Applying for different subjects at different unis - a disastrous idea?

[coldchipsfortea]

Hello - DD is currently in the beginning stages of applying for uni for entry next year. She is broadly speaking interested in arts subjects/ music - but is somewhat undecided as to exactly what she would like to do.

We are in Scotland and she is keen to go to a Scottish uni, but while her grades are OK, they are not amazing so there are some unis which are a non-starter as she won't get in (Glasgow / Edinburgh / St Andrews / Strathclyde).

So DD is left with a fairly small bunch of unis to look at - and there isn't a course she is interested in which is offered at all of them. If I take music, for example, there are three unis which have a music course and DD has the grades to be considered. But she really doesn't want to go to one of those unis, so we are just left with two! So DD thinks she should apply for another general arts course at a different uni which doesn't offer music. I worry that would make her application look like she doesn't really know what she wants to do (which is pretty accurate tbh!).

I have no idea what to advise. Has anybody else been in this boat?

FWIW I have suggested to DD that she doesn't have to go straight to uni after school and that there could be a real benefit in taking a bit of time out to work and to think about what she would like to study - but currently DD does not agree!

I don’t think unis see your other applications so it should be fine, but double check that!

Also, perhaps a more open course with lots of choices in second year would be helpful so she can keep it broad to start with and see what interests her.

When you say art to you mean an actual ‘art’ course like Glasgow School of Art?? If so that’s a very involved process and I’d suggest your DC would need to be committed before applying. For music what kind of music course? If at the Conservatoire then the application process is separate.

For both these courses if your DC has the grade requirements admission will be massively skewed to the portfolio / audition.

it round perhaps be useful to look at an HNC which would prepare your DC for this type of course.

thanks for the replies. @WhyIhatebaylissandharding sorry when I say art I mean as in Arts and Humanities - English / theatre or in the case of one uni 'liberal arts'.

I'm aware of the application processes for Conservatoires, but DD is not on this level in terms of her abilities. (sorry if that sounds like I am being negative about my own child - she is wonderful! But not the type to head to a conservatoire)

Universities cannot see your other applications until all the universities you applied for have made their decision. The only problem might be the personal statement which cannot both be very keen on music, and on general arts at the same time, but most universities don't read the PS so worth the risk.

Just to add this is a technical thing, UCAS doesn't send universities any info on the other applications until all 5 decisions have been made.

How wedded is she to doing music? Would she consider doing an Arts degree and also keeping up her instrument by joining Uni Orchestra and taking lessons alongside?

Most unis don't read the personal statement??? Surely this is not true! At my school, the kids are told that the PS is second only to their GCSE grades in importance to the admissions officer, and they've all been honing their PS since April.

If she's this unsure, I really don't think it's the right thing to do. It could be an expensive mistake. There is no rush, the university will still be there next year. A year working might help her clarify what she wants to do. A large proportion of young people have a year out and it can be a huge benefit in these situations.

Most unis don't read the personal statement??? Surely this is not true! At my school, the kids are told that the PS is second only to their GCSE grades in importance to the admissions officer, and they've all been honing their PS since April

Depends on the course and Uni. Bristol's aerospace engineering dept told us explicitly that they don't read them.

A lot don't, especially music degrees where entry is based on audition. Some do of course.

Ha ha! I don't think it makes much difference, no. Grades!

I agree.

I think it varies by uni and by course. My DS was told at an open day that they don't care about GCSE grades! The important things were predicted A Level grades and personal statement.

Has she thought what she might do after uni? Plus the actual chance of getting a job in those areas. My youngest coming to end of a general (social science) degree and rather regretting it (not the academic study but the job prospects it leads to).

Most unis don't read the personal statement??? Surely this is not true! At my school, the kids are told that the PS is second only to their GCSE grades in importance to the admissions officer, and they've all been honing their PS since April.

Yeah all schools say that....In reality some read them, the majority don't care.

@PatriciaHolm Whoever told you that at Bristol is wrong. See attached. The admission policy even says what they look for! Of course they don’t read all of them, but they do read plenty as so many dc have a similar academic profile. They look at GCSEs too.

So some unis won’t care because they are recruiting. Others will if the course is selecting.

PS - never believe what you read on MN. Always read the admissions criteria for course and uni.

@foreverbasil I agree with you! unfortunately my DD doesn't want to take a year out. But as the terms progresses she might change her mind.

@TizerorFizz It was the then Head of the Engineering School at the open day, during his speech on admissions, so I assumed he would know what he was talking about!

@PatriciaHolm
Except it’s currently not true. Hopefully any talks have been changed to reflect what they have published. What I posted is the current situation so surely best to go with that if advising a young person on MN or elsewhere? Many courses at Bristol say exactly the same if they are competitive and many dc applying to Bristol will meet the grades required so their interest in engineering should be considered if there is a tie. What else should the uni do? Interview? Which they can do. No doubt it’s true to say they are not routinely read but I would always suggest a PS for Bristol meets the criteria for a tie break and follows the useful guidance on what they look for.

That Bristol screenshot says “we may refer”, not “we will refer”.

The education research think tank HEPI conducted some research in 2023 amongst university admissions tutors. Only 19% of Russell Group admission tutors thought the PS had a significant impact on admissions decisions; the survey also found that most PSs are read in under a minute.

Would she like to do an HNC in music at somewhere like Edinburgh college to dip her toe in the water? It could lead to a degree afterwards or might clarify what she wants.

For music degrees she will need a B or above in music A level and be good on at least one instrument or voice that she can mention in her PS. I think they do read the PS for music as they need to know the extra curriculars. As long as the personal statement works for all the course on the form she will be ok