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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?

OP posts:
Superjaggy · 05/11/2017 22:41

A quick question to those of you who know the UCAS process from the school side! My DS has completed his form and has let his guidance teacher know. Do we pay and submit now, or do we wait to get a notification from school or UCAS that his references have been added?
Getting guidance direct from school is complicated by the fact that DS has left, school have agreed to support his UCAS application and his guidance teacher has promised to process it, but she has been promoted and is leaving in 2 weeks... I know she’ll be under a huge amount of pressure to finish things up so I don’t want to pester her too much.
Thanks. Hope your DC’s apps are going well!

ttlshiwwya · 06/11/2017 10:17

Last year I remember my DS2 being told by the school to pay via the website before the reference etc. was in place (as he asked me for the money) and then he was told by the school when everything was ready at their side (references/final checks) and to submit at this point.

Superjaggy · 06/11/2017 17:57

Thanks ttl. I caved and phoned the school today but no one has got back to me as yet.

Groovee · 06/11/2017 19:59

I’ve no idea about payment. Dd asked if she was paying or if it would be me. But she’s not told me how much it will be.

Her guidance teacher retired and the new one barely knows her.

Superjaggy · 06/11/2017 22:47

It’s £25 Groovee

ImStillBreathing · 07/11/2017 18:31

I paid the fee on Parentpay - not that they told me the bill was there, but I found it when looking for something else. It was £24. I fully expect to be told that I haven't paid it though as that would be par for the course. Still having an argument over £5 that I paid in cash before parentpay started, then they added it to Parentpay and say that I haven't paid. It's now stalemate as I've told them the money was in with the permission slip. So they either did get it or didn't and so if they didn't then they took him on a trip with no permission, they have the cash and forgot to list it, someone stole it or they lost it. It was stapled to the form. It's only £5 but it's the principle. I've had two texts chasing the money. The trip was in March. I've also paid £7 for a trip that DS knows nothing about and the details of what it's for disappear once you've paid. As you can tell I am highly impressed! Hmm

SwiftAnchor · 08/11/2017 12:04

I paid, DD submitted and this then went to school for a reference to be added. Once the reference is added the school submit to UCAS.

This is what DD was advised and we've done last week!

Superjaggy · 08/11/2017 22:32

Thanks Swift, on reading your message I asked DS to just pay and submit, he’s done it and has been told that UCAS will now contact his school for references. Phew! Glad that’s done. Now to persuade him to get a job...

IndigoApple · 09/11/2017 22:59

I've been helping DD with her personal statement tonight. Really quite shocked that 2 teachers have reviewed and it still contains a few grammatical errors and typos. Bit disappointing there hadn't been more support. I also feel that it's disjointed and has quite a bit of repitition. I've done a bit of a re write but it hopefully still mainly all her own work. Also had to remove around 1000 characters as it was too long. She wants to hand it in tomorrow. We've not paid anything yet...

ttlshiwwya · 10/11/2017 10:54

Support in my DCs school isn't great either. My DN is applying this year and in her school there's been parent meetings, group workshops, one to one meetings with a member of staff who will mentor her thru the process, 4 drafts reviews etc. The mentor has even been sorting out work experience for her to beef up her application. I'm so glad my DSs applied for courses where personal statements were not that important. To be fair to my DSs pupil support teacher she has 200+ kids and uni applications are way down her list after attendance/police/social work issues.

Groovee · 10/11/2017 13:17

Dd has had great support and her references have been outstanding from the various places she needed them from. Still don’t know when we have to pay.

IndigoApple · 10/11/2017 22:06

Interesting. We haven't paid yet either!

The majority of students at DD's school are eligible for the widening participation programme, DD isn't. I'm wondering if all the focus is on them.

SwiftAnchor · 10/11/2017 22:27

I feel like DD has had very little support from her school either. The kids seem to have been pretty much left on their own.

They were told to have their personal statements finished by the end of October and then pay and the school would add the reference and the submit. DD got a final confirmation email from ucas today so I assume now it's just a waiting game!

SwiftAnchor · 13/11/2017 22:18

Well that was quick!!

DD's UCAS form was submitted by school on Friday and today she's had 3 offers through today.

