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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:
tobee · 17/08/2017 14:32

I thought you could only ring if you'd rejected?

tobee · 17/08/2017 14:35

We both really liked Liverpool btw. It came down to a toss of the coin between that and his firm.

Over and over I keep thinking "a bird in the hand..." Hmm

BizzyFizzy · 17/08/2017 14:35

Sad,

Read this article about Cambridge admissions and narrowly missing grades

www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4869518

FreedaDonkey · 17/08/2017 14:47

You aren't supposed to call unless you've rejected but I would call anyway to see if they actually have vacancies and what grades etc.

Might not work as they may not be able to tell you anything but I always think nothing to lose by asking.

I do agree with you though about a bird in the hand...

tobee · 17/08/2017 15:19

They've gone up now for straight politics to ABB.

tobee · 17/08/2017 15:20

It's all a gamble, innit? Grin

OddBoots · 17/08/2017 15:28

Looking out for you to post @TheMightyMing - I hope your son has had good news and you are out celebrating.

Jugglingballs65 · 17/08/2017 15:37

Blimey, bit of a morning. DS dropped 3 grades in main subject, wanted to do physics with maths. Both choices said no. Also said no to just maths.
Been into college who were fabulous.
Now has a place at uni who originally offered him a place for physics/maths and were his third choice. He called them and they said yes to just maths.
Now waiting for track to update and firm offer. Has had an offer in an email.
Am Now lying down in a darkened room..

TheMightyMing · 17/08/2017 15:39

We've not had a great day, completely missed requirements . Got a place in clearing at Hallam but no answer from insurance which was Liverpool , but course no longer showing in clearing which isn't a good sign. Quite an upsetting day really :(

JoelyB · 17/08/2017 15:41

Ive had one of those too. DD dropped 2 grades and lost out on firm choice but didnt want insurance. After many hours of tears and fantastic support from school, shes got into 1st choice through clearing on a slightly different course, and may be able to transfer onto the original when she gets there. Totally. Exhausted.

FreedaDonkey · 17/08/2017 15:44

Sorry to see that Mighty. Is he still trying Liverpool? It's worth keeping going Brew

tobee · 17/08/2017 15:56

I bet all the press about clearing this year has made everything more frantic.

OddBoots · 17/08/2017 16:00

Sorry to hear that TheMightyMing. Hallam is a god option, Sheffield is unusual in having two good universities. Quite a few of my ds's friends are off to Hallam.

TheMightyMing · 17/08/2017 16:09

Liverpool not in clearing now so looks like options are limited. I'm fine with it but my husbands got a face like a slapped arse which has upset me more than anything.

My sons ok with Hallam , it's a course he wants to do and if he's happy I'm happy.

TheMightyMing · 17/08/2017 16:35

Is Hallam ok though? Neither myself or my husband went to uni but I'm getting the sense that Hallam is seen as pretty inferior? If my sons happy I'll go with it but I don't want him to waste all that money and not come out with a decent degree?

Also - two subjects were 8/5 ums off the grade above, English and economics , is it worth a remark do you think ?

God it's so hard !

hugoagogo · 17/08/2017 16:50

Hallam is looked down on by some because it used to be a polytechnic, I think. And because Sheffield university is RG so it gets compared unfavourably with that.
We visited in the spring and I was very impressed, it benefits from being a city campus in my opinion. Seemed to have very good modern facilities and happy students.

Lucysky2017 · 17/08/2017 17:41

Hallam is as people say an ex poly but it remains the case that if you go to university you tend to do better than most people who don't so I would seize the chance. I tend to say it is the institiution's status and not the subject that counts for a lot of careers but the big issue most of them have is they have no idea what career they want. Mine don't yet.

Whatever they pick they really need to start thinking in the first year about careers, do vacation schemes, placements, internships in 12 months' time, start applications, go to open days, get working on the CV. too many students get to graduation day and haven't done one iota of career development and end up going a pointless masters because they had nothing better to do and just incur more debt.

TheMightyMing · 17/08/2017 17:51

Good advice Lucy . I'm still reeling from it all to be honest . My sons a very outgoing , personable lad and very popular with his peers. I'm sure he'll make the most of his uni experience. I must admit I was proud of the way he dealt with this morning and how he handled himself on the phone to Hallam. And now I'm crying again .....

He's working tomorrow ( summer job at my firm in the post room) just hope he's not hung over 😵

JoelyB · 17/08/2017 17:54

TheMightyMing DD has now gone off to work and I am just sat here sobbing! It's all been too much. On 4 hours sleep.

TheMightyMing · 17/08/2017 17:57

Oh Joely, have a hug ! I know how you feel. Xx

We've got to go to Hallam on sat for a look see and to sort stuff out. Obviously needs somewhere to stay as well !

AndTodayIAm · 17/08/2017 18:52

FYI I know it's small consolation but last year over 63.8% of A level physics students were predicted grades higher than their achieved grades so dropping a grade or two isn't exactly unusual. It the most incorrectly predicted subject.

UCAS REPORT 2016 Factors associated with predicted and achieved A level attainment

OddBoots · 17/08/2017 18:59

TheMightyMing - at least in Sheffield there is no shortage of student accommodation and even the private halls are reasonably priced.

Blogwoman · 17/08/2017 19:11

Hugs to you supporting disappointed DC... TheMightyMing we visited Hallam & were very impressed. Open Day was so well organised, students bright & engaged & the facilities excellent. Lovely accommodation & so cheap! It's also a great city with good transport & a low cost of living. Hallam has great links with industry/employers too. What's your DS going to study?

lazycrazyhazy · 17/08/2017 19:43

All the cities with 2 universities (one of which was an ex Poly have the inherited snobbery about the "junior" university which doesn't mean you can't have a good student experience and get a very good degree. They're called all sorts by the established university students (Early Learning Centre stands out).

My DS went to Brooke's where there is a lot of communion between the Oxford students and the Brooke's. Friends say Cambridge and Anglia not so much. Nottingham and Trent, Manchester and Met, Sheffield and Hallam, Bristol and UWE and Leeds with Met and various music colleges all lots of interaction... many more in smaller cities.

user9512736123 · 17/08/2017 19:59

All the cities with 2 universities (one of which was an ex Poly have the inherited snobbery about the "junior" university

Most of which probably comes from the parents, the students probably wouldn't care otherwise.

We had a RG firm and a ex-poly in the same town for insurance, when the confirmation came through for the RG I was delighted. Even though we liked the ex-poly it just didn't have the same appeal to me despite how good it does on the league tables, student surveys, employment etc.