Uni applicants 2022

[NCTDN]

Can we stay a new thread? I'm on a few higher education threads but these seem to have people starting this term and I'd really appreciate support and advice specific to applications for starting next September.

There definitely are quite a few correlations drawn between maths physics etc GCSEs and A level success. Not so sure about Biology. Sorry.

@nomorehorses @PaddingtonPaddington as far as I know he’s recording sometime next week- he’s got two slots on his timetable anyway. I think he’s elected to do all via recording. My concern is that he may end up having to choose from places he’s never even visited. That’s assuming he even gets any offers (and we have no plan B).

So pleased to read a PP saying she felt more invested in it all than her DC. My DD has got a few bullet points written down and that is the sum of the PS at the moment. Social science/ social psychology / politics all still in the mix. Predictions currently AAB but I worry now it looks like they are going to really strip out grade inflation, plus she’s never done external exams of course. She’s being sniffy about having as insurance anywhere that needs only BBB, but I feel that might actually be a stretch.

I'll join although dd is taking a gap year after year 13.

That might be a good thing, or a bad thing. She generally does better than expected in exams, but at the same time having not done GCSEs and had a major panic attack over her mocks might equally well bring results down.

If any of you are on Facebook the group WIWIKAU what I wish I knew about university is very good, lots of tips and people saying what grades were accepted where etc.

We're looking at the London unis

I'll pop over and look at that group. DD says FB is for gimmers so it will be down to me.
To console you wrt personal statements, DD needs to chop 4,000. Words.

Hope it's ok to pop in..

DS2 in Y13 taking A levels in Criminology, Philosophy & Ethics and History.
Predicted BBB, potentially ABB.

He wants Sussex as his firm, also looking at;
Edinburgh (aspirational)
Manchester
Liverpool
Kent

DS1 is in 3rd year of his course at Swansea so feel I should know most things but they're like chalk and cheese.

Please may I join?

Ds is looking for 2022 entry, mechanical engineering.

Not a single soul in either of our families has ever been to university so we literally have no idea what we are doing.

There's an A Level in criminology??

@Piggywaspushed

There's an A Level in criminology??

Think there's an A level in everything now!

@GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat

Please may I join?

Ds is looking for 2022 entry, mechanical engineering.

Not a single soul in either of our families has ever been to university so we literally have no idea what we are doing.

Similar situation. ds is looking at mechanical too, dh hasn't got an O'Grade (we are that old!) to his name and I only got as far as an HND in college.

He has got the Buzzword for his school but hasn't tried the application yet on UCAS, just started putting together a plan for his ps yesterday. Thinks he'll be able to knock something together this weekend 🤦‍♀️ Tried to explain to him he needs to put in the effort as other applicants spend weeks perfecting these things and got a 🙄 in reply.

I am a sociology teacher and never knew this!

Oh, just found it : is it the applied A Level?

I'd love to join too please!

Y13 DS, applying for psychology/criminology. Looking at Sussex, Southampton, Loughborough, Portsmouth and Nottingham Trent. No predicted grades yet though he's been getting consistent distinctions for his one L3 BTEC so hopefully that's one A equivalent at least. Hoping for A or B predictions in the two A levels (psychology/biology) but by his own admission DS 'needs to start working a bit harder' so we shall see.

That said, DS really liked Sussex (only open day attended so far) and the course requirements seem achievable - ABB. He also seems to like the campus vibe. I suspect that, unless he's blown away by any of the others, that one will go down as his 'firm'. (I also really liked the course admissions director who seemed to think that the whole personal statement thing was all a bit daft and was very sensible and pragmatic in her approach). So that's a positive start at least.

Looking forward to sharing the journey with you all.

Can I join too. We have had nothing from school yet although DS and friends doing personal statement at college

No idea on predicted grades, was predicted ABB history politics eng lit

Neither husband nor I went to uni nor have families who did - it is a mystery

May I recommend a good rummage around the UCAS website (it's not just a form), to help with the 'demystifying' process? Particularly the 'Undergraduate' section, but it is all very accessible.

I cant ever get anything from the UCAS site. Think I am looking in the wrong place for just searching courses!

Unifrog is great too if anyone's school uses it.

@TheresOnlyOneWayOfLife

Hope it's ok to pop in..

DS2 in Y13 taking A levels in Criminology, Philosophy & Ethics and History.
Predicted BBB, potentially ABB.

He wants Sussex as his firm, also looking at;
Edinburgh (aspirational)
Manchester
Liverpool
Kent

DS1 is in 3rd year of his course at Swansea so feel I should know most things but they're like chalk and cheese.

May I join thread. @TheresOnlyOneWayOfLife what did ds1 do at Swansea and would they recommend? Thanks

@Piggywaspushed

Oh, just found it : is it the applied A Level?

Do you know I never even knew, yes must be the applied A level just looked on school website. Is that an equivalent A level then?

@whatsnext2
Hi, DS1 is doing English Lit with Creative Writing at Swansea and absolutely loves it.
It's been the making of him, great location and fab setting for him. He's a bit introverted (well a lot) and he's grown into a fantastic young lad which Uni has helped with

Yes Applied A Levels have eg coursework and are more workplace focused. We have applied business at my place.

[quote TheresOnlyOneWayOfLife]@whatsnext2
Hi, DS1 is doing English Lit with Creative Writing at Swansea and absolutely loves it.
It's been the making of him, great location and fab setting for him. He's a bit introverted (well a lot) and he's grown into a fantastic young lad which Uni has helped with [/quote]
That is just so lovely to read

Applied A levels sound awesome - what a great idea not heard of them before. Wish they were more widely available.

We are getting a little closer to narrowing down DSs 5 choices, a few visits coming up over the next few weeks. His favourite option he will just have to apply for blind (apart from a virtual open day ) as we missed the boat on open days. If he's lucky enough to get an offer (he meets the entry requirements with his predicteds and it's a v popular uni & course....) he can go to an offer holder open day in the spring. Which may be better as if he totally has his heart set on it after a visit and then doesn't get an offer I'd be broken hearted for him!

Wish they were more widely available

Sadly, they are largely being phased out and replaced with T Levels.

[quote TheresOnlyOneWayOfLife]@whatsnext2
Hi, DS1 is doing English Lit with Creative Writing at Swansea and absolutely loves it.
It's been the making of him, great location and fab setting for him. He's a bit introverted (well a lot) and he's grown into a fantastic young lad which Uni has helped with [/quote]
Thanks that’s really good to hear. Dd considering English and politics and also a bit introverted.

Can I join too please?! DD my first born applying for 2022.

She is doing A-level Politics, History and English Lit. Predicted A A A she wants to do Politics mainly and is giving Cambridge a punt (HSPS) which is a very long shot but beyond that Bath is top of the list for Politics and IR with a year in industry. We have visited Durham which she discounted and Bath a couple of weeks ago which was just lovely. Also Nottingham, Cardiff (have a lot of family there) & Liverpool. PS now submitted and just waiting offers although not expecting any for a while. Who knew you had to pay to submit a UCAS application?! Its all a bit of a minefield but she is relieved now the application is submitted.