Applying for Uni 2019 entry Part 3, UCAS & offers

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

Wow that last thread filled up quickly. Well done to your DS, Piggy!

Bettydaviseyes, pffer holder days ('apllicant days' at some universities) are invitation only, more focused opportunities to (re)visit universities which have responded to the application with an offer. There is usually a chance to look round the campus / accommodation and attend talks and speak to academics in the relevant department etc. Yes, they are a bit of a marketing ploy, in that the message is, Now make us your firm choice, but it's also a chance to have a quieter look round the university. DS1 found that going back for a second look helped, in one case, by making him realise that he didn't actually want to go there after all.

Congratulations and commiserations where appropriate.

DD got a conditional offer from Glasgow but she’s now sure she’s got no chance of getting what they asked for (not in the UK). But she studies hard so told her she can only do her best.

Oh and a rejection from Strathclyde. Still waiting for Edinburgh

IfOnly - he's applied for English in various forms.

Most of his choices want AAB or ABB; he has ABC (Music A-level was a battle). He's hoping that as he'll count as a mature student, and also as he's spent two years voraciously reading through the stock of the bookshop he works at, there may be some flexibility.

Dithering, music is known for being a hard subject, so hopefully they'll take that into account. DD is on a music scholarship, performance wise she'll get 90%+ but its the theroy she finds hard.

Same! He also found the composition very hard. Ironically, his second (quite well paid) job is as an army musician at weekends, so his playing is certainly up to scratch.

Littlespace I understand the STEP concern. Maths is different to the others in that so much relies on that extra aspect. My DD used to want to apply for Maths, and not having the STEP is one of the reasons I am pleased she changed track. However it can be done. I’m sure your DS will be fine. I think others have mentioned the STEP workshop days at Cambridge and on the other thread the woman responsible for writing much of the STEP materials has offered support/ to answer questions. Good luck!

Is anybody on this thread supporting a DC applying to Conservatoires or to do a Music course at university? I have realised that it is not long before we need to start looking at DC2s options too! Her heart is in Music.

Still no offers / rejections for ds. The suspense is killing me!

Good news though in that his much loved girl friend got an offer from Cambridge . Need A, A, A* tho!

Waiting for DS to finish second interview. His first yesterday, the lecturer asked if he had any questions and he froze... I hope he has more confidence today. He is worried because he whittled down his portfolio as advised in the blurb the uni. put on the website. This morning he noticed other hopefuls lugging in huge portfolios so is panicking that he did not take enough stuff. The rest of it is on the floor in the office here. Oh god this is so hard on them.

I should add he has done two unis. in two days.

Lililili - we are looking at music for ds2. We are still a few years away but he is a musician through and through. At the moment, we are leaning towards music at Uni rather than conservatoire as he wants to keep his options open. Not sure what he will do in the end though.

Thank you Lililili. Everyone is very kind.

Music applications sound intense so wishing anyone going down that route the best of luck.

pasanda. Which subject is your dc applying to study? Some of them take a lot longer to reply than others.

Frustrating for you and your DS, Pasanda. Fingers crossed that your DS hears something soon (he may get the offers en masse!).

Anyone got an idea as to when Durham allocates colleges?

NewModel - I read somwhere they start allocating some time in February and I guess it's in batches after that, given they're still in the process of making offers.

DS 's uni's are Loughborough (favourite), Manchester, oxford Brooke's, Sussex and Nottingham.

Business related. Different course titles for each I think rather than pure Business Studies. Eg Ethical Business, Business Psychology etc

Thanks, ifonly4.

@pasanda - My DS has an offer from Loughborough, but is waiting for an offer from Nottingham as that would be his first choice. If he were not to get an offer from Nottingham then he would be very interested in going to Loughborough. He will definitely be going on an offer holder day as their offer is lower than Nottingham's is likely to be so it would make a good insurance choice. DS has applied for Economics.
Good luck!

Son on way back he thinks todays interview went better than yesterdays he froze when the interviewer asked him if he had any questions. Today he was chattier he thinks. What can you do with a quiet thoughtful child to encourage them to have confidence in themselves.

justasking111 he was probably on a bit of a roll by today. Well done to him though. No small ask to two interviews on consecutive days at 17/18.

Thanks blame. Good luck to yours too. I just want him to get at least one offer through! It would make it all seem so much more real.

DS seems immensely cheery having got the damn application in -- even if he's spent his day off going 'Oh, look, XX Uni would have been worth a shot after all, might see if that comes up in Clearing.'

He did take me out for a coffee by way of thanks for assistance with his last-minute PS. He's quite civilised, really.

Never heard of this before. One uni. e-mailed and said DS would receive a random phone call between certain dates and do an interview ask questions that way. Has he got the wrong end of the stick?

Lililili My DS is a 1st year music student at Cardiff. He chose university over conservatoire as he felt that he'd get a broader education and mix with a wider range of people. He applied post A level as his grade predictions weren't good enough but he was accepted at all 5 of his choices with his eventual BBB and Grade 8 in 2 instruments. He's doing really well now that he's studying what he really wants to. And by the way, A level music composition is an absolute mine field, especially AQA. Only a review of marking got DS his place, having got A* at GCSE!!!