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Higher education

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

Original poster

Applying for Uni 2019 entry, parents support thread

998 replies

Decorhate · 09/09/2018 09:51

Now that they are back at school, working on Personal Statements, doing the final Open Day visits, I thought we could do with a new thread...

OP posts:
DrMadelineMaxwell · 21/10/2018 18:49

Well, Bangor have been back on to DD.
They state 120 ucas points online, which roughly equates to B B B.

They first offered 2 x A, but would change to unconditional if she firms.

They have now stated that if she firms, it's unconditional. But if she then gets 3 x A (which she is predicted with the possibility of an A* in one of her subjects and an A at Welsh bacc too, which they do accept) then they will give her a bursary of £3.5k in the first year.

She still has no intention of leaping on the offer as has her sights set higher, but it's an interesting game they play - and not a bad offer to have on the back burner for now.

bigTillyMint · 22/10/2018 09:11

I have been lurking - recognising a few names from previous GCSE threads.... Lovely to see that they are all doing well and moving on up!

My DS was seriously ill through his GCSES and missed most of Y11. He is now doing Alevels - better but not completely recovered. We are extremely proud of him and all he has acheived.

He has been encouraged to apply to Oxford by school, so his UCAS went in last week.

I was wondering about York - those who's DC have got unconditionals, what degrees are they for?

Laniakea · 22/10/2018 12:31

bizzey Southampton is dd's first choice, it's the only place she wants to go tbh (also an earth science subject). She's been told that they don't give unconditionals & that they are interested in what's on the personal statement (& EPQ if you are doing one). Does the subject interview? DD's does & if you get an offer after the interview they've described themselves as 'flexible' with grades (though looking at the course admissions stats the vast majority are at or above the published grade requirements).

Zero progress from dd here - if she doesn't get it in by Nov 1st she has to do it it school & everyone else gets the day off. As far as I can tell she hasn't even started writing it.

bizzey · 23/10/2018 01:31

Back on again ! At stupid not goin to sleep time ..
Cant message those who put my name in .@Laniakea (managed to scroll one ) so confused. When we went they said they did not bother with PS unless grades were lots lower /border line .

DS grades at rhe moment are above what they want and they ..real people /tutors ...said tbey would give him an offer with in 24 hours of UCASS form in .

What doeshe put on his form. Confused with words here

FIRM / insurance/ aspirational.

Plus i have heard they doknow tour order .

bizzey · 23/10/2018 01:51

RE ...PS

I think he has put his name in the right hand corner...and that is it !!

Original poster
Decorhate · 23/10/2018 07:22

Bizzey There is no "order" at this stage of the application. You just put down up to 5 courses you want to apply to. "Aspirational" refers to courses where the entry requirements might be higher than your predicted grades. (Or where your mum secretly worries you haven't a hope in hell of getting your predicted grades Grin )

Once you get offers you then pick two - your first (firm) & second (insurance) choices. Unis know if they are your firm or insurance at that stage.

I think your ds needs to put together some sort of personal statement - even places that say they don't really look at them when making offers, might use them if you dropped a grade on results day & they were deciding whether or not to still take you.

OP posts:
errorofjudgement · 23/10/2018 08:04

@Bizzey the PS is your DS opportunity to tell the university why he’s chosen the subject he wants to study, I think you said it’s Geology?
So the PS could include how he first became interested in geology and what part or aspect in particular he enjoys.
Then go on to demonstrate that by mentioning any courses, talks, trips or books he’s read and how they furthered his understanding, or what he learned from them. It’s not enough to say that (eg) he read a particular book he has to say what that taught him or inspired in him.
Then there’s usually a final paragraph where you say something about yourself, generally a sport or interest you have that demonstrates you’re a team player, or good at getting along with others, or that you have a part time job which shows you are responsible and trustworthy.

errorofjudgement · 23/10/2018 08:04

Also, ucas have a helpful guide here

www.ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-university/how-write-ucas-undergraduate-personal-statement

BenjaminTheDonkey · 23/10/2018 15:43

Plus I have heard they do know your order

No, they don't. All they can see is the choices you've made for their own institution. There is a confusing box in the record that university admissions receives that is labelled "choice" but does not indicate an order of preference. The applicant can't fix the order in which these appear. I suspect there are admissions tutors who mistakenly think this indicates the applicant's order of preference. You've reminded me that I meant to contact UCAS a while ago to ask for this to be clarified because the user's guide only states "choice (this does not indicate the applicant’s preference)" without stating what it does indicate.

