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Higher education

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

Original poster

Reapplying to uni- same course

31 replies

thesandwich · 22/08/2015 18:21

After disappointing a2 grades caused by a number of factors dd has decided to take a year out, do some retakes and work experience and reapply to the same course.
I would really appreciate thoughts on how the uni will treat her application- will they discount her or give a higher offer? It was an engineering type course at a RG uni- a quite specialised course.
Should she speak to admissions? All advice welcome- thank you.

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TalkinPeace · 22/08/2015 21:59

Back in the stone age but I put the same uni top on my form two years running and got the grades second time
and got in

Original poster
thesandwich · 22/08/2015 22:17

Thank you!

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WhatWas · 23/08/2015 11:56

If your DD is retaking any modules then there should be no problem at all but if she is reapplying with the same archived grades then I'd give the admissions a call or get your DD to call. If she has lower than expected results might it be better to quickly try and find a place in clearing for this year. It's very late in the day to do it but there are still some places left in clearing - although, maybe less likely if it's an engineering type course.

Generally universities have to be careful to have fair and transparent entry requirements so it's tricky to try and get them to give lower than usual offers to prospective students without good reason.

There have been 'bargain' offers in clearing this year with students getting into very respectable unis with lower than expected grades - it just depends on the course and who is applying (luck?)

13months · 23/08/2015 13:16

I would make contact and find out exactly the situation per course and per uni.

Some will not consider retakes at all - others might look at her A2s in the context of GCSE grades (if they were high and the A2 grades surprisingly low) and then make an offer but it will be a grade higher than the standard offer.

Others might just offer the standard offer on the retake.

So a bit of ringing around will ensure that she knows the score and applies to the right places.

Also look closely at the combinations of courses as the offers vary from straight engineering courses to joint courses eg engineering with xyz

Original poster
thesandwich · 23/08/2015 14:41

Thank you- her GCSEs were great- 8 a * 2a and as were aaab.
She is really keen on this one course so will get her to call once remark on history module is confirmed- disastrous for 9/20 in her year getting u on one module- many lost their first choices because of it. All predicted a or a*. Remark has gone up a bit but does not change the grade- c.
Thank you for your advice- really welcome. Poor dd is gutted.

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13months · 23/08/2015 15:35

Have you pushed the uni or gone through clearing. If the low grade was in history which is not relevant to STEM degree they might over look it if her STEM A2s were good and her STEM AS were all As???

I think it would be mad to take a year out to resit history in order to get on a STEM degree - there is a big push to attract girls to STEM courses - could she widen her scope a bit or is she v set on this one course option?

WhatWas · 23/08/2015 16:45

Wow, that's really harsh. Was it AQA history. I get the impression there have been a lot of surprise results, although it's hard to know if it's the marking or the teaching.

The difference between a U essay and an A essay should be huge but it seems like lots of students who normally get A have come out with really bad grades.

I suspect it will be too late now but it's worth a phone call.

Good luck.

Original poster
thesandwich · 23/08/2015 17:39

Thank you for your replies. It was AQA history. She needed 3 ash having looked at the mark schemes etc we think there have been some issues with teaching- going into school to find out on Friday.
Dd is adamant she doesn't want clearing and we feel it will be very good got her to take a year out- she has lots of illness and health issues plus a family bereavement to deal with this year- and is summer born so I think it will be positive- we will clarify what she needs bug she does want yo resist toro be herself and do some further maths modules too which she was ill for.

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WhatWas · 23/08/2015 17:46

Well I hope it all works out for her. It sounds like she had a lot on her plate.

Have you had a look on student room? There's a big long thread on AQA history marks with lots of students complaining about their marks. They all seem to be blaming the exam board but that doesn't explain how some schools results are as predicted. It's a bit odd. I wonder if it suggests the syllabus and mark schemes aren't detailed enough.

Thanks
Original poster
thesandwich · 23/08/2015 17:50

Oops fat fingers on iPad mean nonsense post!! Thank you what was- really helpfulThanksThanksThanks.

