The trials and tribulations of Uni Apps for 2018.

[WaxOnFeckOff]

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 .

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?

Totally agree with the ensuite. I went to an eye wateringly expensive Little Ivy school and even we didn’t have ensuite facilities. We managed just fine- even the year 4 of us shared with the 4 boys on the apartment on the other side, though their dirty sports underwear housekeeping could have done with improvement.

We're having a similar conversation here, pretty - I've pointed out that DS could have catered halls for the same cost as the en suite block and save himself a year of cooking... but he's having none of it. I don't want the issue to be the thing that makes him come home though, so I'll probably bend to his will. Bets on them being flatmates in New Carnegie Court?! 🤔

I think we're going to win on this one: ds is actually quite pragmatic re money (and although not a big spender, does not care for money itself that much because it is a capitalist conspiracy ), so if we tell him that he'll have to make up the difference himself between Grant Court and New Carnegie, which (as dh has pointed out to him) is a lot of eggs (given he can only make scrambled eggs ) and books

Need to get his big cousin on to him to remind him that the communal room in Grant Court is slightly bigger as well and the kitchen better fitted out.

From the accommodation talk, there aren't really catered halls per se at the Hillhead Campus: you essentially get vouchers for the week that mean you can eat at the Hub (and anywhere else in the University) but at the end of each week, the vouchers expire. You can also load meals onto your student card if you want to - something that we as parents could consider topping up if we feel our POs (Precious Offspring ) are needing a bit of fattening up!

Don't know about the Unite student accommodation though.

Off to Dundee tomorrow. Got dh's final payslip which shows Dd will be entitled to a loan and a bursery. This will help her out a lot.

We did St Andrews on Wed which decided DD on Strathclyde and she actually accepted it on UCAS last night.

DH accepted Glasgow last week for PGDE - it's going to be a financially challenging year!!

Oh wow @Sturmundcalm 2 at Uni x

This is the only occasion when I'm glad that ds is an only child

Sounds like decisions being made and progress happening :)

We've been away from civilisation for few days but DS1 confirmed Strathclyde before we went away so the deed is done. Going to look at cars over the weekend too.

In other news still no progress with studying from anyone. At this rate DS2 will not be doing 6th year as it will be wasting everyone's time...at least I might not have 2 lots of Uni going on at the same time though. Every cloud and all that.

Dd has just let us know we get a packed lunch tomorrow. Bang goes my idea of eating out 😭

Off to a university offer day with Dd. Apparently we get a packed lunch. Dreading this as I have no control over it.

Hopefully will do harvester on the way down the road.

Oops wrong thread 😂😂

It's all feeling a bit real now - DD was doing her SAAS application and accommodation application last night...

Anyone got any views on whether she would be better to choose an all-female or mixed-sex flat in halls? (would be 4 or 8 bedrooms to a flat)

I think that personalities are more important than whether they are male or female. You could get a group of 4 girls and the others could be bitchy and nasty or you could get a brilliant group who end up friends for life, or a group that are mainly fine with one rotten apple, same could go for a mixed group. In my experience boys tend to be quite accepting and easy going but they could be a nightmare. I guess that is all stereotypes and I think stereotypes are less true than they have ever been. I think there is generally less pressure to conform.

I suppose at the end of the day it depends what your daughter would be happiest with. Personally if it was 8 rooms i'd definitely go mixed, if it was 4 then i'd do either.

My DD1 went for mixed. Didn't really connect with the other girls but made friends through her hobbies and through the very nice boys she was sharing with. Her flat mates into second year and beyond were related to hobbies, friends of friends, Work etc. The boys are still part of Her social circle and always present for our obligatory roast beef session. I try to forget the replacement kettle due to drunken urination

We had a fab day at Dundee. Was really impressed. Made me want to apply!

Dd fancied the nearest halls that we viewed but spoke to her 2 friends and they are swaying towards the ones off campus. She was happy with the size of the room and the fact it was en suite.

SAAS told her to apply as soon as they open this week.

Accommodation she'll apply for once she's applied to SAAS.

There was some sort of Con on in the Union. Which explained why so many people got out of cars in the car park with costumes on.

Can't wait til I can get the train up and already looking at premier inns 😂

That sounds great Groovee. I'm disappointed that DS wouldn't even look at Dundee as I've heard good things!

I have been lurking for a while my DS has unconditional for Heriot-Watt went yesterday very impressed but accommodation is £££ anyone else shocked at how much it costs??

Grovee both my Dd ( graduated 2016) and Ds currently first year at Dundee, love it...daughter did Philosophy and Film and son is doing Geography and Environmental Science
Both at Westpark halls in first year and are/ were very happy there...there's a late bus from the union and they both felt very safe when out
If you need any more info please dm me

I've spent the night googling the BA that my work have encouraged us to look at 🙈 Dundee are still open for applications and it would be part time while I work... decisions...

Great news @mumtoadultchild. Dd is looking at about £500 a month in halls. Her loan should cover that.

@WaxOnFeckOff I was so impressed!

@Stopyourhavering64 thank you c

Great news I am so happy but £120 to £170 a week 😱

My niece was looking at £200 a week in Edinburgh. That's how she ended up at my mum and dad's.

Ds is getting DD's room and we're walkable distance to HW.

Grovee wishing I had family on the east coast 😱 xx

We're nearly there with applications. Well, apart from the waiting to see if DS gets the A grade (any subject) he needs for Aberdeen. If he doesn't he's got Stirling as his insurance and he's happy to go there so we should be going into exam season really chilled out. Which will be nice!

Also, £200 for accomodation! Is that halls or a shared flat? Our student tenants pay £400 each per month for a gorgeous flat in Morningside.

Burning that was for halls. My niece's friend's paid about £400 a month each for a lovely flat in town. I liked that flat. My niece paid nothing and my mum and Dad provided everything for her. She was very lucky.

Dd will be about £300 a month or less in Dundee in a shared flat when chatting to the students yesterday.