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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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Aurea · 17/04/2018 12:33

@waxinfeckoff

Thank you!

I'm glad you found a car to suit. We tried the Citigo but my son has a long back and his line of vision was too high. The Fiesta suited him better (not the newest model as they've changed the seat design). This is what we are going to go for. There are plenty ofsecond hand models on the market so the price is reasonable too.

Thanks for thinking of us!

Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 17/04/2018 12:38

That's good Aurea Ds is all legs so similar height but different shape :) Picked up car yesterday and he drove his brother home in it and cue cheesy grins all round. He drove himself to school today and I haven't had any phone calls so looks like he made it okay.

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IndigoApple · 21/04/2018 18:10

We are just back from Dundee applicant day and DD firmed her offer for there in the car on the way home Smile.

Groovee · 21/04/2018 21:45

Glad she liked it indigo. My Dd loved it when we were up 2 weeks ago.

IndigoApple · 22/04/2018 16:15

I think the weather helped yesterday! Now to think about accomodation...

The only slightly unnerving thing was that at the Q&A session for parents they said they recommend going directly into 2nd year if AH results good to avoid getting bored in 1st year. This was the first time this has been mentioned (although DD did get a conditional offer for 2nd year for another uni). There didn't seem to be a clear process for this other than contacting the university in the short space of time between results day and the start of term. Neither DD or I are keen on this (despite potential money saved!) so going to ignore this advice but was slightly alarming to hear this was recommended!

Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 22/04/2018 16:34

Indigo, I think it's wise tbh. DS is in same boat. We think having a potentially easier 1st year might be a good thing as it would allow him to settle in, make friends and hopefully increase his confidence and socialising without feeling under pressure. From what I've read, they may not require him to sit some of the end of year exams if he does well in his AHs and with the work during the term. They've also said it should be straightforward to transfer to the MA if he decides and is doing well in 1st year, I think if he went straight into 2nd that wouldn't be quite so easy as there are elective subjects he would need to do in first year.

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Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 22/04/2018 16:36

Sorry, that should be MEng, but having said that he already has the entry qualifications for that anyway if he'd wanted to choose that from the get go.

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prettybird · 22/04/2018 17:10

Forgive me Indigo - I can't remember what your dd is going to be studying but for FWIW, a friend whose dd did A Levels and went to Edinburgh could have gone into 2nd Year (can't remember if it was Physics or Chemistry) and was glad that she chose not to (and this despite the fact that she has to pay an extra year's worth of English fees Shock) University is more than just the subjects studied: it's about learning to study on your own without teacher/parental support and with competing social interests Wink

If she is concerned about being bored, she can always make sure that her third subject is a challenging one in a complementary area.

Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 22/04/2018 18:09

(and this despite the fact that she has to pay an extra year's worth of English fees)

As I understand it Pb they don't pay an extra year of fees. They pay for 3 years and I think that's either spread over the 4 or the 4th year is free. It also compensates for them potentially meeting residency requirements after being here for 3 years for then getting free tuition.

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prettybird · 22/04/2018 18:14

That's true Wax - I'd forgotten that Blush

But she does still have to pay for an extra year's accommodation and living costs. (I know her parents can afford it but that's beside the point Wink)

prettybird · 22/04/2018 18:17

....although iirc, the 3 year residency qualification for free tuition doesn't apply if you are living in Scotland for education - eg someone who'd been sent here to boarding school wouldn't qualify.

Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 22/04/2018 18:30

Yes. very true re living costs :)

We've all been on a diet but Ds1 doesn't need to lose any weight (BMI of 21) He's managed to lose 2 and half pounds this week despite eating me out of house and home, including at least 2 slices of toast with masses of peanut butter, jam and banana daily, a couple of eggs and a protein shake as well as his meals and in-between snacks, lattes and biscuits etc. I'm doing more exercise and on less than half the calories and I only managed a pound and a bit (BMI 25.1) and DS2 lost 3 (BMI 25.3). DH is like DS1 but does masses of excercse. It was maybe a mistake to allow him to stay home.... :o

DH says maybe he is having a last minute growth spurt. Shock

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Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 22/04/2018 18:37

I wasn't sure if it would apply or not but the way it's done for Uni fees means that it would be pointless challenging it as they aren't charge for the 4th year so effectively they are getting free tuition anyway.

My DN had to have a gap year as the family lived in England for a few years and returned too late to qualify for 3 years residency. My BIL had been made redundant and he was actually up here earlier but was staying with us for a few months as he got a new job up here. Technically he was here for 3 years but DN was a few months short by the time he bought a house etc. My DSis and BIL both born here and lived their entire lives here. DNiece and nephew born here and lived here til Dniece was 12 and returned when she was 15

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prettybird · 22/04/2018 18:39

Ds is desperately trying to put weight on and to bulk up for his rugby. I'm having to buy him more yoghurts and extra cooked chicken pieces from Lidl for him to snack on.

