How to apply for University? College are a bit rubbish....

[befuddledandhot]

DD wants to go to University next year. She's doing an Extended Diploma, but has only been awarded a 60 credit Diploma (at Merit) instead of the 90 credit, for the first year, due to one of the lecturers not marking papers (due to illness then leaving to be fair).

Her favourite University wants her to get a DMM (104 UCAS points), her second choice MMM (88 UCAS points) and her insurance PMM (56 UCAS
points).

I think, due to the issues this year, she's likely to come out overall with a DMM but I'm not sure whether college will only take the 60 credit diploma into account and multiply it up, giving her MMM.

My confusion is how it works with offers. MMM is actually 96 UCAS points, is she likely to get an offer from her favourite (who wants 104), or a straight decline and the apply through clearing if she makes the grade? Are they likely to make an offer at higher than her predicted grade, or does this not happen?

How much does the personal statement count? She's doing very relevant voluntary work, and has been offered a place on 2nd choice university's summer school this year (but doesn't really want to go).

Thanks

I think a lot depends on the course. In your position, I think I would be speaking to the college to find out what can be done about the unmarked paper - is it too late to get this marked? Can they discuss with the exam board? Ca n they explain the situation to the universities your ds has chosen?
I'd then get ds to phone the university departments and explain what has happened & ask where she stands and what they advise.

Sorry, I meant ds not ds.
It would probably be a good idea to go on the summer school too - good for her personal statement & good to be personally known to staff at the university.

dd! Sorry, not used to daughters :)

Can the missing module not still be marked? Without knowing uni/course it is impossible to say what leeway if any may be applied to an offer. If a course often appears in Clearing it is more likely to be flexible on entry grades.

Thank you - is there a way to find out if a course regularly appears in clearing?

I think I've read on some university admissions info that when students can't take an exam e.g. through illness, that they can submit documentation from their school/college showing the standard of their work. Maybe your dd's college can do something like this?

I would ask for a meeting with the college (either the head of department/course or the head of the college) to discuss options. It's their responsibility to deliver the course in full and have contingency plans for when this doesn't happen, so they really should be offering help with ensuring this doesn't have a detrimental effect on your dd's future.

DDs friend had something similar happen last year, her college completely missed a unit and she only got a pass overall. The university still accepted her but she delayed a year in the end.

DD has had a reduced offer of 96 if she firmed them, which she decided not to do, they are her insurance. Her offers were also based on interview