Thread 19 - Corona Cohort, Enrolling on Year 13, hopefully NOT unlucky for some

[OrangeCinnamonCocktail]

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Next question: other than obviously distance and longer degrees , what do we need to consider/know to weigh up applying to a Scottish university?

I can't remember what subject Piggy your DD wishes to study but direct entry into second year seems common doing sciences/maths if predicted good grades.

DS did an online applicants session for St Andrews. They were very clear about the flexibility to change course after doing multiple subjects in the first and second years. Example was something like applied for history: Did history, economics and latin in year one, at end of year two decided to do pure economics BA.

He wants to do society, policy and politics at Edinburgh or economic and social history with social policy at Glasgow. These degrees are fairly unique so it's not like he could do it at somewhere closer. You can't do three years, I don't think, but will check.

I'm not a huge fan of Edinburgh myself but the course does sound great.

@NCTDN

Dd doesn't need her ucas application done for college until mid October!

Same but I assume that is because our DD/DS's aren't applying for medicine/dentistry or Oxbridge.

DDs 1st draft is due 20th Sept, and school send off UCAS applications in November.

She is off at Park Life today & tomorrow. PS to start - 3 exams to revise for (only told about last week and will count towards UCAS predictions), MOCS to watch so she can write about them in her PS - all in all I am not looking forward to being around her in the next 2 weeks as she is can be snippy when under stress (plus still not feeling that well)... oh joy.

On the plus side - we are going "home" the following weekend and I can't wait to see my old friends. I am really looking forward to it. Will also be taking in Bath & Bristol uni whilst down that way. Not sure we will manage Swansea as hoped.

RE Scottish Unis, I love the idea of being 4 yr courses, the Biology course in Glasgow looked great, very flexible and 1st year very general, covered so much. But DD not interested in going to Scotland apparently.

I do remember reading something probably on here that the scottish unis appeared higher on the uni tables due to their scoring criteria being different but I can't remember exactly what was said now - story of my life since being perimenapausal!

Piggy - how did your first week back go?
Sorry to hear about DD/DS not feeling good - I'm sorry I can't find the posts I wanted to comment on now.

Also well done to someone EPQ - god I wish my memory was better. I often don't comment about your DS/DD because I have forgotten what I read and then can't find it - but I do read all your comments and definitely am interested even if I don't comment.

I did two full days and some part days. It was OK . First week back always exhausting anyway. I actually went for a curry last Night! Had a small portion but it
went down OK!

I have been surprised to read of a few on the Facebook WIWIKAU page of dc's applying to Oxbridge when they have not got high gcse grades in some subjects. As far as I know our school tell the pupils that they think should apply to oxbridge. They only choose pupils with all 9's or A* at gcse and A star predictions at A level. Is that how other schools do it?

Obviously not thinking of oxbridge for any of mine. But I'm just curious. Ds1 has a good friend at Cambridge. Ds was always amazed at how everything seemed so easy to him. He is such a nice lad too. The sort who would get on with anyone.

@Piggywaspushed that’s an interesting question about Scottish Unis!
After a ‘quick google’ - dangerous, I know - the 4 year degree results in a MA or MSc
BUT that’s considered to be the equivalent of a BA or BSc ?

Yes, because it's not a Masters as such...

ican DS certainly doesn't have that grade profile. Equally, I have taught kids who do and don't apply.

My nephew applied to Oxford for law and he didn’t have all 9s. He got through to the interview stage and a comment was made that his 7 in maths wasn’t good enough.
He got 3A* this summer and has gone to Glasgow uni.

I can NOBODY got all A*s at DS1's school in his GCSE year, even though it is one of the better state schools with lots of bright kids, some of whom got into Oxbridge, but only for Arts/Humanity subjects. Cambridge would be happy with maths applicants who had weaker results in English and Languages as long as they are very good at maths. I think the opposite is also true, if you are a brilliant composer but scraped through maths/science subjects they will be happy to consider you.

Piggy not sure what you want to know about Scottish universities. Lots of good things about studying in Scotland, apart from the great courses, they get free bus travel until 21 (inclusive), free dentist treatment until 25 or 26. Scottish universities have not been great during Covid, St Andrews still has too much on line and the solution to catered halls developed by Edinburgh was shocking - all sitting exam style at exam tables 2m from anyone else, facing the back of the person in front. The flexibility is great, gives them a chance to try things before committing. This time last year DS1 discovered he could do first year modules of both Engineering and Sports Science and decide which way to go after he had tried both.

@Heifer the league table thing is that A at Advanced higher gets the same points as A* at A level and they also get points from their Highers. AS levels were usually part of the A level grade so did not get counted unless subject was dropped after AS, so Scottish applicants have higher UCAS points than equivalent English applicants.

I suppose I want to know do you end up paying a lot more than you would if you stayed in England?

Hi Dd had another big seizure in her sleep. We’re back from hospital and she’s asleep. We caught it early, she was blue as oxygen sats 53%. She’s lost the memory of 2 ambulance crews in her bedroom but that’s it I think. She’s shattered mentally and physically. I don’t think I will ever sleep soundly again! I am coming off this thread for a bit. I debated whether to post (didn’t want to derail) but I know some of you from way back before the mystery virus hit her. Take care everyone, please give your DCs a big soppy hug - especially if they pretend they are too grown up to like it. X

Sorry to hear that Zanda and hope for better days to come for DD and you soon

Oh, big hugs to you and dd, ZandathePanda. There are many, many things more important than A-levels. Take care of her and yourself and hope to hear better things soon.

So sorry zanda. Come back to us when you feel ready.

Sending best wishes to Zanda DD and family, well done for spotting it before it was even worse.

Piggy, yes, you borrow 4 years of fees and maintenance and parents have 4 years to top up, but as only approx 15% of students are expected byartob Lewis to end up paying back all fees, the numbers are usually fairly nominal.

@Monkey2001

Piggy, yes, you borrow 4 years of fees and maintenance and parents have 4 years to top up, but as only approx 15% of students are expected byartob Lewis to end up paying back all fees, the numbers are usually fairly nominal.

I thought I had read that you only pay for 3 years fees (think it was Glasgows website I was reading the other day) but I assumed 4 yrs mainenance.

Zanda - so sorry to hear that = please do come back to us when you feel up to it. x

Tuition fees for students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland Total cost
4-year honours degree £27,750
Language 5-year degree £27,750
4-year degree that includes Erasmus Exchange/Work Placement £27,750
MEng/MSci 5-year degree £37,000
Advanced Entry into year 2 £27,750
Non Honours degree £27,750
Degree in Dentistry / Medicine / Veterinary Medicine £46,250

@Zandathepanda that must have been very frightening for you. Huge hug and all best wishes to your lovely DD.

Piggy not all Scottish unis charge 4 years of fees. Edinburgh and St A do, Glasgow doesn’t. If only charges 3 years fees to a RUK pupil.

So sorry to hear this @Zandathepanda

Zanda to you and your family.

So sorry to hear that Zanda, how scary for you all. Take really good care of yourself and we are here if you need us 💐

So sorry to hear about that @Zandathepanda. Look after yourselves

@Zandathepanda