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Original poster

Ds wants to apply to only one course/university - is this too risky?

33 replies

Unmute · 27/09/2022 11:52

I'm not entirely sure how the admissions process works for Scotland. If you meet the entry requirements are you quite likely to get a place?

Ds knows exactly what he wants to study and where and he doesn't want to apply anywhere else. He meets the standard entry requirements and is also eligible for an adjusted offer as he goes to a pretty terrible school and we live in a deprived area - SIMD decile 1.

Should I be encouraging him to apply elsewhere as well, or telling him he has to (and hoping he'll listen)? I've asked him what his plan is if he doesn't get an offer, and he seems to think it's so unlikely it's not worth worrying about. Is he right?

OP posts:

mapleleavesreturn · 27/09/2022 12:03

What will he do if he doesn't get the offer? If he wouldn't go anywhere else or do any other course with out taking timeout then it doesn't matter so much.

I only really wanted to go to one place and do one thing and lucky it worked out - it's clearly not a great strategy for maximising chances of doing a course in the same timeframe though.

Original poster

Unmute · 27/09/2022 12:13

I'm not sure what he'd do if he didn't get an offer, he doesn't appear to have given any thought to the question. I guess he would go through clearing, or try again the following year if he's still set on that one course.

In a way, it's his problem to work out. I'm just trying to understand how much effort I should be putting into pushing him to consider other options.

OP posts:

BinBandit · 27/09/2022 12:20

I think it really depends on the uni and the course. Edinburgh is the only one I've seen that annually publishes the offer rates for their courses and splits it into Scotland, rUK and international.

There would be nothing wrong with him contacting the relevant department in his uni of choice and asking what his likely offer might be for his contextual qualifications. From memory not all universities base contextual offers on the same criteria.

As PP says, if he wouldn't accept an offer from anyone else then that should inform the decision.

CasaDelSoot · 27/09/2022 13:07

No it's not a given that he'll be offered a place, even if he meets the entry requirements. Depends on how many others with same or better grades, better personal statement, relevant experience, how many places in that subject SG funds at that university.

If the course is also done elsewhere explain to him he's not committing to anything by putting down another choice.
How it works is once they get their offers they can see whether they are unconditional or conditional on exams this year. If he gets conditionals then he can rate his first and second choice. If he gets unconditional at his first choice then he's sorted.

Dannexe · 27/09/2022 13:14

Just put down his choice now for an early application and get it in quickly. Then if they reject he can make more applications since he has until January

haggisaggis · 27/09/2022 13:14

It really depends on what course and what uni. DS got into university with grades less than required and dd got a contextual offer with grades the same as required for 'normal' offer (but more than contextual) if you see what I mean.

CointreauVersial · 27/09/2022 13:24

I think everyone needs a Plan B, whether that's a fall-back university, or something else entirely. However unlikely it may be that you have to invoke it.....

Original poster

Unmute · 27/09/2022 13:31

I didn't realise you could add more applications later. That might be the way to go if he's set on only applying for one.

OP posts:

Delphigirl · 27/09/2022 13:38

Unmute · 27/09/2022 12:13

In a way, it's his problem to work out. I'm just trying to understand how much effort I should be putting into pushing him to consider other options.

It seems to me that if he would go through clearing if he doesn’t get it, it is illogical not to apply for other options in case he doesn’t get it.

The courses he might be willing to do as an alternative might not be in clearing for one thing, and universities prefer to take someone who has shown interest in their course by applying rather that take someone who has never shown any interest in clearing, so they may well be more lenient in case of disaster to an applicant than a clearing candidate.

if he doesn’t believe you, get someone else to tell him. Odd what they will accept from people who aren’t their parents!

MaChienEstUnDick · 27/09/2022 13:39

Is he Scottish? Because the number of places are capped for Scottish students at Scottish unis and if it's a popular course, I would place zero faith in getting in with the minimum pass rate. I know someone who is turning young people with five A Highers away from a course where the minimum pass is AAABB, for example.

Babdoc · 27/09/2022 13:42

Are you resident in Scotland, OP? Because if so, your DS will be competing for a limited number of “free” places, funded by the SNP regime in Holyrood, using taxpayers’ money. The universities can’t make enough income from these, so prefer to offer places to English and international students, who
pay full fees. Your DS really does need a plan B.

Dannexe · 27/09/2022 14:07

You can stagger your applications and you can also apply for more than one course at the same university if he’s absolutely dead set on that university.

SandyIrvine · 27/09/2022 14:10

Early offers from Scottish unis are less common now but no harm in getting in early and adding others before January deadline. Clearing could be a gamble even if you are non-Scottish. I would check whether the course has been in clearing in the last few years. Not all are.

