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

Not all 18 year olds are the same ifonly4.
I had little involvement with DD's application process but DD still wanted my opinion.

@ifonly4 that probably shows that your DD is independent and doesn't need your help. All credit to you. Agree with @TapasForTwo that not all 18 year olds are the same and boys generally seem less mature in many ways.

I definitely think girls are more organised, prepared and know what needs to be done and sounds like all is good with your dd @ifonly4 .. however I had no involvement last year.. BIG mistake for my ds1. I won’t be in that position again.

@ifonly4 I am doing things now but really just for me to have some answers up my sleeve and know what needs to be done if it all goes pear shaped. I don’t want to be in the position of getting to school and then when DD turns to me crying saying “what do I do”, I have no answer for her. The 6th form is closing (they are the last year through) and although I hope the teachers will be there to help, I’m not holding my breath. I have no idea what her UCAS log in is, which I’m glad of, and apart from her asking me to read her PS she’s done everything else. All children are different. I can see with DD2 being hands off but I suspect with my DS it will be quite different!! Sounds like your DD is a wonderfully independent young lady :-)

I have found one uni which openly declares its clearing grades on its website which is Sheffield Hallam : probably a bit below what most of your DCs would want. Their journalism course (normally 112 pts) has gone into clearing at 80 pts. Wow.

Piggy....

If maths results are low (possible because it’s a new course and last years first takers seems hard too), then what will math courses do? They can’t not take people, so will they potentially lower requirements?

Getting more stressed now.

Is there a tactic for clearing (just in case) to look at alternative courses to broaden options at universities you want? Eg for maths you could do business + maths with the aim to transfer after a term or two once you have your foot in the door?

My son was looking at straight mathematics

Hi everyone, getting nervous for DS1 now.
He’s another one utterly thrown by bloody Edexcel Maths paper 2
He needs A*A A and Maths is his strongest subject so he was really shaken by that exam.
He wants to do medicine so not much chance of clearing (only St George’s I think).
He’s worked so hard, I’m being very reassuring and breezy about a year off and Maths resits but inside I’m fuming.

Where has your ds firmed & insured Sleight? Some places will be more lenient than others about a dropped grade. Even for Medicine

Can anyone this morning remind me what the injection is they should have before heading off to uni? About to amble over to GP but it is shambolic over there and reception is 'manned' by a 12 year old boy not really exaggerating by much so I need some facts!

Is it one of the meningitis ones?

This cohort may have had it at school, that's something I keep meaning to check, although suspect GP can't tell you if he's over 18 so that means I need to nag DS into phoning. Oh, joy!

@Piggywaspushed “MenACWY”.

Where we live this cohort definitely didn't have the MenACWY one at school. Not sure if the policy is likely to be region-wide or nationwide though, so you would need to check. It was introduced in our area after they were in Year 9 (which is when I think they are give the vaccination). DS had it in a clinic during the summer hols after his GCSEs.

Here's some information on it.

Cross-posted with @Shimy.

I rang the surgery 2 weeks ago to ask when they would be doing the MenACWY and was told her year group had had it. They double checked her records for me though. SleightofMind I would be surprised if your ds's med school didn't accept a B in Edexcel Maths after all this debacle, (speaking as someone who got in with a C in Maths many years ago, with extenuating circumstances). Fingers crossed for him.

Just been to check :he had his in 2016 at school so one thing to cross off the list. They had no problem telling me, even though he is 18, although I suspect it didn't cross the receptionist's mind.

It looks to me as if some regions introduced it sooner than others then if some of your DC had it at school. Best to check though if you are unsure.

Just want to wish you all well. I helped a friend’s DD several years ago with clearing. Hopefully no one will need it but what we did was have one person on landline and two on mobiles then the DD took the call when someone answered, the others held their place in the queue.

We found we needed an extension lead for laptop plus phone chargers. The problem with mobiles is the potential to drop the call so be a bit aware of where in house has best reception or utilise the garden. Have some food and drink on hand. Emotions can be running high potentially at that point after a night of potentially not a lot of sleep. Vital to keep everyone calm and hold your nerve.It has all come good for the girl concerned and she’s going back for final year after year out at Microsoft and has job offer there for end of degree.

We are in the surgery now booking the meningitis jab, the reception confirms they have not had it at school for his year group. He is really looking forward to it
Next stop to the bank to make an appointment to upgrade to a student account.
Optimistic!

sluj jealous of you’re access to a physical bank. It takes us 30-40mins to get to one!

Your not you’re!

@Sluj I was thinking of making a bank appointment for DS too. Clearly they will be inundated over the next fortnight. Want to get DS's freebie student railcard sorted out as soon as possible too.

@PostNotInHaste thank you for the tips for Results Day. Yes, I can imagine emotions and tensions can run high.

Student insurance policy another thing to consider for the list of 'to dos' once the university place has been confirmed.