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).

The school tends to lay down the ground rules and like them out the way...but there are only 85 girls in the Yr and I would think probably 15/20 of those would be early applicants. I actually thought it was all done by Half Term but apparently the first day back is the final deadline then I guess they all go off together within a few days. In fairness, all the girls have been working on their personal statements in the morning tutor time and I think references were done very early (DD's was read to her a few weeks back). So they just give the girls a little time to ensure they are happy with their choices over HT (they have two weeks off).

Yes as I said previously DD college have said 15th October, but I'm now thinking it's ok to be later.
We visited Cardiff and spoke to the undergraduate admissions woman who said there's no reason to rush UCAS application because the deadline is 15 Jan.
Her college can say what they like.

Really really want DS to finish off the application this week but realistically may have to wait until next week - half term!

Silly question ...

DD attends private school, she has attended since mid Yr8 (We were fortunate to move her out of a failing secondary school).

The UCAS statement, asks one question in section 3 about parents' educational background. DF and I both did not attend Uni; DF did gain a place at Uni but dropped out after 3 weeks because it wasn't for him ..I just wasn't interested in going to Uni.

This seems to be the only form of context on the UCAS form apart from I suppose your postcode (we live in a Quintile5 area).

Will there be any context applied because DF and I both did not attend Uni or will the private education/postcode wipe any context that would have been a consideration out?

Depends on the individual uni. I’ve only seen ones look at schools/colleges, postcodes and if the applicant was in care. I’ve yet to see any that look at parents’ education.

Oneteen it merely helps them with their stats & it won't flag anything on the system.

@Hoghgyni, not sure because the UCAS application states:

This section also allows you to talk about your individual circumstances, such as your parental education, if you’ve been in care, or involved in widening participation activities. These pieces of information are shared with universities and colleges alongside your application, so they may form a more complete understanding of you as an individual, known as contexualised admissions. While this information is optional, it can help universities and colleges better understand your background, and provide support. For more information about how a university or college might do this, please consult their individual policy, or contact them directly.

I have not looked at how the Uni's DD is applying to would treat the information

TBH I doubt if it will help without other relevant factors such as FSM or area where few proceed to uni, as so many are now the first generation to go with around 50% of 18 year olds going to university compared to around 20%(?) in our generation. Tick all the appropriate boxes though as it may be a deciding factor in a tie break situation..

OMG Intern your child goes to a private school and you want him to benefit from your educational background...wow

DD has received her second offer, again BBB from Exeter this time. This is for Ancient History and History. The QMUL offer is for History.

@hemuli - I asked if there would be any form of context given, because of what was quoted on the UCAS form. Is that so wrong?

Everyone has rose-tinted glasses when it comes to private education it's not all it may seem and I can tell you there are a lot of better state schools in the UK than DD's private school just not in our area.

@aibutohavethisusername - well done to your DD on her offer.

@aibutohavethisusername - congratulations on the Exeter offer. They are definitely efficient in getting their offers out aren't they? I have a soft spot for them as they were my insurance offer back in 1991 - CCC for politics. I think I'd have been happy there.

@aibutohavethisusername another one for Exeter, they're the ones to offer my son a place yet - though I know it's early days!!

BBB is fab and you and your DD must be delighted - congratulations xx

@aibutohavethisusername

🤦🏻‍♀️ the only ones to offer DS a place this far ... is what I meant xx

Thanks everyone. I had a place at Exeter back in 1995 to study History so it is bittersweet as I turned it down and went to clearing. One of my regrets. Quite ironic if DD goes there.

Wow Hugo! 4 offers already, that's fantastic, congratulations to your DS.

DD had an email from Liverpool today requesting scanned GCSE certificates, specifically maths.
Has anybody else experienced this? DD1 definitely never had to provide certificates at any point.

lobster DD had to take certified copies of GCSE certificates to some medicine interviews 2 years ago, but I thought of it as a medicine thing! I guess they could do random checks!?

I've been lurking for a few months reading this thread but finally decided to join in as son finished his personal statement and submitted his UCAS application to his school for final check this weekend.

His sixth form place a 15th October deadline for all UCAS applications and DS being a last minute kind of person who tells me he works better under pressure decided to wait until last weekend to do the whole thing.

It felt quite momentous as he is my youngest so this time next year I will have an empty nest. He has chosen 4 different unis and various different computer science course combinations. Now the wait begins.

Great to see some DC's are already receiving offers.

Welcome SunburstsOrMarbleHalls

Hopefully he'll hear something soon.

Thanks Ironoaks I'm not sure how long the school take to process and check his application so it may well be a few weeks until they forward it on to UCAS.

He has chopped and changed his mind quite a lot over the past six months which in itself is no bad thing because at least I know he has put a lot of thought into his decision. He hasn't actually viewed all of his options but if he gets offers for these he has said he will go to offer holder days for them.

His favourite choice is Lancaster as he absolutely loved the set up and "feel" of the campus but the course content is not his favourite so some difficult decisions ahead if his application is successful.

DS has just got another offer!!

ABB from Birmingham university ... normal offer AAA

Offer reduced as a result of a strong application, reference and EPQ grade!

So that's two offers and he's feeling more relaxed now xx

@SunburstsOrMarbleHalls welcome to the group ... hopefully you will get news soon!

My DS applied on the 27th September and has had his second offer today!

Great news nodtik