University 2020 :5: Results day approaching and beyond

[MillicentMartha]

Old thread
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/higher_education/3855474-University-2020-4-The-wait-for-grades-and-better-days-ahead?pg=40

Less than 3 months to go until we have a better idea what the future has in store for our DC. Let’s hope that even if most lectures are online that accommodation is open and they can move up, across or down to their university towns and start their student life.

We should have been in the middle of exams, instead we have this strange limbo of lockdown. It could have been worse, though.

DD1 and DD2 (GCSEs) have to access their results via MCAS so online. DD1 has a confirmed place (unconditional) so her place isn't results dependent.

DD's school is having all A level pupils in together but collecting from 4 different locations by surname. Staff will be on hand for those who need them. I think they're very brave to be honest!
Social distancing rules may have changed again by then as well.
DD has an unconditional offer which is a relief for her. Her view is that whatever the results are they won't ever feel like hers, good or bad. It's such a shame.

truelove, I couldn't be more of a fan of Durham myself, but tell him to put the gf right out of the equation and concentrate on where he'd most like to be, as if she didn't exist. Dangerous territory.

Thanks for the advice @goodbyestranger It’s a really difficult one. I agree re Durham - DD is there and it’s a fantastic university but ge wouldn’t entertain applying there until GF applied. They seem very serious despite their young years. I will ask him that question though. He has a few weeks to think about it. Have checked the adjustment process and it doesn’t open until 13th August.

Is it usual for the University of Bristol to have so many courses in clearing?

I haven’t checked clearing this early before, tbh, but with the loss of many international students I wouldn’t be surprised if there are more courses in clearing than usual.

@truelove, apologies if I've missed you saying, but has your DS exceeded his Warwick offer? Adjustment is only available to those who have met and exceeded the offer from their Firm university choice.

This might be obvious but Clearing data can’t be very meaningful until A’Level results are out? Or have those places already been roughly accounted for in thedatabase?

Some universities seem to be thinking of how to encourage overseas students to start (and returning students to return):
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/uk-universities-mull-more-charter-flights-global-student-race#

(Not sure whether the article is accessible without subscribing, but it is free to sign up).

More UK universities could charter flights to bring in overseas students as competition heats up among higher education sectors keen to show that they will pull out all the stops to helpinternational students amid the Covid-19 crisis.

Discussions are believed to be ongoing between the UK sector and companies that may be able to arrange flights from countries such as China and India to ensure students are able to avoid potential complications caused by a lack of scheduled services due to the pandemic.

It comes after it emerged that Queen’s University Belfast would charter a flight from Beijing in September, and that the University of Bolton was making plans to fly in students from India, China and Africa.

@MarchingFrogs he needed 38 points overall and 7,6,6 at HL for Warwick and got 42 with 7,7,6 at HL

@truelove - congratulations to your DS. 42 is excellent!

Can anyone answer my question please re: Clearing lists?

@SheikhaPinty I think the courses showing in Clearing will be based on unis making an estimate of how many of the offers they have made being likely to be taken up.
So, yes, it's an imperfect thing, and this year may be so hard to judge as there are so many uncertainties.

I guess they will already know how many people have asked to defer too.

I notice they have introduced something new this year called Clearing Plus where UCAS will actively send suggestions of courses a student might be interested in if they're not yet placed. www.ucas.com/undergraduate/results-confirmation-and-clearing/what-clearing

The courses I’ve looked at in Clearing are showing the standard grades needed, with no reduction, so is it just an indication of availability at this stage?

Some clearing places won't reduce their standard grade offers.

For example, if you run a course where the standard grade offer is ABC, you might be hoping to pick up those applicants who got ABC, but missed their firm of A* AB and their insurance of AAC.

Message from Durham re taking exams in the Autumn...

Under UCAS's current processes, applicants' records are closed in October, meaning that if students do choose to sit the Autumn exams they would need to submit a new UCAS application for 2021 with their new grades. The university will not hold a 2020 offer open pending a re-sit.

Not the answer DS wanted, but at least some clarity.

That’s a shame especially as technically they are not resits

Feeling increasingly annoyed at the shambles quite frankly . I was speaking to someone yesterday who made the point that mentally it will be harder for those who don’t make the grade this year. Its one thing to flunk an exam, or just to realise that you haven’t done as well as others it’s another to think that you have been allocated a grade based on some oblique formula which doesn’t include your own individual past performances but does include your schools cohort from previous years .

On the other hand ……………….. DS view is that if he doesn't get the grades it won't be because he messed up or didn't put enough hours in so easier to take!

It does however include your actual performance over the entirety of 6th Form because that is what makes up the Centre Assessed Grades.

I think re holding offers open, for non Oxbridge, if predicted grades are at the right level they may offer for 2021 with a new UCAS application which is effectively the same thing, so no need to hold offers open. Oxford is clearly different as they are effectively saying candidates don't need to jump through their internal hoops again to get an offer so a much bigger deal.

Ha Ha yes good point Seasonfinale

He of course meant - didn't do enough last minute cramming or messed up on the day

But ultimately it feels like even if you have solid grades all through sixth form and an A assessment it will still depend on the statistical adjustment and if you are in a school with a somewhat spiked profile it won’t matter if you have worked really hard and could have got an A the board could reduce your grade and you could miss your offer .