Page 25 | Another Path to Greatness - Part II

chopc · 06/03/2021 21:18

Yeah I see where you are coming from. If it helps it really wasn't an issue for my British Asian DS (who lived in Dubai for 7.5 years with friends from all over the place), when we came back to live in UK and he attends a school which is not that diverse.

Have you asked your DS if it's a concern to him? Also wouldn't Bath give similar issues?

I think City Uni's are probably more diverse?

quest1on · 06/03/2021 21:39

To be honest, it was DS who noticed it. It’s not a problem for him, as I say, because he doesn’t really care particularly. What I would say though, is he does his karate, but he’s never been a team sports, one of the lads, macho type. So the whole beer in the pub, lairy culture that you might get at a lot of unis wouldn’t appeal. He’s has the impression some colleges at Durham are a bit like this? Even if it’s a minority, they are a noticeable minority? It’s hard to explain, but I think that type of culture is less pronounced somewhere like LSE (or where it does exist it’s easier to avoid because there’s a million other places to hang out)!

Revengeofthepangolins · 07/03/2021 08:32

On the “odd being done by half term” thing, DS only had one paper scheduled on the Tuesday after half term and then he was done anyway / is this unusual?

Sadly his school doesn’t do anything fun or even ceremonial for any end of term - I have strong memories of end of term assemblies even for normal terms let alone post gcse ans A level. I guess not having somewhere big enough to assemble all the boys is an issue but I suspect a big factor is not wanting lots of boys lurking around a boarding school to be presenting behaviour problems. After their GCSEs or a levels are sat they just go home individually. Post gcse there was a pretty turgid two day careers lecture series they were meant to go back for and for Leavers there is just a weekend with a dinner with parents. Seems a shame when I think of what girls boarding schools I know do, with scratch play performances and parties and trips. Maybe girls are just nicer.....

chopc · 07/03/2021 09:54

That's a shame @Revengeofthepangolins

@quest1on I suppose now I understand why it is sometimes necessary to visit universities to get a real feel of the place to see if your impression is correct. Unfortunately as universities won't be open as normal, it is difficult to get a feel of a place anyway. Lots of YouTube videos?

fiveoldteddies · 07/03/2021 10:37

"It’s hard to explain, but I think that type of culture is less pronounced somewhere like LSE (or where it does exist it’s easier to avoid because there’s a million other places to hang out)!"
I think this is why dc has LSE as first choice (even if O had been an option). If not getting 1st or 2nd choice not sure how happy dc would be to take the one that has been offered already....

quest1on · 07/03/2021 11:16

chopc - yes the lack of open days etc is a shame.

I guess at this point, he just needs to see if LSE even comes through and then give himself some space to consider options. Also, he doesn’t know his college allocation for Durham yet.

fiveoldteddies - what has your DC applied for at LSE and what are they waiting on?

I’m thinking LSE must start to make some offers in the next week, otherwise they’ll be pushed to meet their own deadline of 29th March?

Revenge - you never know, they may lay something in for the boys this year - just to celebrate the end of lockdown?

Xenia · 07/03/2021 11:50

Quest, my son's Asian friend really enjoyed Warwick by the way (as we live in London like my own sons he chose not to study there) and part of the reason as well as a very good course was he felt it might have more of a racial mix than Durham or Bristol although it would be pity if people chose universities or halls of residence based on that as university is a good time to mix with people of all kinds. LSE and I am originally from not too far from Durham and think it is great too. I suspect because of geography as much as anything LSE is much more international. I should not really be on the thread as my children are already at university but now I seem to feel I want to know how everyone gets on. Good luck to them all.

bendmeoverbackwards · 07/03/2021 11:55

@quest1on that's rubbish from your ds' school! Why on earth do they need study leave and more time at home for goodness sake? They need to be back at school with their friends apart from anything else.

I'm glad my dd's school seems to have taken a sensible approach. Their priority has always been the girls' wellbeing and mental health which I'm very glad about. Dd is going back on Tuesday after being tested on Monday. No exams or assessments this term, they want them to settle back into school life.

Then after Easter they have 5 weeks of different assessments which will vary according to subject. They will count towards the final grade but they will also use evidence of previous work. School have said they will update us further when they know exactly how it will work.

Dd's been quite down lately. Like many of them, she feels robbed of her Sixth Form experience and isn't feeling positive about the future. As much as she is looking forward to university, she's also scared of being away from home and living as an adult. I've tried to reassure her that it's a gradual process.

I think it helps if they have firmed up their offer. Dd is still waiting for Durham. She found an email in her spam folder that said they 'hope' to get back to her by 31st March. Plus she's got worries about the course, what will she do if they don't let her change from AMH to straight History?

