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Another Path to Greatness - Part II

999 replies

BigWoollyJumpers · 11/02/2021 12:52

Here we are.

OP posts:
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9
Jalfrezi · 08/03/2021 10:33

DD also didn't do a separate PS. Not sure it even crossed her mind!

Jalfrezi · 08/03/2021 10:47

@chopc Yes she did get Oxford. Has 3 but still waiting for Durham and St Andrew's and likely they will both be higher offer grades (if she is gets them). As a result she only has one option for an insurance which is AAB - 1 grade less than Oxford. Back to school today and will be setting up appointment with head of 6th form to discuss her choices. She may decide to withdraw from the final two but they have been told to wait to discuss with school before pressIng the button. She was massively invested in Durham (as she didn't realistically expect to get Oxford) but I really think this waiting has put her off.

Jalfrezi · 08/03/2021 10:51

DD has applied for the same course as @bendmeoverbackwards DD. Hence I'm slightly invested that there is a happy ending for Bend's DD!

chopc · 08/03/2021 11:06

DS didn't do a substitute PS either

chopc · 08/03/2021 11:06

@Jalfrezi no rush not to wait for the final two? After all they may unusually give her a lower offer and you will never know

bendmeoverbackwards · 08/03/2021 11:10

@Jalfrezi

DD has applied for the same course as *@bendmeoverbackwards* DD. Hence I'm slightly invested that there is a happy ending for Bend's DD!
Thank you so much *@Jalfrezi* 👍
SeasonFinale · 08/03/2021 17:06

They really only want a separate PS if you are doing a different subject. For example, a medicine applicant rewriting to apply for say natural sciences. If your PS is a history based PS for your other applications and you are applying there is no need to submit a different one.

However, say you had applied for history elsewhere and wanted to just try for ancient and modern history there you could rewrite to be more course specific.

www.dur.ac.uk/study/ug/apply/ucas/personalstatement/substitute/

SeasonFinale · 08/03/2021 22:59

Was anyone waiting for Imperial?

Vargas · 09/03/2021 07:44

DS has been allocated a college at Durham - Hatfield. I think it was his third choice, top 5 anyway so he's pleased. FWIW DS didn't do a separate PS for Durham but he was applying for straight Geography everywhere.

Fingers crossed for those still waiting for Durham and LSE and Imperial and any Scottish Unis. It is rather a relief to know what they've got in hand and start making some decisions.

Has anyone with all their offers 'pressed the button' yet? We are a bit unsure about what to do for insurance as DS' second choice is definitely Exeter but with same grades as Durham if it's put second. Bristol is one grade lower but he didn't like the look of it Confused and Lancaster is lowest with AAB but it was a fairly last minute addition and although I like the look of it he is not so keen. Very confusing.

Beetlesand · 09/03/2021 08:22

Glad he got a college high on his list @Vargas .Smile.
Dd has firmed and insured. There was only one offer marginally lower than Durham so that is her insurance.

chopc · 09/03/2021 08:30

I know what you mean @Vargas . He just has to keep working hard and ensure he gets his first choice

quest1on · 09/03/2021 09:44

Hi Vargas - I would talk to your school about an insurance choice (I’m sure you will anyway Grin), but what I’ve heard is, although both Durham and Exeter specify AAA for BA Geography, in reality, Exeter will often accept AAA (or lower) once results are actually out. Apparently, this happens quite a lot, particularly if there’s a relevant EPQ. They might even accept some Bs if students don’t mind going to the Cornwall campus! However, Durham will rarely accept dropped grades. They use the AAA to be able to over offer quite a lot, knowing that a high percentage won’t make the grades in August and this sifts the acceptance numbers out.

You don’t need to rush though - has he visited Bristol or Lancaster?

BigWoollyJumpers · 09/03/2021 11:23

Good first day for DD yesterday. Lovely and sunny for her walk/train journey, and she was really happy to get back to her routine.

