Clearing.

[Rachel]

My partner wishes to go to university - specifically, Liverpool JM, to do
History. However he doesn't have any qualifications higher than GCSE's, and
he's been working the past few years of his life after school (he's 20 now).

He contacted JMU and explained his situation, and they replied saying they
would be happy to consider him, yada yada, and sent him an application form
(not through UCAS, one specifically from the uni).

However Clearing is now happening, and there's an Open Day at JMU for it.

My question is - would it be worth going along? Is there any chance he would
be accepted onto the course, or would he have to apply the "normal way"? (we
were looking into Access courses etc, but apparently they do assess "non
standard" entrants to enter straight on to the degree course). If there was,
would he be able to sort out a student loan in time? Would it even be
enough, bearing in mind that it would be a £4k loan, and he'd be eligible
for the £1k grant (his parents emigrated abroad and he fully supports
himself) - his rent is £50 per month, and he doesn't want to move.

We were just wondering about it - I'm (touch wood) going there next year,
and planning to move in with him, so if he got in for 2005, we'd both be
living off our respective loans together.

So is it worth him thinking about applying for Clearing? is there any chance
he would get in to do History, and would it be financially viable?

Thanks for any help,
Rachel

[Matthew Huntbach]

Post by Rachel
My partner wishes to go to university - specifically, Liverpool JM, to do
History. However he doesn't have any qualifications higher than GCSE's, and
he's been working the past few years of his life after school (he's 20 now).
He contacted JMU and explained his situation, and they replied saying they
would be happy to consider him, yada yada, and sent him an application form
(not through UCAS, one specifically from the uni).
However Clearing is now happening, and there's an Open Day at JMU for it.
My question is - would it be worth going along? Is there any chance he would
be accepted onto the course, or would he have to apply the "normal way"?

But you've already told us they would consider him and they've given him a
form. So what difference would it make whether he fills in that form and
gets his place that way, or fills in a UCAS form and gets accepted the other
way?

Matthew Huntbach

[Rachel]

Post by Matthew Huntbach

Post by Rachel
My partner wishes to go to university - specifically, Liverpool JM, to do
History. However he doesn't have any qualifications higher than GCSE's, and
he's been working the past few years of his life after school (he's 20 now).
He contacted JMU and explained his situation, and they replied saying they
would be happy to consider him, yada yada, and sent him an application form
(not through UCAS, one specifically from the uni).
However Clearing is now happening, and there's an Open Day at JMU for it.
My question is - would it be worth going along? Is there any chance he would
be accepted onto the course, or would he have to apply the "normal way"?

But you've already told us they would consider him and they've given him a
form. So what difference would it make whether he fills in that form and
gets his place that way, or fills in a UCAS form and gets accepted the other
way?
Matthew Huntbach

Sorry, I've probably been a bit unclear.
If he applied via JMU "normally", I assume that he'd probably be starting in
2005.
Once I heard about Clearing, we were wondering if he'd be able to apply via
Clearing to start this September - hence my questions about applying for a
student loan so late, and if they'd even consider him this way.

Thanks,
Rachel

[Matthew Huntbach]

Post by Matthew Huntbach

Post by Rachel
My partner wishes to go to university - specifically, Liverpool JM, to
do History. However he doesn't have any qualifications higher than GCSE's,
and he's been working the past few years of his life after school (he's 20
now). He contacted JMU and explained his situation, and they replied saying
they would be happy to consider him, yada yada, and sent him an application
form (not through UCAS, one specifically from the uni).
However Clearing is now happening, and there's an Open Day at JMU for
it. My question is - would it be worth going along? Is there any chance he
would be accepted onto the course, or would he have to apply the "normal
way"?

But you've already told us they would consider him and they've given him a
form. So what difference would it make whether he fills in that form and
gets his place that way, or fills in a UCAS form and gets accepted the
other way?

Sorry, I've probably been a bit unclear. If he applied via JMU "normally",
I assume that he'd probably be starting in 2005.
Once I heard about Clearing, we were wondering if he'd be able to apply via
Clearing to start this September - hence my questions about applying for a
student loan so late, and if they'd even consider him this way.

Perhaps you need to check the situation with JMU. I was assuming the form
sent was some sort of special form to bypass the normal UCAS system and
allow entry this year. If not, surely they would just have asked your
partner to appy through UCAS by the normal means when the next round of UCAS
applications starts. I can't see any reason why they would turn away an
applicant who's ready and willing to start and who they're ready and willing
to take, and say "come back next year".

Matthew Huntbach

[Rachel]

Post by Matthew Huntbach

Post by Matthew Huntbach

Post by Rachel
My partner wishes to go to university - specifically, Liverpool JM, to
do History. However he doesn't have any qualifications higher than GCSE's,
and he's been working the past few years of his life after school (he's 20
now). He contacted JMU and explained his situation, and they replied saying
they would be happy to consider him, yada yada, and sent him an application
form (not through UCAS, one specifically from the uni).
However Clearing is now happening, and there's an Open Day at JMU for
it. My question is - would it be worth going along? Is there any chance he
would be accepted onto the course, or would he have to apply the "normal
way"?