BenjaminTheDonkey · 23/10/2018 15:45

How your son/daughter should approach writing the personal statement depends very much on what kinds of course(s) he/she wants to apply for. In the great majority of cases they will never be read but it's important to know what should be in them in case of falling within the minority of cases where they are read.

Laniakea · 23/10/2018 18:33

it is done - 3976 characters. Sent to her tutor. Joy!

Original poster
Decorhate · 23/10/2018 20:25

Must be such a relief after all her wobbles! Ds sent his off to school on Sunday, the reference has been done so should be submitted in a day or two!

OP posts:
Laniakea · 23/10/2018 21:36

her's won't go off until the end of next week at the earliest (have no idea how much school will want her to change). I'm just happy she's got this far Grin

ifonly4 · 23/10/2018 21:58

DD's application gone into school as well, thinks it'll be submitted in a week.

Not expecting any early decisions as she's got to also do an essay for one course and two additional personal statements! We know one of these choices gives decisions late March. Her other two will probably be late January.

Wiifitmama · 24/10/2018 10:58

Did anyone watch the Martin Lewis money show last night on ITV? It was all about Uni fees and success. I found it so so good. It was aimed at parents but I have suggested my son watches it too on catch up. It totally put my mind at rest over fees - something I was stressing over.

BringOnTheScience · 24/10/2018 11:17

Agree! Martin Lewis's advice on student loans is great and that programme was brilliant.

Puzzledmum · 24/10/2018 15:21

What channel was Martin Lewis’ programme on, please? I’d love to see it too.

VanCleefArpels · 24/10/2018 16:44

Slightly embarrassed to ask this as have gone through this before but I just can’t remember....

Do you have to wait for all 5 offers/rejections before you accept one? What if one have invited for interview at an applicant day prior to making offer - if you don’t go does that automatically mean the application is over?

Context: DD has got an attractive offer from her favourite place but still to hear from 1 which might be in the mix and interview offer from another (2 other offers but won’t be taking them despite them being u/c!!)

Original poster
Decorhate · 24/10/2018 19:10

I think you do have to wait to hear from all five. Though if you are waiting to hear from a fifth & decide you are happy with the offers you've already had, you can withdraw your application for the fifth.

Not sure about the applicant day question. I'd be interrsted in that too

OP posts:
eatinglesschocolate · 24/10/2018 19:34

We are still waiting to hear from favourite....has anyone heard from Lancaster for politics based courses?! She has a lovely offer from joint fav but won’t settle till she hears from Lancaster...been the favourite from the off!

Laniakea · 24/10/2018 20:08

my sister applied with her grades so was getting unconditional offers - once she had the one she wanted she withdrew her applications from the two she hadn't heard from yet (both notoriously slow universities) & firmed just after Christmas. This was just a few years ago.

dinnermoneyready · 24/10/2018 20:19

@eatinglesschocolate My son has an offer from Lancaster for Politics and International Relations, but he got his application in super early. He's not sure about the minor subject bit, but did like the university very much at the open day.

eatinglesschocolate · 24/10/2018 20:22

dinnermoneyready Congrats to your DS but.... Oh no! How super early?!😱😱
Application has been in ten days now! 🤪

dinnermoneyready · 24/10/2018 20:51

eatinglesschocolate I think his form got sent about the 3rd Oct and the offer came through on the 18th. It's a scary time!

VanCleefArpels · 24/10/2018 22:44

Good - I knew others would know! Applicant day not till end of Nov so I think strategy will be to just sit tight for now and wait to hear from the other joint favourite (who haven’t even acknowledged receipt of the application How Rude 😉)

Anyone applied to NTU and heard anything -asking for a friend-