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Original poster
thesandwich · 26/08/2015 08:43

Still waiting to hear if uni will consider her next year

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AugustDay · 26/08/2015 10:13

Hopefully she will hear soon. If the uni originally wanted 3A's then I guess they are a fairly prestigious Uni.

mulranna · 26/08/2015 15:33

Could she propose that they offer her an unconditional deferred place - she should position it really positively - excellent GCSE, ASs and STEM A2 s- and that she plans to spend the year off doing something wonderful engineering wise -- look up some project/initiative which ups her engineering employability skills - or is relevent to the course - rather than spend a year doing irrelevant history......you really dont want to be in this nail biting position this time next year.

mulranna · 26/08/2015 15:38

I think that she should also link to any online debate re AQA History issue as uni need to be aware that this is mot her fault....be bold you have nothing to loose could she try to get some names at the dept and start talking over the phone tot he decision maker - all will have calmed down now and if she keeps in direct personal contact she will be front of mind and ahead if the situation changes and a place becomes available. How will she go about retaking history ... will she retake the AS and the A2 - will she just study for a couple of months before the exams or does she plan to go back to college and re do lectures etc?

Original poster
thesandwich · 26/08/2015 17:14

Hi- thank you for your advice. She was at school so dh is meeting head of 6th form and will clarify what they can offer- she does not want to go to lessons but will self teach with tutor support. She will ask do some further maths modules to improve her grade and is planning to do volunteering/ work experience all subject related.
Trying to poke her to phone!

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mulranna · 26/08/2015 17:39

Tell her that the phone call at the worst can only get her in a great position for reapplying and at best might full something off for this year. Be Brave. "Feel the Fear - And Do it Anyway" etc etc!!

Original poster
thesandwich · 26/08/2015 18:42

Thank youThanksThanksThanksThanks

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bruffin · 27/08/2015 08:46

DS reapplyed this year after failing to get the A2s he required for an engineering course at an RG. Last years offer was A*AA this years offer was AAB, he also got offers from other RG unis as well as others with a good engineering reputation.
He spent the year as a guest at his old school and self tutored further maths because they have changed examining board. he also helped out in lessons and was involved in some engineering projects ie The Skills Show in Birmingham
He actually chose Surrey as his firm this year and is off there in September Grin

I would say look at some other unis as well. DS changed his mind because when it came down to it he really didnt like the area of his original uni, having been back several times and got to see the town.

bruffin · 27/08/2015 08:48

Forgot to say PM me if want to thesandwich.

Original poster
thesandwich · 27/08/2015 10:14

Thanks bruffin- will pm you later todayThanks

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Original poster
thesandwich · 04/09/2015 20:04

Hello all.
Finally had clear reply from uni who said they will consider a new application in exactly the same way as any other- with updated ps and school ref, plus details of extenuating circumstances. No penalty for retakes etc. Which sounds positive.
Thank you for all your input- we have some clarity now!

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bruffin · 04/09/2015 21:09

Thats really good news????

Niknakpaddywhack · 05/09/2015 09:24

bruffin Can I ask how your ds organised being a 'guest' at school? My ds is in the same position in that he wants to retake his A2's but his school will not allow year 13's to retake the year.

bruffin · 05/09/2015 09:40

It was an arrangement with his school (comp academy) which they suggested. He wasnt doing enough hours for full funding as he was only retaking a couple of physics modules and FM. He was not officially on the books. He was allowed to be on school grounds and attend the classes he wanted to. We had to pay for the exams which wasnt a lot of money (about £60)
We didnt get reports or access to his online school record anymore or have an online wisepay account etc
He helped out in some classes as well to keep up his core maths.

DS school does let year 13s retake, but they have to do more than 15 timetabled hours (I think) for funding. I am not sure but I think I heard there may have been a change in funding this year for 6th form.
I dont know if other schools have this arrangement, but it did work well for DS

Original poster
thesandwich · 05/09/2015 13:30

Hi niknak. Dd's school has said she can redo the year or just resit there- independent school.
Where dh teaches( state grammar) pupils are sometimes allowed to retake yr 13 but it is at the schools discretion and they get no funding.
Re sitting as an external and paying for the exam entry is possible but tough on the pupil- dh says results are normally much better if student is in school.- arranging separate private tuition could work.
Good luck! How is your ds? It is tough for them.

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