Starting Year 13 (number 4!)

[Mindgone]

I just thought I'd get us started up again!

Poppy that's a difficult one, is the Birmingham offer much lower?
Could still be worth having higher offer on paper as insurance choice if that's HD genuine preference, especially if the insurance choice guarantee accommodation (of your list, I know Cardiff do) and could be likely to allow a dropped grade or two. Maybe that can be sussed from the applicant days.

In a similar situation here, where DDs favourite same offer as her 2nd favourite, but 2nd choice stipulate grade in subject. Also 2nd choice are known to be difficult on accommodation for non firm. Plan to visit both, to see if she prefers 2nd choice now, otherwise stick with 1st choice as firm and chose another as insurance that is less hassle on the accommodation.

i am encouraging Ds to choose insurance which garantees accomodation (thankfully he agrees with this).

I think York guarantee accommodation for all first years.
Wasn't aware Keele did.

My Ds is insuring York.
He just needs to sort out his firm..

Thanks all for pitching in....really helps to have a bit of hand holding just every now and again! The difficulty Littleham is in being able to feel confident in the school predictions as the last lot were so wide of the mark. He was flagged as being Oxbridge material til the AS results came in, so it's such a difficult one to call. I think he thought he was working hard enough as the feedback he was getting was so positive but with hindsight he wasn't and it is technique rather than knowledge that's the problem. He's definitely upped his game, poor kid, and might pull it out of the bag come August....but it's anyone's guess really, though as you say Mindgone, mock results might help too (tho again his AS mocks were great ! ) Good point too about the potential to trade up. Birmingham is just a grade lower Circular and I think your suggestion of sussing out on applicant days the likelihood of a place being given if grades off a bit is a good one. It's just that to go from predicted straight As at AS to a bag of Bs and Cs makes me feel that it's more "prudent" to put as first choice somewhere offering ABB rather than AAB as if he needs to negotiate down, I am guessing that a first choice uni is more likely to play game than an insurance? Oh well......a while to mull it over! I wish I could pop in with wise comments about your accommodation chat, but can't really contribute I'm afraid ! Thanks again though for all your help ....ooh and as it's Friday for anyone not doing a dry January....I am, so that'll be a nice instead....yippee ! Poppy

Poppy If its Birmingham your DS really wants to go to, then tha should be his first choice,
If he doesn't have a preference amongst the rest, he should chose the one that is either most likely to accept dropped grades and/or would be the easiest on accommodation if needed.

Just popping in to share the good news that dd got a Cambridge offer this morning. She is more than a little bit happy

Fantastic news, well done MrsB'sDD

Yay MrsB!

Thanks

Fab news MrsB! Well done to your DD! :)

Well done Mrs B's DD!

That's great news Mrs B

offers days - we only visited one open day and 2 unis for summer school courses so we have to go to all offers days - 5 of them !

Best way for us as it took quite a while trawling through courses on web.

Really not sure here which 2 unis to opt for - so many variables - hoping the visits will spark a particular interest!

Happy new year!

Must say felt terrified when someone said on here offers come immediately - took a month for us. Do generally feel worried about getting a good place sorted. In the end it will sort so I need to stop worrying. We have found a few other unis if clearing has to happen - all options open and covered for we hope.

Thanks again all.

mumslife - we can now get on and sort out her next eye test. We didn't want to book it in case she got called back to Cambridge for another interview (which all happens at short notice for the pool). The next test will mean she wouldn't be able to read for the rest of the day which wouldn't have been great if she had an interview to prepare for! I hope your dd is still continuing to feel better.

Well done too Mrs B proud mum

Question for those who have done UCAS before. Once Jan 15th passes do the offers speed up for those courses which have been slow to respond?

Oh MrsB, how exciting! That is fab news.

Has anyone any idea what amount you will need to give your DC per week towards their living expenses?
A friend with a DC studying in London gives theirs 30 a week. This has to buy everything: food/toiletries/transport if needed/clothes/phone/entertainment.