Another Path to Greatness - Part II

[BigWoollyJumpers]

Here we are.

I was under the impression that those in the first round of college allocations will get their preferred College. Where was Collingwood on his list @Crikeyblimey ?

Are you a Durham alumni @MidLifeCrisis007 ?

@chopc apparently Collingwood was 6th on his list of preferences, so no, certainly doesn’t look like first round get their preference at all.

@chopc

There is no advantage in getting your first choice college, whilst holding an early offer.

Durham allocate colleges per subject on a proportional basis, throughout the admissions cycle - if there are 10 Law places available at college A, but only half the offers have been made, only 5 will be allocated, by random listing, early in the cycle. You are just as likely to get your first choice in March as you are Feb.

And actually it would really bring their ‘fair consideration’ policy into disrepute if they operated a first offer = first choice college practice.

Noted @Applepieco

Good to hear that some have had Oxford feedback. Last I asked DD hadn't had hers yet (English). She's increasingly inclined to just firm York, and frustrated at not having heard from Durham yet because she'd just like to start moving along in the process now and is sure she doesn't want Durham. I really want to talk with her tutor at school about it all, but it seems silly to do so before we've got her feedback.

However she's also got an interview next week for a gap year placement overseas ... If they decide they want her, then we've got to work out whether we think she can get there (Australia - she has dual citizenship which is the only reason it's possible) / whether it's affordable. Decisions decisions!

Good news about the colleges. DD only submitted her colleges ranking last night just before the deadline - I despair. Are they writing to you to advise about colleges or is it updated in Track via the college code?

@chopc
No the opposite! It is very good idea. Durham (History) and converting to law are a good mix! DD's boyfriend did just that and other friends of hers. It is an excellent place to go. DD's boyfriend did MLaw at Cambridge but started with an undergrad degree from Durham (History). If Oxbridge was not possible, Durham is a great place to go pre law conversion. There is quite a lot of evidence that Law recruiters at the London firms/barristers chambers still recruitfrom the top few universities so I always think it is best to give yourself the best possible chance.

For law, the actual History (or English) course content does not matter as long as it is intellectually rigourous and from a university where students have lots of top grades. Durham hits that. Bristol is a top one for converting to law and being successful too. However top grades are desirable but your DC will have that.

Huge applogies if I was not clear earlier.

DD's boyfriend has just been rejected for Durham. Politics and International Relations I think.

Thank you for the nice words. DD had to login to the same website she ranked her college preferences on to see the actual allocation.

So @Crikeyblimey Jnr has Collingwood too, perhaps our dc may meet?

@chopc has your ds logged on to see if Collingwood has actually been allocated to him yet?

Sorry to hear that @BigWoollyJumpers - was your DD's boyfriend a strong candidate? I hope there's not going to be a load of rejections for dc who could've confidently expected an offer in previous years....

@Jan069 yes ..... that's why I said our DC will meet ?

Thank you @PresentingPercy . That's reassuring . Could I ask about your DD's BF who did MLaw after doing a History degree at Durham? I thought you have to have a first in Law to qualify with some exceptions. This is a cheeky ask and I apologise in advance - how was he exceptional?

(Yes have been shamelessly looking at postgrad options at Oxbridge)

@Jan069

Sorry to hear that *@BigWoollyJumpers* - was your DD's boyfriend a strong candidate? I hope there's not going to be a load of rejections for dc who could've confidently expected an offer in previous years....

Honestly, I don't really know in detail. But he goes to one of the top super selective independent boys schools in the country, so can't be far off the mark!

DD's not so unhappy, I think it means he will put Exeter as his first too .

@BigWoollyJumpers

DD's boyfriend has just been rejected for Durham. Politics and International Relations I think.

Sorry to hear, I hope he has some other offers he is happy with.

I'm sorry to hear that BWJ. I assume it was the Government and International Affairs course - according to the link posted upthread the offer rate is only 43% for that in a good year so probably more like 1 in 3 this year.

I was surprised that someone who ranked Collingwood 6th got allocated there - it's a massively oversubscribed college because it has such great facilities and is first choice with a very large proportion of applicants.

And yes @chopc - I'm a Durham Graduate (1988)

@Pythonesque what a lovely dilemma. If my DS had the option to go to a country where Covid is better managed, I would tell him to take it

@BigWoollyJumpers every cloud and all that ☺️

(Rejection from anywhere is hard though)

[quote chopc]@Jan069 yes ..... that's why I said our DC will meet ? [/quote]
Brilliant!

Honestly, I don't really know in detail. But he goes to one of the top super selective independent boys schools in the country, so can't be far off the mark!

That's really worrying. Top students not securing places at Durham.

@bendmeoverbackwards I read on TSR that Durham trying to diversify intake (for Economics anyway) ........ not sure how correct though

DD has been allocated Hatfield which she is happy with. Bailey, catered and women only hours in the gym.

Great news @ChimneyPot re Hatfield!

@bendmeoverbackwards Try not to worry too much, your DD's odds are still strong as she's state educated with stellar grades. Unfortunately, you could still be waiting in March. Such a shame Durham does this year on year....

Great news @ChimneyPot

I think your DS has to reply to her early offer from Georgetown soon? Which way do you think she will go?