Year 13 2024 - General support thread part 2

[Rollergirl11]

All welcome as our young people head in to their last full term before the summer exams. Between UCAS applications, receiving offers/rejections, learning to drive and taking driving tests, revising for mocks and sitting them the pace hasn’t let up for our DC.

This thread has been a lovely supportive and immensely helpful place to talk as we guide our DC’s through this challenging time!

Old thread here https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/further_education/4851165-year-13-20232024-general-support-thread?page=40&reply=132323436

I think Exeter allocate randomly after results don't they? Or at least they did when DS was eyeing them up a couple of years ago. You have to apply before that but not especially early I don't think. Maybe a window of April-June or something like that? From what I remember it's no advantage to apply early, everyone just goes into the same pot unless it's changed since then. Unlike Nottingham (where he ended up) who start allocating in the spring. Popular halls fill up pretty quickly there, as DS discovered, and you have to firm before you can apply.

Tbf I don’t know where DD has got that from ref Exeter.

Don't take my word for it! But I'm pretty sure it wasn't one to worry about when DS was looking.

@stoneysongs what time in spring did Nottingham start offering accomodation to those that had firmed? It's one of two that my DD is thinking of firming. Clashing offer days and a family commitment means that she's doing one in Feb and the other end of March. So if they open the accommodation applications in March that'll be bad, but if it's April then that's OK for us.

According to my diary it was 4 April, so hopefully it will just about work out 🤞

Here you go @WriterOfWrongs

Oh cheers @stoneysongs , that's good news. The last open day is around the 23rd March so DD will def have made her decision by beg of April.

I didn't google myself because I'm not even looking at anything online for either of her top 2 choices because I don't want to jinx it, I'm starting to get anxious about it all. DD has had a difficult past few years. Firstly having to change schools to have her SEND needs met, and then having health issues and having to have time out and move to another educational setting so she can do A levels in a year. So another new start has me worried about her making the right choice, and cognisant that there's so many variables. She doesn't seem that anxious, it's just me!

Update: DS mentioned in passing that he submitted his UCAS form last night. Not sure where he's applied to but hey..

Good luck to the Cambridge hopefuls this week!

@Rainsdropskeepfalling that's good news, I think I'd have to ask him where he's applied to!

DS is fluctuating now by being mega excited about his first choice UCL and worrying that he won't get the grades (this is a bit unfounded tbf as unless he has a disaster he should be fine). They have an offer open day in April but applications for accommodation starts at the beginning of March for those who have firmed. He has a clear view of what he is looking for accommodation wise and will be applying for DSA and has some access needs. I might give the accommodation team a call as I think it's allocated on first come first served but I don't know if having a disability would mean that he can afford to wait as his needs mean he's likely to be given the accommodation he wants as they have specific DDA rooms.

DS's disability means that he doesn't always cope so well with uncertainty, so I'm hoping this isn't too much of a distraction. I keep telling him that it will do him no good to focus on the outcomes too much but I'm not sure how much he is listening. He would definitely have benefitted more from a grades in hand system but wanted to apply with everyone else.

Unless it has changed since last summer, UCL is not first come first served for undergrads, so the only pressure is to firm and apply for accom before their deadline. It used to be in May, so earlier than the general ucas deadline, but I don't know if that is still the case this year. The allocations drift out later in the summer, which can be a little hair raising (after results).

But definitely worth emailing accom re special needs.

@Rainsdropskeepfalling dd has also submitted hers (to school with payment) so hopefully they will submit it soon.

Fingers crossed for all those waiting for Cambridge offers on Wednesday. Ds has an interview this week but he's just come down with a grotty cold so I'm ladling meds into him to try and get him well again before the day!

We are waiting for Cambridge on Wednesday but DS2 also has UCL interview on that day and he has also come down with a cold.

Ooh this is quite an Oxbridge-heavy thread it seems. I am not one of you but am thinking of those of you waiting for D-Day Wednesday 🤞

That is a frustratingly timed trio of circumstances to deal with @losingtheplot999 !

Also fingers crossed for the two UCAS submissions that have gone in or about to go in.

I hope your ladling of meds works @QueenMabby !

I don’t think it’s especially Oxbridge heavy on this thread @WriterOfWrongs - probably just a few mentions as Cambridge offers are this week.

Gotcha @SooperOuting Me saying that wasn't an insult btw

Good luck to your ds @QueenMabby for his interview and for those submitting in the next few days.

Good luck to the Cambridge hopefuls too for Weds and for their other offers.

Best of luck for the interview @QueenMabby & to all the Cambridge hopefuls.

We're into the second week of mocks, DS seems quite motivated today but all three remaining papers are on Thursday & Friday so it'll feel like a slog. Hoping to book onto offer-holder days at Liverpool & Lancaster once he's through the exams...also to look into accommodation.

I feel your pain @legosnowqueen, ds last one is tomorrow though thank goodness. Hope the mock results have been as expected for the dc getting g their results soon.

So it was a no from Cambridge for DD today. She’s completely fine and ready to move on. It feels like a weight has been lifted tbh. She’s now just waiting for that elusive Durham offer!

She received her marked English coursework back and she’s received full marks so she’s really pleased with that.

She’s heading off to a mock interview laid on by college this evening to give them some interview experience. The guy who’s doing it went to Cambridge so DD is really hoping she doesn’t have to talk about her rejection with him. She could do without it to be honest but I’m proud of her that she’s still going.

@Rollergirl11 well done on full marks on the coursework, that’s ace!

Not surprised you’re proud of your DD still going tonight, that shows resilience, integrity and commitment. Well done her.

My DD has unfortunately had big last- minute changes and set-backs in her health support. Being autistic, this has overwhelmed her during this time of flux and upcoming change. Very stressful and I’m her emotional punchbag tbh.

@Rollergirl11 so sorry, but full of admiration for your DD...full marks on coursework is ace too.

Wonder if there will be a flurry of knock-on offers & rejections as people either firm Cambridge or firm other offers...come on Durham, let us know either way...this is agony for our young people & for a planner like me!

Well done to your DD @Rollergirl11 - hope this evening is all right for her.

DD is despondent as some friends got Cambridge offers and she’s feeling like she’s rubbish at not having got an Oxford one. School seems to have had lots of offers this year which doesn’t help either.

And she’s said if she doesn’t get three A* then she’ll feel there’s no point - the offers she has are a maximum of 3 A. I need to build her up a bit but not sure how really. I do actually feel Oxford could have been too pressured for her - her feeling of lack of self belief would have been intensified there but I wish it could have happened without 3 close friends getting offers…

@Rollergirl11 sorry to hear that. Fingers crossed for Durham for her. The resilience this builds shouldn’t be underestimated in its importance and as much as we hate our DC being disappointed it’s a really important part of life.

My DS has had some pretty appalling things happen in his life and it’s shaped him in a way I’m really proud of. There’s much more depth to him now compared to some of his peers that have just sailed through life. This, I believe, is a really strong foundation for his adult life. (Ever the optimist!)