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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

A Level Anxiety

895 replies

Toffee22 · 14/08/2011 22:42

Only 4 more "sleeps" until the A level results come out - not that I will be doing much sleeping...

Eldest son wants to study medicine. 3 "A's" required no slip ups allowed. Have just checked and most medical schools don't accept re-sits. How can I face looking at the cold hard facts at some point on Thursday. I'm sure it will be difficult for my son too! When I tried to talk to him about it today instead of a response he said he would do an "impression of a tree". It wasn't even a very good impression. What does this mean?

OP posts:
mumoverseas · 18/08/2011 12:36

fellatio fingers crossed for your DS.

duchesse hope you manage to get through to insurance and get him in or something through clearing. What does he want to do?

RoseC · 18/08/2011 12:38

Fellatio Would it be worth (if your DS didn't say in the first call) ringing UEA back to say he knows he has to wait until after 4pm but he really wants to go to UEA and study (Philosophy/English) so could they please consider him also for the places he has seen on clearing in (Philosophy/English+other subject)?

I don't know if they operate a waiting list for clearing places - someone who works in admissions/a lecturer might know better than me - but if they do then they could hold him a place until 4pm, just in case? They might give him priority as an existing applicant. Sorry if it seems like I'm pushing dual degrees/other subjects - it's just after our conversation yesterday (?) up thread when you said it was something he might consider.

duchesse · 18/08/2011 12:41

Engineering. He was doing maths physics and chemistry. Was predicted A in phyics, B in maths and C in chemistry.

Corvax · 18/08/2011 12:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NorksAreMessy · 18/08/2011 12:43

very proud for missdissorganised1, well done, well done, well done.

Am lurking and watching, as I have all this to got hrough next year, except that IB results come out earlier. I have been feeling your stress, though.

duchesse · 18/08/2011 12:46

Bloody DH and DS still not back from school! There wonèt be any places left at this rate.

basingstoke · 18/08/2011 13:01

Will they be doing the ringging around at school duchesse? I've just got back from my school and there are a number of students there (and teachers!) contacting universities. The sixth form area is full of newspapers open at clearing lists.

Well done to all who have got what they needed, and commiserations and positive vibes for those who haven't.

My students have on the whole done well, but there are a few who have just missed what they need, and it is completely gutting.

duchesse · 18/08/2011 13:14

No, they're back, and DS is still faffing around trying to get onto track to see what Loughborough has said.

housewife19 · 18/08/2011 13:15

What a day and its only just gone 1pm. was up at 5.45am DD brought in tea didnt want to be on her own and dont blame her. Got email just after 6am as promised and got onto Track about 7am which was earlier than promised.
Got what she needed and gets to go first choice , so all happy but tired bunnies, such a stressfull time for all of us . You dont want to lose them but you want there dreams for them. My heart goes out to those who are struggling .xx

PercyPigPie · 18/08/2011 13:16

Wow Missdisorganised1 - you clearly need to change your name for starters Grin. Your Mum and Dad would have been so proud.

RoseC · 18/08/2011 13:17

Can your DS ring Loughborough? If it's yes then it'll be faster than trying to log on and if it's the worst case then he can try to negotiate a place. If he calls it's a good idea to have his marks statement next to him and have a couple of reasons about why he wants to study Engineering - his passion for it etc. I think there was some sound advice up thread about how to talk about lower than expected grades to admissions tutors (class sizes etc.).

Fingers crossed for you.

FellatioNelson · 18/08/2011 13:24

Of course it's his choice gail and that was said firmly tongue in cheek.

Well, not that firmly actually. But when I am not expected to stump up money to supplement his lincome through uni then I'll back off and cease to have an opinion about whether he has made wise or foolish choices.

FellatioNelson · 18/08/2011 13:24

income

FellatioNelson · 18/08/2011 13:25

Rose when I looked this morning there was nothing AT ALL on clearing from UEA except science subjects. I'll look again to see if it has been updated.

duchesse · 18/08/2011 13:29

He did and they haven't offered him a place. There are plenty of Physics places left though.

lostmymind · 18/08/2011 13:29

DS has been confirmed for medicine! Just got back from school/friends etc, delighted for him and a huge sigh of relief from us. OP any news? You were waiting for the same if I recall, fingers crossed that all is ok. And many congratulations to all parents and new freshers alike !

jugglingwiththreeshoes · 18/08/2011 13:34

Oohh ! how exciting lostmymind Congratulations !

RoseC · 18/08/2011 13:36

Fellatio - I've just looked too (didn't want to clog it up for genuine applicants) and seen. I'm sorry. I really hope they keep a place for him on Phil & Eng.

I saw Phil & Eng places left at Kent and another uni with a good reputation (can't remember which one) so he could try somewhere else if it is bad news.

BCBG · 18/08/2011 13:37

sieglinde and others I would really appreciate some advice as have very stressed DS Sad, he has A's 99% 91% 88% in AS Biology, Chemistry and Physics, and a high A in Maths AS, but he took the A2 early and bombed the mechanics module 61% and 57%, which has brought his overall maths down to a B. He wants to read vet medicine and his school has set his bloody heart on Cambridge, and now instead of being happy with his results he is stressing about the A2 maths result and not sure about taking Further Maths which is what he had intended to do. Please can anyone give him/me perspective over what Cambridge might actually expect from him? He had a bad attack of nerves in the A2 paper having got 90% in the mocks so its not like he can't do it, but I am thinking a resit is too much work and Cambridge won't consider it anyway? thanks

jugglingwiththreeshoes · 18/08/2011 13:40

Talking of Kent, the DC's and I were staying on campus there this summer, with a Quaker conference/gathering. I thought it was a lovely site and city, and a definite contender when it's my DC's turn ! Smile

eatyourveg · 18/08/2011 13:41

UEA also had Law earlier

hellsbells4 · 18/08/2011 13:49

thank goodness we weren't relying on dd getting into uni. She decided to work for a year full time - and has now been working for 2 months and loving it - just as well, as the A level results were even worse than predicted. Shock
C English
E ICT
Failed - AS business studies
Just hope she continues to enjoy and do well in her job

sieglinde · 18/08/2011 13:53

BCBG, have messaged you rather than clog up the thread, but my advice to EVERYONE is to make contact with some OXBRIDGE SUBJECT TUTORS and ask the questions. we are not ogres!

FellatioNelson · 18/08/2011 13:57

Quick, quick! HELP! I've just got through to his track choices finally and I see that his insurance choice at Reading has been updated to 'unconditional'.
(even though they wanted basicall the same as UEA Confused)

Does that mean they will definitely take him? And if he has a firm place with his insurance choice does that mean he cannot opt to hang on for UEA's answer?! HEEEEELP!

snorkie · 18/08/2011 13:58

congrats to everyone with confirmed places and best of luck to those who are disappointed and battling with clearing - try not to lose heart, keep a clear head and hopefully land a suitable course somewhere.

BCBG congrats to your ds too - brilliant results. I always thought universities were OK with module resits, but not resiting the whole year. I know vet med is very competitive, but would think your ds still has a chance especially if he's done all the extra curricular animal work that the vet schools like too.

I have ds's results in a sealed envelope on the mantlepiece and am feeling especially virtuous as it was given to me unsealed and I didn't peek and sealed it myself. He will be home around 6pm to open them.