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Higher education

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

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:
MrsMontgomerySmythe · 09/09/2017 08:24

DS is away at an international sports tournament this weekend. Hoping he can move forward with his PS next week.

He will submit in early November as we are coming to the UK and visiting (self guided tours plus a drop in to reception or admissions) 4 last Unis during his half term (which is a different week to the UK holidays).

We have now visited Exeter, Bath, Nottingham, Louignroigh, UEA, Sussex and Reading. One he thought he would love he disliked straight away and another which we dropped into on our way past he feel in love with!

So it is really worth having a look at different ones if you can.

We have spread visits over several months which has made it more manageable.

MrsMontgomerySmythe · 09/09/2017 08:25

Louignroigh = Loughborough

OhYouBadBadKitten · 09/09/2017 09:20

I'm so sorry OnlyTea, your colour didn't show up for some reason I forgot you were the op Blush

NigellasGuest · 10/09/2017 10:22

Hello - can I join?
DD is aiming for uni in sept 2018 but is in a slightly different boat to many of you. She is currently in a FE College, doing a level 3 diploma in photography. Many go on with this qualification to do degrees at uni.
Thing is she's aiming really high and wants to do fashion photography at London college of fashion. Entrance is mainly through portfolio and interview but still apply through UCAS etc. Presume college will help with personal statement but I don't want to rely on that 100% and need to inform myself! Should she be starting on that now?

OhYouBadBadKitten · 10/09/2017 10:24

It wouldn't hurt for her to write a rough draft Nigella, I think time is going to go so quickly and things get so busy over the rest of this term that it's best to tackle stuff before it ramps up.

NigellasGuest · 10/09/2017 10:55

Ok Kitten I will raise that with her! Being on the spectrum she gets in a state about things (high functioning though)!
We are going g to an open day on Saturday Smile

GnomeDePlume · 21/09/2017 08:43

lonicera, sorry been away from this thread for a while. To answer your question DD is studying maths and FM plus chem and phys so she took the full maths A level in year 12 and will take the FM this year. I think that is fairly normal for maths.

LoniceraJaponica · 21/09/2017 08:50

"I think that is fairly normal for maths."

How did your daughter find time to study a 2 year A level course in one year alongside 3 other subjects? Is it a very selective school? And she must be exceptionally bright. There is no way they can fit that into the curriculum at DD's school.

I don't know of any schools or colleges that teach A level maths in one year alongside 3 other A levels, so I don't think it is the norm (in my world anyway)

ErrolTheDragon · 21/09/2017 09:17

Some schools do it that way Lonicerica. Not sure why but its not as bad as you think. It will doubtless change when maths is reformed but currently they can either do AS maths and FM in yr 12 then both at A2 in yr 13, or all of maths in yr 12 and all of FM in 13. 12 modules in total either way. So its the equivalent of 4 subjects at a time (2 maths, 2 other), which is not uncommon especially if one of the others is physics which has a little bit of overlap. 5 subjects can just about be shoehorned into a timetable, 4 is ok. (Obviously they have to be good at maths and willing to do more work!)

LoniceraJaponica · 21/09/2017 09:25

That makes sense then. They did that with some of the GCSEs at DD's school. She sat 2 in year 10 and the rest in year 11.

mumsneedwine · 21/09/2017 10:54

My DD sent hers off on Monday night. I felt a bit sick but actually now it's gone it's bit of a relief. Her tutor is putting the reference and predicted grades on, checking with DD on Friday and then off it flies to Unis. And then we sit and wait as she's applying for medicine. Just one teeny tiny interview would be nice 😁

LoniceraJaponica · 21/09/2017 12:24

DD is currently being bombarded with mail shots, voice mails and emails from ex polytechnic universities. Places that she has shown no interest in applying to.

She is baffled that one has even got her mobile number.

Are these unis more desperate for students, and where are they getting the addresses from? Schools and colleges?

voilets · 21/09/2017 19:53

onlytea - my DD had double amount required for PS but eventually was able to see what was not ticking boxes absolutely for course. Teachers were good critics too. It's maybe good to have too much to start with.

Still not sent by school here but DD has completly finished now - they suggested she try a different college - so she did.

