Applying for Uni 2019 entry Part 2, UCAS & offers

[Decorhate]

Here we go!

Oh no CutePoro - how many offers have you got - three? And Essex's still to come? Still worth celebrating.

Oh and DD hasn't visited two of her choices, but is familiar with one of them, and has had an offer from another uni in the same area, as the other one.

Yeah, I still have 3 offers and Essex's (I got a request for interview/applicant day, which is optional, so I decided to decline, they said it wouldn't affect my application in any way) as I have already visited them a lot, so I didn't see the need. They said they then just offer you a place on your application, so I'd love to have it soon, so I can then just lock in my places, but I dunno if they will do it until after the day (which is in February).

Yeah, I'm still happy with my choices. I dunno if Southampton would reject on this, but I actually completely failed first year in sixth form and was admitted to hospital for a erm, suicide attempt (don't mean to post that on here for attention or anything). I was then able to join a new college and start my A-Levels again, but I had to put my failed exams on my application, my current teacher actually said don't, but the person who checked over, sent it back and said I had to. The UCAS thing says "not sufficient educational background" or something like that :/ my grades are set to be good this year, so I can only guess it is because of the results I had in the first year.

Hi CutePoro I guess it's not always possible to second guess why one is successful for some courses but not others (particularly if the universities are all of a similar 'ilk'). It may not have anything to do with your failed first year sixth (and sorry to hear that you were having a sad time :-(). Are you wanting to do a competitive subject? Southampton is a pretty popular choice for DS's many STEM focused friends - and they're a very high achieving cohort.

@NewModelArmyMayhem18 - it was for Biology :P

I would think Southampton would be quite in demand for any of the sciences, biology included. How does it score in the university league tables for your chosen subject?

DS's UCAS now says this as of 4.14 yesterday :

Your application has been approved by your referee/coordinator.
What is the next stage after this?

Piggy I can't remember exactly but I think there a short paragraph (when it's actually been sent) that shows up on your DS's 'home' application page which explains what happens next (that your DS will be sent an email with details which will enable him to log in to 'Track').

No further offers here as yet and not now expecting any more to show up this side of the new year TBQH.

It's so frustrating having to wait so long for anything to be done, given he actually sent the schol his PS in mid November...

And, yeah, now I think it'll e after Christmas until he gets any offers.

He got his mock results this week : not good at all (CDD) so he needs to get his backside into gear.

@Piggywaspushed we were in same position. Sodding college put his predicted grade for his chosen subject really low (totally out of the blue and wouldn't raise it by a grade) so we then have had huge rush looking at open days in October for different subject (one that he actually loves more). However, college then faffed around after we got the UCAS form all done by their deadline on 15 Nov by saying we'd put down courses with 112 UCAS points which was more than he has been predicted ( but that in actuality he should get and we were told at end of summer he was being predicted). So we faffed about, got choices in, more faffing from them. Finally all done two Fridays ago. We got the same message snd have been getting calls for auditions since. All five have contacted, one with a straight offer and we have four auditions lined up. So you can expect stuff through shortly - I presume you paid your UCAS fee?

I am so so pissed off with the college though. I and DS have been asking for suggestions for suitable monologues for weeks 'oh yes, I've got loads' but not given anything to DS. I've sourced the contemporary ones myself and he is in the throes of choosing.

One of the places we are off to is Chester which is my old gaff. Feels strangely exciting and a bit weird!

Our school is also not very focused on mocks. They did some in the summer (off timetable with annoying scheduling which had most of DS's in week 1 of 3 so he treated the last 2 weeks as bonus holiday. and have some in Feb. I wish they had 2 sets in Y13.

It's depressing to read how useless some schools are. DD did mocks in December and just after the Easter holidays. Interestingly she dropped grades in the second set of mocks, but it was a bit of a wake up call for her. She pulled her finger out revisionwise and did very well in her A levels in the end.

dd's had two sets in year 12 (Easter & end of year) & two sets in y13 (now & February). The y12 ones supposedly set their predicted grades.

Does anyone know why a university would give an offer much higher than their standard? One of dd's friends has an AAB offer from a course that is advertised as BBB/BBC?

DD also had mocks in the December of year 12, then AS exams in the summer. The school did exceptionally well this year with the best ever A level results, and 45% of the students getting at least one A.

Dd has mocks in early January then apparently again after Easter. Her actual exams are during first 2 weeks of June, including two clashes.

I'm amazed that DS doesn't appear to have any Year 13 mocks but I know that they're being very regularly tested. Possibly just as well, as DS has had two pieces of course work to do with a January deadline, one of which has been very time-consuming (ongoing all term) on top of all the other set work.

Does anyone know why a university would give an offer much higher than their standard? One of dd's friends has an AAB offer from a course that is advertised as BBB/BBC? Possibly it's suddenly proved really popular so they've elevated offers? A bit of a blow if it's one's lower grade 'back-up' option.

That certainly all sounds familiar flying! Strangely comforting!

Stop Press - another offer in (3Bs)

piggywaspushed
Can I say we where in your place last year, like FlyingArcher, we had very similar experience to you and your DS. Our application was returned back to the school for things like missing off predicted grades, reference, two of his subjects. To be fair it had just gone into special measures. school number ended up on our family and favourite list!
As first time appliciants we just thought it was usual.
DS did AS and got CEE and lost fourth AS.
Sixth form only accepted him into year 13, because we fought for him.
He got CCCD in A levels, his C in criminology was gained in one year with just half of course learnt.
He only applied to 3 universities and got offers for all 3, 2 unconditional.
Hull and Lincoln both do offer holders day on Saturdays, if it helps you and your DH to attend. Hull will reenburse your travel costs too.
He is at Lincoln, on unconditional offer, DS wasn't even sure he wanted to go 3 weeks before A level results day. He having a ball, joined RL team, already sorted year 2 house with his 4 flatmates. DS say best decision of his life

Hope that proves it can be done.
PS he had been through CAMHS in year 12 too
Good luck to all posters DC.

2Boys that is such a helpful and reassuring post : thanks!!

I am glad your DS is doing so well. I think Lincoln seems nice and all my ex students who went really rate it.

One of DD's friends is doing criminology at Lincoln as well.

Can I ask why your DS took 4 A levels instead of 3? Might he have achieved better grades with 3?

I just checked. My offer for East Anglia is higher than what the website says :/ is there a reason for this?

Oh, I see someone else asked!

@blametheparents fab news re: Exeter. Should bode well for Nottingham one would think.

Didn't realise that points could be lower if firmed. This is reassuring as DD is sitting in the 36-38 region, but anything could happen afterall. UCAS submitted 10 Dec. No news yet from Edinburgh, Sheffield, UCL, Manchester or Bath.

@nessus Yup - the lower if Firm aspect was new to us too! We're now waiting on Sheffield, Manchester & Edinburgh too, plus York.