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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:
goodbyestranger · 28/03/2019 10:53

Or rather, since you can't have a contract with only one party, the applicant does have reciprocal obligations but would never be held to them (already said that though).

Justanothermile · 28/03/2019 10:56

That's sensible advice re just focusing on exams right now. So many variables at this stage.

Would your DS have a plan for a gap year portus? Not in the least suggesting that he wouldn't, rather I think I'd want to feel my DC had something in mind for the year in between.

How did your DT find Exeter coleoptera?

Fingers crossed for news today, for those still waiting.

MariaNovella · 28/03/2019 13:47

The applicant doesn’t have any obligation to take up the place - just the right.

goodbyestranger · 28/03/2019 14:10

That's not how contracts work Maria but it doesn't matter a jot - the uni will release the student no questions or barely any questions asked.

MariaNovella · 28/03/2019 14:34

Contracts can most definitely work that way, goodbyestranger, and do!

goodbyestranger · 28/03/2019 14:40

I don't think so Maria but in practical terms it won't matter just watch out on the accommodation front - those charges can sting, depending on timing.

MariaNovella · 28/03/2019 14:41

Think of it this way - the student has an option on the place they firmed. No obligation - they are absolutely free to walk away with no penalties up until registration and payment.

MariaNovella · 28/03/2019 14:44

And universities do absolutely factor in a “no show” percentage among those applicants who firm and meet the conditions of their offer. The “no show” percentage is, unsurprisingly, higher among EU students than among U.K. students.

TapasForTwo · 28/03/2019 15:06

I would have thought that as universities have to factor in the number of students who miss their grades, some students who change their minds would also be included in this number?

MariaNovella · 28/03/2019 15:11

Those are two different sorts of “no shows” and,yes, universities need to keep statistics for both sorts and to factor in estimates of both. The system that matches students to university places in the UK is highly sophisticated and both students and universities bear risks.

CBear99 · 28/03/2019 19:20

Well wow - even with perfect grades DD has just been rejected. She's gutted. Bit of a slap in the face for someone who works so hard. Exeter or Warwick here we come ....

CadburysTastesVileNow · 28/03/2019 19:33

Good grief.

I'm so sorry to hear this. And amazed.

Original poster
PortusCale · 28/03/2019 19:59

So sorry to hear about that CBear99 - I can’t understand as your DD had all top GCSEs and A level predictions? It seems very odd - can she ask for feedback?

But you know, either Exeter or Warwick will be very lucky to have her.

OP posts:
CBear99 · 28/03/2019 20:05

Thank you PortusCale. I'm sure she could but I doubt she will. I don't think she's ready to discuss it yet. As I've said before I do think Exeter is probably the better bet for her anyway but not sure she sees that at the moment. Really don't want to be going through this again in a year's time..!

Needmoresleep · 28/03/2019 20:11

I am not sure it is that unknown. It happened to DS with UCL, Warwick and Cambridge. He was taking 5 A levels including FM, predicted A* in 4, and had the equivalent of an AS in a language.

  1. If she reapplies with actual grades she will do better.
  1. It is nothing about her. DS found it really difficult, probably because he had not experienced 'failure' before. 5 years on it has done him no harm to understand that it is a tough competitive world out there. And academically he has done just fine. (6 years generous PhD funding at a US top 10 University.)

But at the time it was pretty awful and he needed time to absorb. Best wishes to your DD.

CBear99 · 28/03/2019 20:14

Needmoresleep thank you. What you say makes a lot of sense. I think Exeter will work out just fine for her. If she wants to do a postgrad at Cambridge or Durham in later years that possibility will still be there.

goodbyestranger · 28/03/2019 20:16

Gosh very sorry to hear that CBear99. I think it is actually incredibly unusual for Durham to reject someone with A* in every subject at GCSE and suggests a change of policy this year. The suggestion that admissions have been wholly centralised makes absolute sense and would account for some wacky decisions but I've no idea if it's correct. Your poor DD to bear the brunt of it if that's what it is. The countryside around Exeter was absolutely stunning in today's sunshine if that's any small consolation.

CBear99 · 28/03/2019 20:37

Update - just heard that everyone at DDs school has been rejected - and one who applied for English has been offered Visual Art and Film - what on earth!? All of them are extremely capable candidates so it really is very odd but at least she's in good company.

Coleoptera · 29/03/2019 05:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

OKBobble · 29/03/2019 06:26

As you know my DS is yr12 but I also invigilate at his school and was there yesterday. I heard that the school had no Durham History responses either way as yet at that point. A friend is in the same situation as you Coleoptera. Her DS had 11 x A gcse and 4 x A predictions for A level (HIstory, Ancient History, Eng Lit and Maths). No Cambridge offer, currently has an Exeter and Bristol offer but not heard from Durham. Now seems more inclined to accept Exeter.

I wouldn't worry about female/male split on the Exeter open day. My understanding is that girls are more likely to go to offer days especially if the boys already went to open days. I think it is usually pretty much 50/50. Friend's son didn't bother with either. Has done virtual tour!! And has spoken to boys he knows from year above who are there and loving it.

CBear99 · 29/03/2019 07:35

Coleoptera I hope you get some news soon so like us you will at least know where you stand. In our experience at the Exeter open day I would have said it was a very even split between male/female on campus. I didn't feel that there were more girls there although we were at the History talks. We saw all types/ budgets of accommodation and it seemed pretty good overall.
My DD is in an able cohort but also achieved well above the average in that cohort. Very few have perfect grades. I can only assume that her PS wasn't 'quirky' enough for Durham though Exeter and Warwick seem very happy with it! It will definitely help that it's not just her affected this morning.

JocelynBell1 · 29/03/2019 08:07

CBear99, I'm sorry to read this. Something, somewhere, has gone terribly wrong in the admissions process in Durham.

MariaNovella · 29/03/2019 08:18

CBear99 - I’m very sorry that your DD didn’t get the Durham offer she wanted.

Does your DD’s school usually get a number of Durham offers? Do students at your DD’s school go on to Durham every/most years?

CBear99 · 29/03/2019 08:56

Marianovella yes they usually send several students every year. The Head of Sixth form says that there is a real change in admissions policy this year that has unfortunately affected my DD. They've never experienced 1. Such late decisions
or 2. So many rejections for very able candidates. But by the sounds of it it will be working to Exeter's next year so I doubt they're complaining!

CBear99 · 29/03/2019 08:57

*Exeter's advantage

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