Offers received - what next in uni process for Sept 2020

[Celeriacacaca]

Neither DH nor I went to uni in this country so aren't familiar with the process.

DS has had three offers so far (two conditional) and has two more interviews today and tomorrow. His first choice is one of the conditional offers. His second choice is the other. Does he accept first choice now or after next two interviews?

What happens next and between now and September please? Please assume I know nothing - a checklist of steps would be very helpful. I've been reading bits and pieces but nothing that lists the stages and what we have to do. I know DS has to apply for finance and accommodation soon but that's all I know.

What if he doesn't get the grades (a whole new nightmare...).

He does not need to accept, via ucas, until early May. However some unis will open accommodation applications before then for those putting them firm , if not also as insurance.

Speak to the head of Sixth form/Careers office at his school. They will be very experienced in navigating foreign born parents through the process.

But main points:

he does not have to accept until he has 5 answers then he will be given a deadline. (Early May normally, 2 weeks after his last offer if it comes later than this)

Look into accommodation and see when you need to apply for first choice.

Apply for student finance round March/April. Both you and DH will need your P60s to show parental income or if you know you earn more than the threshold, there’s a box for that.

Reading this may help

www.ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-university/advice-parents-and-guardians/ucas-undergraduate-application-process

He may change his mind on his choices at interview. Also if he were to slip grades and need to enter Clearing it might be in his favour if he can ring any of those up and they have already met him. Alternatively if he misses grades he can take a year out and reapply. Student Finance is a separate process which can be done after entering a firm choice.

Thank you all - very helpful.

Is his second choice a sensible one? Ie is the offer lower, and at achievable level?

He ideally would make his insurance choice one that is lower than his first choice. But he needs to be sure it is somewhere he would be happy to go if he misses his first choice as he will automatically be allocated a place at his insurance if he meets those offer conditions

He's had a further conditional offer (same grades required as others). The non- conditional offer is his least favourite choice, so what should he do in this situation please?

Also, do you accept two unis then when PPs are referring to insurance choices?

You have a firm choice ie. Highest preference if results are good, and Insurance which should ideally be realistically achievable. You don't need to do anything about an unconditional offer except to be aware that if selected as Firm choice there is no Insurance. Once the choices are entered on UCAS the other offers lapse.

He could also check whether historically any of the less preferred options accepted slightly lower grades or went through Clearing to fill spaces as they may still accept him on results day even if not fully meeting their offer grades.

@LIZS can you tell me how to check if they accepted lower offers or went into clearing?

DDs current insurance preference took someone we know in clearing last year, and we know her grades were lower than even the lowest they say. Is there any way to check if that is likely to happen again?

I'll have to ask dd when she gets in, but there is a mnetter who kept a record of last year's clearing. If you post on the Uni Applications 2020 Decisions thread I think someone had a link.

That's very interesting @LIZS - I'd be keen to find out too. Thanks for your help.

Discoveruni.gov.uk is the website I was thinking of (was unistats) and includes student satisfaction data, typical entry tariff points (rather than grades which it used to), info about the course etc

Thanks LizS