University Applications ........

[mummyofteens]

Can someone please explain to me how university place offers are already been given to some young people when the closing date for applications is not until the middle of January. Most of my son's friends haven't even submitted their application yet :/

optimisticmumma

ELAT I think.

Gawd - you must have been horrified when he got his injury with exam on the calendar. DS broke his hand just before his art GCSE..
they do it to make us crazy.

Hope he did well

I will be going to some open days with DD, not because she cannot be independent but because she wants me to look round with her and values my opinion. I also enjoy the day out. Probably won't go to interviews. She will do the arranging and bookings etc.

As for personal statement, she will need expert help with hers, my command of written English isn't up to scratch, I never went to Uni and don't know what is expected on a PS.

DS1 received two unconditional offers today - from Sussex and Kent!

I am beside myself with happiness (and relief). DS1 is so laid back about it I think he's falling over.

Am so pleased.

Congratulations to you and your DS

lovely happy dance there BIWI

very well done there babyBIWIW

Great news! What degree is he taking BIWIW?

That's amazing news BIWIW - unconditional too, wow!
DS1 has a conditional offer from Manchester so he was relieved by that although he obviously has to get the grades....

Thank you!

He has unconditional offers because he is applying with his grades.

He messed up his AS levels (got CCCE) which meant that his predicted grades that his college put on his first UCAS application were CCC - so it was pointless him applying for any of the 'better' universities.

He was offered a place at Bath Spa, on the basis that he had to get 260 points, which had to include Cs for both history and philosophy.

In the final event, he actually got AAB. So he turned down his place and re-applied - which has meant we have had to go through the whole application/personal statement torment all over again.

And, of course, applying to 'better' unversities means that it's even more competitive, and therefore the chance of not receiving an offer was pretty high - not that he was bothered about it, but DH and I were really concerned about that.

He has offers to do history and philosophy.

We're still waiting to hear from two of his choices as well!

I can't tell you how relieved I am. It has been such an emotional rollercoaster this summer.

oh BIWI, that is wonderful news, well done him

Thank you!

Oh I see BIWI it would help if I'd read the whole thread properly!! Well, it must be such a relief to you and your DH to have it all sorted so early on...

It is a relief.

To be honest, it just highlights what is a really stupid system. Why don't they all apply when they have their grades? DS is, in effect, wasting a whole year. Because he hadn't planned on a gap year, he is now scratting around to try and find a job - which is proving difficult.

If they could wait until they had their grades before they applied then the whole system would be much more streamlined.

but there wouldn't be time to deal with all the admin between mid-Aug & late Sept/early Oct - either they'd have to wait until the following year, or start the new university year in January or something

I think a bit of tweaking to the exam calendar - ensure that they finish in June - and then possibly start a bit later in the year - can't see how it can't be achieved.

There must be such a lot of wastage in the current system - DS can't be the only one who has gone through this (never mind the ones who have gone through it and not got a place because they didn't get the grades they wanted)

Bring back a year of military service, community work, VSO or apprenticeship! That would make sure people applied with grades and did something productive on their year out

Can't see it being too popular though.

also, of course, they don't need 3 years for most degrees - time to think about increasing the workload & doing it in 2.

Good idea, Ponders, especially in view of what it COSTS!