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Higher education

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

Original poster

Panicking, DS declined offers!

40 replies

notsureconfused · 17/04/2022 11:25

DS had offers for York & Bristol and rejections from Leeds, Durham & Edinburgh. He really wanted Leeds so was disappointed to not get an offer. He absolutely didn't want York as he wanted to be in a bigger, more buzzing city. He's now decided that Bristol is too far away from home (he's feeling the pull of his friends & serious girlfriend - none of whom are going to university) so has declined both offers and has used ucas extra to apply for a different course at Manchester. God knows when he'll hear from Manchester or if they'll even give him an offer. I'm really panicking now that all his eggs are in one basket and he may end up empty handed! He's predicted 3 A's so it just seems crazy that he's ended up in this position. Any words of wisdom please?

OP posts:
LIZS · 17/04/2022 11:31

He'll still have Clearing if the Manchester course does not cone through.

MarchingFrogs · 17/04/2022 12:09

@LIZS

He'll still have Clearing if the Manchester course does not cone through.
In the meantime, he can apply serially for other courses through Extra. It's a 'one at a time' process, not a 'one shot only' one, although you are meant to.wait up to 3 weeks initially for a response.
SeasonFinale · 17/04/2022 15:18

Presumably he checked with Manchester that they were taking late applicants for the course he is applying for too? If so and he meets the criteria he is in with a chance and as another pp says if they reject he applies to his next choice.

Oldowl · 17/04/2022 20:26

Could he apply for the 'different course' at Leeds, if that was where his heart was set. The different course might be undersubscribed compared to his rejected course.

Theimpossiblegirl · 17/04/2022 20:54

There's also Sheffield, who were excellent when dd decided on a complete change of direction on level results day last year (stressful).

Original poster
notsureconfused · 17/04/2022 22:09

He didn't check with Manchester first, he thought if the course was on extra that meant there were places available - is that not the case? He's now got his heart set on Manchester but would also go to Leeds if need be. After having two offers it all seems precarious now ☹️

OP posts:
Nelliephant1 · 17/04/2022 22:14

If he doesn't get where he wants or the course he really wants them go to college for a year or get a year in the real world under his belt and apply next year.

My son really wasn't sure what he wanted to do so applied to college for something he was interested in, by the end of that year he'd more of an idea what he wanted to do, applied to uni, got in and ended up coming out with a First.

My friends son did the same but he did two years at college before uni.

It feels like a race at this point in their schooling, but it honestly doesn't have to be. He sounds like a bright lad so I'm sure he'll be just fine whatever route he ends up taking.

EduCated · 17/04/2022 22:15

But they were two offers he didn’t want. University is a big commitment (emotionally, financially) so it’s important he feels it’s the right choice and not to go for one just because it’s an offer, unless it is an overly competitive course like Medicine or Veterinary.

He can try Extra, he can try clearing - he can also consider a gap year and reapplying, with more time to visit and work out where he wants to be.

gogohm · 17/04/2022 22:17

Take a deep breathe. Why are you panicking? It's his choice and if he doesn't go this year he can apply with grades next year anyway. If he's feeling the pull, a gap year might be for the best anyway, let him work, it's not a race to go through university

Cuphalffullor · 17/04/2022 22:18

A year out might be a really good idea. Uni is a huge investment so taking time to be sure on course and place is worth it.

LIZS · 17/04/2022 22:19

Which subject? Leeds has been very popular in recent years and entry very competitive for many subjects.

Housetreecar · 17/04/2022 22:22

What is he applying for? Bristol and york are amazing universities.

voleshuffle · 17/04/2022 22:28

Don't lose hope, best thing he can do is to concentrate on his revision and come out with the best grades he can. If he doesn't get an offer from Manchester he can always go through clearing or apply next year with grades in hand and possibly more relevant extra curricular stuff on his personal statement that aligns with his chosen course.

It is a shitty year for applications due to the number of deferred applicants from last year taking places. Better to go somewhere he wants than accept an offer and be half-hearted.

