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Higher education

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

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Original poster

UCAS form question

33 replies

BaconAndAvocado · 30/11/2015 21:58

DS1 has just sent his form off.

Being very new to this, I was wondering when/if he will receive offers?

Some parents on here we're talking of very recent offers being made.

Are the majority of offers made after the A2 results?

Tia

OP posts:

Impostersyndrome · 30/11/2015 22:02

It could be anything from a couple of days to a few months, but mostly within a few weeks. Some universities wait till all the applications are in after the application deadline in January. If my DS is anything to go by, it's been around three weeks and he's had two offers and two invitations to interview. So just one outstanding.

LIZS · 30/11/2015 22:05

Offers are made before the a2 exam results come out. By mid summer you need to have a firm offer and insurance offer. Some Unis will make unconditional offers if you firm it.

VegasIsBest · 30/11/2015 22:09

Hi. The UCAS website has lots of info specially for parents to help you understand the application process. You can also sign up for occasional email updates.
www.ucas.com/ucas/undergraduate/getting-started/parents-and-guardians

Good luck to your son with his applications.

NapoleonsNose · 01/12/2015 09:02

My DD sent her form off towards the middle of last month and received all 5 offers within two weeks. I guess it depends on the uni and the course but her experience was that she heard pretty quickly. Good luck to your DS OP - it is a bit of a nail-biting time isn't it? I shall be a nervous wreck come results day!

dreamingofsun · 01/12/2015 14:17

my sons was sent about 3 weeks ago. within a couple of days he had two offers and an interview. the other 2 (1 of which is probably his first choice) we are still waiting for. I shall be gutted if he doesn't get an offer from birmingham as he ticks the boxes for grades and has a really good personal statement (not meaning to sound braggy)

eatyourveg · 01/12/2015 14:39

Ds3 sent his off a week last Friday and by last Tuesday evening had had 5 offers. It really depends on where he is applying and for what course. Ds1 (different subject at different institutions) had all his offers within a week too. Some places are notoriously slow though which I'm sure must be really frustrating - hope your ds hears soon.

LIZS · 01/12/2015 15:44

Ds form has just gone in ....

Original poster

BaconAndAvocado · 01/12/2015 17:05

Thanks all.
DS is applying for Chemical Engineering. What might that mean in terms of time scale?

OP posts:

Millymollymama · 02/12/2015 19:38

Nothing at all! Each university is completely different! Some will weigh up the students pretty quickly. Some departments respond almost immediately and others take months in the same university! Some will not let students know until March. I don't think anyone will know how quickly unspecified universities take to offer on chemical engineering! You just have to wait and there is no need to make any decision until all offers and rejections (hopefully not) are in. Occasionally universities are very late in responding. My DD was still waiting for one at the end of April following an interview in February. Just don't panic until the end of March!

Original poster

BaconAndAvocado · 02/12/2015 21:06

Why, what happens at the end of March?

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StrawberryTeaLeaf · 02/12/2015 21:12

Oxbridge don't offer until Jan, because interviews haven't quite started yet.

Other than that, they vary hugely. Warwick have a reputation for being very speedy, for example (unless interviewing).

The there will be an extra spate of unconditional offers.

StrawberryTeaLeaf · 02/12/2015 21:14

Are the majority of offers made after the A2 results?

Sorry missed that. No most offers will be made by Feb.

Where has he applied?

Mindgone · 02/12/2015 23:34

Some unis interview for chemical engineering, meaning a longer wait before offers at those unis.
It's a tough year, pace yourself

chemenger · 03/12/2015 10:05

Some universities and courses operate a "gathered field" which means that they wait until all of the applications are in before making any offers. This means they won't be making offers until after the final closing date in January, with all offers made by the end of March. Some make offers as they receive the applications. Some operate a mix, with early offers going out to very good applicants early (eg those already holding good qualifications and those with very high predictions) and gather the rest. It depends on demand. Applicants have to decide which offers to accept by early May.

Original poster

BaconAndAvocado · 03/12/2015 18:38

strawberry he's applied to Imperial College, UCL, Manchester, Loghborough and Leeds.

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Original poster

BaconAndAvocado · 03/12/2015 18:38

Loughborough obviously!

OP posts:

ClancyMoped · 03/12/2015 19:20

Clever boy then!

No doubt you already know but I'm sure all those Unis interview for Chem Eng. You could check on studentroom to see if other applicants are receiving invitations for interviews. My guess is that I don't think you/he should worry or be too suprised if you don't hear until after xmas.

DD2 applied for a similar course, some of her interviews were proper interviews while others were more informal 'visit day' interviews.

Original poster

BaconAndAvocado · 03/12/2015 22:28

Thanks clancy No I didn't know about them requiring an interview. DS has Asperger's so the interview element is a bit scary.

He does go on student room so I'll ask to check.

OP posts:

Original poster

BaconAndAvocado · 03/12/2015 22:29

So I'll ask him to check. it's Friday tomorrow......

OP posts:

ClancyMoped · 04/12/2015 00:46

Lol, Bacon. I know it's 100% against Mumsnet rules but you can always check yourself just don't admit it on here . I helped my kids with all sorts of things and all four have managed to survive very well at Uni - it's all part of a process isn't it.

BTW, I don't know about the Unis your son has looked at but some Unis interviews are more sales pitch than interview. Some won't call you for an interview unles they are they are intending to make you an offer.

I really hope your son isn't too worried about interviews. The Unis will be used to interviewing all sorts of candidates. My DS who attended interviews at similar Unis for a similar subject found all his interviews enjoyable and friendly. They are not job interviews. Parents are usually invited to visit days too (so they can be sold the Uni too).

Also, despite what Mumnet says you can phone the Unis yourself if you have any queries or concerns. I have a few times over the years when my DC were applying and I've always found them to be friendly and helpful.

Anyway, best of luck for your DS.

Mindgone · 04/12/2015 00:56

Manchester interviewed DS1 for chem eng, but Leeds didn't. I don't know about your other 3. As ClancyMoped says, relaxed and not stressful. I went with him to his Birmingham interview, and the day included a nice buffet lunch and a bus tour of the city!

StrawberryTeaLeaf · 04/12/2015 08:40

My guess would be that Leeds and Loughborough are the more efficient of those, but if some of those are interviewing, it will be a slower process anyway.

Be unabashed but discreet about checking for yourself who interviews and what offer levels they generally make and keeping your own notes (if you want to, so you feel a bit more anchored). If your DS has AS and has declared that on his UCAS form, the Unis, should enquire about any special adjustments he needs for interview. Encourage him to take that up fully. If he hasn't declared his AS yet, he can do before interview.

Get comfortable, it will take a while, but you'll be picking up A - level results before you know it

bruffin · 04/12/2015 08:45

DS didnt hear from Loughborough (mech eng) until April.it was the day before the offers day and no mention in the offer, so he missed it.

bruffin · 04/12/2015 09:08

Sorry was wrong it was 16th march, it was the last one to reply and he did miss offer day.
Ds actually applied twice as his results werent what he wanted and the second time was not until jan and had 5 offers within 2 weeks. Southhampton offers came in really quick both times.

Mindgone · 04/12/2015 09:34

Just to mention, I also found TSR very helpful with each of my DCs' uni applications. It gives you a glimpse of where their peers are up to! Just put in the subject and year of entry, it's a great way to (hopefully) calm the nerves.

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