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Higher education

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

Original poster

It's August ..... the countdown begins

556 replies

doglover · 01/08/2017 15:53

How's everyone feeling? My dd was pretty much able to forget about results during July but said in a very quiet voice this morning, "I'll find out this month where I'm going."

Is anyone doing anything yet in preparation for 17th? Should we be doing anything yet in preparation for 17th?!

OP posts:
splatattack · 16/08/2017 18:51

I have seen all the results for my U6 today...we have seen an impact on grades for the new reformed subjects...I think a lot of students will be getting their places even if they have missed a grade or two. I have checked out clearing and it is better than it has ever been which is also very telling...places for medicine, vet, law etc etc that are normally hugely over subscribed...waiting eagerly for tomorrow at 7am when UCAS track opens....grades mean nothing without that!!

LittleHo · 16/08/2017 18:52

dd's firm is in adjustment (possibly bad news?).

Her insurance is in clearing and adjustment with lowered grades (more hopeful?)

Abra1d · 16/08/2017 18:54

Sally Flowers

SallyOMalley · 16/08/2017 19:04

As Gannet said further up there ^^ , try not to second-guess the reasons why a particular course might be in Clearing. Chances are it has absolutely no bearing on how the 'firm' applicants have done.

Get the fizz on ice ready for good news. If it's not so good, drink it anyway! There will always be a solution Flowers

FreedaDonkey · 16/08/2017 19:08

Anyone who might find it helpful we have a little Facebook group (no one knows who anyone is on here )

It's a few mums who have been through clearing, accommodation offers etc and some uni students.

https://m.facebook.com/groups/488235648182391

We will be about all day Thursday if we can help with anything Wine

user9512736123 · 16/08/2017 19:18

The Telegraph clearing tool says that DS's firm is in clearing but the UCAS one says it isn't! Confused I'm not going to look any more, it's doing my head in.

DS has gone to the pub with his mates, I'm ordering a pizza and opening a bottle of wine. Sod it all, what's done is done and we have a plan for tomorrow which is go to whatever university out of the two that accept it and know that he will get a place somewhere if that doesn't work. Bottoms up! Good luck all.

wohmum · 16/08/2017 19:41

DS has also gone to the pub , he's being very 'head in the sand' about it all ! Is 1/2 planning to do a year out anyway but not going to make a decision until tomorrow . Won't discuss plans , driving me mad!

Doobydoo · 16/08/2017 19:46

Ds is worrying about Physics....the 3rd paper specificallySad.......feck this.I can't have wine as working all day tomoz.Good luck to all!

Shyposter · 16/08/2017 19:56

Hi - mind if I join you?

DS is awaiting results tomorrow - he needs AAB for Computer Science at Nottingham. He's already got one A from doing maths last year, so needs AB tomorrow, but in his mocks in February only got ACD.

I've been onto the UCAS clearing site (or at least think I have - I don't really understand it!) and I think they have places but they're listing the same grades that my DS has been offered (which is why I'm not sure I've done it right).
I've not slept properly for a couple of nights and I'm off work tomorrow so I can take DS to school to collect the actual results and support with any ringing around and sorting out which might need to be done.
This is hell, isn't it? I have no idea what DS is feeling as he's holed away in his bedroom which is good so I can't project my nerves onto him and hopefully will take it all in his stride in the morning.

Blogwoman · 16/08/2017 20:01

Same shyposter, neither of us sleeping well here! I'm flexing my work so I can go with DD to get results & be on hand if any support is needed - let's hope it won't be. DD is at her boyfriend's for the eve (both getting results tomorrow) so that's good. Pour me a Wine someone - I've only got juice here!

user9512736123 · 16/08/2017 20:05

Maybe we should all just go to the pub. I've got a bottle of wine but I'm having apple juice in a wine glass instead in case Mum's taxi is needed. Actually, I think that shows how stressful this is - I've gone off alcohol!
Grin

Travelledtheworld · 16/08/2017 20:14

I am doing some baking to keep busy, so we can have some celebratory or consolation cakes tomorrow

Shyposter · 16/08/2017 20:18

Actually - I know there are a couple of admissions-type bods here - can anybody answer this one for me?

Although the offers DS has are grade based (AAB firm and ABB insurance yes I know there's not much between them but you can't choose for them can you?) if DS happens to get AAC will he still be likely to be accepted given that the A might counter the lower C grade?

(I know I'm clutching at straws but the slight chance of an A* is in the actual degree subject too (but it's one of the new courses so it's all speculative anyway))

FreedaDonkey · 16/08/2017 20:21

A large amount of my DCs friends got in to their first choice with dropped grades. The most was from AAA offer accepted BBB (Nottingham business)

FreedaDonkey · 16/08/2017 20:22

That was last year.

SallyOMalley · 16/08/2017 20:24

shyposter - universities usually advertise 'clearing' places at the standard level of offer. This is because they are looking for the best qualified candidates possible - not just traditional 'clearing' (ie those without offers), but adjustment and late applicants too. However, universities won't reveal the grades they're willing to drop to at this stage. A higher UCAS tariff of incoming students has a positive effect on league table positions, so it's in universities' interests to try and attract relatively high grades if possible. There is often flexibility though, so don't panic yet!

SallyOMalley · 16/08/2017 20:27

shy - yes, it can happen. Higher grades can be used to supplement lower grades. Eg ABC = BBB on UCAS points. Depends on the uni, their position, how they stand against target, etc etc etc. Very hard to determine who will and who won't take this approach.

SallyOMalley · 16/08/2017 20:29

Ps the university I work for is grades based, but we did do some points-based calcs this year, including counting UCAS points for extended projects, which we don't normally do.

user9512736123 · 16/08/2017 20:36

Thanks giraffe, I don't really know about adjustment. We have discussed what he'll want to do if he exceeds the grades for his firm - I expect he will want to go there anyway.

Shyposter · 16/08/2017 20:45

Thanks SallyOMalley - I guess there's nothing we can do yet anyway - I'm not cut out for this waiting game!

Just having a conversation with DS and he's being level headed and calm for now at least. He's at least agreed to get up early to save any prolonged waiting around tomorrow.

SallyOMalley · 16/08/2017 20:53

Quite right shy - there is nothing you can do now. Not long to go ... Wine

yolofish · 16/08/2017 20:53

mine's just gone out with her boyf but they are spending the night here... I am going to watch crap TV and then go to bed!!

user9512736123 · 16/08/2017 21:07

That sounds like a good plan Yolo - child genius (and wondering what the parents will be like when they are waiting for A level results!) and then a hot bath and bed.
DS is out and has been told not to come home too late - it was 2am the other night but that was unusual. He's being woken up early either way as we have to collect two friends as their parents aren't taking them not sure why as they aren't at work and it's not within walking distance

TheMightyMing · 16/08/2017 21:14

My sons just got in from playing footy and food with his pals. He's ok actually.

I'm a bit more chilled , just having a beer now.

Good luck everyone and your DS/DD's 🙏🏻😘

ImListening · 16/08/2017 21:50

That's a bit worrying splat - all that work & may not get the grades....

Good luck everyone