Exams still confusing. She had every subject yesterday, and they are all doing things slightly differently Hmm. Some are doing "test essays", some "exam assessments", some using board papers, others not. Some requesting uploading of past essays, some saying they are marking purely on "exams". They will hear more today, but if there remains a difference in the way depts are grading, just think of the difference between schools!

OP posts:
Jalfrezi · 09/03/2021 14:34

I've had similar thoughts @BigWoollyJumpers . The guidelines are quite wide but possibly need to be to take into account the varying teaching experiences across the country. I'm attaching 2 screenshots FYI. What is interesting to read (see second point under quality assurance) is that schools must give consideration to ensure profile of results remain in line with previous years. Clearly scope for that to be interpreted in various ways and not sure if the rogue 2020 results are to be included. DD said one teacher told her yesterday that the remit from SLT at her school was that the 2021 results must be in line with the 2019 results. Cue us both checking what results were per subject for that year to see how many A stars/A grades they had and can possibly award this year. I've no idea what the 2020 results looked like for her school as they were (purposefully?) never published. I'm trying to have faith that her school will do their best for the pupils within the guidelines but also make sure they don't stand a chance of being moderated downwards.

Another Path to Greatness - Part II
Another Path to Greatness - Part II
SeasonFinale · 09/03/2021 18:09

Durham - Economics, English and History coming through as I type!!!

bendmeoverbackwards · 09/03/2021 19:05

@SeasonFinale

Durham - Economics, English and History coming through as I type!!!
That set my pulse racing!
bendmeoverbackwards · 09/03/2021 19:06

Wonder if that includes DD’s course - Ancient and Modern...?

Fivebeanchilli · 09/03/2021 20:22

My children are reporting today that school are saying that they are going to grade (both A levels and GCSEs) entirely on exams done after Easter AMD not taking into account any work done so far at all (other than coursework).
They're both very pissed off as dh's school is saying they will mostly use work done and basically only use exams if they are better results than their current achievements.

Chilldonaldchill · 09/03/2021 20:25

@SeasonFinale

Durham - Economics, English and History coming through as I type!!!
Do all offers from one course tend to come in one day?
bendmeoverbackwards · 09/03/2021 20:32

Well no news from dd upstairs yet. She’s just had a row with her younger sister and is upset. Bad news from Durham will be all she needs right now.

quest1on · 09/03/2021 21:12

Fivebean - it’s very confusing and DS’ school were saying the same thing initially, but we’ve had a bit more clarity today and after my ranting the other day, I’m feeling much more reassured. They say the reason they are doing three sets of tests is to give students the chance to show what they can do. They are not clear as to how much “weighting” to give tests as yet and still waiting on govt guidelines, however, they suspect GW et al will leave it to teachers rather than make an actual decision. Also, different boards are stipulating slightly different things, eg. It’s the CIE board that require 3 pieces of recent evidence (timed conditions). None of DS’ subjects are CIE. But basically, it’s all still up in the air, by the sound of it.

bend - fingers crossed for you, but I suspect A&M History might be on a different day to History anyway, so don’t worry if you don’t hear tonight. It’s like BA Geog did not come out with BSc.

chopc · 09/03/2021 21:14

@quest1on whats CIE board?

I have temporarily given up worrying about how school will give grades. For the moment DS happy that his Music requirements are less so will go with that

quest1on · 09/03/2021 21:19

chopc - I think it’s one of the A-level boards. I’m sure they said CIE (Cambridge International)? I just asked DS and, in his school, it’s only History and Art History A-levels that come under this board. They have been told that the piece of coursework they did (NEA)? will count for 30%. Then two “tests” after Easter will count for the rest.

Chilldonaldchill · 09/03/2021 21:42

No Durham reply here yet either. (Straight history). DD was planning to talk to school about withdrawing in the next couple of days but maybe she won't get the chance.

chopc · 09/03/2021 21:44

Thanks question

@Chilldonaldchill what are her other options? Would she not consider Durham if she gets an offer?

I think there is still every chance of receiving Durham offers