Applying for Uni 2019 entry, parents support thread

[Decorhate]

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...

[MarchingFrogs]

DrMadelineMaxwell, adding weight to what PP have said, please get your DD to read and adhere to the UCAS regulations - ignore the school 'advice', as it is totally wrong!

www.ucas.com/about-us/policies/privacy-policies-and-declarations/ucas-undergraduate-declaration

Students from her school / college may have got away with committing what UCAS regards as fraud in the past, but that is no excuse for knowingly making a false declaration.

[DrMadelineMaxwell]

Thank you for that info. I shall pass that on to Dd. I've not delved into the do's and don'ts of applications but did think that it was a little odd.

[Witchend]

I've just spoken to dd1 who volunteers for TSR, and she says that if it's discovered you haven't declared a result then they can withdraw offers-even after results day.

[Monkey2001]

Also DrMadeline, you can ask the individual Admissions Tutors whether a B is a problem at AS - different colleges have different approaches to elements of assessment. B is not actually bad, I read somewhere that Cambridge expects A/B results for AS levels - when you hear about lots of very high grades, it can be difficult to maintain perspective. If you have a different surname from DD, you can e-mail the college and they will not be able to connect you with DD - my DS is much happier that most of the enquiries I have made are effectively anonymous!

[DrMadelineMaxwell]

Thanks for all the advice. I can't believe she's had such duff advice from the head of sixth form!

[RaskolnikovsGarret]

Hello all. DD is applying for for MFL at Cambridge, a couple of London ones, and a couple of other RGs. She says she would be happy with Cambridge or one of the London ones. She is doing four A levels (two MFLs, Latin and maths). Following a change in teacher, she does not love maths, and may drop it. But she got the highest mark in her class last year, so it might be a shame to drop it, although it would release time for the other three of course.

PS ready, UCAS form being submitted in the next few days. Then extra Cambridge prep sessions at school.

Like others, we also have GCSEs in the house this year. I’ve been dreading this year since they were born....

[MABS]

can I join please? Ds this year, second of 2

[nokidshere]

Ohh my first is starting uni next Saturday and I haven't got a clue if my youngest has started his application yet! Must ask him later. He thinks he wants Loughborough but can't make the open day - I'm assuming there will be another?

[Monkey2001]

@RaskolnikovsGarret I got the impression from Cambridge that they REALLY do not care whether you have 3 or 4 (unless you need further maths which, combined with maths, is really more like 1.5 A levels), but that you must have the grades - are MFL AAA? Some colleges specify which subjects the A must be and I guess it is not likely to be maths if doing MFL. I assume she needs to decide before the UCAS form is finalised. Our school strongly advises against 4 as the extra stress and workload far outweighs the benefit for most students.

[TheCheeseAlarm]

Can I join? I'm going through this for the second time with DS2 who from having no clue what he wants to do has become very focussed and fussy. He wants to study Ancient History or Classical Civilisation preferably at a campus university with a decent amount of water!

So York was his perfect environment but there was no suitable course. Kent had a great course but a lack of water. Fortunately, we went to Nottingham open day yesterday where both the course and the lake passed muster.

I think he will have to become less fussy. We still have Lancaster and Warwick to visit.

I'm enjoying the open days. His brother wanted to go on his own whereas DS2 likes to talk it all through. We've had some lovely days out.

[LIZS]

Exeter TheCheese ?

[Justanothermile]

There’s usually post offer day to go to, if you’ve not visited the university prior to getting said offer!

Exeter is a lovely campus, we visited in the summer.

I’ve also enjoyed the open days, it’s just that, having two dc going in consecutive years, we’ve seen an awful lot, from down in Exeter and up to St Andrews.

It does at least give you a good feel for where the institutions are on the ball etc.

[WheelyCote]

Place marking

[LittleSpace]

Love the water requirement. I think a lack of water would be good given how much many of them drink. I keep looking with worry at the fast flowing rivers and hazardous lakes.

[TheCheeseAlarm]

Thanks, LIZS. I'll get him to take a look at Exeter.

Fortunately, he doesn't drink alcohol so he should be ok with a lake on campus!

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

Exeter remains DS's preferred choice uni. I would have liked to go to Lancaster with him but it was going to be too expensive (about £300) by the time we looked at booking tickets and getting accommodation. Really can't justify that amount of money for an overnighter.

[LillianGish]

Can I join in please? I'm identifying with TheCheese Alarm and her fussy DS. We've seen a fair few universities and DD is quite clear about what she likes (Bristol, Cardiff, Exeter and Sheffield) and what she doesn't like (Warwick, Bath and Leeds). Didn't manage to see York - she likes the city, but has never visited the university (I suspect she might not like it as it is an out-of-town campus). At the moment she's looking at the unis she likes and sees what courses are available - she wants to do French and something. Desperately trying not to influence her too much - it needs to be her decision - just want her to get on with it so she can write her personal statement!

[AtiaoftheJulii]

preferably at a campus university with a decent amount of water!

Bath has water (dd2 was irrationally annoyed to see a duck wandering about), but Swansea might win, being just about on the beach?

[DrMadelineMaxwell]

#LillianGish York uni to town is walkable. We stayed in a travelodge on Hull road (free parking and v reasonable pub next door for dinner!) and it was an 18 min walk to the uni, then 20 ish min walk into town from the uni. DD felt it was a nice atmosphere.

[ElizabethBennetismybestfriend]

We were at York today. DD quite liked the course but was disappointed that there was no opportunity for a year abroad for Psychology so it’s off to Liverpool next week.

[DrMadelineMaxwell]

DD was really impressed with the uni of Liverpool, particularly by the flexibility of what she could do and the way they presented and spoke about their dept. It's only just far enough away from us to warrant living away from home - and then only to avoid the commute and to have that 'student' experience. 20 mins drive and 20 mins train and DD would be home.

[Laniakea]

Southampton - lots of water (the coast was a prerequisite for dd)!

[LillianGish]

Thanks for the info DrMadeleine - might try and see York at half term.

[RaskolnikovsGarret]

Thanks @Monkey2001. All girls are required to do 4 A levels at their school - they can only drop one on an exceptions basis. I am fine with her dropping maths as long as she is sure - she is very indecisive. Yes, she should get A stars in her MFL (been predicted 4 A stars). You are right - she has to decide very soon.

[LoniceraJaponica]

Is it a grammar school Raskoln?
DD's school only allowed the very brightest to take 4 A levels, and I think they were all students who took maths and further maths.