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Higher education

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

Original poster

Fresh new 'mum of a medicine applicant' thread.

559 replies

Mindgone · 11/11/2014 11:58

I thought I would start a new one, as the last one went a bit 'off topic'! How's everyone getting on? Am so excited, and a bit nervous, as DS has two interviews coming up! How is everyone else's DCs preparing? Also, any tips from anyone who's been there?

OP posts:
Carriemac · 29/09/2015 18:42

Omg better not to know perhaps . At least they're settling in ??

HMW9793 · 12/11/2015 14:00

I hope all your DSs & DDs are flourishing at their respective medical schools. Quick update in that our DS turned down his Buckingham offer to have another punt on the 4 UCAS universities willing to consider a re-take applicant and has been invited to his first interview at Plymouth. A way to go yet, needs an offer and then to pass the Chemistry, but it is a step in the right direction.

Decorhate · 12/11/2015 17:27

Best of luck to him HMW

Original poster
Mindgone · 14/11/2015 00:40

HMW, that's great news! Very best of luck to your DS for the interview.
DS has settled in well, and is really enjoying his course. Of his study group of 7, he is one of only two 18 year olds!

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Carriemac · 04/07/2016 16:21

Hello all - just wondering how the first year went for everyone, DS has just moved into his house share for next year, passed all exams and is off to wales with some uni friends for a holiday before starting his summer job.
loves his course thankfully, and leeds

Decorhate · 04/07/2016 16:56

Hi Carrie

Dd also passed her exams, was happy with her mark. It was nice that they got their results back quickly wasn't it?

She is home for the summer, has a job and a couple of holidays planned.

Though we are already paying rent on her new place, at least it is considerably cheaper than halls!

Carriemac · 04/07/2016 20:14

It does feel cheaper than halls, though I'm not sure about the book lils are they are not included for DS s house and I'm hoping they won't be excessive

Decorhate · 05/07/2016 06:06

Initially we thought bills could be included but looks like they have signed up to some sort of bill sharing scheme

Original poster
Mindgone · 17/07/2016 22:58

Hi Carriemac and decorhate, so glad your DCs are well and happy. DS unfortunately has to resit his exams. This came as a big shock to us all. He only missed it by a very small margin, so we are taking comfort that he knows most of it!

OP posts:
Carriemac · 18/07/2016 08:02

Resits so common in medicine, and a small margin mans he should sail through . Did he enjoy the year?

Decorhate · 18/07/2016 18:57

Sorry to hear that Mindgone but fingers crossed that resits will go better. Agree with Carrie that the most important thing is that he likes the course & is enthusiastic about carrying on.

Dd apparently "got the date wrong" for an online exam earlier in the year. She took it (and passed) as soon as she was allowed afterwards but technically she is classed as doing resits. Hmm

Original poster
Mindgone · 19/07/2016 00:38

Thanks both, yes, he's really loved everything over the year. I believe this will be good for him, and either make him stronger, with a better realisation of what's expected, or he's on the wrong course, and better to find out now. (But the latter would be very tough!)

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Carriemac · 05/09/2016 11:00

Mindgone how did the resits go? are all the DCs ready to go back ? Cant believe secon yeard is startinga nd i have 2 DCs going i not upper sixth so its all starting again

Original poster
Mindgone · 05/09/2016 15:16

Carriemac, all went well thanks, and looking forward to second year!
Best of luck doing Y13 again x 2!! That does sound tough! My two are both at uni now, so will have to get used to the empty nest again, it's been a long summer, but last year was surprisingly fine when they both left(!), so I'm sure this year will be too Grin

OP posts:
Decorhate · 05/09/2016 17:08

My dd is on holidays with friends at the moment, will only be a week and a bit once she returns before she is heading back to uni. I think I will find this year a lot better!

As she was in catered halls last year, we have quite a bit of shopping to do beforehand

Decorhate · 08/10/2016 07:53

Hope your dc have all settled back to uni life? Dd is home for a flying visit this weekend.

One thing we were talking about is funding after 4th year. Apparently it is an NHS bursary rather than a student loan for 5th year, but not as high. As we will have another dc at uni by then it will be an expensive year Sad

Carriemac · 09/10/2016 09:58

The NHS bursary pays the fees, and I think 1K non means tested. I think you get some reduced student loan too. There is more support. Available depending on family income.
I'm more worried about intercalating, do they pay fees that year?

Decorhate · 09/10/2016 10:06

Hi Carrie. I would assume so but don't know if they can get an extra year's loan for that. I wonder if they will change the availability of the bursary as they have for nurses. In any case, it's good to know in advance that there will be extra financial support needed further down the line so we can plan ahead.

Decorhate · 09/10/2016 10:16

Looking at the NHS bursury website, it looks like you get the bursury after 4 years, regardless if one of those years is an intercolating year. So it implies you get the bursury (and fees paid) for two years rather than one?

Carriemac · 10/10/2016 12:04

I know! I have potentially two off to uni next year, hoping to persuade one of the DTs to have a gap year to spread the pain a little!

Decorhate · 06/06/2017 19:18

Another year (almost) over! How are all your dc getting on?

Original poster
Mindgone · 15/06/2017 00:41

Hi Decorhate, how are you doing? DS has really enjoyed his second year, and is now nervously awaiting exam results!

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Decorhate · 15/06/2017 19:48

Hi Mindgone. Yes dd really enjoying her course. Also waiting for results here. Fingers crossed! She has just come home this week & luckily seems to have sorted out a summer job.

Apparently next year they will be on placements 4/5 days each week. Seems so soon!

Carriemac · 16/06/2017 23:19

Awaiting results here too, second year seemed to have gone well but will know next Tuesday.

Decorhate · 17/06/2017 06:04

Oh I didn't realise it was going to be Tuesday Carrie, that is quick