Last minute collywobbles?

[SockFluffInTheBath]

DS has a uni place to do a fairly niche kind of science, announced last night (2weeks before he goes) that he now prefers a related but different niche science. There’s enough common ground that he could ‘transfer’ at post-grad level. Not sure whether to indulge this, or if it’s last minute commitment-phobia. For a few reasons it would save me £££ if he changed, so I’m mindful to be unbiased. Anyone else having doubts?

I am a former STEM admissions tutor and this isn’t uncommon.

My concern is, does DS retain enough interest in his current degree programme to sustain him to a strong degree and into that PG programme you mention? I think that would be difficult for most YP if they were genuinely more interested in something else.

So this question is, is this genuine or collywobbles? DS could have been thinking about this quietly for some time.

How competitive is the second niche science at his current university? Everyone wants our students to be happy, so if he meets the entry requirements for the new programme and they have room for him, chances are that everyone would be happy to facilitate a transfer. Thinking about this option will also concentrate his mind.

Ideally he would make his final decision before term begins - much cleaner for everyone that way. Best wishes to him

Thank you @poetryandwine it would mean a change of university- in simple terms volcanoes rather than oceans. He did the volcano open day and loved it, then applied for an entirely different science test he’d always enjoyed at school, before deciding on oceans and changing pre-clearing. They’re all long-standing interests so I’m not surprised by any of them so I can’t really narrow it down. The uni he’s lined up for does a general physical geography degree which has a common first year so that could be a safety net. I don’t want him to get it wrong, but I don’t want to influence him either.

Thanks. I don’t quite understand.

Has DS started the process to transfer universities?

Would he be doing a physical geography degree, or an oceanography degree? As niche subjects go, I think oceans are probably more broadly applicable/useful/employable than volcanoes. So in that sense I think supporting the move is a good idea.

Sorry, I expect I was rambling! He’s not started a transfer, he was wobbling and talking about it. He’s due to do marine science (geog/phys/chem mix) but was looking at a geography course somewhere else that focuses on volcanoes and other hazards. There is a physical geography course at his marine science uni- the 2 courses have a common first year, and they say transfers are possible. I looked last night and it seems the geog course has a volcanoes module, so that could be an option. He seems brighter again this morning so we’ll see how it goes.

This seems slightly vague, still.

From what you say the course at the transfer uni sounds narrower. The marine sciences or physical geography at his current uni sound like better options.

PS If volcanoes remain a core interest I think the subject is better for a PG specialism

Thank you @poetryandwine he’s feeling more settled tonight, got the end of year 1 course switch in his pocket if he feels he wants to. It’s been a rollercoaster year with/for him. One week to go 😅

Good news! Best wishes to DS