Got an unconditional but want to change uni - any advice?

alyth

I could post this on thestudentroom website, but I suspect fellow students are on it - so desperately seeking advice - I will try and keep this short!

I've an unconditional offer to study my degree at the college where I've just done my access course - it's part of a wider uni in Scotland. I knocked back an offer from another uni without realising that I could keep it in reserve. My conditional was passing my highers AND my access course. My tutor has failed me on my access course due to not taking part in a group activity that ultimately ended up a nightmare with the police being called - I'm 40, I didn't want to get involved in an event in a nightclub with 18 year olds.

Is there any way that I can try and get my original conditional back - albeit the fact that I've failed the access course do haven't met the conditional? Is it worth my going through clearing to try and get a place on the degree course at the uni? My other worry is that my existing college will find out that I have tried to go somewhere else. The uni has the highest drop out rate in Britain and I suspect that my tutor is trying to keep me at his college to keep up their ratings as it were, as I have defined career path so have no intention of dropping out of my degree.

I think I may be As/Bs in my highers as I studied obsessively but I only sat 3 and the other uni usually want 4.

I'm really worried that I have made a massive mistake in taking the unconditional, but I can't really see any other way of getting to the other uni.

Can anyone offer any advice?

Oldernotwiser

I'm a bit out of touch with UCAS mechanics these days - you used to have to turn down your place and then go through clearing.

What I would say is you should go to a proper university, even if it means taking a year out. I've read all that you've written about your current college and I wouldn't touch them with the proverbial bargepole; I've never heard anything like the shambles of a way they run an Access course and the way you've been treated.

I do feel strongly that most colleges are not suited to offering degree courses to bright, motivated students like you - you're only going to do this once, so go for the best you can!

I hope someone can be more help with the mechanics for this year - good luck.

The_One_Who

I think for UCAS you can either try to decline your offer, or if that doesn't work you will need to completely withdraw and then try Clearing. However, there will be less places this year and more competition, so even that isn't a guarantee. I would recommend taking a year to improve your application, getting some relevant experience if possible and trying again. If you have a definite career in mind, another year to get there shouldn't really matter.

alyth

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

I'm a bit out of touch with UCAS mechanics these days - you used to have to turn down your place and then go through clearing.

What I would say is you should go to a proper university, even if it means taking a year out. I've read all that you've written about your current college and I wouldn't touch them with the proverbial bargepole; I've never heard anything like the shambles of a way they run an Access course and the way you've been treated.

I do feel strongly that most colleges are not suited to offering degree courses to bright, motivated students like you - you're only going to do this once, so go for the best you can!

I hope someone can be more help with the mechanics for this year - good luck.

I didn't want to PM you, but I always remember the comment you made about me taking the place at the REAL uni, and now it's come back to haunt me. You're right, the college I am at is awful, obviously I don't want to post too much on here but my exit interview was done without me! I've being thinking through my options for the last few days, and I'm getting nowhere, which is stupid as I'm mature and educated enough, but can't really see the wood for the trees if that makes sense!

Taking a year out is a kind of option....... financially I'm sound, I hadn't actually thought of that. I'm doing a TEFL course over the summer as you know I like to obsessively study so I guess I could do more OU course and still work a couple of days a week......

Thanks again ONW, I wish you were my mum, you always come up with different routes to take.

juno

If you posted it on TSR I'd be the best person to answer anyway, so

You need to contact the uni you want to go to. They may be able to reinstate the offer but that's unlikely, but the other option is Clearing and they may be able to give you a definite yes or no. If they say yes then ask the uni you have the unconditional from to release you. They should, but you need to do this asap. If you don't do it tomorrow it may be too late as you're in Scotland.

If they say no you need to decide whether you want to go into Clearing where you don't know what you may get, or if you'd rather stick with this unconditional. Then either ask them to release you, or do nothing. If you don't want the unconditional whatever the first uni say you must do it tomorrow.

alyth

one question I do have, and I cannot find the answer to anywhere, is that if I apply through clearing and obviously have to wait a few days, do my original college know about it?

I'm sorry, I feel like a total fool in asking questions which are no doubt obviously answered, but this a new situation for me and I'm just trying to think through my options.... thanks to you both by the way.

alyth

apologies, we cross posted Juno, thank you so much.

juno

alyth wrote: »

one question I do have, and I cannot find the answer to anywhere, is that if I apply through clearing and obviously have to wait a few days, do my original college know about it?

I'm sorry, I feel like a total fool in asking questions which are no doubt obviously answered, but this a new situation for me and I'm just trying to think through my options.... thanks to you both by the way.

To apply through Clearing you'd need to ask your college to release you, so yes they would know.

Did I make it clear in my post that ideally you'd ask them to release you tomorrow if that's what you decide? If it's the uni you got conditional from or nothing you may be able to wait, but if it's anything just not this you need to do it tomorrow.

alyth

juno wrote: »

To apply through Clearing you'd need to ask your college to release you, so yes they would know.

Did I make it clear in my post that ideally you'd ask them to release you tomorrow if that's what you decide? If it's the uni you got conditional from or nothing you may be able to wait, but if it's anything just not this you need to do it tomorrow.

Yes Juno, it was clear, thanks, hence I am now sitting here wondering what on earth to do! I want to scream! Dammit Dammit, I should have listened to ONW months ago! Everything financial is in place as well, student loan, bursary because I am "old" that's not a massive problem, they can be offered back, just wondering what on earth to do now.

juno

alyth wrote: »

Yes Juno, it was clear, thanks, hence I am now sitting here wondering what on earth to do! I want to scream! Dammit Dammit, I should have listened to ONW months ago! Everything financial is in place as well, student loan, bursary because I am "old" that's not a massive problem, they can be offered back, just wondering what on earth to do now.

It's unfortunate that you're Scottish. If you were English you'd have until a week before English results day to decide which would give you longer.

If you were willing to go to an english uni that may give you longer to decide, but I don't know how that would impact your finance or even if they'd accept your qualifications.

alyth

doesn't affect my finances, but I am settled up here in rural scotland and have a large dog to consider.

Just had a massive cry, something I never do, and poured myself a glass of wine - it's going to be a long night of thinking.