she had opted for geography. Also, as dgd from a deprived background and achieved 28 points above school progress 8 thingy ( school is outstanding well above average) you would think they would go out of their way to help her achieve her maximum and her dream of Cambridge. Don't get me wrong Cambridge not the be all end all she is very happy to get to a RG. She just wants a really good uni place. But I really do notice private tutored, middle class children getting more attention than dgd.

I am not sure that is the case, Sost. Yes some schools will be more geared towards applications but there seems to be an evening out in that they cannot access the UNIQ schools, outreach programmes or receive contextual offers etc which is why they do exist to level the playing field. It is great that your granddaughter is well on top of things and with your help will know how to gear her PS and indeed is building a solid supercurricular boost to her PS.

As the mum of a white middle classed boy we find it frustrating to see many programmes he cannot access with nothing on offer for him - eg specifically geared for females, BAME etc but we do realise why they exist.

Anyway that is enough politics on the matter I think . We know this thread has a real mix of students/parents/gps from different backgrounds, schools, levels and is supportive to all.

@whistl we are likely to be doing Bath, probably on 6th July. @TheFirst we have done Warwick and can't fit Nottingham in until Sept :(
@Sost ds will be at the Maths Masterclass on 13th April

kilash we may well bump into each other! We are awaiting final details, place booked, fee paid. Dd and myself will probably sightsee and shop whilst dgd at masterclass.

kilash probably September for Nottingham for us too as we have Cambridge July, then dgd off to Sri Lanka for 3 weeks in July.
something not political in any way and school is predominantly middle-class. But they are good and all will be well. Its info on this lovely thread from lovely people from the start of year 11 that has helped both dd and myself to help dgd as neither of us would have had a clue about certain stuff.

sos Cambridge and Oxford are also doing joint outreach events which are being held all across the country and and are free. They have discussions on different courses and the application process. I think they are 'imminent'. Our local one is in the last week of March. It might be worth checking when and where your local one is going to be? I know that they are going all the way from the South Coast to Scotland so hopefully there's one near you.
....this is all a bit pie in the sky for DD but the view is 'why not', there are another 4 choices on the form so there's nothing to lose 😀
I am proud of her no matter what!

Oh gosh! Just saw the title and guess I need to.join this thread! Clueless!

tumpymummy

That makes two of us then

This is definetly the place to be-everyone is very friendly and helpful.

If you read back to the beginning of this thread I'm sure you will find it useful. Good luck!

NET x

Welcome tumpymummy!!

This thread has been trundling on through the horror that was GCSEs and without it I would have been an emotional wreck 😀

The amount of knowledge that the others have is invaluable.

Sorry somethingsmellsnice I forgot to say-great news about your DF. Onwards and upwards

NET x

Sost as long as dgd listens carefully to the advice from Cambridge regarding applications, I'm sure she'll be fine! Take up any offer of interview practice as well because it's invaluable - although it sounds like she's already getting practice by doing things like the trustee scheme.
DS's school has one period a week called 'pre-uni' and I suspect in the Sumner term it will be all about writing the PS. It will be interesting to see what advice he gets and if it helps him be a bit more decisive...

Good advice Loose and the best place to look is the Cambridge website, its brilliant and colleges own website too. Be wary of teachers and other adults giving advice based on what it was like when they were there !!

We also have to remember that our DC have a huge advantage already over other bright DC who have no idea where to look for this info and don't have schools and parents directing them and often they don't even realise such info and opportunities exist or are possible for them. Initiatives such as teach first and uni outreach are doing more is some areas but its still nowhere near a level playing field areas and I think its absolutely right that outreach gives priority to those who need it most.

I get what you are saying Sost but medicine talks will be useful for her too as will talks in unrelated topics too.

Changing the subject - I hope everyone enjoys the last day of half term and this amazing weather.

Sost has DVD accessed the UNIQ digital website yet. It's from the Sutton Trust & Oxford. DD has had to slot into the HE+ history programme at SFC as they don't do a politics stream. I think it is more about participating than necessarily being subject specific, as there are so many options for your actual application.

I had no idea about the Cambridge master classes until you all started to talk about them. Luckily I as able to manage a 3 hour drive each way & pay for a hotel, but if I was back home in Cornwall everything from open days to master classes would gave been an impossible dream.

For those who have just popped in, please don't think we are a bunch of neurotic Oxbridge-driven helicopter parents. I think we've got a bit distracted recently because there are lots of year 12 opportunities at the moment. Most of us see Oxbridge as a bit of a lottery and will have our feet firmly on the ground d again soon.

Your right sticker it’s more about listening to delivery different to A level style teaching and being able to discuss information recieved - not necessarily picking up subject matter

Getting a bit worried here as this time next year DS will be applying for jobs and apprenticeships and I can’t use my knowledge from assisting two uni applications to help him and school have no experience of this either. I guess we’ll have to learn together and from you kind people who have been there.

Yes although my year 12 DS is potentially Oxbridge my eldest was low A level grades, low ranked uni but now is in a high paying grad job, middle about to graduate from an RG having got in as insurance on lower than offer (and middling grades) grades so I can offer a range of advice including accommodation ans tenancy agreements when we become a uni/post A level thread!!!

Another one here with a DC who got modest A-level results and is studying at a non-Russell group university. My younger two are a similar level of ability and may decide not to take the university route.

When it comes to my children, DS2 (with his high GCSE results and Oxbridge aspirations) is an anomaly.

it sounds like we may have the numbers for a GCSE 18 meet up on 22/6!

I can do Apprenticeships, just not in anything IT or engineering related.

What's happening on 22/6? Warwick? I'll be at sea, taking visually impaired cousin on a cruise without her guide dog, so acting as guide human.

That's Sticker. Will definitely be some sort of computing but as far as narrowing it down he's got as far as not cyber security and ''more tech/science focused than business focussed''. Had a look at the EY ones I think you posted but may be a bit too businessy for him and probably very competitive. Need to look at everything at this stage tho as its early days and we don't really know what's out there.

Aw we already did Warwick too and although it is likely to be an application it will be well down the list and Durham wa rejected outright!!

Oratory not sure if you have seen this. I think it may have been me that sent the EY ones.

www.notgoingtouni.co.uk/sector/it