Uni applications 2017 - for those whose dcs not expecting A's at A level

[Stopyourhavering]

I've been following a couple of threads regarding uni applications for next year and amazed by number of applicants who are expecting A* in their A levels. while I am truly pleased for these academic high flyers ,I'd also like to put in a word for those whose dcs will over the moon to get Bs and Cs at A level and who are also applying for Uni.
I have 3 dcs (2 dds already at Uni ) and 1 ds applying for entry next year. All 3 have various degrees of dyslexia/ dyspraxia and dyscalculia and have never been academic high achievers in the true sense of the word(I've no As at A level!)....however they have worked hard to overcome their spld, ( no mean achievement at their local schools let me tell you!)
My eldest dd was told in yr 7 ( by SENCO)she would be lucky to get a few GCSEs...well she graduated last yr with a 2:1 form a Scottish ancient uni and is now doing post grad at a world top 20 uni!...now applying for international teaching jobs
Dd 2 did a BTEC at local college and is also on course to a 2:1 ,but currently applying for industrial placements for her sandwich year and is very business focused
DS although bright is one of youngest in his year and I feel ,has yet to fulfill his potential , although I am confident of his abilities and he has finally decided what he wants to studywish he'd get his personal statement written though!
Just felt I had to give another viewpoint on Uni applications- there's such competition these days to do well at A levels and get to top RG Unis, but I also like to reassure others that there is life outside these 'academic bubbles'and as long as your dcs are happy and confident, surely that's something to be commended....
Btw both my dh and I have more than 1 degree each ( from non RG Unis) and have done just fine in life
I'm in no way knocking the achievements of these extremely capable students, merely offering another perspective on further education ...good luck with everyone's applications

[Stopyourhavering]

user and juggling my ds has Plymouth as insurance for marine science, just got a letter from this morning giving info on the chance of doing a field trip to the Bahamas in second year!.... v exciting!
So now he's got chance of either a £2k bursary if he goes to Dundee for Forensic Anthropology ( firmed first choice)or Caribbean field trip if he chooses Plymouth
Decisions decisions!!

[morides]

Thanks Juggling (this is user 148 with new username btw) good luck to your DD too! I lived in Sheffield for a couple of years and worked at the University. It was almost 20 years ago tbh but it did have a good atmosphere and lots going on on campus, as well as the excellent reputation of course. I think each uni has got its pros and cons, one has to discover what matches your needs best. It is good that there is so much choice though!

[yolofish]

just wanted to see if I could add some hope for those whose predictions are lower than B and C? My DD1 got into her first choice last Sept despite not having maths GCSE (after about 11 tries) and having lower grades than predicted. DD2 has 5 conditional offers, has chosen her first and insurance - interestingly her first has lower conditions than the insurance which doesnt make sense to me. Neither are RG unis but both have excellent reputations in their particular areas of expertise.

[JugglingFromHereToThere]

Good luck to your DD user148

Yes, we have a BBB offer to consider from Swansea too. Sounds like they could both end up there together, though Plymouth also sounds great for marine biology

[user1488923210]

Plymouth offered her at 128 UCAS points which is equal to BBB because she has already got an AS - their standard offer is ABB-BBB which is the same as Swansea I think. She was tempted by Swansea's statement that they would be able to consider near-misses if they were put first. Marine Biology at Plymouth though has better facilities in term of the Marine station and wet labs which is a brand new building by the sea which Swansea does not have, so on that basis she decided to go for it.
I agree though the Swansea science department seemed great!

[JugglingFromHereToThere]

Interesting user 148, our DD's seem to be very similarly minded, mine wants to do Zoology and also likes Swansea, predicted similar grades.

All I'd say is putting Swansea first as a firm is something they both might consider. Mine has a AAB offer from Sheffield she is quite tempted by and I guess it's remotely possible she could get one A and they could meet in the middle on that. But I'm a bit concerned that Swansea would be more generous if you had them as firm and just missed their offer by one, getting BBC, which sounds quite possible for both/either of our daughters. Marine biology or Zoology at Swansea would be great I think?!
What is her offer from Plymouth?

[user1488923210]

Following this with interest because DD's predicted grade are BBC. She wants to do a marine biology degree and has got 5 conditional offers including two from RGs. She has decided on her firm (Plymouth) and insurance (Swansea) which appear more realistic at BBB. Was following the clearing period last year and there seemed to be plenty of places on marine biology courses going for BBB or even BBC - so fingers crossed... We visited at open/applicants day and were impressed by the courses and the facilities. She can definitely see herself at either unis.
What worries me, however, is that she does not have a fall-back option in case the grades do not add up on Result Day. I was encouraging her to look at local provision for veterinary nursing courses (foundation degrees) for which her science A levels would be valued even at C grades, but she is focussed on marine biology and does not seem to want to consider any alternatives. Should I insist or just wait and see?

