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

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

Following on from the previous thread.

So DS heard from Aberystwyth today. He didn't get any money but he did get a reduced offer (yet to be confirmed). He got 62% in both exams which I think is decent.

He couldn't be more pleased

Well done to your DS, Piggy. Very decent results but just a pity they didn't convert into ££££. Any closer to deciding which to choose to firm - does that make the Aberystwyth offer lower than the others (recall that they were pretty much the same)

It does indeed. Their paperwork suggests it will reduce to CCC or CCD. That's better than Lincoln's UiF in many ways because it still sets a target. Much to his delight we are Wales bound on friday night for an Offer Day on Saturday.

Oh have fun. Am I sensing irony again at the prospect? I wish we'd done some (I did comment to DS that he might have had an offer or two reduced if he'd made the effort but wasn't enough to entice him).

Irony is now my default setting....

Interesting conversation with an academic at Birmingham today. Apparently, in his department at least, those who tale up Unconditional if Firmed offers tend to achieve or better their grade predictions.

I'd lost you all for a while, but have found you again now! Just had a nice read through and catch up.

Ds has firmed Manchester and insured Bristol. I keep nudging him to apply for accommodation ...

AtiaoftheJulii welcome back and good news for your DS.

Wondering whether some of our DCs' reluctance to 'get on the case' immediately is down to the dawning realisation that this is for real. Every tick off the 'to do' list is a step closer to going to university. Mind you, DS was saying on last night that he is beginning to find some of his year group very immature and "can't wait to go to Durham." Although that said, there's a strong possibility that if he does get the grades he may be there with some of his school cohort anyway!

There's lots for them to get sorted as they head to wards their exams, isn't there? We did the online finance thing t'other day, accommodation is a done deal for Durham (if he gets the grades), he has an under 18s bank account which he could convert to a student one, although wondering whether he might be better opting for a different bank with more incentivised join up offers.

Piggy has your DS shown any sign of a preference as yet? Aberystwyth would be a long way from home for your son - would that be an issue or not?

I am a bit worried about my DS. He is going to NTU which was his first choice but now he suddenly doesnt want to talk about uni, he is not excited, not joined the Facebook group and is really uninterested in anything. I am hoping it is because he is focussing on getting through his exams, and am keeping an eye on him its just that my neighbor's DD has started buying bits and pieces for her room and talks about uni non stop and is so excited. Are your DC's starting to get excited yet ir is it too soon.

minesawine it's a good idea to keep an eye on our DCs but I don't think you need to be overly worried. As my DD said last week 'it feels like so much has to happen between now and then before I can get excited about it'. In her case she's really become aware of how little time there is left before exams and study leave and although she's working hard it has made her a bit wobbly.
I'm trying to buy a few of the boring bits and bobs for uni and hope that once exams are over she can enjoy buying the rest and start to look forward to it.
I've drawn up a packing list for uni from a number of different sources which I'm happy to share if anyone is interested. It's helped me focus on what we will need to buy and I'm hoping to spread the cost by doing little and often over the coming months.

I can't imagine ds getting excited at all, lol! And I think I might have to drag him out to do the pre uni shopping - I'm sure he thinks that as long as he has a pen and his laptop and his desktop he's sorted.

He does know which hall he wants to apply for, and it's a pretty basic, cheap, undersubscribed one, so that's perfect imo 😁

I've been following this thread, but haven't posted recently. DD received five offers. Originally she didn't have a firm favourite, but as St Andrews offered second, she's had time to think about and it was top of the list. Durham have come back this week with her final offer, and typical it's the only uni she hasn't visited.

She's waiting for her mock results and we have a parents meeting late next week, so she'll then have to decide if she really wants to consider Durham (offer is her predicted grades, which she's not sure she'll achieve) at end of March. For that reason, she won't be able to make any uni and possibly accommodation for a while.

A pen! Goodness! My DS is genuinely one of those boys who produces a pen from a trouser pocket and then chews it and puts it back in. Invariably ends up in washing machine or staining his clothing.

