University offers for 2018? (Part 1)

[OnlyTeaForMe]

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.

[YippeeTipTap]

Jewel. That's stressful, I hope you sort it out soon.

[jewel1968]

They have eluded to making direct contact with the universities. Have to wait for DS to get home to request from UCAS.

[HesMyLobster]

Oh gosh Jewel, that sounds extremely stressful. I think going through UCAS is a good idea, then you have concrete facts. I really hope it's something that can be sorted out. Your poor DS - not the added worry he needs just as exams are starting.
for you too, it's a difficult enough time without things going wrong.
Fingers crossed for you.

[jewel1968]

So update. School admit it is their error and are writing to each university to ask them to reconsider his application. No idea what will happen. Mistakes do happen but still...

[Oratory1]

yes mistakes do happen - but surely they should be on the phone to admissions departments in the first instance not writing !! Hopefully something can be sorted out.

[HesMyLobster]

Oh Jewel, I'm so sorry you're going through this but thank goodness you investigated!
Everything crossed you get some good news.

[YippeeTipTap]

That’s really bad Jewel. How competitive are the courses/Unis that he has applied for?
I hope you son isnt too stressed about it.

BTW. Personally, in this case, I wouldn’t worry if it’s you that end up speaking to the universities rather your son especially if it’s a problem for him to find the time. One of my DC had an unusual problem with his University applications for medicine and I dealt with it for him. It was time consuming and required numerous emails and phone calls to all the universities he was considering applying to. Despite what a few people think on these threads I never experienced the slightest problem with admissions staff being snooty that I was doing it. My son ended up with 3 offers (he withdraw his 4th choice) so presumably it didn’t result in him being blacklisted.

[jewel1968]

Reasonably competitive I would say. I can see we will have to phone the universities and explain the situation so good to know that they are likely to be receptive. I think DS is strangely relieved as it explains the rejections. He had known for a while and not shared the info. The responses were poorly worded and so it wasn't 100% clear what the reason was for rejection. We have now seen the reference which was very positive even glowing I would say. Thanks for all your kind words and help.

[goodbyestranger]

jewel that was what I strongly suspected the outcome would be when you said the school was hesitating since they can retrieve their UCAS info at the click of a mouse. Absolutely shocking. It could easily be capable of litigation it's so bad. Mistakes like this do not happen easily at all, it's appalling. Your poor DS. I really hope the decisions are overturned and soon. Good luck.

[BettyPitts]

I feel very angry on your DSs behalf jewel BUT the uni staff are usually lovely and helpful.

I hope he gets his offers through soon.

[Oratory1]

I still dont understand why school werent on the phone to the admissions dept on his behalf as soon as they found the error. I know both my dc schools would have been.

[jewel1968]

The universities will want it in writing which I can understand but I would expect a follow up telephone call to encourage a response. Contacted universities this morning and at that point they had now received any written communication. One said that technically after a date in January (cant recall the date) they are not obliged to accept late applications however they may in these exceptional circumstances. Will have to phone tomorrow morning again because we have now been assured all written communication has gone out.

[marmiteloversunite]

You are being very patient Jewel. You would have thought that emailing the unis immediately would have been the best course of action by the school. I hope it gets sorted really quickly for you.

[jewel1968]

One conditional offer has been made based on revised predicted grades. One has rejected. Waiting for 2 more to respond.

[ThereAreTooMany]

jewel1968. That is good to hear one offer has come in. Is it for one of your sons preferred Unis?

[marmiteloversunite]

That's good news Jewel. Fingers crossed for the other two!

[jewel1968]

Yes one of his top 2 I would say.

[Downeyhouse]

So glad he has an offer but what a mess.
Good for the uni that were fair and looked at his application again.

I hope this is all soon a distant memory.