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Original poster

The trials and tribulations of Uni Apps for 2018.

660 replies

WaxOnFeckOff · 19/09/2017 13:21

Just thought I'd start a wee thread for those with DC applying for uni for next year (or indeed applying for themselves) in ase anyone was up for sharing knowledge/support/venting etc.

I have DS1 applying for this year. Still doesn't know where to or what for Confused.

Not done any open days yet and lots now clashing so can't do them all. He wont go alone and wont ask anything or tell us anything about it if he did, so looks like it might be family days out for the next month or so. Dragging DS2 with us as he is currently doing Highers and given his poor Nat 5 results, he needs some motivation to pull his finger out if he wants to go to Uni.

How is everyone else getting on?

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Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 11/01/2018 16:19

Thanks pb Its a completely different course, this one is just Software Engineering. I'm not sure if he has any particular preferences but I've told him to really look into each course and Uni as he will have a decision to make soon.

He currently has no motivation anyway, he had Physics prelim today said it was hard which it would be when you've not studied.

I'm not concerned regardless to be honest. He worked hard last year and the work he is doing this year should give him a more gentle intro to Uni life whether he passes or not. Decent passes in his three AHs would have given him the option to apply for entry into 2nd year but he doesn't want to do that.

I think if he gets any sort of offer from Edinburgh it will be conditional but he doesn't seem particularly invested in Edinburgh over anywhere else so I'm not sure it really matters.

As for the rest we all remain impatiently waiting with our fingers crossed for everyone on the thread and basically all that have applied.

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Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 11/01/2018 16:20

Driving test and 2 prelims to go before a couple of weeks of school then a week off! :)

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wigglybeezer · 11/01/2018 16:32

Its not just direct entry to 2nd year that is affected by AH passes, you can sometimes get exemptions for a first year exam or two if you have passed AH Maths, for example, this is according to friends who have DS's doing things like engineering at Strathclyde. No direct experience of this but worth checking...
Wax you're lucky hearing about another I'm checking a couple of times a day but unlikely to hear anything until after the 15th at the earliest.

Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 11/01/2018 16:41

Thanks wiggly I didnt know that. I might pass that gem on as it's all technical stuff that ds1 is doing so may be more transferable than other things.

I was expecting him not to hear anything until after the deadline now so that was a bit of a surprise. It was actually on yesterday but he is failing to respond to my regular nagging to check the website as often as I would like him to!

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Groovee · 11/01/2018 16:44

Great news.

Dundee keep emailing Dd, getting her hopes up for an interview then it's something silly like remember to apply to SAAS or win some money. She is not amused.

Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 11/01/2018 17:00

DS has been getting a few like that but not for Dundee as we never registered nor attended an open day there. I presume that's the reason anyway. Not good that it keeps making her think they've emailed her something interesting.

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SwiftAnchor · 12/01/2018 07:47

Wax it used to be part of my job to arrange alternative or additional exam arrangements for students. As soon as you DS starts he should contact student services or disability services and get arrangements put in place straight away. As well as formal exams there can sometimes be class tests etc through the year that he would want to be sorted for too (course dependant obviously)

No one will speak with a parent unless there has been formal permission from the student. If there's anything else I could help with let me know. Smile

In regards to motivation since DD got her unconditionals in November she has gone from model pupil to a complete skiver Hmm Going in late, leaving early, I'm getting texts to say she's not there etc. We will see how the prelims go although apparently she's happy just to scrape through with Cs and put in no effort Angry aaarrgh!!!

Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 12/01/2018 08:50

Thank you for that Swift, that's very useful. I really don't want to get involved at all and I won't other than chivvy him along a bit. He won't go and speak to anyone as that is his major issue but I'm sure he could message them. I'm not sure whether school may be able to pass on some info once he firms up his choice? Not sure that I would trust them to actually do it right enough!

And yes, the prelim results might be a wake up call to make a last gasp of effort so as not to have wasted the year. I am a bit concerned about how uncaring DS seems to be about everything in general. He doesn't seem motivated or excited to check for replies, I'm not sure if that's because he favoured Glasgow and he's got that. Although he did say that it makes no difference when he knows as long as he knows before he needs to make a decision. Is it just his logical brain? Anyway I'll let him get his driving test out of the way this weekend and see what he is like after that.

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prettybird · 15/01/2018 12:13

UCAS applications close today! Grin

Here's hoping for more news to start trickling through. Smile

Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 15/01/2018 13:02

I thought that too pb I suppose we should let them actually close today and then I expect all results in tomorrow - not too much to ask eh? :o

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Groovee · 15/01/2018 13:10

Prelims start today. Although DD's psychology one isn't until February.

Be interesting to see how many get offers or not.

wigglybeezer · 16/01/2018 16:09

Already checking e-mail at least twice a day and getting impatient. Ds2 does not seem bothered in the slightest...

Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 16/01/2018 16:30

same wiggly - they clearly don't appreciate our need to know!!

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Superjaggy · 16/01/2018 17:36

Nothing new here either - what's the hold up??! (I won't even dare to ask DS - he says he'll tell me as soon as he hears)

Groovee · 18/01/2018 17:07

Interview at Dundee 🎉🎉

Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 18/01/2018 17:26

Fab news Groovee I bet you have an excited DD today!

Supepjaggy I am sure they will all filter through soon. DS got an offer from Heriot Watt today but I don't know if it's conditional or unconditional as all I can see is the email and he's not mentioned it although he has opened the email (which is why I can see it). I've used up all my "have you heard anything?" allowance for a few days :(

I mentioned another email about something else that we were both expecting and I haven't received yet to see if it would spark him into saying something but No! I'll just have to wait for a day or two before reminding him to check his UCAS tracker thing as I already reminded him this morning.

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Groovee · 18/01/2018 18:02

I got a fright as she screamed so loud. Interview is 1pm in the 31st. Think Grandad is taking her up.

IndigoApple · 18/01/2018 18:02

Fantastic news Groovee! When is interview?

DD just waiting to hear from Strathclyde but I think she is still thinking Dundee.

prettybird · 18/01/2018 19:38

Great news Grovee and Wax Smile

I don't have a clue if ds has had any more responses. I presume not, as he would have told us I hope Grin I have no way of seeing his email.

We know that Edinburgh is notoriously late. I also found out on Tuesday (talking to an undergraduate at the school's Career and Course Choices Evening) that ds may well get a rejection from Edinburgh even though he might still get an acceptance Confused Because he has two applications in for Edinburgh, they have to reject one even if they're going to make an offer on the other.

Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 18/01/2018 19:53

I didn't know that re Edinburgh pb but I did read in their blurb that if you make more than two then they only consider the first two on the form and automatically dismiss any more.

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prettybird · 18/01/2018 20:01

He only did two (International Relations and IR/Quantitative Methods). The friend of the undergraduate I was talking to (they'd both been to ds' school) had applied to do IR at Edinburgh, with a 2nd choice of Politics. She got the rejection for Politics a week before her acceptance for IR.

Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 18/01/2018 20:45

obviously they don't let the departments/courses compete so a choice is made and then that makes their numbers easier to manage as each person only has one offer for the Uni - probably sensible but it cuts out the students ability to make the choice themselves at the final stage I guess.

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Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 18/01/2018 21:26

It was another unconditional for Heriot Watt. That boy is going to have a decision to make.

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SwiftAnchor · 18/01/2018 22:06

Is that only the case with Edinburgh uni prettybird? As my dd got 2 offers for Glasgow.

prettybird · 18/01/2018 22:13

Don't know SwiftAnchor - Edinburgh was the only one ds has applied twice to.

It might also only apply to 2 course applications in the same faculty. Confused