Applying for uni in 2021 part 2

[poppycat10]

Hi all, this is a continuation thread from www.mumsnet.com/Talk/higher_education/3828249-applying-for-uni-in-2021?pg=40

The exam boards are still charging entry fees in the same way they usually do. So if your school usually passes that cost on I suppose they are doing this as usual.

and then the long summer.

and longer than usual as well. Whilst both DS3's brothers finished early / mid May latest for study leave their A level exam period then went through to mid June.

It seems likely that DS3 will be fully finished some point w/c 17th May - so just a month's time! He has had a part time job for the past two years and they have confirmed they are happy to make his hours up towards full time from the end of next month.

Amidst all the uncertainty though he has however selected and confirmed his firm and insurance choices - happy with both locations (although one in theory only as none of us have ever visited it) and both courses.

@BigWoollyJumpers I’d be like your DD and have everything all organised too. It’s actually great that she can. So annoying that some are still waiting on offers. My DD is fortunate and going to be doing a higher apprentice, so most of her ducks are in a row too. It’ll give them headspace to prep for the assessments. Good to hear your school are being holistic regarding the assessment process. How are they doing this?

DD has just received an offer of a virtual internship with a charity for August. So glad she won’t be planting her bum in the couch for over 3 months!

Good to hear your school are being holistic regarding the assessment process. How are they doing this?

It just seems they are looking at the whole person, rather than focusing on the assessments only. They didn't get round to doing any mocks this year, but they did do a lot of timed practice papers/essays, so lots of evidence of attainment, which they are using. They are also using coursework where applicable. Then the assessments. They are setting them, rather than using the boards, and are focusing on specific topics. They obviously don't get the questions in advance, but are told what to revise. They have given feedback on first set, not grades, but suggestions on where they can improve. Second set start next week.

@pepperaunt

DD has just received an offer of a virtual internship with a charity for August. So glad she won’t be planting her bum in the couch for over 3 months!

We are actively encouraging DD to "plant her bum"!

We did the same with DD1. This summer is the longest and (usually) the best summer of their young lives. We are happy for DD to relax, enjoy, go on trips (Covid allowing), and generally recover from the last year of angst. She might do some volunteering at the local cattery, if they need her, as she enjoys it, but apart from that, no pressure from us to do anything particular.

To be fair @BigWoollyJumpers if DD is doing all that she is not just planting her bum is she?

I am happy for my DS to perch on the couch for a while. But not the whole summer. He can plan whatever he likes and we will support him. But it is such a shame if they were to waste their time in front of the telly for 3-4 months so I will discourage that

Sorry not "all that" as I know a main part of it was relaxing @BigWoollyJumpers

Gosh I hope they can have some fun this summer ( whatever form that takes) . Dc has tickets to a gig that may or may not happen and is hoping to go camping with friends at some point. I think a job might be good or volunteering if not

How is everyone’s dc doing? Dc’s last assessment is May 18th . It’s going to be a very long summer for them . Dc is looking for a summer job for a few weeks (if they can get one!) and is going to do an online uni course.

Despite accepting a place and selecting accommodation, my DD is still unsure whether or not to defer until 2022. She is so nervous about having any form of lockdown as she wont cope. I don't know what she will do for the year if she does defer, I told her she cannot do nothing.

Does anyone know if its too late to defer an accepted place or if she will have to reapply.

Is there any information on her uni website about what September might look like @minesawine?

My DS deferred his place last year to this year. He had already firmed and filled in accommodation request. He asked the uni if he could and they sent a link to a request form and agreed the deferral within 4 hours.

Dd is so keen to go this autumn. I don't think she has really considered what it will be like in lockdown but she is desperate to move on and do things.
She is pretty stressed about all the assessments. May is going to be very long.

Dd also very keen to go @LeiatheSchnauzer. It would be so strange for our dc though to go from school and big classes (albeit with masks) to anything less though wouldn't it? (as long as the pandemic keeps on same trajectory that is) . But then 18 year olds at university have been treated so differently to 18 year olds in schools.
Dd is keeping her eye on what yer first choice is saying about September .. there isn’t much else they can do I guess

DS is also just very keen to move on. he's not quite as organised as bigwoolyjumpers DD but is getting there.

He is so close to securing his preferred accommodation, just seems to be a little set back in the booking system.

Given the uncertainty of how much F2F time they will have, I think his choice is a wise one, lots of communal areas for study, and different areas for relaxing and hanging out, plenty of outdoor socialising areas, and a more cosy living space with flat mates.

One halls looked so industrial, with tiny cell like rooms, the desk wasn't even big enough for his computer with one screen let alone two, to get out you'd have to move the desk chair out the way just to open the door. I couldn't imagine if he had to do a lockdown in there, or even be doing most classes from his room.

Son is devastated today, had a terrible exam for Law, and is certain he will not achieve the grade he needed for his offer from Lancaster, does anyone know how flexible they might be? He is predicted and pretty much on course for an A in history which is the subject he wants to study. However he feels completely disheartened now. The m letting him wallow tonight then suggesting he gets back into his revision tomorrow.
It's been such a crap time for all students, I just hate to see him so distraught.
Do you think it's an idea to suggest repeating the year? Or holding out for clearing? Any ideas or advice appreciated.

@Rosieredapples unlike if this was an actual AL exam, not everything will be riding on this one paper. It is distressing to feel you have underperformed. The best he can do is focus on the rest of his assessments. He may still get the grades so it is way too early to decide on resitting etc. He can cross that bridge after results day

@chopc thanks he's so down poor thing, been such an awful year and I really feel for him.

Sorry to hear that @rosieredapples . The poor lad. It’s so so stressful for them . I agree that he just needs to try and remain focussed and do as best he can. Hopefully his results in August will be ok to get him where he wants to.

Agree with pp that the key thing now is to move in and focus on the remaining exams. But if the worst comes to the worst there is the October series - if he is found A levels he can sit then and reapply once he has the result and still have the rest of the year free rathe than having to retake the year

Ds1 has firmed and insured
No accommodation needed for first year
Student finance application done
He did his final assessments 2 weeks ago and coursework deadline was 2 weeks before that
But...his 6th form are insisting y13 attend until june 18th!!
To me this is box ticking of the worst kind
I'm really cross about it
In the middle of a pandemic?
They are actually telling them that not showing up will affect their final grade
Last week in one of his lessons he watched the lion King
There is literally nothing for them to do
Grrrr

@Jenthefredo how strange

Also how come no accommodation needed for first year? Is he planning on staying at home?

They are actually telling them that not showing up will affect their final grade

If they literally mean, we will use your attendance record to moderate your grades in the work on which we are basing our assessments, I think that I would be opening up a dialogue with Ofqual (?DfE) on that one...

Also, what school is going to want to turn in a set of results lower than they should be, given that the current situation has got universities so concerned that every sixth former applying to them will have their offer grades awarded, regardless of the level of 'aspiration' of the predicted grades on which they were based?

@MarchingFrogs

They are actually telling them that not showing up will affect their final grade

If they literally mean, we will use your attendance record to moderate your grades in the work on which we are basing our assessments, I think that I would be opening up a dialogue with Ofqual (?DfE) on that one...

Also, what school is going to want to turn in a set of results lower than they should be, given that the current situation has got universities so concerned that every sixth former applying to them will have their offer grades awarded, regardless of the level of 'aspiration' of the predicted grades on which they were based?

Yep. Glad I'm not the only one that thinks its outrageous