Tomlettegregg · 17/04/2022 22:58

I had almost the exact same choices as gourmet son 10 years ago (just swap Nottingham for Manchester). I would've bitten off Bristol's hand to be honest. Turning it down because of distance for a girlfriend he's very unlikely to stay with is crazy and Leeds is a significantly less desirable uni anyway..

Original poster
notsureconfused · 17/04/2022 23:01

Thanks, I know you're all right. It just feels worrying as he's had this plan for so long and now it feels like it might not happen. I think he would be disappointed to not go this year but I guess it wouldn't be the end of the world. His offers were for Economics and Finance and he's now applied for Accountancy. He wants to work in banking / the financial sector so both are relevant. Economics seems so competitive. I definitely wouldn't want him to go, hate it and then drop out so I guess it's good he's reavalulated now - I just wish he'd had this figured out before applying!

OP posts:
RampantIvy · 17/04/2022 23:09

I also think a gap year might be a good idea. Leeds is gaining a reputation as a university that is still mainly online with very little F2F at the moment, so getting a rejection from Leeds may not be as bad as he thinks.

surreygirl1987 · 17/04/2022 23:29

Don't panic. Gap year if necessary. I understand why you're worried though. Remember that this year there are fewer available places than previous years due to backlog of students delaying starting uni because of covid, so if he needs to wait another year it isn't a terrible thing. The girlfriend aspect is frustrating though, as the chances of this lasting are slim.

Oddbobbyboo · 17/04/2022 23:29

This could be an opportunity to look at higher apprenticeships… but he’ll probably get a place through clearing x

Original poster
notsureconfused · 17/04/2022 23:32

@Tomlettegregg

I had almost the exact same choices as gourmet son 10 years ago (just swap Nottingham for Manchester). I would've bitten off Bristol's hand to be honest. Turning it down because of distance for a girlfriend he's very unlikely to stay with is crazy and Leeds is a significantly less desirable uni anyway..
I agree it's crazy and we've said all along that he can't let it effect his decision...the problem is it does though and there's nothing we can do about it. If he just doesn't have the enthusiasm to be really far away then it's not going to work. Annoyingly I think he would absolutely love Bristol and I hope he doesn't have regrets if / when he breaks up with his girlfriend!
OP posts:
mathanxiety · 17/04/2022 23:50

Why did he apply to places he didn't want to go to.

MarchingFrogs · 18/04/2022 08:00

@mathanxiety

Why did he apply to places he didn't want to go to.
The answer to that one would be obvious if the list was O / C - Durham- Warwick - Imperial - St Andrews...

But perhaps chose for the specific courses, then the reality of geographical location / logistics etc hit between application and responses?

LIZS · 18/04/2022 08:09

@Oddbobbyboo

This could be an opportunity to look at higher apprenticeships… but he’ll probably get a place through clearing x
He may already be too late for this September's intake, especially with the big 5. He does not need to study Accountancy or Finance to become an accountant, although he may gain some exemptions from professional exams by doing so, Plenty do unrelated degrees and retrain.
Oblomov22 · 18/04/2022 08:16

Economics is even more competitive than Accountancy, and a quite different course. If he really wants Economics, I'd encourage him to hold firm.

Bristol is a great uni, prestigious, has a great reputation. The place itself is buzzing and student life there is good.

OhRiRi · 18/04/2022 08:27

If he has his head screwed on, which it sounds like he does, a gap year could be advantageous. Working to save some money, work experience in a relevant sector, 12 months additional life experience and maturity before applying with actual grades.

I went to a university that wasn't right for me but went as it was expected of me by parents. It was a disaster and I dropped out after 4 years and didn't graduate. I wish I'd done things differently.

Oatsandstuff · 18/04/2022 08:29

What a shame
You’re right, it is precarious BUT could all work out. So in the meantime you just have to support him and tightly cross everything
Nothing else to do