Applying for Uni 2019 entry Part 4, UCAS & offers (and thinking about exams)

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

Following on from the previous thread.

It also says that some are hedging their bets, applying to university and for apprenticeships (I think we've seen evidence of this on MN threads?), so there may be no need to panic.

And it said the increase in med school applications was in line with increased numbers of places.

Maybe the year group is very aspirational? It must sometimes happen? I know at DS's school (which is very high achieving anyway), it seemed to be the case that more of the cohort than usual applied to Oxbridge and/or for Medicine/Dentistry and Vet. Medicine - maybe a snapshot of a wider trend?

Maybe part of it is that the message is finally getting through to more schools that in order to widen access to those fields/places, more of their pupils need to 'aim high' and actually apply?

ErrolTheDragon you could be right.

My DS got an offer from Warwick yesterday so that's a full house now. Just got to finish the round of offer holder days, make a decision then get the grades! Warwick is his favourite on paper, but he's had a slight wobble over the lack of catered halls.

Just found out DS has done really badly in his mocks 🙄 and doesn’t seem overly bothered by it. I’ve told him we will only stand by our offer to pay his accommodation if we see him putting some proper effort in. (Unlikely)

Most of his offers are high ones, just Coventry have given him a lower offer plus UIF but it’s a different course than all the others. Don’t know if he should firm that one or just carry on his merry way with an aspirational choice and hope for a miracle or places in clearing. Or give up and look for a job. Going to talk to his tutors after half term.

Really disappointed. More so because he’s totally unfazed. ☹️

Prolific -- I'd say jobs are good. DS has grown up immensely over the past couple of years and is sorting his university process himself (with minor help in a CV-related crisis!).

Is he applying for the sort of course where a year out would be a problem (Maths)?

ProlificLurker sorry to hear that your DS 'bombed' his mocks but it's surely not too late for a turnaround in academic fortunes? Isn't it quite common for DC to underachieve at this stage?

I guess the main thing you have to look at is this a 'blip' or does it reflect his grades/pattern of results throughout the sixth form? I'm presuming it's the former given that he's clearly made aspirational university choices?

Does he have 'form' for this (i.e. did he perform similarly in GCSE mocks and then 'pull it out of the bag' for the real thing)?

I guess you need to think strategically about his firm and back-up offers. Maybe still get him to aim high (if he thinks he can turn his mock results around) but with Coventry as his fall-back?

Can I join this thread please ?!
My DD has all her offers back (Royal Holloway, UEA, Kent, Keele & NT). We are doing UEA Applicant Day next week, have done RH already as these are her two choices, then it will be decision time to firm.

We have received a few enticing letters from Kent, one today had gone into detail about her personal statement. Is this just what I think ? A nice please pick us letter ? As they have also lowered her grade boundaries to 3 BBB if firmed. She will be studying Eng Lit & Film.

Hello! Welcome!

I'll just jump in there and ask whether you were aware of Kent's reputation in film ? (I am a film studies teacher). RH and UEA are lovely (well I know UEA is , just gather this about RH) and UEA has an excellent reputation for English (especially creative writing) but if Knet reduced my offer for film, I'd bite their arm off...

Oooh no I know nothing about Kent film reputation ? Can you let me know please ?

Kent is one of the originators if degrees in Film and TV and as such is very highly regarded. It is difficult to find league tables for film degrees as the degrees differ so much in content but Kent is renowned.

Thank you DitheringDan and NewModelArmyMayhem18

I will be speaking to his tutors to find out what they think. The issue is not so much just the results as his complete refusal to put any extra effort in or ask for support or anything. At GCSE he attended lots of revision sessions and extra lessons, etc but seeems to think he’s above all that now. 🤷‍♀️

Hard as it is, I think I need to step back and let him do it his way.

Thank you for your support.

kalkem72 That is so exciting for your DD. Congratulations!

DS is pleased the the uni. has set up a FB page for 2019 entrants, they are chatting away already.

Prolific - Sorry to hear about the awful mocks. If it makes you feel any better we had awful mocks here too plus the laid back attitude. He re sat them however and just last week heard he got an A* in one. So right now I have no idea what results to expect.
All you can do is keep encouraging him and also make a plan B, what happens if it all goes tits up? That way at least you’re prepared.

Kalkem congratulations. We are also doing UEA next week.

We are doing UEA with DS2 next week too, even though we know it well as DS1 is already there. In the meantime we have Birmingham tomorrow. Decisions, decisions

UEA Tuesday, Leeds the following week and Birmingham on the 6th. Exeter seemed to involve not being able to 'do' both parts of DD's course on the same day and it had probably slipped down to fifth place anyway, so she's decided not to traipse all the way down there again. Warwick may get another look, should they eventually decide to make her an offer, but middle tadpole's patience is wearing a little thin there.

UEA seems to be very popular this year. I haven't seen many universities further north than Leeds mentioned on this thread.

Thank you Shimy

kalkem72 Well done to your DD.

UEA will be DS's back-up option and most likely DN's firm one. It has lots going for it.

As DS is adamant that he's not doing any of the offer holder days, and seems to have not budged in his thinking, I've told him to choose his two by the end of the month.

At UEA today, they even gave us lunch. Spoke to the admissions person for DS course and he said applications are defiantly up this year.
DS has a good offer but think he’s still keen on Birmingham.
Still waiting to hear from Bath !

I’m on my third child, we had good lunches at Southampton & Kent (different children & subjects). Southampton had v good lunch for parents & even better for potential students. I’m not going to the Durham open dinner/day.