2 unconditionals - including one for her 1st choice at Glasgow uni and 1 conditional. Pleased that the pressure is now off her! Smile

IndigoApple · 13/11/2017 22:34

Wow that's amazing Swift! Must find out what the next step is for DD.

Groovee · 14/11/2017 04:37

Wow that’s amazing swift

prettybird · 14/11/2017 08:12

That's brilliant swiftanchor Flowers

What did your dd apply for in the end?

SwiftAnchor · 14/11/2017 08:21

Thank all, I'm pleased for her.

I didn't expect her to hear so quickly, I thought it would be after Christmas.

She still has to hear back from 2 other Universities so that might take longer.

She has applied for History (slightly different and/withs/types in each institution)

Hope everyone else starts to hear back soon Smile

prettybird · 14/11/2017 08:38

Ds is still swithering about choosing between Glasgow and Strathclyde for Politics/international Relations within his 5 choices. He might drop St Andrews and put them both in, because he thinks he doesn't have the minimum requirements for St Andrews - despite doing 2 AHs and a crash Higher in Modern Studies to add to his results.

I've suggested to him that he should contact the Admissions Office to ask I won't do it for him but he got all stroppy at the idea Hmm

SwiftAnchor · 14/11/2017 08:51

It's so difficult for them isn't it? A lot of pressure I think.

Is there any room for change with his other 2 choices to let him keep all 3 of those choices?

DD's friend this morning has received an outright rejection from Glasgow despite having good Highers and on course for good AH results this year because she had a C at Nat 5 maths. Sad Feel for her.

prettybird · 14/11/2017 13:09

At the moment he is planning on putting Edinburgh down twice (once for IR and the other for IR/Quantitative Methodology (as he thinks his AH Maths will help get him considered for that one). He's thinking of dropping one of the Edinburgh ones - but also thinking of adding Dundee (which he hasn't visited but knows that they do Offer Days) Confused

His interim report has him down as working at Band 1 for his crash Modern Studies Higher, with a target grade of Band 1, which is a positive.

His AH Physics and Maths are not predicting As though Hmm Parents' Night on Wednesday: couldn't get an appointment for his Moddies teacher (as he only gave me the report with the log-in details on Sunday Hmm) but I'm not bothered by that as he seems to be doing so well. I am seeing his Physics and Maths teachers Grin ( unfortunately dh will be with me so I'll need to stop him having an argument with his Physics teacher about the fiasco of the assignment with cost ds his A for his Physics Higher Hmm).

Superjaggy · 14/11/2017 18:06

Well done, Swift’s DD! What a relief, and how lovely to know this early that she’s got her first choice :)

Out of interest, which course did her pal get rejected from? My DS doesn’t have Nat 5 maths but has only applied to courses which don’t specify that he has to have to (politics and IR at Aberdeen, politics and history at Glasgow are his top 2).

His UCAS form is being submitted this week, hope he hears back as quickly!

SwiftAnchor · 15/11/2017 08:00

It was psychology that she was rejected for. I am not sure what it specified in the entry requirements.

Hope everyone's applications go smoothly and you get quick replies. Smile

From DD and her friends applications UWS, Glasgow and Napier got back within a day or 2. Strathclyde and Edinburgh have sent a message to say it's unlikely they will respond to anyone until after the January closing date. Caledonian has said it could be nearer the end of March before they respond.

ttlshiwwya · 15/11/2017 08:37

Just to add, last year Glasgow were a bit slower if your application went in during the busy period - late Dec onwards but they emailed to let you know this.

Great news SwiftAnchor. Will your DD wait for all her choices or will she firm/insure when she has offers from her 2 favourites?

Superjaggy · 15/11/2017 19:21

I just had a wee look, Swift, they do specify B for Nat 5 Maths for Psychology (and 5 As - it must be horribly competitive!) Hopefully your DD’s pal will get in somewhere else?

It’s a shame she “wasted” a choice, she should have been advised about it. DS asked at Glasgow if he’d be considered for Politics (the SocSci one) despite lack of Nat 5 maths, he was told absolutely not - he had to have the standard entry requirements. Hence why he applied for politics and history in the Arts department instead.

Just heard that his reference won’t be in until next week - I just want to know he’s got a place ASAP (he doesn’t really care though)