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Higher education

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

Original poster

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!

970 replies

NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 26/06/2019 19:51

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

Gin, Wine and Cake for everyone Wink

OP posts:
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Original poster
NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 30/07/2019 08:06

We have applied for accommodation for DS's insurance university. However, now he's seen the Exeter lowered grades for the course he initially applied for, we may end up with him choosing to opt out of his insurance if he doesn't do well enough for his firm choice.

101 uses for an ironing board...

OP posts:
Mustbetimeforachange · 30/07/2019 08:59

DS2 was able to apply for accommodation at his insurance but I think that's unusual. Usually you can't apply until it's your firm. That was certainly the case with DD & it was a bit of a mad scramble.

Shimy · 30/07/2019 09:31

DS was also able to apply for accommodation at his insurance, Swansea.

ifonly4 · 30/07/2019 11:01

DD wants to go into catered, so luckily we've got everything we bought for her boarding. It's washed and ready to go, including items to make it home.

I'm sure I've given this tip already, but large laundary bags (£6/7 Amazon) are great for throwing whatever in, bedding, books, files, extra clothes. DD regularly used three large laundary bags, three small suitcases and various bags, so be warned, and that's without anything they need for self catering!

DD was able to apply for accommodation at her insurance, Edinburgh.

Mustbetimeforachange · 30/07/2019 11:19

I've just remembered a good tip -:a fancy dress outfit for fresher's. Some will be themed but it will probably say on the SU website.

Original poster
NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 30/07/2019 12:38

Thanks for the tips @ifonly4 and @Mustbetimeforachange.

Just been reading a TSR thread (from last year) about checking tracking vs getting results first. Given that Durham appears to be notoriously slow at making up their mind about acceptances/rejections (if a 'firm' applicant has slipped a grade), is it possible for applicants (whilst waiting) to check out Clearing options and make overtures to other universities in the interim?

I have this feeling that if DS doesn't get into Durham but gets ABB or BBB, he might opt to try for Execter rather than take up is back-up university...

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Flyingarcher · 30/07/2019 21:52

Oh lordy. Just got the 'things you should be doing before you start' pdf from uni. Big reading list ( emits hollow laugh at non reading ds getting through this) and an edict to go see some contemporary theatre. However, it seems that most innovative theatre groups are in Edinburgh at the festival. He's not going this year as we went last year and he felt he needed to work plus I'm on hols. So just found some stuff for him to book and told him to start adulting. Watch this space....

Original poster
NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 31/07/2019 09:24

@Flyingarcher it's all starting to seem very real now, isn't it?

I took a sneaky peak at the 'things to do' listed on DS's firm choice website. Lots of admin for them to get to grips with.

I'm with you on the 'non reading' DS although to be fair to mine he does read online, just doesn't like 'hard copy' books. He embarrassed the hell out of me t'other day when we were in a bookshop by proudly announcing that "Ive not read a book since I was ten". We have loads at home too (the grown-ups in the family are avid readers!) and it's not as if he's not been encouraged. Sighs...

I lost about an hour of my life yesterday reading some old 'Clearing' advice threads on TSR which I've flagged up to DS but what's the betting he won't read them ahead of Results Day

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Shimy · 31/07/2019 10:37

New that’s the thing, they’re not interested when you flag up threads or other nuggets of advice about Clearing etc, like you I just read them on my own, at least one of us will be armed with all the information needed on results day.

I know someone’s bound to pop and say they should be left to do it all themselves yaddayadda. Don’t care!

I imagine this thread will be packed on the eve of the 15th, lots of virtual cake, and gin & tonics and hand holding. I know I’ll be awake all night checking track Grin.

Mustbetimeforachange · 31/07/2019 10:42

I don't have DS's login so it will be up to him. Will be interesting to see if he's as laid back as usual or if he's up early. He has no idea what time he is to go into school & I can't find anything on the school website. I asked him the other day if he thought he'd done enough for his firm. "Yeah" . Don't think he has a clue really, so I'm reading up on clearing as well.

