Starting Year 13 (number 4!)

[Mindgone]

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

Muffinmonster Some Unis look at UCAS points from stuff other than A levels - generally at the lower end. But always good to have as a dealbreaker for a dropped grade.
For Music exams, Grades 6 to 8 carry points, so well worth mentioning. Grade 8 (practical) Merit or Destinction for example carry more than an A grade AS.
DD has applied for music, and also doesnt have a 4th AS, so quite important for her. She was also told by at 3 or 4 of her choices, that Grade 8 theory is well regarded when dropping a grade.

Thanks, hellsbells, mindgone and circular. I knew that the grades carry points, but thought they wouldn't be taken into account unless they were relevant to the degree. I'm all for clutching at straws,but I don't think DDs Grade 6 pass in piano is going to cut the mustard!

Muffinmonster A grade 6 practical pass is still 25 points.
20 points between each A level grade, so could make up for a dropped grade if the Uni considers points. Definitely worth including IMHO.

Thanks, circular! I will make sure DD has included it on her UCAS form.

DD has one Grade 8 and one grade 7. Hoping that York smiles kindly on her if she drops a grade. I thought that they were irrelevant for the universities that ask for grades (rather than points). Or am I mistaken?

Dd has passed her driving test!

She has gone for a drive. I am sat here worrying

Great news Fairenuff.
Been a few weeks for DD now, like to say the worrying lessens, but not yet.

Littleham Considering the league tables like to show points, I think any extra would help. At least as a tiebreaker, with all other things being equal.

Congratulations to your DD, fairenuff! My DD has her test on the 29th. Unfortunately she won't be able to drive our car if and when she passes, as it's a company car and we can't insure her on it.

Thanks circular.

Well done to Fairnuff's dd! My dd has her test soon.

By the way, for those who don't get round to it or don't pass first time, my eldest dd continued her driving lessons at university. It really helped her with knowing her way round all the side roads / becoming familiar with university area. Driving instructor was happy to start out from hall of residence.

Well done to Fairnuff's dd!
DD passed hers in September but DD2 has just started learning now - eek!

Well done to Fairenuff's DD.

Well done to your DD Fairenuff it's such a weird feeling when they can drive themselves places!
DS1 picked DS2 up the other day and when they turned into the drive, they looked like a couple of joyriders because they're both a bit baby-faced

I know what you mean Horsemad!

I keep thinking DD1 is going to get stopped when driving as she looks so young. Especially when she has DD2 (12) with her. Says they get some odd looks.

Yeah, DS1 has already been stopped. Well, not stopped exactly, as he was stationery at the time lol, but he was parked in an aircraft spotter area at a weekend when no aircraft were flying and the police stopped to ask if he was OK!

They just checked he was OK and left him to it!

New thread needed soon, this one almost full!

Anyone's DC considering taking car to Uni?

No. Depends on the university as well - a lot don't have space for student cars. Worth checking with university.

I've encouraged them to pass the test at 17 / 18. The plan is to pass, then leave it until after university and get refresher lessons & car when they (hopefully) get a job. Will save all that expense until later. I paled at my nephews insurance bill.

Littleham that was the plan for DD1, just get test out the way. But she bought a car a couple of months before passing and not viable to get insured on ours.
Wasn't too bad to insure after passing - there's a thread in the 'Teenager ' board.

Think I've persuaded her she doesn't need to take car for her firm choice as great bus links. Same if she goes for the Conservatoire option, as city centre. Insurance choice still undecided.

Think it's been worth getting car, making her life much easier with all her rushing around. And wherever she goes will be close enough for weekends home, so suspect will keep car going.

Have just seen an interesting email from UCAS about a new service that sounds like clearing in reverse. Basically, your DC can sign up and if they don't get a place on results day, UCAS can pass their details to up to five unis that have relevant courses and places available (presumably at the right tariff). It goes on until 4th September, though hopefully by then you'd have found a place in clearing if that's what you want. Will have to read the FAQs...

sounds a bit like a post results ucas extra - do you have a link?

found it

What a good idea, although I hope dd doesn't need it.

I'll start another thread.