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Higher education

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

Original poster

Still waiting to hear from Durham

255 replies

ryansbeat · 12/01/2015 09:56

Would anyone like to join me in the wait to hear from Durham....feeling so stressed on DDs behalf as she is convinced that she won't get an offer (having been rejected by Oxford). I think that if she doesn't get an offer there she's going to take a year out and reapply....she says she'll be more upset to get rejected by Durham than Oxford. Just wish they would make a decision either way so she can plan ahead. Anyone else waiting to hear....why do they take so long?

OP posts:
Tantalisingduck · 29/01/2015 11:41

ryansbeat DD is going to Castle (University College) so very close to St. Chad's. (She deferred her place from 2014 which is why she already knows her college).
Assuming things haven't changed this year, you do not have to firm to be allocated a college, which should happen shortly. Once the Faculty has made you an offer a college will definitely take you, if it is not your first choice you will be given another college. Then there's an offer holders day and overnight stay in March (they told me booking for this will open in mid February - DD didn't go last year so is keen to go this year) where your DD should be able to stay in her allocated college.
I think the time for firming/insurance acceptances is sometime in May so plenty of time yet.

Also one of DD's friends got a conditional offer for Psychology last year and a place at St Chard's or St Mary's ( can't remember which - her chosen college), attended the post offer open day, just missed her offer come August getting A* A B rather than 3 As and was accepted after a few days delay onto the course but at University College. Which is odd because anecdotal evidence is that that is the most over subscribed college, but she's been super happy so far this year.

AuntyMacassar · 29/01/2015 12:03

My DS1 is in his third year reading Maths and Physics at Durham. He loves it there and it's a great place. He chose Aidans as his college and loved it there in his first year. He has been in rented for the last two years though so not quite as involved with the college. All in all Durham seems a really good place.

grovel · 29/01/2015 12:29

Hello, Aunty, my DS left Durham two years ago. He was at Aidans too and loved it. Horrid architecture (even if it was designed by Basil Spence) but great and welcoming atmosphere.

BirdintheWings · 07/02/2015 21:34

Bumping, as DS has just had an offer on Friday -- anyone else still waiting?

lalamumto3 · 08/02/2015 20:32

Hi congrats on the offer, my DD is still waiting to hear.

BirdintheWings · 08/02/2015 21:26

Hope she hears soon, Lala!

webwiz · 08/02/2015 21:59

Still waiting

PowderMum · 08/02/2015 22:24

Still waiting

mrsrhodgilbert · 09/02/2015 15:44

Still waiting for English. Dd seems to think some people, not sure where she is getting this info though, have received rejections. Has anyone else heard this? If so, maybe no news is still good news. Starting to do the rounds of offer days elsewhere now but she is still longing for a Durham offer.

Mindgone · 09/02/2015 17:04

Still waiting

webwiz · 09/02/2015 22:09

Offer for DS! He's just got back from a play rehearsal and so has just checked his emails. Very excited after the disappointment with Cambridge.

Molio · 09/02/2015 23:00

Really, really pleased for your DS webwiz. Fab news. Durham is great (actually, I've got a feeling you went to Durham (like me)? If so, you know! And apologies).

Mindgone · 09/02/2015 23:44

Great news webwiz! :)

Original poster
ryansbeat · 10/02/2015 07:39

Fantastic news webwiz, so pleased for you and your DS!

Thinking of everyone still waiting, hope there will be good news very soon.

OP posts:
lalamumto3 · 10/02/2015 16:25

Fantastic news, fingers crossed for all still waiting

webwiz · 10/02/2015 18:37

Thanks for the congrats everyone I hope those still waiting hear some good news soon. And yes Molio I did go to Durham so I know its a good fit for DS. I'm trying to rein in the trips down memory lane so that I don't put him off!

PowderMum · 11/02/2015 07:16

News just in .... DD has her offer, high as predicted, she now just has to study hard to get there....not sure I can take the pressure!

webwiz · 11/02/2015 07:52

Well done to your DD powdermum

Original poster
ryansbeat · 11/02/2015 19:02

Great news PowerMum, fully agree with you, I don't think I can take the pressure either!

Good luck to those waiting, no news is good news, that's what I told myself.

OP posts:
northofwatfordsouthofliverpool · 11/02/2015 21:06

Hi. Just to let you know that my DD (Cambridge rejected) received her offer for English on Monday. AAA*. So there is some movement now

webwiz · 11/02/2015 22:48

Northofwatford well done to your DD. DS was rejected from Cambridge for English as well so I they did a batch of offers on Monday.

northofwatfordsouthofliverpool · 12/02/2015 08:40

Your DS should take comfort from the fact that last year for English at Durham the average A level grades achieved by new starters was higher than that for Cambridge. Some of the decisions made by Cambridge are frankly ludicrous.

I went to Durham myself many years ago and I am confident that my DD will have a great time

KittiesInsane · 12/02/2015 09:43

I'm just hoping DS will take his Durham offer! I think it would suit him down to the ground, but he's worried about being at the bottom of the heap amongst all the 'confident clever posh kids'.

Would some parents of nice, anxious, clever-but-not-intimidating offspring, posh or otherwise, like to reassure him?

RandomFriend · 12/02/2015 12:57

KittiesInsane I think you are on the right track encouraging your DS to take the course that will suit him best in terms of course content.

I have pm'd you.

gonegrey56 · 12/02/2015 13:15

KittiesInsane

My lovely DD is kind, supportive, decent , not at all intimidating, angst-ridden at times, etc etc and she LOVES Durham. She sent me a text 24 hrs after starting saying "I simply can't believe that I nearly turned this place down" (she, too, worried about fitting in..)
Please do your utmost to encourage your DS to go!