Year 13 2024/2025 - support, discussion and looking after each other - continuation from year 12 thread

[elkiedee]

I've just realised that the year 12 2023/2024 thread is full - oops! - last message on 16 August - don't know if someone started another continuation thread but I can't see it. This coming year DS1 does A levels and university applications, DS2 will be in his GCSE year.

If there is a thread already started please let me know.

Congratulations @PhotoDad!

Nothing for DD yet although a couple of emails saying they are processing her application.

Congrats to your DS @PhotoDad

Great news for PhotoSon! I bet it feels like a bit of pressure off to get an offer so early.

Well done, PhotoSon!

So DS emailed Imperial about the ESAT and they replied to say it’s just admin that leads them to encourage the first sitting in October; the interviews will be done early and offers sent earlier. But apparently it makes no difference to the January sitting, just that interviews will be in February. So he’s doing that. He’s visibly relieved to have more time.

@PhotoDad that's great news, a real boost.

@Banan0 sorry to hear things are tough. I would seek support from the school. My DS is retaking year 13 after a health emergency in April meant he couldn't sit A levels. There are several students retaking the year for various reasons, & it's worth considering if that might help his confidence.

Excellent news @PhotoDad !

It’ll be November before ds gets his in - as he has exams followed by a school trip at half term - no hurry for him though

DC1’s having a few woes over her UCAS form. She has some different subject choices on her form. I know this is unorthodox, but they’re not wildly unrelated. Basically, she has picked subjects A+B at two universities, and A+C at three. A and C are subjects she’s not done before (one isn’t a A level subject, one is only offered very rarely and is more commonly taken from scratch at university). B is one of her A level subjects. Admissions requirements for all of the degrees tend to be subject B at a high grade, as it's related to A and C.

College aren’t impressed and are saying late in the day that she should have made a firm choice between B and C. They think that having to cover both weakens her PS and reference, and is likely to knock her chances of Oxford on the head. The latter isn’t a massive disincentive to her – she’s never been of an Oxbridge or bust mindset – but she’s not happy. She firmly does not want to change her choices.

And yes, I did raise this as a possible pitfall much earlier, but as far as she’s concerned advice from an Aged P counts for naught .

@TheTurn0fTheScrew I think it really depends on how far apart the subjects are. So English and then Biology will be hard to bring together on a personal statement. However it is difficult if they will not take advice. Ds PS firmly based on environmental science but he has put 1 geography course down as well, but they do blend.

@TheTurn0fTheScrew I can understand the concerns about the person statement. I do know that Durham recognises this & allows a second Durham-specific personal statement to be submitted directly to them within 2 weeks of submitting the UCAS form - at least this was the case last year. So perhaps worth checking if your DD's choices offer this. On the other hand, several universities are very clear that they put little importance on the personal statement.

@TheTurn0fTheScrew how do you find out which unis look at the PS and which don’t?

@BlueMarigold The official line from all universities is that they look at the Personal Statement. However individual admissions people from particular departments at particular universities have said at various open days (etc) that they don't look at them. I don't think there's a central list anywhere!

As a massive generalisation, STEM departments place less importance on the PS. On the other hand, for essay subjects it's the only place where the admissions staff can see whether the applicant can write clearly and concisely!

I can confirm that Durham still allows a second personal statement. (So does Cambridge.)

That’s good to know thank you @PhotoDad

@TheTurn0fTheScrew Can your DD write about things that subjects B&C have in common? Presumably they are in the same general area, and there might be books that deal with both?

I once had a student who was applying for Gaelic Studies and also Chinese. She wrote a brilliant PS about the study of culture, and the influence of language on society.

Your examples are on that track @PhotoDad - think anthropology with French, and anthropology with Arabic. So IMO enough transferrable skills between B and C.

A meeting at college to sort things out apparently resulted in DC1 digging her heels in. Oh well. I am comforted by the fact that one of her chosen 5 courses was in clearing last year, so I don't imagine that institution will agonise too much over an otherwise decent candidate. And there's always a gap year if she has really misjudged things...

DS PS has been submitted, the school will now look at it and he gas to have a meeting with his head of year re reference. He looked so relieved when he did it. He said one girl in his year is checking her emails constantly to see if she has offers. I am not sure he will be that on it. He said he hopes she gets all her offers quickly as if not it will be a long winter with her!!!

That's a relief @mumonthehill.

I absolutely would have been that girl if offers came out by email when I applied about a hundred years ago. I definitely remember the feeling of disappointment on seeing the postie pass our house by when I was waiting for offers.

Mocks for my daughter this week. Unfortunately one is 8.30am the morning after a gig in London!

I think DS’ process will be longer now he has decided to take the January ESAT - means he’s adjusted his deadline for UCAS form to mid November and he won’t get offers till December; and ICL obviously Jan/ Feb if he gets one. So he will be waiting a long time yet!

Oof. No one needs that. Hope the mocks go smoothly.

No mocks here until February, and no entrance tests since DD has decided to apply next year with grades in hand. Best of luck to all DC sitting mocks and entrance tests etc now!

DD has mocks in January along with some exams that count towards her final grades. She’s doing a slightly odd combination of one A-level, one BTec and one Cambridge Technical.

Not sure how much progress she’s made with her UCAS form. Done a couple of open days but she’s unsure about moving away and likes the course at a local university. I’m trying to get her to consider other options. Also looking at apprenticeships.

Ds I think will also have mocks in January. He has a chemistry test in Monday to determine his predicted grade. He bern doing well in chem after the disaster of AS so hopefully he will be predicted a B. He has gone up to visit Leeds tomorrow and has been offered the chance to do a training session with the uni club for his sport so is looking forward to it. Leeds i rather far from us though so part of me hoping he does not like it!!!

DC1 has just let me know that she has her first offer. It's from Birmingham, and is lower than her (admittedly ambitious) predicted grades. She's visited and really liked it, and in a theoretical world where she got more offers it was always planned to be her insurance choice. I'd also love her to go as it's the nearest of her choices, and probably the only one where I could reasonably nip and meet her for Sunday lunch if I miss her too much .