With my DS we heard in a matter of weeks all 5 offers - mostly RG, he sent in November. I think DD will not know for months for most of her unis which will be disconcerting.

Good luck to all DC with their drafts and redrafts of PS. Smile

VioletCharlotte · 21/09/2017 20:04

Hi all

So pleased to find this thread. My DS1 is looking at Winchester and Chichester. He wants to do Performing Arts. I'm a bit unsure in the process as we didn't go to the meeting at college late year as at the time he was adamant he didn't want to go to uni Hmm
So any advice would be much appreciated!

We've booked to go to the open days next month and he says they're working on personal statements at college, but I need to read up on the application process and get it clear in my head what he needs to do and when.

OhTheRoses · 21/09/2017 20:13

We're in a different boat altogether. DD applied last year and was rejected after three interviews at three colleges by Oxford. She was all geared up to go to another fabulous university and then got her results. 3A*s with a grade 8 distinction.

Within a col of hours she just said, Oxford had their chance, I'm declining the offer and reapplying to Cambridge. And a different subject based on results and an extra years maturity.

I really hope she isn't disappointed again. She has had a huge battle with her health over the last three years and really deserves this.

Bekabeech · 21/09/2017 21:07

Hi can I join? DD after being firm she wasn't going to apply has changed her mind. Not sure what she wants to do or where? Has careers advice next week. Will visit some Unis at 1/2 term.

voilets · 21/09/2017 21:47

You have some time beka and roses. UCAS has to be sent in january. You can apply looking at web pages to choose 5 unis and then visit on offers days. Usually the 2 your DC are really interested in.

voilets · 21/09/2017 21:48

Offers days are often in Feb and march. You are invited to meet the dept.

OhTheRoses · 21/09/2017 21:59

Violets I believe deadline for Oxbridge is 15th October. The interviews are in December.

GnomeDePlume · 22/09/2017 05:19

DD2 is touting her PS round her different subject teachers so it is getting critiqued by people who know the subject she will be studying to degree level.

This is different from DD1 who was at a different school where the PS was worked on mainly with a staff member who specialised in supporting university applications rather than being a subject specialist.

The proof of the pudding will be in what offers DD2 gets I guess.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 22/09/2017 07:06

dds college seem to be insisting that everyone does each bit at the same time. So dd is ready to insert all of her bits but 'isn't allowed'. While I appreciate the effort the college is going to in supporting all of its students - she's ready and I just want her to send it before something calamitous happens!

Icouldbeknitting · 22/09/2017 07:33

Just at the minute I have no interest at all in UCAS. DS is applying for something vocational with a different application form and a different timetable and if he gets his place with that then he won't be applying through UCAS at all.

DS could then copy his application details into his UCAS personal statement and be done with it. I can't work out whether he's better doing that, paying the fee and having it sent off and out of the way which then gets him out of all the UCAS stuff at college (where like kitten's experience we all do the same thing at the same time). If he gets his other offer then he can withdraw later. The alternatives are to trundle along with everyone else, submit and withdraw later or trundle along and delay the final submission until he knows about his other application (before Christmas).

Sometimes you just have to explain it to someone else to get the answer. My thought was that it was worth paying the UCAS fee to get it done and out of the way but I hadn't considered that the university courses interview. An early application could cause more work than it saves and waste everyone's time. It has to be the trundle route and he'll just have to stick out the UCAS days at college.

mumsneedwine · 22/09/2017 07:43

My DD had to get hers in by Weds as college then write the reference and it goes off to UCAS next week. I imagine the deadline is nice and early as so many miss it !! For those not applying early then they have until 15th December.

voilets · 22/09/2017 20:48

Rosesmy DDs UCAS will go as soon as school sends it. But if , as many DC are not applying for oxbridge then there is still a bit of time. Friend's son sent right on jan deadline and had 5 good offers in a week.

VioletCharlotte · 22/09/2017 20:57

My DS college have set a compulsory first check deadline for 16 October, when everything except choices and personal statements have to be in. Final deadline is 15 November. They're running lunchtime UCAS clinics to support with applications.

This is all new to me and haven't really looked into it as DS has only just decided he wants to go and is approaching things in his usual laid back style 🙄. Can anyone tell me how involved the application form is? I know the PS is 450 words, but what other information is needed?