Also - and I don't know if this is true - she's heard of Durham applicants being given places on random courses that they haven't applied for! Anyone else heard this?

quest1on · 07/03/2021 12:22

bend - I can’t imagine why Durham take so long over the offer process. History seems particularly problematic for them. I’m all for contextual offers, but I don’t know why these have to be given out so much earlier. I really do hope you hear very soon. LSE is also taking ages, but the only consolation there is they’ve made no offers at all yet!

Yes, so now with DS’ school - he’s back for three weeks as of tomorrow (exams in final week before Easter). Then 3 weeks home for Easter, followed by two weeks more at home for study leave (in which time he needs to go in just three times for exams). Then, I think, 3 more weeks of school and that’s it! What happens after the May half-term we don’t know.

Xenia - you’re welcome and thanks for all your perspectives. I’m sure you’ve been very helpful to those with DC considering law too.

MarchingFrogs · 07/03/2021 12:37

Also - and I don't know if this is true - she's heard of Durham applicants being given places on random courses that they haven't applied for! Anyone else heard this?

Yes, it was reported on TSR by quite a few applicants, mainly the year before last, I think. Anthropology of some description, iirc, being offered to someone who had applied for something apparently pretty much unrelated. Some seemed okay with giving the alternative offer a go, once they had looked it up.
This one was interesting; I suppose the offered course had some characteristics in common with what they applied for, though.
www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showpost.php?p=82926224&postcount=2985

Vargas · 07/03/2021 16:26

Yes - I've heard of two Durham applicants offered different courses. One was offered Gen Eng i/s/o CompSci and one was offered just the language in a double Honours, sorry can't remember the other subject, might have been History.

@chopc Is there a Durham Geography thread on MN? Or was that on TSR?

chopc · 07/03/2021 17:23

@Vargas

Millie Kinnin You’ve been invited to join the group “Geography Durham” on Snapchat. Tap the link to join! www.snapchat.com/invite/MmM3YWY4YzEtNmQzMC0zYmU4LThiMzQtNDcwODRjYzVmZjIy/NGM0MzliY2EtMWIyNC00ZDAyLTgzZjktMTkwYTQ3MmY3YjVm

chopc · 07/03/2021 17:24

@Vargas this was found via Facebook Durham offer holders group

chopc · 07/03/2021 17:52

@Xenia you are welcome! I have appreciated your input and enjoyed reading about your children on other threads

@bendmeoverbackwards yes on TSR and WIWIKAU a Facebook page I have heard of Durham offering people different subjects to what they have applied for.

goodbyestranger · 07/03/2021 19:16

Durham has done this for years. There's always a connection between the subject applied for and the subject offered and the subject offered is always less competitive. In effect Durham is saying no we won't offer you what you applied for, you don't quite make our grade - but we like you enough to suggest this alternative. It seems perfectly reasonable on Durham's part. It could always simply reject outright; that's completely within its gift.

bendmeoverbackwards · 07/03/2021 19:19

@goodbyestranger

Durham has done this for years. There's always a connection between the subject applied for and the subject offered and the subject offered is always less competitive. In effect Durham is saying no we won't offer you what you applied for, you don't quite make our grade - but we like you enough to suggest this alternative. It seems perfectly reasonable on Durham's part. It could always simply reject outright; that's completely within its gift.

Great, another worry for dd

goodbyestranger · 07/03/2021 19:20

No-one is ever going to be offered History is they didn't apply for it. Similarly Law. Or English.

goodbyestranger · 07/03/2021 19:22

*if not is

goodbyestranger · 07/03/2021 19:24

Well bend, that's just how it is.

bend I really feel for your DD. What were her GCSEs like in terms of grades? Were they pretty much all top grades?

chopc · 07/03/2021 19:41

@bendmeoverbackwards does she now not want to go to Exeter at all or is she holding on for Durham as it's the only one she hasn't heard from yet?

Does anyone know if Durham gives an explanation if they get a rejection from Durham? UCL, LSE and Imperial seems to

goodbyestranger · 07/03/2021 20:00

Durham's explanations are very generic, judging by those received at school.

Revengeofthepangolins · 07/03/2021 20:02

Thirding the greeting to @Xenia - have found your posts so helpful and fun elsewhere over the last few years - most welcome here !

bendmeoverbackwards · 07/03/2021 20:25

@goodbyestranger

Well bend, that's just how it is.

bend I really feel for your DD. What were her GCSEs like in terms of grades? Were they pretty much all top grades?

GCSE grades - 5 x 9s, 4 x 8s, 1 x 7 and 1 x 6. They sound quite good but I imagine there are many students with a straight run of 9s. Don’t know if they’re good enough for Durham or not.

bendmeoverbackwards · 07/03/2021 20:27

@chopc she does like the look of Exeter but really wants Durham.

chopc · 07/03/2021 21:02

@bendmeoverbackwards Unis are thought to be looking at 9's and 8's the same so if she doesn't get an offer, I don't think it will be due to her GCSE grades.

I can't recall if you mentioned if she got feedback from Oxford? If so were GCSE grades a factor? If not I don't see why it would be an issue for Durham ........