Another Path - part IV

[321zyx]

Apologies if I've done this wrong! I seemed to have filled up the last thread, hopefully the abbreviated title is ok!

Very much each to their own @chopc.-I tried to encourage Dd to do the group chats but she said they didn’t want to ‘meet’ people online before going incase it skewed the normal process of making friends 🙄. I would have jumped at the chance before I went to uni!
Dd has booked an open day tour though which I’m pleased about ( not least because I’m going to have a mooch about in Durham while she does that ).. just hope it goes ahead and that the sun shines!

After the crappy year they have had I was so hoping for a somewhat "normal" university life ..... but reading the "another year online" thread is making me worried.

It won't be a disaster if the huge lectures are online (although I enjoyed sitting next to and talking to people after lectures), but if the small group tutorials and seminars are also online, what would be the difference between a physical university and open university?

I feel the other aspects of going to Uni eg living independently, making new friends, all the other social aspects including sports and societies, gatherings etc are just as important. It's not just about getting the degree. Just like I feel the paper Education is just one aspect when choosing a school. It's the overall experience.......

DS1 has no interest whatsoever in engaging in any online chat with other prospective Durham students or in going to any open day! He is, though, closely monitoring the social media posts by one of the university's sports clubs...

but reading the "another year online" thread is making me worried

I just can't see how universities will be able to exempt themselves from a return to "normality" though. By September, all adults will (hopefully) be vaccinated. Offices will be open, shops will be open, theatres, cinema's, concerts, etc etc will all be operating. Schools have already been back "normally" with minor adjustments ie: masks and Lft's. If further lockdowns have been ruled out, fully intergrated university education must go ahead, no excuses.

Not to mention millions of people travelling around the world again. If you can go on holiday FGS, you can go to university.

Exactly! However even in Australia the lectures are online so that international students who couldn't travel can access them. After all all Unis rely on international school fees.

I have looked at Durham and LSE websites and they both state it will be a mixture and extracurricular where possible etc

Still no news from Edinburgh. I'm beginning to wonder if dd is mistaken in thinking she applied for them

@maggiethecat that's crazy!

Ridiculous amount of time to wait @maggiethecat Would it be worth a call to admissions next week?

I called on Tuesday and they said they expected that all results would be out by Friday 7/5.

I don't know if they would check to see if a specific person's results had been despatched.

Hi,
I’m new to MN.My son also applied to Cambridge and was rejected after interview.Hes now deciding between LSE and Bath for Econ and Politics.Anyone have experience of both unis and their accomodation?He wants to make decision after his assessments finish (25th May).Im worried he will miss out on accomodation.

Hi everyone. Maggie, I’m so sorry you still haven’t heard. It’s beyond ridiculous.

DS still in the midst of exams and it’s been quite stressful with my younger one recently. I’m holding out for half-term!

Engley - hi, DS also has offers for those two. I think with Bath, you just state the type if room you want and then get allocated on or shortly after results day. However, with LSE, I couldn’t believe it as it seems all the accommodation weren’t weeks ago (with the exception of the more expensive intercollegiate accommodation which is not known for being that sociable as there’s a lot of post-grads, internationals and students of other London unis there). It seems ridiculous to me that all accommodation can be booked up - no other uni lets this happen. How can people be confirming accommodation when they can’t even be sure they get the grades?

Anyway, looking increasingly like DS will be taking a gap year..,

Thank you quest1on,
Which course did your DS apply for?My DS thinks Bath uni may have better student experience if back to normal in Sept.But Likes LSE as it has think tank and he’s enjoyed external lectures with famous academics precovid.But is sociable and with all the lockdowns feel it’s important to have a good social scene.

@Engley

Hi, I’m new to MN.My son also applied to Cambridge and was rejected after interview.Hes now deciding between LSE and Bath for Econ and Politics.Anyone have experience of both unis and their accomodation?He wants to make decision after his assessments finish (25th May).Im worried he will miss out on accomodation.

Welcome to MN @Engley!

@Engley welcome to the thread. As per other posters in the other thread, don't need to worry about missing out on accommodation.

I think your DS's thoughts about both universities are certainly valid. Perhaps taking a look around both will help cement his decision?

My DS will firm Durham. As he said it is a University version of his school, which he loves. However he also loves the idea of being a student in London as did I (UCL) and will be insuring either UCL or LSE

Welcome @Engley well done to your ds on his offers.

Morning all, @maggiethecat I really hope you hear from Edinburgh this week, such a bloody long wait!

Dd's school have finally let the students know how they will be assessed for their final grades. I don't think it sounds fair at all - some subjects will use the assessments just done AND some of their previous work (selected pieces some of which go back to the start of Year 12), while other subjects will be based on the assessments only. And they were only informed of this last week, half way through the assessments!

Surely all students should be treated the same?

that's just it though bend - all students won't be treated the same

DS will find out what evidence will be used later on in the month

bend - it’s exactly the same in DS’ school and I’m as confused as you. They are doing three rounds of assessments and the final round is taking place this week and next. Some subjects announced they are basing the grades on these exams only , while others are looking at performance across the course, with some unknown weighting based on these exams. And yes, last week, all the teachers were announcing different things. All very odd. It’s as if it’s just been left up to individual teachers.

It’s as if it’s just been left up to individual teachers

Yup. Dd's History teacher told the class when talking about an upcoming assessment - he is allowed to tell them the topic but he's choosing not to!

How can it possibly be fair to all when there is so much variation? Dd is drained and exhausted and to add to this is now worrying she won't get the required grades for Bristol.

Yes one of DS’ teachers told them mid-exams that, in that subject,” they’ve decided they’re not going to “cherry pick” the best pieces of evidence for grades. So apparently, “Some will win, some will lose.” Why say this?

As for the GCSEs, it’s anyone’s guess what’s happening there.

The issue is how the different subjects have "tested" them before. Some may have done tests or homework across the whole cohort whereas others may not have which is why there can be a different approach by subject within the same school. Also they need to have covered certain learning requirements for each subject (if not all topics) so this can affect what evidence (pieces of work) can be used. So some subjects may not have met the criteria on past work which may be why they are using current assessments only for those subjects.

Engley LSE is probably marginally better regarded than Bath but I think Bath is good too and Bath also has a more normal student experience in that it is a group of teenagers the same age from the UK in a student place. LSE has a huge mixture of different students. There are pros and cons to each group however.

We live in London so my children chose not to go to university there (3 went to Bristol for example). You can all be a bit spread apart across vast bits of London in London accommodation. However my son's friend went to ( I think it wa) s LSE (graduated last year) and my son and his friends would often go to visit him there in his room whichwas quite central and he had a good time and did well so I don't really know.