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Original poster

Hw to advise ds who has 2 unconditional offers

18 replies

ssd · 07/02/2019 10:44

Ds has 2 unconditional offers and is really torn where to go..... Don't know what to advise him... Help!!!

Both courses are similar, he was set on going to the first unconditional then another one has just came in for a second uni that his pals are telling him is a better uni, which it probably is

What's more important, the course or the uni, if both uni's are offering a similar course??

OP posts:

selfesteemqueen · 07/02/2019 10:47

Congrats to your DS! I would recommend visiting the campuses (if he hadn't already) as that helped me decide. I was set on one university but hated the atmosphere when I was there so ended up picking what I thought would've been my last choice. There's usually campus tour teams that you can call up to arrange a tour or else you can just pop over and have a wander around.

Original poster

ssd · 07/02/2019 11:46

Thanks that's a good idea

I'm wondering if he would be able to speak to someone about the courses he's applied for? I think hearing about exactly what's involved in each course would help him decide.

OP posts:

Reallyevilmuffin · 07/02/2019 11:49

Open days! Weekend trips with the family. Practical things like walking distances, costs, clubs and nightlife. I looked up stuff on the Facebook groups but I think that might be not how this age group works anymore... A Reddit? :p

celtiethree · 07/02/2019 11:59

If you are able to say the course and unis someone on here might be able to provide more advice.

Original poster

ssd · 07/02/2019 12:10

It's for a humanities course at both Caledonian and Strathclyde, if anyone has any knowledge of any of these course would they pm me please

OP posts:

WaxOnFeckOff · 07/02/2019 12:22

Strathclyde would be deemed the "better" uni but it's all relative. DS1 had 4 unconditional offers, technically the most prestigious would have been Glasgow but he chose Strathclyde as he felt the course was better and he felt more comfortable at the offer holders day.

Offer holders days are probably your best bet and also maybe look at employability levels for the the courses on Uni Stats.

Well done and good luck to your DS. Is he still waiting on any other offers? He doesn't have to confirm until he's heard from everyone.

WaxOnFeckOff · 07/02/2019 12:22

He doing computing not humanities subjects I should have said so can't advise on that particular topic area.

Original poster

ssd · 07/02/2019 12:24

He's waiting to hear from Glasgow
Thanks everyone
When is he meant to confirm, is it after he hears back from all his choices?
I didn't go to university and am clueless..

OP posts:

WaxOnFeckOff · 07/02/2019 12:28

me too ssd He doesn't have to confirm until he's heard back from everyone and then there is a deadline based on when that is, it's generally not immediate so he has time to do a bit more research and make the right decision for him. The only benefit to firming early is that he is then able to book accommodation etc and obviously get his mind in the vibe for going where he is going.

Petalflowers · 07/02/2019 12:32

I agree, wait until you have all the offers before making a decision.

Then visit the unis again, look around the town, look at the courses in more details, and also th clubs and activities that the unis offer. Also, look at the employment rates post uni.

Alternatively, go,for a gut feeling what’s right for him, not what his friends advise.

Original poster

ssd · 07/02/2019 12:43

I had a look on uni stats and the 2 courses are almost the same, I can't see any info on employment for the courses as it says they haven't enough information

OP posts:

LittleCandle · 07/02/2019 12:47

When DD2 had 2 conditional offers, we went to visit both unis. She knew one because a friend was there and this was the one she really wanted to go to, but needed better results than for the other. We went to visit the other place and I was impressed with it, as was she. I was less keen on her favourite until i visited for the open day, and as I had a migraine, it had to be good to make a favourable impression that day!

In the end, she got the results she needed for her first choice and it has been a great fit. She did both her undergrad and her masters there and still lives in the city now, although she will probably have to leave for a graduate job soon.

prettybird · 07/02/2019 13:11

I agree about going to Offer Holder Days to decide which one "feels" better. He'll do best where he is happiest/most comfortable.

He should have the confidence to go where is right for him - not where his friends think is better.

There is no rush with accepting - I think (but don't hold me to it) that the deadline is 30 March, if you've got all the offers by that time. But as others have said, it can help to firm an offer earlier in order to apply for accommodation (if required).

Original poster

ssd · 07/02/2019 14:08

Thank you

OP posts:

strangerthongs · 07/02/2019 21:50

Strathclyde has a much better reputation for arts and humanities than Caledonian although I say that as an alumni of that department! I think they have more choice also with regards to joint honours options which is good if your DS changes his mind on his main subject. They have an excellent careers service, award winning one, and also an excellent disability service. Some of the lecturers are bit old school, stuffy types. I think Caledonian has a good reputation for work experience during the course but doesn't hold the same prestige as its still a newish university

strangerthongs · 07/02/2019 21:51

PS Strathclyde is higher up the university league tables than Caledonian

user1487194234 · 08/02/2019 06:21

Strathclyde is certainly perceived as the better Uni ,but Caly does also have a good reputation. Suggest he goes to any Offer days ,or generally visits where possible .Personally I would try hard not to 'advise',it has to be their decision

Dafspunk · 08/02/2019 06:30

I don’t think you should be advising. You should be supporting him and giving him confidence that he will make a decision that he’s happy with. I would emphasise that there is no right or wrong option, simply a choice that he gets to make based in whichever factors are most important to him.

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