Applying for Uni 2019 Part 7: IB and A Levels are but a memory, we're relaxing and let's not even think about the 15 August yet!

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

Carrying on from the previous thread which filled up very quickly.

, and for everyone

@FrameyMcFrame the same thing happened to my best friend's DD.

Just seen that the Exeter course DS applied for (which was wanting AAA) is now advertising as BBB!

Good news!
I might check DDs course too

About to be a massive storm here - very loud rolls of thunder.

It’s started raining again! Yipeeeeee!

My niece got on track at 1.30 am and saw she had got her 1st choice
According to that UCAS blog, this is an urban myth. No idea of the reality or whether it used to be different.

@Mustbetimeforachange it definitely happened happened to by friend's DD but maybe 6am rather than 1.30am (and it was four years ago)

my even!

Well urban myth or not, that’s at least Dd and me refreshing her emails and track from midnight! The admissions tutor for her first choice said they were by the phone from 7am so that suggests it’s early!

Emails definitely go out early from the universities

"Yikes, imagine having to go into school 'blind', not knowing whether you're going to be met by good or bad results."

Yes, very hard to turn up and find out you haven't got the results you need when everyone else is celebrating. Mind you, I think it's only the past 8 years or so that you haven't had to do that - before that you didn't find out through UCAS first so it was go to school and open the envelope.

@SoonerthanIthought, all those media images of 18 year olds jumping for joy on Results Day doesn't tell the full story, does it?

At my school, A Level results were displayed on a huge computer printout stuck on the wall. Remember that green and white stripy printer paper with punched out holes down the side? I still remember people crowded round it then turning round and sneering at me as I peered over to search for my (ok not great) results. Stuff of nightmares. Managed to talk my way through clearing into a brilliant time at a brilliant Uni then did an MSc so luckily worked out well. No thanks to my horrendous time at school.

@ZandathePanda well done to you. I recall just getting A Level results through the post and don't recall school giving any help whatsoever in helping me navigate Clearing.

Gosh I can think of nothing worse than others knowing your results before you do...

I haven't read the article about the review of admissions but it sounds interesting. What occurs to me is what would happen where universities interview/do their own admissions tests etc? Would all Oxbridge/med school/dentistry interviewers have to return mid August to do the interviews, and when would applicants do the whateverletterAT tests that some universities require? I suppose the students could do those in advance if they think they may be applying post results.

Obviously room to discuss whether those additional interviews/tests are necessary (eg do med schools in Europe interview or are admissions purely academically based and if so is the eventual outcome any worse?) But it sounds as though that would be an issue the review will need to address - will be interesting to see the outcome!

Last year DS got track confirmation at about 7.30 (was checking throught the night) accepted onto 1st choice, he was first to find out in his group of friends, made openng results much more pleasurable. Good luck everyone, not long to go now.

DS's 18th today. All a bit underwhelming! he is at the driving range. DH plans to take him to the pub for a pint this evening but has therefore said he can't have a beer with his lunch at the glam location of Pizza Express! Not sure when bubbly will be imbibed since DH says you can't have it with cake. I think this may be somewhat different from many 18ths!

Annoyingly my StepDM and DF seem to have forgotten about if. My own DM hasn't known when DCs' birthdays are for years...

On the plus side MIL and StepFIL are coming to see him.

I need

A very Happy Birthday to your DS, @Piggywaspushed. If it's any consolation DS wouldn't so much as touch a drop of alcohol on his 18th. Hope you all enjoy the day despite the challenges of family members forgetting about it.

AIBU to think you'd be well within your rights to have a ASAP to celebrate!

With so many new medical schools opening up, there may come a point when applying becomes less of a massively competitive thing than it has been hitherto?

Not sure what would happen with Oxbridge at all, with a new post exams admissions strategy in place. Remember that in the past, many young people applied "7th term", after they'd done their A Levels. Maybe we'd see a return to that type of system?

A very happy 18th to DS Piggy. 🌟🌟🥳

Thank you! I can't believe I own an 18 year old!

Mustbetime, it was 5 years ago, so maybe things have changed...
I also saw that UCAS had said it's an urban myth 😂 it definitely has happened in the past but maybe they've tightened up on it now?

Happy 18th to Piggys DS. Mine is now enjoying a bit of freedom he met up with primary school mates in the village, they all went for a pint and some games of pool the other night. Now if we can just get him through his driving test, he would be completely free.

This morning he had to strip his bed, put washing in machine, hoover, clean the bathroom, we are trying to prepare him for independent living.

I don't know what happens for A'levels but I can tell you for IB results.
They are available for coordinators on July 5th and then for students on July 6th. Universities also have access to them on the 5th. Students choose which universities they send their results to and the university has access to a secure site to access them.

Happy Birthday to Piggy’s ds!

I think universities get A Level results the weekend before results day so they have a few days to make decisions about those who miss their offers.

Sooner it would definitely be interesting to see if interviewing makes a difference or not.

I do think the current system needs reviewing with the higher numbers now applying. For many courses the personal statement is not even taken into account. So a lot of stress & angst for nothing.

However, for countries where allocation is done after results day (eg Ireland) it does really push up the grades needed for courses which are high in demand. So whereas it may be fairer, in that it is totally based on results alone, there is no allowance for someone having a bad day.

Piggy Happy Birthday to your DS. Now they're older, it's an odd time, we want to celebrate with them but they want to celebrate with friends/do something different.

DD will be away for her 18th with friends, so we won't even see her. It's looking like 16th Aug would be a good day for an early birthday celebration, but will she feel like celebrating the day after her results?!

Do any DCs have a citizen id card? If so, have they had any problems with it being accepted?

Piggy Congrats on being a mother of an adult! Happy birthday to your Ds.