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Original poster

URGENT - Can we still apply via UCAS TODAY please?

35 replies

medianewbie · 01/07/2023 10:10

Ds has been doing an HNC. The course has been so badly run & the Head of Dept has asked us to make a formal complaint. Worst issue is that Ds has only just finished his work yesterday at 6pm. (Tutor was in doing 1:1 with a number of students from a number of his courses) DS went to bed & slept, got up for a cup of tea during which he told me he now does feel he can apply to Uni this year & has been asleep since (he has Autism & is absolutely exhausted by this mess)

I just checked the UCAS site & it seems that the cut off was yesterday ??
(I'd called a few weeks ago in case of this & was told 4th July?)
Obviously the thing to do is call them & check but lines shut till Mon am.
Does anyone know if he has missed application dates by a day please?
I understand he can still do clearing but that is only for 1 place so he'd have no choice?

Thank you, if anyone sees this & knows...

OP posts:
Orbitsound · 02/07/2023 17:27

jojo2202 · 01/07/2023 12:51

any need to be so rude? in school generally all students have applied well before the january deadline. Applications now apart from extra in feb go to clearing. It is too late to apply normally. You can do you quick google search and scan of the website as much as you like but my students apply at the optimal time to ensure they get their top choices.

Am shocked by this and your responses- what about the students who have a different experience or change their minds.

It's a worry that you do the job you do but appear so unaware of the system and options to be honest!

Rummikub · 02/07/2023 17:30

Many students are unsure and decide later to apply. It’s possible and viable.

Original poster
medianewbie · 02/07/2023 18:05

He would still go to College next year. My worry is that he'd find it boring (same level, doff area of computing)
& lose momentum for Uni '24.
BUT ... I think I'm more worried about him starting 'in a rush' as he puts it & getting into difficulty as he doesn't have rhe confidence to ask for help. He could maybe do with an 'easy' academic year first ?
Yes, Reference will be a prob. Tutor said 'can't do any References: on strike' weeks ago (when Ds was hoping to apply, before he lost momentum).

OP posts:
Rummikub · 02/07/2023 19:50

What I usually encourage is to have choices. And this could happen in more than one way. Either applying now/ clearing. Then can always reject the offer later. I’ve had students withdraw due to financial restrictions. Taken a year out and reapply. As long as uni is informed it’s ok.

Or exploring the idea of deferred entry. Gets his place and that might see him through a potentially boring year.

Student finance might be an issue if in England and depending on year of entry.

Does he know his plan for the future?

Rummikub · 02/07/2023 19:51

Agree there’s a lot to be said for an easy academic year too.

Original poster
medianewbie · 02/07/2023 20:06

@Rummikub we are in Scotland, so 4 Yr Hons ( free tuition at present)
Both places he'd like yo do a general Computer Science degree.
2 Unis are: Abertay (great reputation) & Edinburgh Napier (also good but not as good I think?). Napier he could commute from home (at least to begin with) Big plus: cheaper & easier tho 1hr commute each way. Abertay he'd have to move out (having never made so much as a sandwich or washed a shirt) so deal with all that as well as studying at Uni (he has to work 'harder' than most). Find accommodation (quickly!)
Abertay = 1st Yr entry, which he wants. Napier = 2nd Yr (he's less keen). Abertay only hold formal exams end 1st Yr. Napier all thru plus you have to find a placement Y3.
Pluses & minuses ...

OP posts:
Rummikub · 02/07/2023 20:34

He has time to decide. I guess it’s the feeling of pace of decision making which is scary.
No decision is final and can always change mind.

i presume he has visited both? Maybe another visit and see how it feels. Try the commute.

I can see the merit in waiting a year. If he does the HND year does that still gives entry to year 1 at Abertay?

Also which uni is better at support? Some unis will
guarantee accommodation if have support needs.

Original poster
medianewbie · 02/07/2023 21:20

@Rummikub yes, HND Yr 1 grade A = Y1 undergrad place at Abertay. Abertay SEN dept seemed v supportive when we were there last autumn. I have a friend whose ASD kid is in 3rd Yr & she says they're great. Ds is impressed that Napier has a 24/7 Lab. My gut feeling is he does HND Yr & goes to Abertay 2024, & moves up there & enjoys it, rather than long commute to Napier this year ? But it's what He wants that matters.

OP posts:
MarchingFrogs · 02/07/2023 23:12

Tbh, it does rather sound as if waiting until next year to go to university might be a better idea - if nothing else, it will allow time to sort out DSA, which it sounds like he will probably be entitled to. And certainly take away some of the stress of uncooperative tutors re getting a reference sorted.

UCAS is already open for 2024 entry, at least for applicants to make a start on their application, which can then be submitted from early September. But he'll also have until next January to take a few deep breaths and br sue that he is applying for what he really wants.

Rummikub · 02/07/2023 23:28

I agree your reasoning is sound.

Then he can spend his HND year gaining the life skills he needs.

Some unis offer summer residentials. Check age restrictions.

To help ds make his decision try the commute at peak times. Also familiarisation with the campus.

The only issue I can see is your ds losing motivation during HND year. But perhaps an early application and an end point might help.

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