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Original poster

University offers for 2018? (Part 1)

868 replies

OnlyTeaForMe · 02/08/2017 17:56

OK, I know I'm a bit early, but let the hand-holding begin...

Come and join us if you (and your DC) are about to start the UCAS process in September - applying for a place in 2018.

I've got DS1, who wants to do Computer Science in 2018. Looking at various Russell Group unis and maybe Oxbridge.

OP posts:
LoniceraJaponica · 20/10/2017 20:40

"They seem to be coming in quite steadily now"

Isn't this just for the early entry students? DD's school won't send the normal entry applications off until after Christmas.

fairyofallthings · 20/10/2017 20:54

Lonicera have they said why? Last year we were told that there was no point in waiting and so DD sent hers off in October and had her offers back very soon. Universities last year were said to hold back offers for some so they had spaces to make offers to people applying after Xmas/just before the deadline.

LoniceraJaponica · 20/10/2017 21:27

No. It's just what they do.

readsalotgirl63 · 20/10/2017 22:25

Hi - I'm impressed with the early applications. Dd ddn't submit her UCAS form until mid December so had a couple of offers before Christmas.

Offer holder days are usually more subject specific than open days - we found them very useful to narrow down the options and to decide on firm and insurance.

GnomeDePlume · 21/10/2017 00:04

DD has had her first offer: BBB at UEA for Chemical Physics. Really pleased for her as this is a huge confidence boost 'somebody wants me!'

insert1usernamehere · 21/10/2017 00:16

fairyofallthings - UCAS rules and regs state that universities must give equal consideration to all students who apply by Jan 15th - all other things being equal, whether they apply on 1st Sept or 15th Jan, they must have the same chance of getting in. If we "ran out" of places prior to the Jan 15th deadline, UCAS would slaughter us.

There are all sorts of myths that circulate about applying earlier meaning that you are more likely to get a place. To a large extent, these myths are fuelled by teachers who are trying to get their students to meet internal deadlines rather than all leaving it to the last minute. Where it looks like it's confirmed by the statistics, it's because those who have to meet the Oct 15th Oxbridge / med / dentistry / vet med deadline are also disproportionately very able and also very likely to get offers from their other choice(s). The myths about applying earlier meaning you're more likely to get a place just aren't true.

fairyofallthings · 21/10/2017 07:14

Yes. How do some students get all their offers through in October though? Dd and friends did last year and it wasn't unusual.

marmiteloversunite · 21/10/2017 08:22

That's great news gnome! My DD was exactly the same. Very happy that somebody wanted her and all of that hard work on the personal statement paid off.

jeanne16 · 21/10/2017 08:45

Since the cap came off the number of students, it really is not much of an issue now. If your DC has the correct predicted grades, they will get an offer, with the obvious exception of Oxbridge. School references and Personal Statements are pretty much irrelevant.

marmiteloversunite · 21/10/2017 09:29

I'm Confusedglad we sweated over the PS then Jeanne!

cathyandclare · 21/10/2017 10:01

Is that right Jeanne? DD2 is applying post A-level with the grades needed-but it's an oversubscribed course (although they admitted one student fewer than the advertised places last year) can I feel positive?!
Would the unis rather a bird in the hand with the grades, than one with higher predictions?

GnomeDePlume · 21/10/2017 13:10

Good news for DD, her offer from UEA is now unconditional if she firms it. Currently at Sheffield for our final open day. Chaotic parking but just got here in time for the course talk. I am skipping that bit and having a coffee.

LoniceraJaponica · 21/10/2017 13:14

What subject Gnome?

GnomeDePlume · 21/10/2017 13:21

LoniceraJaponica Chemical Physics.

LoniceraJaponica · 21/10/2017 13:24

Quite a few of DD's friends are still doing open days. Several of them are at some this weekend.

GnomeDePlume · 21/10/2017 20:35

DD did her open days at the earliest opportunity to get them out of the way. We have done a few covering both potential firm choices and potential insurance.

