Applying for Uni 2020

[daydreamornot]

Thought it may be nice to have a 2020 support thread, everyone welcome! (maybe Oxbridge posts could be kept to the Oxbridge thread).

@hugoSpritz - To my knowledge, I don't think Bham has stated that they will not be making UC offers this year. I'd be surprised if they stopped given they have tended to make UC's to the high achievers unlike some other Uni's. My niece has led me to believe that the scheme has worked well for Bham within her peer group who were the 2015 cohort (she graduated with a First following a UC offer - she also achieved 3A*'s at A-Level and has just completed her Masters).

@HugoSpritz - I did the same with my DD - less stellar GCSE's (4xA5 A's and a B) and less stellar predictions (AAA) same result - likely offer (DD's offer at Bham would be AAB maybe even ABB because she is doing 3 sciences). I'm pretty sure they will differentiate. My understanding is any prediction above 3 x A in a given subject could trigger a UC (but only given subjects).

DS tried the Birmingham offer calculator for Physics. It said he was 'likely' to get an offer, but it was the standard A*AA offer. There was no mention of an offer lower than that, even though his grades should be high enough to trigger a lower offer if one was available. I think it might depend on the subject.

I'm joining this thread now as I think we are all just going into a very stressful year and I might need the support! DD2 also wants to go to Uni of Birmingham but to study Psychology which isn't on the UC offer list of subjects unfortunately. She got 2x9s 7x8s and 1x6 at GCSE and predicted A*AA. Year 11 was a really stressful year with a few rubbish teachers which resulted in a couple of tutors and her having to teach herself parts of the syllabus for some subjects but all come good. She goes to a slightly less than average comp. Year 12 has been a good year (her school doesn't do ASs) but the pressure is back on this year. She also wants to apply to Exeter, Southampton, Nottingham and doesn't have a fifth. We are going to the UCL open day next weekend but I'm not sure London is for her. I'm secretly hoping not too, mostly because of the expense. She is pretty set on Birmingham though (if she gets an offer) and is very familiar with it because my eldest went there.

Hello @zzzzzzzx

Just for information, these were the degree subjects where UC's were offered by Bham in 2019.

www.birmingham.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/unconditional-offer-scheme-2019.aspx

Hi Hugo
He's seen Warwick and Oxford and we're off to Exeter, Nottingham, York and Leeds this month.

He was originally looking to do Economics and Politics but one of his teachers recommended PPE and he's found he's really interested in the Philosophy too.

The Warwick course is very different to the others as the modules cover PPE combined rather than as separate subjects.

Oops pressed post too soon. That means that you do the P, P and the E for all 3 years at Warwick, whereas many of the others effectively give you a taster of each and allow you to drop one in years 2 and 3.

DD' managed to write three paragraphs of her PS, hopefully the rest will be done on Tuesday before she goes back to school. She's out partying tonight and working tomorrow...

DD's timetable is cut down by one session per subject per week this year anyone else DC's school do the same?

We have started looking at DDs personal statement, managing just under half but at least it’s a start. We did the extra curricular and work experience bit. She is struggling in saying why she wants to do Psychology etc. She hasn’t had her timetable yet. She’s hoping for it tomorrow.

Dd did 4 AS levels but is going on with 3 A Levels. So her timetable is the same as last year, just without the lesson she's dropped.

DS had rugby match yesterday and orchestra practice today. So much for his claim to be cutting back on extra-curricular...

1st draft of PS done here but it it 1000 characters over!🙈 School have said not worry about the first graft being over they will give advice( or maybe tear it apart🤣) on any changes. On the plus side at least she wasn’t stuck for something to say.x

Oops sorry for all the typos, should have put my specs on!x

Snap, alittlewornout, DS's is 1600 characters over but hopefully his teachers will help with the cull!

Which Uni's is your DS looking at Hugo?

Thank goodness it’s not just Dd wineoclockthanks. She is applying for maths so to be honest not sure how much maths admission tutors pay attention to Ps!x

My DS is applying for maths, too. My older DS went to Warwick to do maths and was told they didn’t look at the PS at all!

Yep Millie that’s what we heard too for a few unis. But there is one on dd list that looks closely at it so fingers crossed it does the trick.

As there is a lot of combined open day experience here, may I ask you to help DD identify a fifth option? Her criteria are:
Campus or small town
Definitely not London
Good for maths
Easy access to somewhere calm and peaceful
Offer in the region of AAA / AAB
Likely to get accommodation on campus even if insurance choice

Not sure this mythical place exists, but let me know if it does!

Nottingham?
Not sure how good it is for Maths, and offer is A* A A / A A A, but I think it ticks most of the other boxes.

Or Lancaster (AAA)

Apologies if you have already said upthread, but which universities are already on her list?