Any interest in a non-Oxbridge/ non-RG parents chat?

[SockFluffInTheBath]

There are lots of threads about applying to Oxbridge and other ‘top’ unis, anyone interested in a thread for those of us with DC looking elsewhere? Not trying to be divisive, but there’s no ‘drop in centre’ thread for other unis, and I thought it might be good to have a space to chat sometimes.

[Title edited by MNHQ at OP's request]

@minisnowballs how exciting, first one in the bag!

One thing that made me quite glad DD chose Aber is the politics of university financial difficulties.

It's the oldest Welsh university, the one that probably is most important in terms of preserving the Welsh language, the local economy is very dependent on it, I imagine the Senedd is full of people who went there.

So I hope if it really did hit a financial crisis the Welsh government would be very reluctant to let it collapse.

Sadly, I doubt our English government would be at all invested in saving many of the English unis.

@HPFA I was quite comforted by the fact that, with nursing, the Welsh government tells each uni how many places they want them to fill in each discipline and then pays them per nurse. Suggests that this side of things, at least, isn't going to fall apart. I

My son has had his first offer to read Politics and IR. It’s from SOAS, for ABB. He submitted his form yesterday, so that’s quick. He’s still only interested in Aber though.

Well done to him Llareggub - a boost to confidence whether he wants to go there or not!

DD rang last night to say she had a cough and a sore throat - which she admitted could be due to a few too many late nights out in the cold. Sounded quite chirpy though and was cooking dinner so doesn't sound too awful at the moment!

I gave her my best "poor yous" but at four hours drive away I can't really pop around and give her some TLC.

Also tells me that she and three friends have chosen a flat for next year - it sounds a little overpriced for what they're getting and the owner apparently frightened them with "things are going really quickly" (of course!!). I did suggest maybe looking around a bit more but can't really say too much as I'll then get the blame if they end up in somewhere worse!

@HPFA to be fair student flats do get snapped up very quickly. A lot of landlords are giving up on the rental market these days and in many university cities demand exceeds supply.

Though not necessarily in Aber - one of my DS just graduated from there. Not seen as a significant issue from his experiences , but the rental landscape is of course changing more broadly so.

if I can be nosy @HPFA what weekly / monthly rent is being proposed for the way that sounds a bit overpriced? In his final year DS (or more accurately BoMD) was paying £415 per month inclusive of bills, and with a 50% reduction for July and August. Same property was £400 / month the year before.

She says £120 per week including bills - double bedroom but no living room - with three flatmates.

Total cost for the 52 weeks - £6200.

That does sound a bit on the high side @HPFA particularly with no living room. DS was sea-front quite a large living room, double aspect, reasonable kitchen with space for a table, and two bathrooms, good size bedrooms. shared between 4. Just over £4500 for the final year. I think they only got the summer discount because they asked; and it was dependent on none of them being there in those two months. They even got their full deposit back. Plus interest!

Thank you - I just feel they're rushing at the first place they've seen.

DD did say they were going to ask about a summer discount so maybe the total will be a bit lower.

Not much I can do though - the rent isn't so outrageously high I'd feel justified in telling her she has to drop out and look elsewhere. She opted for PJM over Penglais this year (saving me about £2000) and I did promise her I'd bear that in mind when it came to future rents!

indeed @HPFA 😀 PJM really is a bargain. Pferm is no doubt a bit more now than when DS was a fresher. But I think still less than £6k for an all singing and dancing self-catering hall. Certainly thousands less than the equivalents in many places. I’m pleased your DD is enjoying Aber, and it sounds like you had a great recent visit too. I’ll give a quick plug for Driftwood Designs, up the street leading up from the pier.

There’s a hairdresser in Aber who specialises in curly hair. I’m hoping to schedule hair appointments around visits 😂

Part of my son’s attraction to Aber are the swanky halls. He’s already noted that even the most expensive Aber halls are half the price of SOAS.

We have had our first offer Reading at BCC which is good. Re Aber, i do not live that far away and do some work with the uni and I have been impressed by them.

Third offer arrived today (Pol & IR) for Swansea. A lower offer than the others (SOAS & Cardiff) but not the Aber he’s really waiting for. This is nerve wracking!

UCAS all done and sent off last night so now it's the waiting game. One of her class mates heard back from Aber within half an hour(!) so we shall see if she hears anything today. Swansea is her first choice though as she hated the hills in Aber with her hypermobility!

Ds is still dithering. He's now wondering if he should apply for Economics at Swansea (he doesn't have Maths A Level, but they don't require it). Their range of grades is BBB-BBC though, and I'm wondering if he'd get an offer with BBC and no Maths. He suddenly wants to do something that will really challenge him! I think Reading have a BA Economics that doesn't require Maths too

DD2 really wants swansea - for nursing. So obviously that's the one she's not heard from! Interviews for Sheffield and Notts this week. Also still waiting on Cardiff.

How exciting for all the DC with offers and interviews (good luck!). Still dragging feet on writing the personal statement here. Will bribe her to get it done before Christmas!

Royal Holloway doesn’t need maths a-level if he has a 7 at GCSE. The halls are quite expensive though, had to gently guide DD away from that one.

Unfortunately he only got a 6 in Maths. He decided that he didn’t ’need’ any higher than a 7 so he didn’t revise any of the grade 8/9 material. He was confident he’d get a 7! He’s very capable numerically but his attendance/concentration/work ethic left much to be desired! He seems to have finally matured this year and now regrets under achieving. I think he’ll actually apply himself at uni. I’m wondering whether to steer him towards PPE as the course at Swansea looks great.

Just gone back and checked, and the halls aren’t as dear as I remembered. Dearest one is 220pw, currently paying 216pw for DS so what’s one more year of rationing at home 😅

DD has had 2 offers for Geography now. BBB for Aber and BBC for Swansea. She is slightly confused why Aber offer wasn't lower but perhaps Geography is very popular in Aber or it's to encourage her to sit the scholarship exam in February.

Lots of hills in Swansea but both campuses are flat. Fingers crossed for her.

Cardiff interview offered today - still waiting for Swansea. DD has her second interview today (for Sheffield) then Notts tomorrow. Getting through it,