One of the problems we have picked up on is that of accommodation. Get into the firm choice and it shouldn't be a problem. End up at the insurance choice and university accommodation may not be available.

LoniceraJaponica · 21/10/2017 20:50

We only went to the subject talks and did tours round the medical department. We didn't bother with looking at accommodation/student union etc as DD will just be grateful to be offered a place - any place.

insert1usernamehere · 22/10/2017 00:03

@fairyofallthings "Yes. How do some students get all their offers through in October though? Dd and friends did last year and it wasn't unusual."

There are a number of factors
a) over the last few years, getting into uni has become a lot less competitive due to

  • demographic changes; fewer 18 year olds in existence
  • student number controls being removed, meaning universities can take as many students as they like, except for NHS courses
  • fee increases, which have hollowed out the market for PT and mature students

b) due to the above, universities are competing for students not the other way around (yes, this includes many but not all courses at Russell Group universities) so in many cases the universities will be handing out offers to anyone who seems vaguely qualified and praying that enough will turn up in September

c) even for the minority of the more competitive courses, where they will end up turning away some suitably qualified candidates, they have a good idea of how many offers they need to give out to get the right number of students. Some applicants will be clearly suitable, and get offers straight away. Some applicants will be clearly unsuitable and rejected straight away. Others will be borderline cases (probably qualified but they may see better applicants who haven't yet applied) and they may find themselves waiting several months for a response.

Relatively few universities now run a 'gathered field' where they wait until Jan 15th when all the on time applications are received before they even start looking at applications.

insert1usernamehere · 22/10/2017 00:10

For those with DC receiving unconditional offers... don't be too flattered, and don't let it sway their decision making.

"Unconditional if firm" offers are being handed out not because the DC are super brilliantly careful, but for the university's own purposes, because
a) universities are struggling to recruit enough students - see my post above for reasons why
b) students are more likely to choose a uni if they get an "unconditional if firm" offer, even though it might not otherwise have been their first choice
c) if the DC does better than expected, and meets and exceeds what would normally have been their offer, they would normally be able to go via Adjustment. An unconditional if firm offer means that they don't get that opportunity

Encourage your DC to choose the uni that they like most of all as their firm, regardless of whether or not they've got an unconditional offer from them. Then choose their second favourite uni (ideally one with a lower offer) as their insurance; this must still be one that they would be genuinely happy to go to. If it all goes tits up on results day, there will be plenty of good options available in Clearing for almost all courses and almost all universities

fairyofallthings · 22/10/2017 06:51

Dd turned down an unconditional last year, everybody said she was mad but she says it's the best thing she ever did; she's right.

Fifthtimelucky · 22/10/2017 07:32

Yes, mine did the same a couple of years ago. She had two unconditional offers. One was easy to turn down. The other (Birmingham) was harder because it was her 2nd favourite and became her insurance offer. She would have been happy going there, but she is glad that she hung on for what she really wanted.

Younger daughter has also applied to Birmingham and would jump at an unconditional offer, but they don’t do them in her subject and she is not such a strong candidate. They have offered her AAA.

GnomeDePlume · 22/10/2017 07:50

DD understands about Unconditional offers. We went through this with oldest DC who was holding an Unconditional. She ended up choosing a different uni.

DD really likes UEA. Chemical Physics is an unusual course, there are only about 5 institutions offering it and only a handful of students in each institution. DD now has to decide which institution gives the best fit for her.

Risotto301 · 22/10/2017 09:05

DS did apply foe Birmingham but they do not offer unconditional offers for his course (Materials Science). We don’t care really much as it’s on the last of his list. However we are curious that he still hasn’t got any conditional offer from Birmingham (and Sheffield as well) yet while Imperial and Manchester (No.2 and 3 choices) had already contact him for interview and open day!

flyingpigsinclover · 22/10/2017 09:08

Last year Birmingham were the last to reply, I think they took two or three weeks.

Slartybartfast · 22/10/2017 09:29

oh i might join this thread.
i have a query about russell group and have started a thread.