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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

Anyone still waiting to hear from Durham?

807 replies

PortusCale · 11/02/2019 11:11

Just wondered if anyone else is waiting to hear from Durham for an offer for 2019 entry?

See that offer holder day bookings are now open and I understand college allocation has begun.

DS still waiting here, DS application went through in November.....does this mean a rejection will likely be on its way?

OP posts:
Justanothermile · 27/03/2019 18:09

DD is proving just a different type of worrier!

Original poster
PortusCale · 27/03/2019 18:36

Thank you for all the kind wishes!

I don't know if he will accept or not and I am not seeing him until later on this evening so can't ask him yet. Although he was rejected after his Oxford interview he remained positive about it, he got feedback an he believes that he still has something there to offer/try for. He's spoken recently of perhaps reapplying - and for possibly a different subject.

He's the kind who takes a while to make a decision although he hasn't much time on his side.

Can anyone tell me what Durham are like for either changing subjects or deferring for a year?

And fingers are firmly crossed for the other two DCs, I really hope hope hope you hear very soon. Waiting is so hard.

OP posts:
CBear99 · 27/03/2019 18:39

PortusCale so pleased for you. Nothing to report here yet - hardly dare ask DD Confused

Original poster
PortusCale · 27/03/2019 18:46

I know that feeling too CBear99, wanting to ask but not daring to. I am rooting for your DD.

OP posts:
myrtleWilson · 27/03/2019 19:32

Portus its not the same subject so no doubt his response will be caveated but I'll ask DH - but probably won't get a reply back on the thread till tomorrow as he's tied up with student presentations tonight (what subject would he likely wish to switch to?)

NotWhatWhat · 27/03/2019 19:36

That's great news.

Original poster
PortusCale · 27/03/2019 19:48

Thanks myrtleWilson would very much appreciate a Durham view on this. I'll pm you as I don't want to say anything that would out DS!

OP posts:
oneteen · 27/03/2019 20:39

Well done to your DS @PortusCale.

Assume he may have been offered a different subject to what he applied for - like a number of other applicants?

Hope everyone else's DC's hear soon. I love Durham has a city and did possibly think of going to have a look around with DD on our way back from Edinburgh, but the Uni's not on her list and I'm not sure I would want her to go through such a protracted application...so thank you for starting the thread - its a real insight.

OKBobble · 27/03/2019 20:57

Oneteen - my DS yr 12 went to the open day in Autumn and crossed it off his list. I was a bit disappointed then but relieved we won't be suffering this, this time next year!

goodbyestranger · 27/03/2019 21:02

I read it as Portus DS being offered History but considering another subject. Portus apologies if this is something you already know but your DS can't defer ar Durham and hang onto that place for 2020 while re-applying to Oxbridge. Historically, Durham was responsive to trading between courses unless the course desired was more competitive - the whole 'entry by the back door' scenario but also of course the most competitive courses are generally full.

oneteen · 27/03/2019 21:59

@OKBobble - It's very enlightening to see the application process this year before our DC's apply next year. I actually think DD would love Durham but it's not on her list and I'm now hoping it stays off.

Coleoptera · 28/03/2019 06:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
PortusCale · 28/03/2019 08:03

Thank you Coleoptera, he's pleased to have been given an offer. I'm so very aware that your DS and many others are still waiting and I don't want to appear insensitive at all. But DS is now wondering whether to accept the offer or reapply next year for Oxbridge. I'm not sure what's best and only he can decide.

It was for history goodbyestranger and thanks for the info about not being able to hang onto his place, I thought that was very likely the case.

Let's hope today is the day for more good news, keeping everything crossed for DCs waiting still. When DD applied she heard back in January so I wouldn't necessarily be put off applying because of our experience.

OP posts:
MariaNovella · 28/03/2019 08:13

PortusCale - your DS can accept the Durham offer for 2019 and then decide whether or not to take it up post A-level. If his A-level results suggest it is worth having another go at Oxbridge he only needs to decide in August (or even September) whether or not to go to Durham.

Original poster
PortusCale · 28/03/2019 08:21

Thanks for that MariaNovella - would he be put on some kind of Durham black list if he did that? Just wondered how they might view him if he reapplied to them in 2020?

OP posts:
goodbyestranger · 28/03/2019 08:24

Yes that's the question mark which always hangs over that strategy, especially with Durham.

goodbyestranger · 28/03/2019 08:27

Although if he was to change choice of subject for 2020, it's far less likely to be a problem.

ZandathePanda · 28/03/2019 08:47

When you ‘firm’ or ‘insurance’ a conditional place, it does say you are entering a contract with that university if you meet the grades and they accept you. How does that work if you decline them (as you fancy your chances at another university) after they have accepted you on results day?

Original poster
PortusCale · 28/03/2019 09:08

It would be for a different course goodbyestranger.

OP posts:
goodbyestranger · 28/03/2019 09:09

There's not a cat's chance that they'll ever hold you to that contract though.

goodbyestranger · 28/03/2019 09:14

That was to Zanda but in that case Portus, it's hugely unlikely to matter. But is he not minded to contact admissions to ask about a change of course now, given that he has his History offer? It's a bit messy to go up in October and start asking then - much better to get it settled. But I get a sense that he's keen on a re-application in any event.

Original poster
PortusCale · 28/03/2019 09:51

Yes, I think initially he’ll make some direct enquiries to Durham now. But in his heart I suspect he wants to give oxbridge another try. Any advice as to whether that’s a good idea? I supppse ultimately it very much depends on his results.

OP posts:
goodbyestranger · 28/03/2019 10:17

Did he get his HAT result back?

MariaNovella · 28/03/2019 10:32

My advice, FWIW, would be to encourage your DS to focus all his energy now on meeting/exceeding the terms of his Durham offer (presuming that is the offer he is going to firm) and not to waste any headspace at all at this stage in whether he is going to give Oxbridge another shot. After all, whether or not giving Oxbridge another try is sensible is 100% dependent on his A-level results, which won’t be known until August.

MariaNovella · 28/03/2019 10:36

When you ‘firm’ or ‘insurance’ a conditional place, it does say you are entering a contract with that university if you meet the grades and they accept you.

Actually, no. The university enters into a contract with the applicant - if the applicant meets the terms of his/her firm (or insurance) offer, the university cannot back track. The applicant may change his/her mind right up until payment of fees in September.

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