SiMD1 area and underperforming school should help him get an offer. Edinburgh have already declared a mission to reduce their privately educated proportions from the RUK. Check the admissions for the uni he is interested in. My DS2 went to a similar school and knew what grades would guarantee him an offer but he still had to jump thru other hoops to get the offer (participation in a widening access programme with lectures and essays to be submitted). Others had to do a summer school. So place wasn't absolutely certain.

Original poster

Unmute · 27/09/2022 15:45

We are in Scotland, so he's competing for the places for Scottish students.

He wants to go to Glasgow. I've had a dig around the website (which I probably should have done before posting this), and it looks like he is guaranteed an adjusted offer, subject to completing a pre-entry programme. He has 5 As at Higher and is sitting another 2 Highers and 2 Advanced Highers this year, so he meets the entry requirements.

Maybe I should just leave him to it and assume he knows what he's doing.

OP posts:

WeAllHaveWings · 27/09/2022 16:21

it looks like he is guaranteed an adjusted offer, subject to completing a pre-entry programme

Be careful of the wording, is it IF he gets an offer it is guaranteed to be adjusted or he is guaranteed an offer? Very different things.

With 5As at Higher, a good school reference and PS, he is likely to get an offer, unless it is a stupidly competitive course, but there is no harm in having a plan B, C and even D in there. Once the offers come in doesn't need to accept any offer if he doesn't want to go. He can still reject them and look at clearing, but there is likely to be less courses available at this point.

ICanHideButICantRun · 27/09/2022 16:24

My son did this for a course that he was determined to get on and it paid off. His personal statement was great as it was so specific to that particular course.

However, I think if your son wants to take a course that runs at every uni, then he should back it up, really.

gogohmm · 27/09/2022 16:24

If they apply and don't get an offer, they can apply for another course, plenty don't submit 5 options. Dd applied for just one and got in

SandyIrvine · 27/09/2022 16:28

I don't think anyone (who wanted to pass) the pre-entry program ever failed it at DS's school so your son's strategy should be fine. Just make sure that Glasgow don't change admission rules for this cycle.

Only applying to one uni was common in my day. My friends and I only applied to Glasgow but those were the days when 3Bs at Higher were enough.

goldfinchonthelawn · 27/09/2022 16:32

He needs to have at least one plan B, even if it is to have a gap year and then re-apply to Glasgow.

I found DC to be so rigid at that age about what they wanted and where they wanted to go, and it was so hard getting them to listen to advice.

I'd remind him uni is not just for the experience but to set him up for his career later in life, so he needs to look around at where else has a degree of similar value and training. Can you take him to visit a couple of places? If he's set on a free funded place at a Scottish uni (fair enough - I would be if I lived there!) he should at least be looking at St Andrews, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee, Strathclyde. And if he;s set his heart on being in the city of Glasgow, there are a few unis and colleges there so he could look at what they offer.

If he flatly refuses to apply elsewhere, then get him to create a gap year plan that really excites him - getting a job, learning to drive, travel abroad, learning a language or new skill etc.

SeasonFinale · 27/09/2022 16:33

He can add four more before January to get equal consideration. He can add after January but should check with the uni they will take late applications.

Glasgow was so massively oversubscribed last year that they couldn't find accommodation for everyone and told people not to accept the place after results day if no accommodation. I suspect this may mean there are a high number of deferrals too so he should take care.

Just because he may meet standard entry requirements it does not follow an offer will be made.

Galarunner · 27/09/2022 16:43

If his heart is set on Glasgow, would he look at Glasgow Caledonian and Strathclyde University as well as possible back up plans. Do they offer a course in the area he wants?

SandyIrvine · 27/09/2022 16:52

Worth mentioning that interests change. Would he want to add something just in case his love for whatever subject he has chosen wanes.

My DDs favourite subject thru school was English and considered studying English Lit at uni but hated the analysis part of her AH English. Luckily realised this before applying I know some unis are flexible but I think flexibility is much less than my day.

abcd4321 · 27/09/2022 16:54

Just get him to add the same course at 4 other Scottish Universities...it won't make any difference to whether he gets his dream offer but will keep his options open just in case.

beachcitygirl · 27/09/2022 21:57

There is NO a guarantee of an offer at glasgow (DP a lecturer there) his grades & predicted sound good but it does come down to advanced higher predictions & personal statement. There is NO guarantee at any Russell group uni x

SandyIrvine · 28/09/2022 09:12

www.gla.ac.uk/study/wp/adjustedoffers/

Glasgow website is guaranteeing an offer for widening participation students who complete a programme and have certain grades (which OP DS has exceeded).

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