DC is Y12- When / how to start the process!!!

[Starrburst]

Our eldest DC is in first year of A levels and interested in computer science/ maths at uni

They'll take the MAT tests in autumn I believe

When how where do we start the process??

How much help do schools give looking at course options and the application process??

All advice / links welcome! Help!!!!

And on the Oxford course @Amboseli he absolutely loves Oxford in general, he does find the workload a bit much at times and I think he thinks the degree of pressure students are put under is a bit unnecessary. The content is definitely harder than A levels, obviously, but I think honestly the more complex and specialised it is, the more he likes it. He loves pure maths and isn't so bothered about applied maths, so now he can pick and choose modules a bit more (in his second year) he's getting quite excited about some of the things he's studying. I think maths students (unless they're unusually talented) do have to be prepared to work very hard and very consistently, and not expect to be partying a lot. But he does enjoy it.

I think it’s very unfair to think universities can give pastoral care in the same way a school can or indeed a parent can. They are mostly huge institutions. So do you know what you are looking for?

Also lots of negative comments are now very out of date. Surely you want to know what systems are in place now? How have they reacted to adverse events and comments. Of all student suicides, a tiny minority were at Bristol. But they made national headlines. Not sure why when others didn’t. You only have to google UCL suicides to find they had some too.

@TizerorFizz I would guess because of Bristol's party reputation

@PerfectWhiteTulips
Hsve you been to Newcastle? Or seen the drinking culture at others? I won’t name them. Bristol isn’t any more party than most other city universities. What actual evidence is there for this anyway? It’s all hearsay. Or is it just about more privately educated Dc there so it must be party central? So what about St Andrews then? Assertions without hard evidence are not worth much. London has so many ultra rich students. Are they not partying? I bet they do! Also what’s wrong with a party or two? No one forces a student to attend and universities have quiet halls. Just match what you want with what’s offered and everyone is happy.

@TizerorFizz reputation can be based on fact or fiction but reputation is reputation and there is no denying Bristol has a big party one. Some DC I know chose Bristol predominantly for that reason. Not sure private school DC have anything to do with it. Lots of state school DC going there now you know. For contextual offers they have one of the most extensive school lists of all the universities.

Why people choose a university is quite complex. Contextual offers have let in party types then? Interesting. previously it was said about public school types . Looks like Bristol cannot win! DD enjoyed it there though.

Among DDs acquaintances, hard core party types went to Newcastle. Any course at Newcastle! However I’ve no facts to back up if that’s the only reason they went there but they said it was. The reputation seems to now be centred on Bristol by anecdote. I know plenty of great Dc go to Bristol and do well. Ditto Newcastle! So how hard some play isn’t the majority and no one should choose a university based on chat without knowledge. The biggest drinkers are often in the team sports clubs!

If anyone spends any time in a major city with students and a drinking/party culture they will find a party reputation amongst the students. My friends’ DS was at Sheffield. He went to and held all-nighters. I’m sure plenty didn’t. But who cares? A friends DD failed Cambridge first year exam due to drinking/sport club. Went off the rails! I don’t see Bristol as unusual. Partying and booze is everywhere. Some want it but thousands don’t. You reality can go to Aberystwyth and party, party, party! Or be a quiet student at Bristol.

Among my DCs acquaintances, the hardcore party types went to Bristol and said they chose it predominantly for that reason so we'll just have to agree to differ.

"Or is it just about more privately educated Dc there so it must be party central?"

"Contextual offers have let in party types then?"

You are making some big leaps here!

My comment on the increase in contextual students was purely to illustrate that Bristol is far from just an independent school destination. There have always been DC from both sectors, even before the push for widening access. Totally irrelevant which school background DC have anyway. I don't believe that affects their ability to party. When I last checked it wasn't part of the curriculum in either sector.

I'm intrigued - are you inferring that only State school pupils can possibly be the recipient of Contextual offers ?

Universities award contextual offers in different ways. For example Warwick do not currently give contextual offers to DC from independent schools. Other Universities publish lists of state schools where attendance automatically qualifies for a contextual offer but may also consider other qualification factors like if a DC's individual home postcode reflects a low rate of progression to higher education, if they have been in care or eligible for free school meals etc. It's complicated.

Thanks for your reply Amboseli I think we need to look at a couple of universities to see the breadth of curriculum before he completely discounts uni.
I'm nervous of him missing out on something because im completely new to this process but this thread is helping no end!