Part 2: Continuation of 2023 uni (and other) applications for those pursuing art and creative routes

[Duchessofmuchness]

As requested transferring us all over hear for the continuation of the 2023 journey. Have so enjoyed the company and support of all on the first thread. Link to original thread copied below (I hope!)

2023 uni applications for those pursuing art and creative routes www.mumsnet.com/Talk/higher_education/4626697-2023-uni-applications-for-those-pursuing-art-and-creative-routes

@Duchessofmuchness Glad to hear your DS has thrown himself into university life. We are off tomorrow! Had a mad dash around the shops today when I realised I had forgotten to buy bedding!!! I mean who forgets bedding, lol.

@FriendlyLaundryMonster googled the Scottish awards and saw your dd's painting. Amazing, what a talent.

@Okisenough Aw, thank you so much. I’ll pass that comment on to her.

@Okisenough Don’t confuse her with the winner! She didn’t win! But, she’s overjoyed to even have been nominated and to be in the exhibition. Her painting is third from last on this link and she mainly painted it when she was 15, so she’s pretty happy. Only 30 pieces were chosen for the exhibition and she was the only person who was still at school. Most of them were professional artists. She had some lovely chats with them at the awards ceremony. It’s good to see more established artists engaging with those just starting out. https://www.scottishartstrust.org/spa-fine-art-2024

@FriendlyLaundryMonster don't worry I didn't!

We're taking dd back tomorrow morning. Only flew back from holiday late yesterday. It's exhausting. Third load of laundry going. Currently scouring the house for various items. Dh did finally track down her blender in the loft....

DS went back about 10 days ago, so he could play pre season hockey and get settled in his new house. Yr 2 starts on Tues, but he is going in on Mon to suss his commute out (it's a bit of a schlep!) and get back in the flow.
He'd been socialising, jamming with friends (on his cello!), playing hockey and cycling. Not much art going on, but he is excited to get back in the flow. Bumped into 2 tutors at an exhibition opening last week, who seemed surprised to see a student there! So that's upped his kudos!
So far so good for year 2.

Nice to hear everyone's news. DD heads to Durham at the weekend and is determined to join the university rag and hopes to make some changes! She met up with a mate from her Art Foundation course today who is doing freshers at UAL Wimbledon School of Art and they spent the afternoon at the local charity shops. She is designing her own posters for her room at Durham - needs to finish if she wants it printed in time - so her art is still a major interest.

We have given up on even attempting to get to Bournemouth for the open day because I was about to book tickets and hotels but the expense and time is crazy, as it would mean leaving on Friday morning and getting home on Sunday evening and visiting around £250 in travel costs and then the additional costs of a hotel. DD can go and have a look next year, but the travel is seriously off-putting as it would also mean that she couldn't get home/we couldn't get to her in a crisis, and it would make it harder to have a party time job and still see family.

All the open days for the main Art Schools in Scotland are on the same day. I mean, really! Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen.

Oh no!!!! That is ridiculous.

The open days of several of DD's choices clashed (plus we had Covid). She emailed, and managed to arrange a personal tour with the Course Leader of her first choice on another date. As we say here, "shy bairns get nowt." Something to bear in mind?

Travel can be a problem. DD is now very used to changing at Peterborough.

I've completely given up on getting to Bournemouth for the open day this year. DD can just apply and have a look around if she gets an offer, or maybe look at the start of next year.

We’ve booked two and are going to dash between, but it’s a shame as we’ll be able to attend the art talks but not the wider uni stuff and I think that would be useful.

DS (not arty, but applying this year!) has made his shortlist and will go to offer-holder days when he sees what offers he gets, rather than open days. Open days weren't even a thing, back in the day, and we mostly managed... right?

Neither Open days nor Offer days - in fact it was commonplace not to attend all interviews if some were far away (parents never took you in those days either). We did 5 Open days with dd - it was a frantic (and expensive) term....a bit mad really.

DS applied for degree completely blind. And then went to offer holder days to choose. He had had recommendations from tutors on his FAD course tho. And done a lot of on line research.

More great news for dd! One of her paintings has been selected to appear in an exhibition at the Royal Scottish Academy. She's gobsmacked! School wanted to put it up in their lobby and had already measured it for a frame, but they will have to relinquish it 😂Happy to share the painting by PM if anyone's interested.

@FriendlyLaundryMonster congratulations to DD!

@Soma Thank you!

Congratulations to your DD, @FriendlyLaundryMonster!

@PhotoDad Thank you - and for all your help in the past.

Just mentioning that it's student discount day on Cass Art, in case that helps anyone...

Big congrats to your DD @FriendlyLaundryMonster!

DC now started their Foundation year and, so far, all seems ok. There have been some lows (long term health issues and accommodation problems) and some real highs. But overall very positive I think. They seem happy!!!! Now we have to look at applying for degrees, but they might decide to stay where they are as they do the exact degree they want. Here we go again.

@FriendlyLaundryMonster that is incredible. Congratulations.

@Aaarghthepancakes - glad to hear started well. Good luck on the next round of applications. The course tutors on DS's FAD were very good at helping him explore different options and having other students around looking at similar unis also helped him. Although portfolio stage was stressful the actual application stage was better than expected.

DS has finished his first week and seems happy. Has made friends with 4 boys on his course during welcome week. Hadn't been too busy yet as mostly intros to studios etc. Think it will pick up next week.

DD has to sort out her portfolio for FAD applications, but she doesn't seem to be under a big time pressure compared to the people doing UCAS stuff. I will get her to talk to her art tutor next week to work out a timeline.