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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

Taking a year off- when to apply for university

7 replies

Yesyes58 · 02/02/2022 19:31

My DD in Y12 is keen to take a year off and has various plans. She was going to apply for university place in year 13 as normal and defer. But school is advising to apply after her A’levels. I’m not sure if this is good advice. Does anyone have any views on which is best and any experience?

OP posts:
HarrietM87 · 02/02/2022 19:33

Apply now for a deferred place. If she gets better A levels than expected or changes her mind then nothing to stop her then turning down the deferred place and reapplying. Not sure why you wouldn’t do that as gives you 2 bites at the cherry.

HarrietM87 · 02/02/2022 19:35

PS it’s ages ago now (mid 2000s) but I applied for a deferred uni place and was great. Meant I could enjoy my gap year without having to worry about what I’d be doing after, which is another reason in favour of doing it that way.

SeasonFinale · 03/02/2022 01:24

@HarrietM87

Apply now for a deferred place. If she gets better A levels than expected or changes her mind then nothing to stop her then turning down the deferred place and reapplying. Not sure why you wouldn’t do that as gives you 2 bites at the cherry.
Exactly this.
Moominmammacat · 03/02/2022 08:54

My DS applied with his results, as soon as applications opened. Got five offers straight away, within a week or so. Nothing outstanding about him, just they have time on their hands and are keen to get a few in the bag early on, I guess ...

ReviewingTheSituation · 03/02/2022 09:00

Whilst I agree with those saying you may as well do it earlier, how clear is she on what she wants to study and where?
If she knows what course she wants to take and has a shortlist of unis, then she may as well apply for a deferred place. If she's umming and ahhing between different things and/or doesn't know what kind of uni she'd prefer (campus vs city, big vs small) or where in the country she'd like to go, then the extra time might help her in her decision.

CasparBloomberg · 03/02/2022 09:13

Before making a decision on this, check with the school what support they will offer her in the process once she has left and get it in writing. A friend's DS took this decision with advice from college but after leaving more senior staff refused to support him in the application process and blocked him from sitting STEP/Oxbridge exams at their venue.

SometimesRavenSometimesParrot · 03/02/2022 12:53

Definitely apply while in school to make sure she gets the max amount of support from school while applying. Her offers would become unconditional in summer which means she can get accomm etc sorted asap

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