[JugglingFromHereToThere]

I think a Uni experience and education is still worth it - for DD and DS anyway. Probably not as good value as when I went, but still a good start on independent adult life for many.

[alreadytaken]

quite right juggling - but the 21k is likely to be frozen so will be covering a lot more people in future. It's still possible to earn over 21k without a degree and not pay 9% for the next 30 years. You can now get 29k in London as a prison office with no qualifications at all, more than my medic child will be getting when they finally start work.

[JugglingFromHereToThere]

Only 9% of income over £21k ( for 30 years ) already taken 😀

#alwayslookonthebrightside!

[Ohtobeskiing]

Dd has already sent some emails asking for interview feedback so we will see if she gets any constructive advice there. She has quite a lot of related work experience already. She is exploring extra to see if there is anything there. I think this may need another year.

[alreadytaken]

some young people thrive at university, others dont and it isnt invariably the most academic. One of my child's friends was inclined to be lazy at school and got good but not spectacular grades. Fast forward a few years and they have learnt how to work. They not only have a decent degree but have obtained it while working part time to fund a further qualification and have also secured the place. I was so pleased for them.

One of my friends has two children in the "not expecting As" group. One decided to turn down their university offer and a few years on has a good job, a partner and they are buying their first home. Not having a degree is not holding him back and without student debt he has been able to save a deposit and buy a home. The other went to university, dropped out after a year, did bar work and is now reapplying.

There are many different routes to a happy life and having your own home, no other debt and a job that doesnt require excessive hours is perhaps better than the high achiever living in a rented property in London and working very long hours.

I do think people need to stop seeing university as automatically a good thing when other options are available. Even if much student debt is written off paying 9% of salary for 30 years is a big commitment.

[BlisseyMon]

Ohtobeskiing. That's rough. Arent a lot of health related degrees Rey over subscribed. UCAS EXTRA opens tomorrow so hopefully she can find something she likes.

[voilets]

sorry to hear that. Feedback really is needed. Maybe she needed work experience or needs an experienced friend to drill her in art of interviews. Worked a treat for my DS. Had 3 sessions with a friend who interviews.

Clearing? Your DD already has A levels? On a gap year?
Can you talk to someone who does the job she wants to do in health - what's needed?

[Ohtobeskiing]

Time for plan B. Dd has now been rejected by all she applied to. She thought the interviews went well so she will see if there is any feedback.

[EnormousTiger]

My son did his degree at Reading and is a very happy postman by the way (although of course it's only his driving licence he got at 17 that he actually needs). Might as well have left school at 14 actually.

[JugglingFromHereToThere]

That's great Allthebest - hope he's enjoying his first year there?

[Allthebestnamesareused]

A positive "lower" grade story here.

DS got an offer last year for BBB for Queen's Belfast to read geography. Got BBD and was still accepted.

There are some non RG unis that are still very highly regarded such as UEA, Reading and Swansea.

Good luck to all those with their A levels coming up (students and parents)!

[KittiesInsane]

Thanks! I think working is doing him the world of good; he was feeling quite lost at 6th form and despairing of ever being as good as some of the others, but he's flourishing at work, volunteering for overtime, and putting up with the commute (fairly) uncomplainingly.

[voilets]

ABC are very respectable grades and with a year or 2 of work under his belt he would be snapped up by good unis. Don't be put off by high grades expected. Often they lower them. Know someone who had those grades and got into RG. also liked Loughborough and Surrey. Lots of good unis out there.

[JugglingFromHereToThere]

I hope your DS continues to enjoy his work Kitties. I think we just want to see them settled and happy and starting out well into their independent lives? Always possible to go back to studies at a later point if that's right for him.

[KittiesInsane]

Reading with interest. My DS got ABC at A-level at a fairly high-flying 6th form, and decided it wasn't worth trying for university at all (he's got a full-time job instead). I think he was put off enormously by all the talk of A* /MAT papers/Oxbridge/Russell Group there, as if that was the only worthwhile route.

He's happy enough with his job (and blimey, the difference in maturity after a few months is astonishing!), but he's starting to look about him and realise that the higher ranks there all have degrees.

[Timetogetup0630]

Juggling Swansea uni is practically on the beach !

[JugglingFromHereToThere]

That's brilliant Stop especially with a bursary possibility too

I know what you mean about getting through the next 4 months though

Best of luck to your DS, and to all

We have visits coming up over next few weeks and then some decisions to make, since DD is in fortunate position of having 5 offers!

[Leeds2]

Great news Stop! Wishing him the best of luck.