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Higher education

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

Original poster

Universities not replying to UCAS applications ...

43 replies

TalkinPeece · 02/04/2018 22:26

Form went in November last year
but one University has decided that it CBA to respond
and
shock horror
its the same university that messed around my other child
what IS their problem ?
Why can they not say yes or no within five months?

OP posts:
CherylBlossom · 02/04/2018 22:26

Is it Durham?

Original poster
TalkinPeece · 02/04/2018 22:29

Exeter

OP posts:
titchy · 02/04/2018 23:32

Oh dear! They do have until May.... sympathy though it's a pain. although dd is there doing the course your dd wanted sorry!

DancingLedge · 02/04/2018 23:34

Sussex?

senua · 03/04/2018 09:08

what IS their problem?

Good question. We went to an Open Day there and were put off by their superior attitude, where it felt like they were condescending to even consider letting you in. Other places had a much better attitude of "we want the best, you want the best, together we can do great things".
We left thinking that if that is the way they treat people when they are on best behaviour and trying to woo then it didn't bode well for the student experience. They didn't make it onto DS's shortlist.

Needmoresleep · 03/04/2018 09:45

Depends. What is their applicant to place ratio. If it is 10:1 or so, then they have a holding pile and are waiting till more of the people who are sitting on offers, accept or reject them.

The same may apply to some lab or art/drama subjects where they need to get numbers right. Medicine is an example.

Or they may be incompetent/arrogant or whatever.

maryso · 03/04/2018 09:53

After 5 months, it will be the holding pile. Which merely means the applicant is fine (or they would have heard already), but others have presented better.

Exeter in particular replied within a month, for some within days, to classmates of DD, and are in frequent communication with them. Perhaps admissions for some subjects are more/less incompetent/arrogant than others? Can you call them?

Rachie1986 · 03/04/2018 09:55

I am surprised by this as when I applied to Exeter (although rather a number of years ago!) they were really accomodating - I wasn't getting the grades I could have done due to health reasons and part time attendance, and they interviewed me, gave me a lower offer, sorted out disability support etc. They were the best of the lot by far and I ended up there and thoroughly loved it.

Sorry to hear you aren't having a great experience :-(

scaryteacher · 03/04/2018 09:56

We went to both Exeter campuses, for open days. As Senua says they were so superior...claiming to be the best university in the UK. Everyone knows that's Cambridge!!!

Ds didn't bother. They've always had a reputation for feeling superior though....even back in the late 80s when they were the university for the not so clever green wells brigade.

scaryteacher · 03/04/2018 09:57

Green welly brigade!

Original poster
TalkinPeece · 03/04/2018 09:59

DS is assuming it will be a rejection but it would be nice to be able to move on with firming up offers and applying for accommodation
which he is not able to do through UCAS track with one slot undecided. Hmm

titchy
DD is absolutely LOVING her course (including the compulsory Uni paid for it field trip to Africa)
Hope yours is enjoying hers.

OP posts:
BlossomCat · 03/04/2018 10:18

I hate to say it, but last year Exeter were the last one to respond to my son's UCAS application. I don't think that he heard until May, and it was a rejection. It was quite annoying as it made it difficult to actually accept the course he is bow on and thoroughly enjoying.

Abetes · 03/04/2018 10:22

He can withdraw from the course which hasn’t yet replied and therefore get on with firming his first choice.

titchy · 03/04/2018 10:24

Loving it thanks. She originally wanted where yours is (sorry that sounds like I've been stalking you!) but bombed chemistry AS so had to rule it out. I won't tell her they pay for field trips abroad...

Needmoresleep · 03/04/2018 10:42

Don't assume a rejection. DC had to wait till late March to hear from six (three apiece). Not in anyway a viable statistical sample but they ended up with 3 offers, ie a 50% hit rate. If he likes the course/university he should hang on in there. My guess is that others pressed their buttons just before the 2 May deadline, perhaps wanting a last minute Easter trip round the campuses of Britain, and the University has not had time to process. And don't worry. Getting this close means he is good enough. Selection at this level is pretty random, and there are so many other factors that influence success when at University.

Original poster
TalkinPeece · 03/04/2018 10:58
Grin Thanks for the encouragement. He only has one other offer (long story) but he LOVES the one he has

and frankly the total silence from Exeter (especially after the issue with DD and the last minute offer of a different course) is not endearing him to them

Then again he does like their rugby team !

titchy
Its kind of inevitable that our posts will overlap if we have DDs doing the same degree in the same year group Smile

OP posts:
Needmoresleep · 03/04/2018 11:40

Exeter can be a good insurance, as if you miss your grades there might be scope for them to offer the Falmouth campus instead. And then if you do well in your first year, some scope to transfer back to the main campus. This happened to someone we know, but he enjoyed Falmouth too much to want to move. Degree certificate still says Exeter, and as well all know (?) employers care about RG.

Dont think there is much rugby in Falmouth, but apparenatly lots of arts and drama. Its a long way though, from anywhere,. even Exeter.

Original poster
TalkinPeece · 03/04/2018 11:47

Falmouth is NOT on DS radar, especially if there is Art and Drama there !
Rugby is a rather key factor for him ....
His other offer is non RG but incredibly well regarded for that course ....

we shall see - gotta get the A2 grades first

OP posts:
Needmoresleep · 03/04/2018 11:58

Agree its a bit of an if, if, if scenario. Really disappointing results, but an Exeter Falmouth offer. A quick look at the map, and the whole family bundled into the car and set off. The DC did not want to resit and it looked like a better option than something unknown at clearing. Falmouth University has a really strong reputation in the arts which can change the university experience for non rugby playing Exeter University students.

Its worked well and from then on you just show youor degree certificate and never need mention which campus you were on.

Give them a couple of days to review their numbers, and I bet you hear from Exeter. And remind your son that at this stage the outcome is nothing to do with him, but entirely down to how many accept. They would not have kept him waiting if they did not want him.

Original poster
TalkinPeece · 03/04/2018 12:44

They would not have kept him waiting if they did not want him.
I shall hold on to that thought with a happy smile
thankyou :-)

OP posts:
amirrorimage · 03/04/2018 13:10

Talkinpeece
If it is a course that interviews that can delay decisions for holding pile I am told.
If they are holding his application without rejection it sounds more likely that at the least they may offer him an alternative course (which might still be ok as an insurance.)

Original poster
TalkinPeece · 03/04/2018 13:23

amirror
It does not interview. Not there, not anywhere else (nor did DD)

If they are arrogant enough to offer a different course they will get a rejection by return - just as they did from DD

It is incredibly rude of them to treat students like this
sooner or later they will get their comeuppance

OP posts:
amirrorimage · 03/04/2018 14:00

I usually presume inefficiency for late processing of 'maybe' candidates rather than arrogance from a department, especially in view of the effect of strikes.
However, I suppose inefficiency means not enough funds / time allocated to admissions department which could well imply arrogance of senior university management.
Anyway, if they continue to get enough candidates for many of their courses they don't need to invest further.
Good for your DS that he has another option that would in any case be his firm choice.

LIZS · 03/04/2018 14:04

It may not do any harm to give the admissions tutor a ring and say how keen he is at this stage.

titchy · 03/04/2018 15:52

What subject out of interest nosey?

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