I can see him living on eggs, chicken and yoghurt at Uni Grin

Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 22/04/2018 18:48

It's a bit of a balancing act in our house as i'm on 1200 calories, DS2 is on 1600, DH is on 2000 and DS1 needs 2300. I'm trying to have more protein but less fat and calories. We are eating a lot of chicken...Ds2 really loves cheese but DS1 not so much. He naturally likes less calorific stuff, DS2 loves pies and creamy sauces and cheese etc. For desert DS1 will have sorbet and fruits by choice and more tomato based sauces. He also tends to skip breakfast at the weekend so getting healthy extra calories is a bit of a pain.

If your DS likes fish, you can't go wrong with tinned mackerel. Cheap and full of healthy protein. DS1 will eat a whole tin on a roll with tabasco and pepper and it's only about 80p a tin.

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Groovee · 22/04/2018 18:52

Dd is watching what she eats to ensure she fits into the prom dress in 7 weeks. 4 more days of school!

Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 22/04/2018 18:55

I'm not sure how many days are left at school as the 6th years generally don't do the full week. We aren't in tomorrow as we have my Mum's funeral. So DS1 might have 2 or 3 left I think. I need to sort out DS2s S6 blazer as he is missing the fitting tomorrow.

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Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 22/04/2018 18:56

I'm not sure what DS1 should be wearing. I've no idea what the other guys are wearing as DS is not communicative. I'm sure your DD will look fab, exciting times!

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prettybird · 22/04/2018 22:57

Ds hates fish, although he will eat seared fresh tuna under duress only because he once thought it was lamb and had said he liked it before being told it was tuna Wink

If you're having difficulty balancing the different dietary requirements of your family, come and join us on the MN Boot Camp threads (High Fat Low Carb). I lost 3 stone in 7 months! Smile Easy to adapt for the family as they just get rice and potatoes while you make sure to eat a FLGV (Fuck Load of Green Veg - my obsession favourite is buttery microwaved brussels) alongside the protein. Or I'll do a carbonara/meatballs in tomato sauce with spaghetti for dh and ds, with courgette ribbons fried on butter for me.

Ds was asking us to buy him a suit for his prom until he wore dh's kilt to the S6 Cultural Lunch (the teachers pay to eat food that the S6s have brought in to reflect their many and varied cultural heritages), so he's been converted to the pleasure of wearing a kilt Grin

Ds' last day of school is Friday - but apparently it will not exactly involve much study - more like a "Muck-up Day". Parents are invited to the Leavers' Assembly but dh and I have been told in no uncertain terms that we are not welcome Hmm The S1s apparently also go so that they can inspired by the montage and fine words that the teachers put together Grin

prettybird · 22/04/2018 22:59

Hope your mum's funeral goes well. It almost exactly 6 years since my mum died - but longer since she had her accident and I still miss her.

Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 22/04/2018 23:19

Thanks pb, currently putting off going to be as not really sleeping anyway and it'll be a long day tomorrow :( In some ways it's not really sunk in but we've had no visiting to do for the last 2 weekends and that feels strange. She died two weeks ago so it's been a bit of wait for the funeral. My current strategy is just to pretend it isn't happening.

Re diet, well done on your loss, we are targeting our holiday. I've overall lost about 3 stone ish but only really started tracking things at the beginning of Fen and I've lost 12lb since then. DS2 is a totally different build from DS1. He's still a stone and a half heavier than him but I'd say he has about half a stone to being about right but I'd encourage him to keep going for another few pounds to give him a bit of a buffer for the holidays. I'm just a pound and a half away from a healthy weight but I'd like another stone off I think. I might take a look at that thread as I'm getting to the point where it's starting to get tough to get anything off and I can't really drop anymore calories. We've been trying to keep food very familiar so just lower calorie versions or less of it. DS2 saying that he has rarely been hungry but he does miss a decent cheese toastie and a can of cider

DS1 doesn't like to stand out so I need to find out what the other boys are wearing so he can blend in. To be honest at 6'3 (or maybe more now!) I'm not sure if he is the right build for a kilt. DS2 suits it well though.

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IndigoApple · 23/04/2018 06:19

Thanks for the reassurances, Wax and prettybird. It's Biomedical Sciences. It's a relief to hear other people don't think this is a good idea. I agree that first year should be about settling in, getting used to student life, making friends etc. What's odd is, DD had a different talk from me, and also went to another talk at the open day back in August and going straight to 2nd year wasn't mentioned at all. She is not at all worried about being bored!

Wax so sorry to hear about your mum. Thinking of you today.

Superjaggy · 24/04/2018 00:00

Wax I'm really sorry to hear about your mum. I hope today went as well as it could x

Groovee · 24/04/2018 06:19

Thinking off you Wax x

Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 24/04/2018 12:26

Thanks ladies it was a tough and exhausting day. I could have done with today off to be honest but hey ho...

It was nice catching up with everyone afterwards. Ds2 was very upset and I'm gutted for both boys that they've lost the only grandparent they've known while they are still only in their teens.

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