Bless him.

He reminds me (only in this one way!) of Lennie in Of Mice and Men , all proud, with his one stick to light a fire.

OP his main thing is he does not wnat to go to Offer days : he doesn't like car journeys but otehrwise 3 hours/ 2 hours/ 20 minutes - it's all immaterial.

He has other friends whose parents have limited them geographically and now one says her DS really wishes he had chosen Hull, so I (note pronoun) realy went for unis within his academic reach (especially oen siwth contextual offers) and with good reputations for his course.

He hasn't said Aber is too far. If he says that after Saturday, I think it's Lincoln. Although I feel sad to leave Hull out.

Apols for typos!

Thank you Juicy0 A packing list would be great as I am not very organised.

Well done to DS. Piggy

We are also wales bound for Cardiff on Friday for offer day.

Then the uncomfortable which one to firm or insure. I just hope he makes the right choice.

minesawine - it could be a case of having chosen his first choice, he now realises the pressure is on to get those grades, after that there's a summer of not knowing. Part of them wants to look forward to it, but the daren't as the just don't know.

piggy my DD hasn't wanted to go to any offer holder days. Just had an offer from Durham, that she hasn't visited, so if she really wants to consider it, she'll have to concede and visit.

On the subject of a packing list, when my DD went to boarding school someone suggested buying those large laundry bags. Not only very handy for taking laundry to wherever but also for packing clothes, folders, loose bits and pieces away. We have three and they certainly get filled, as well as 2-3 suitcases of clothes!

mineswine Do you he’s nervous about making his grades now suddenly it all seems so fast approaching whereas before it was sort of the future? For what it’s worth I can’t see DS getting involved with FB groups either, no matter how much it’s sold to him. At least he seems interested in the offer days. I think *juicy’s DD sums t up well that there’s so much to do between now and then before some can start to really get excited about it.

ifonly4 my DS has firmed Durham without visiting! Hope your DD finds the offer day constructive. BTW where do you buy large laundry bags from (great tip)?

JuicyO a packing list sounds good. I just had a look at the MN recommended one and had to laugh at ironing board/iron and toilet brush listed as essentials! Was a bit taken aback to think that they will need their own printer too. I reckon I took 1/4 of the stuff they are recommending and survived perfectly well.

Piggy I know you said the accommodation was nice (and cheap) at Hull (plus well regarded course) BUT Aberystwyth just sounds so much nicer. Hope your DS likes it when you visit. I always recall that famous 'Hull, Halifax and Hell' adage from my childhood which has well and truly blinkered my view of both places (will reserve judgement about Hell ).

bigTillyMint sorry to hear that your DS still hasn't heard from Durham . So frustrating and presumably delaying many young people's decision making about their firm and insurance universities.

Mine my DS is also holding to go to NTU but not really showing that much interest or enthusiasm, seems to be me ‘encouraging’ him all the time & it’s been a pain sorting accommodation. I don’t think he even knows about the Facebook groups, are they for specific Halls or for the course? He’s more interested in enjoying life with his school mates and following his football team.

Thanks for all the words of encouragement. I do think he is a bit stressed and nervous about getting the grades and about leaving his family (although he would never admit that). He will be 19 a few days after he starts and is used to going out with his friends or family for his birthday. That's why I wanted him to join the FB group so that he can make suggestions about having a night out, although it will be Freshers Week so I am sure there will be loads going on.

Ragwort sorting out accommodation was painful. The campus halls went in days. He is staying in Sandby and NTU set up the FB group and sent him the details. Someone has now set up a messenger group and I have seen that there are lots of chats going on but he doesn't comment. Where is your DS staying?

Dd got 4 out if 5 offers abd is off to Liverpool for an offer holders day on Saturday. Excellent mock results in 2 subjects but 1 needs more fine tuning although her course work has been deemed good. Feel sick at the thought of the actual exams!

The exams are effectively only two months away, aren't they? Yikes! Looming large.