Original poster
NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 31/07/2019 11:03

Well they'll probably be so hyped on the 15th that even if they have read all the 'Clearing' advice, they will probably forget most of it.

The one thing that struck me from what I've read so far is that the universities are not supposed to make offers unless one has an official 'Clearing number'. So in theory young people can't fish for a course that they might prefer to their firm/back-up, unless they've been officially released. And that the release is not a priority, so it can take from hours to days. The Clearing offers seem to be time-limited too.

Agree that in theory they should be able to do these things on their own but leaving them to it might mean leaving important stones unturned.

DS thinks he hasn't got lower than 3Bs but may have done enough to get all As. Still thinks the worst papers were his geography ones but reckons he still wants to study it even if it's his lowest A Level grade.

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Shimy · 31/07/2019 11:05

Must Tons of information on TSR about Clearing just in case. If DS is anything like he was for GCSEs (snored through the night, had to drag him out of bed at 9am to logon and check his results. I was up early with a cup of tea watching the first batch opening their results on BBC, It’ll likely be the same again.

Mustbetimeforachange · 31/07/2019 11:08

Shimy, I think we may have the same DS.

Shimy · 31/07/2019 11:13

Grin I think it’s you, me and Piggy with the same son.

Mustbetimeforachange · 31/07/2019 11:30

I'd say he gets about, if he wasn't usually in his bedroom!

Shimy · 31/07/2019 11:33

DS has gone to do some voluntary work and I can’t help going to his room to glory in its emptiness, especially the empty bed and Idle laptop!

Decorhate · 31/07/2019 12:01

When dd did A Levels, one of her friends didn’t check Track before going into school to get his results. Which were not as good as he’d been predicted. Went off to try to find something through Clearing, couldn’t work out why he was having problems. Realised that he’d been accepted by his Firm anyway 😂

minesawine · 31/07/2019 13:09

Hi. I am checking courses on Clearing and nothing has reduced grade requirements. Am I missing something as I thought universities slightly reduced their grades on Clearing. Thanks.

justasking111 · 31/07/2019 13:22

New model army, there is stuff on a list?

I took a sneaky peak at the 'things to do' listed on DS's firm choice website. Lots of admin for them to get to grips with

DS hasn`t said a word. He is still in bed, we will be having words, I have not seen an e-mail since March.

Mustbetimeforachange · 31/07/2019 15:09

Hi. I am checking courses on Clearing and nothing has reduced grade requirements. Am I missing something as I thought universities slightly reduced their grades on Clearing. Thanks
All of DS's have the same grade requirements as originally, as well.

Original poster
NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 31/07/2019 15:38

@minesawine, yes there is a list but it's somewhere buried in his firm's SU page. Pretty sure that although I've found it, DS hasn't as yet...Why would he...

It's only one of DS's former choices (Exeter Penryn) which seems to have downgraded its requirements for the course DS was previously interested in - from AAA to BBB.I think it's possibly best to wait now until the week of the results. Once the universities have all the A Level results, that's when I would have thought that the grades asked for might shift downwards.

Anyone have any idea on whether this is supposed to be a clever year or not? Some school years are renowned for their brilliance, others much less so.

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PearlyPinkNails · 31/07/2019 20:40

Good luck to all yours DCs on results day, first time in a few years I've not got anyone waiting results.

Lots of help re clearing on the what I wish I knew about university Facebook group

www.facebook.com/groups/488235648182391/?ref=share

Hope it's helpful for some of you if needed on the 15th.

MarchingFrogs · 31/07/2019 22:48

@Itscoldouthere - sorry, been out most of the day. Yes. DD has an unconditional offer from Birmingham. They were due to start sending out accommodation emails to unconditional offer holders on the 17th, I think. For those with conditional offers, it will be after results day.

DrMadelineMaxwell · 31/07/2019 22:50

All grades dd needs for York or liverpool still stand as the originals.
Not long now....

Witchend · 31/07/2019 23:11

NewMarking You can ask Durham to release you if they haven't responded. That won't bribe them into hurriedly offering you, but it does mean you're free to go to your insurance. Dd's planning on doing that if she's in that position.