My Head is Spinning - Please help me to Decide

[Mumtochloe]

I have finally made the life changing decision to go to Uni to study occupational therapy. I always regret not going to uni when I was younger and feel relieved that I finally know what I want to do.

Problem is that I want to apply to uni down south where I am origianlly from, but am living up north currently and own a house. DP says he wants to move back down south too but other than that is not being entirely helpful and says it is up to me. The two uni's I most want to apply for are Bournemouth and Kent. Bournemouth is my favourite but the cost of living there is a lot higher and I don't think we will ever be able to afford to get back on the property ladder there after I have finished my degree. DP is very particular about getting back on it and has categorically said he will not entertain buying a flat, a mid terrace or somewhere without a garden so this means nowhere is going to meet his requirements there within our limited budget. Kent is more affordable and we probably could buy there after my degree but Kent uni is harder to get into, does not have the beach and forest that DD would love and I generally feel we would be happier in Bournemouth. I may not get into either but if I do what would you do? Do Uni's know which uni you have put as your first choice on the UCAS form and if they do would this affect your second choice? Another problem is OT at Bournemouth is starting for the first time this year and may not be finalised. The results will be out in June but this will only give us 2.5 months to sort everything out

Also if we do make this decision, what happens if we do not sell our house in time? Can I defer my entry for a year?

Sorry for all the questions but can anyone help?

Firstly no, the Uni's don't know where you have put them on your choices.

TI was in the same position-ish as you a year ago, my first choice Uni was just too expensive to live near. I put it down as my first choice anyway, then chose five more sensible options too. That way, when I chose to go to my Uni at Newport, I did it knowing that somewhere, hidden away, i have the letter stating that bristol would like to offer me a place. it's great for my self-esteem!

Have you looked at the Welsh Uni's? Cheap living here. Lots to pick from too. Cardiff, Aberystwith, Newport, Swansea... don't know which offer your course though.

The chance of Bournemouth withdrawing the course does need to be considered. When you accept the course, you get to put an insurance place which would be your first choice if Bournemouth did withdraw. However, if you've moved that's not a great help! I did put Bristol as my insurance (it's commutable from here) and I almost ended up there as my Uni was a day away from closing the course due to low application numbers. it can happen.

have you been to the open days? That was what made my decision for me; I also e-mailed the accomodation depts to ask their advice about areas to live in, and then searched the estate agent sites on the net to complete the picture.

Thanks Peachyclair!

Haven't considered Wales actually. Will look into this definitely as I do like South Wales a lot. Did you have to sell up and move too?

What are you studying? How are you finding it?

"DP is very particular about getting back on it and has categorically said he will not entertain buying a flat, a mid terrace or somewhere without a garden so this means nowhere is going to meet his requirements there within our limited budget."

Oh you'd be amazed how much they can change their opinions when push comes to shove. When we were looking for our first house DH's requirements were: 3 bedroom, garden, off streetparking, no terrace, large attic.

We got a 3 bedroom with a garden, but it was a midterrace with a flat roof (no attic) and about 1 minute walk from the road - where you had to park the car

Even our 2nd house (the one we're in now) stil doesn't have off streeting parking and is end of terrace.

We are in caerleon, a small town just outside Newport where my Campus is based. In June we handed in the notice on our rented house, and moved ourselves and three kids here, away from everyone we knew. it's been hard, but worth it.

I am studying Religion and Philosophy, which is really world religions- no phil yet. I am also doing global culture, and Psychology.

HRHQoQ - Oh DP is very particular. We live on a street at moment where parking is a nightmare and he is fuming almost every day, plus he had neighbours from hell both sides in a mid terrace when he was a kid. Oh well, I can dream! Good on yuor dp though!

Where did you move from Peachyclair? Was your DP ok with it?

My DH is very particular too - but both this house, and the old house, once he saw it he loved it - they were "just" what we were looking for !

HRHQoQ - Men eh??!!

Does anyone know how deferring works if you get a place?

Thanks

Dh was in two minds, tbh, as his entire social life is based back in Somerset (we come from Bridgwater) but he commutes back for that now, and as that is seasonal that's not TOO bad. We are slightly nearer work tho, as he commutes to Cribbs Causeway, Bristol.

He does have his 'why did you drag me away' moments, but if it wasn't that it'd be something else, and this place is so nice it does make up for it rather.