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

Initially welcomed this thread but I'm a bit shocked by the assumption or inference on here that if a student doesn't get A's or A stars it's because they have some form of SEN or SpLD.

Just what I was thinking. Why are B grades so often 'explained' by dyslexia/SEN/other struggles? Why are students who achieve Bs so often categorised as 'non-academic' and championed for succeeding despite their below par grades? Do people really not realise how much hard work and intelligence it takes to get Bs at A level?

JugglingFromHereToThere just wanted to mention that a friend's DD was accepted into Sheffield last September. Her offer was AAB but she got four Bs and was accepted immediately on results day. There are other people on her course who were accepted with similar and she was told by a current student that Sheffield often accepts people with lower grades on results day if they are your firm choice. Other unis sometimes do this too. So if your DD really wants to go to Sheffield I would say its worth making it a choice. As long as you choose a wise insurance and prepare for clearing its worth aiming high. Good luck to your DD, whatever happens

I think it can be quite difficult for the B/C grade student to know where to go. It is a challenge to choose a course to ensure a job in their chosen field. Most students feel cheated if they end up doing something that they could have done as a school leaver. It is not always easy to get the apprenticeships either as they attract the A grade students who don't want the student debt. Needless to say, they get snapped up!

My non academic DD found choosing a course difficult. She is not working in the field of her degree and it was possibly the wrong degree to choose - with the benefit of hindsight! A young person at 17 is different to the same one at 21. I understand there is a higher dropout rate at "lesser" Universities which indicates they get too many students who are ill equipped for the courses - for whatever reason! Are Swansea and Reading really in this category?

I think another major concern is doing a degree at a uni down the road because it is 'easy' and actively recruits locally - it could be the worst one to go to. Anither problem would be choosing something like Law at a university in the bottom 5-10 for that degree. Great if the course floats your boat but graduate employment could see you competing against others with the fistful of A* grades. Sometimes niche is better for the B/C grades.

Thanks all for your very helpful comments.

I'm not saying Swansea and Reading are in any particular category but I know they are just outside the RG group, and have both offered my DD 3 B's for the course she's interested in. They're both looking very promising to us and we're looking forward to our upcoming visits.

I felt maybe this thread could morph into a support thread for those in this kind of ball-park - and anyone who wants to join - as that seems like it would be more positive than just moaning about the A/A* threads (which is kind of how the first few posts went}

I wish DS1 hadn't gone down the uni route. He's had great experience, but isn't really up to the work/isn't getting the support he needs from uni. He got a good BTEC in a related subject, but it's been a struggle and he's resitting a year.
I feel they now encourage people into uni whether they are good enough or not, just to keep their numbers healthy.

He would have done better in work or an apprenticeship.

You say he's had a great experience there though pickle, I think that counts for so much in itself for the first few years of adult life which is such an important and often challenging time.

A good apprenticeship or the right job could be a fine start too but I'm inclined to think for many it's easier to find yourself a place on the right course at Uni - one that interests and inspire you.

Also there is middle ground to be explored and supported amongst the non-RG Uni's which I think this thread set out to do.

My dc were/are both in the B/C grade area for A levels. Ds went to a RG university to do a niche subject. Had a great experience, enjoyed the course and achieved a respectable degree. He now hopes to go into teaching.

Dd is on a gap year and is applying to start university this year. She is applying for a health related course - again, fairly niche. The universities she is looking at are overall fairly low ranking BUT the course DD wants to do has very good outcomes.

Pleased to say son has now got all his offers....for 2 quite different science subjects( and they're not asking A or A*...but BBB)...he's over the moon esp since he's been offered a decent bursary for his first choice subject!.... I'm delighted he's been offered a place on this course as it's top in the country in a v niche subject
Just have to get through the next 4 months! [big grin]

Know two very happy English grads from Reading and Swansea. Know of a Drama grad and engineering grad from both unis too. All in good jobs and happy. Well respected unis.

Great news Stop! Wishing him the best of luck.

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!

Juggling Swansea uni is practically on the beach !

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.

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.

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.

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.

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)!

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

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.

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.

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. 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.

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.

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.

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

#alwayslookonthebrightside!

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.