But you've already told us they would consider him and they've given him a
form. So what difference would it make whether he fills in that form and
gets his place that way, or fills in a UCAS form and gets accepted the
other way?

Sorry, I've probably been a bit unclear. If he applied via JMU "normally",
I assume that he'd probably be starting in 2005.
Once I heard about Clearing, we were wondering if he'd be able to apply via
Clearing to start this September - hence my questions about applying for a
student loan so late, and if they'd even consider him this way.

Perhaps you need to check the situation with JMU. I was assuming the form
sent was some sort of special form to bypass the normal UCAS system and
allow entry this year.

It was just a general application form, it didn't say what year it was for
entry.

Post by Matthew Huntbach
If not, surely they would just have asked your
partner to appy through UCAS by the normal means when the next round of UCAS
applications starts. I can't see any reason why they would turn away an
applicant who's ready and willing to start and who they're ready and willing
to take, and say "come back next year".

Me too - however it is very late to apply for next September (IMO, but I
don't know the official stance on it) - for a course AND a loan, and also
with his situation regarding qualifications... I'm not sure if it would be
possible this year. He'd obviously have to be assessed by the History dept
regarding his potential etc, and I'm thinking it's normally quite a
drawn-out process.

I think we'll go along to the Clearing Open Day on Saturday and get some
answers.

Thanks for your help.
Rachel.

Thanks
Rachel

Post by Matthew Huntbach
Matthew Huntbach

[Matthew Huntbach]

Post by Rachel

Post by Matthew Huntbach
If not, surely they would just have asked your
partner to appy through UCAS by the normal means when the next round of
UCAS applications starts. I can't see any reason why they would turn away an
applicant who's ready and willing to start and who they're ready and
willing to take, and say "come back next year".

Me too - however it is very late to apply for next September (IMO, but I
don't know the official stance on it) - for a course AND a loan, and also
with his situation regarding qualifications... I'm not sure if it would be
possible this year. He'd obviously have to be assessed by the History dept
regarding his potential etc, and I'm thinking it's normally quite a
drawn-out process.

Not really. Universities like JMU take a lot of applicants through Clearing
and so are well used to late applications and have well established
mechanisms for dealing with them. I'm pretty sure the form your partner was
provided with in effect just enters him directly into Clearing anyway.

Matthew Huntbach

[Alun Harford]

Post by Rachel
AND a loan

If I remember correctly you can apply for a student loan as late as some
date in December (still takes some time to come through though I expect -
particularly as they've messed the whole system up so we'll all have to not
eat for the first term if things carry on like this :-) ).

Alun Harford

[Toby]

On Thu, 19 Aug 2004 16:16:41 +0000 (UTC), "Alun Harford"

Post by Alun Harford

Post by Rachel
AND a loan

If I remember correctly you can apply for a student loan as late as some
date in December (still takes some time to come through though I expect -
particularly as they've messed the whole system up so we'll all have to not
eat for the first term if things carry on like this :-) ).
Alun Harford

You could try and convince one of those kebab vans to give you a line
of credit :)

[Dr A. N. Walker]

Post by Rachel
Me too - however it is very late to apply for next September (IMO, but I
don't know the official stance on it)

See "http://www.ucas.com/getting/deadlines/index.html". You
have until 24th September [but that *would* be a little late ...].

Post by Rachel
[...]. He'd obviously have to be assessed by the History dept
regarding his potential etc, and I'm thinking it's normally quite a
drawn-out process.

Depends. Could be anything from ten minutes on the 'phone
through a half-hour interview to a full day assessment. If he
comes over as an intelligent/articulate person, it will consist
mainly of making sure that, as a mature student, he is aware of
the financial implications, support services available, etc., and
that he generally has a clear view of what a degree involves. A
lot will depend on how much they can tell from the application.

Post by Rachel
I think we'll go along to the Clearing Open Day on Saturday and get some
answers.

That is obviously v sensible. One thing to be aware of is
that it is a two-way process -- they are selecting him, but also
he is selecting them. If he does decide to go there, make sure it's
because he wants to, not just because they'll take him.

[jess]

Dr A. N. Walker wrote:
[...] as a mature student

if he's 20 he's *not* a mature student, though.

[Ian/Cath Ford]

Post by jess
[...] as a mature student
if he's 20 he's *not* a mature student, though.

I'd like to think that at 35 I'm not a totally mature student.
--
Ian, Cath, Eoin & Calum Ford
The view from Beccles

I loved the words you wrote to me/But that was bloody yesterday

No e-mail address. If you want to talk to me then talk here to start with and we can go back to your place later...

[Toby]

Post by Ian/Cath Ford

Post by jess
[...] as a mature student
if he's 20 he's *not* a mature student, though.

I'd like to think that at 35 I'm not a totally mature student.

teehee I thought you were older than that.

Post by Rachel

Post by Matthew Huntbach

Post by Matthew Huntbach

Post by Rachel
My partner wishes to go to university - specifically, Liverpool JM,

to

Post by Matthew Huntbach

Post by Matthew Huntbach

Post by Rachel
do History. However he doesn't have any qualifications higher than

GCSE's,

Post by Matthew Huntbach

Post by Matthew Huntbach

Post by Rachel
and he's been working the past few years of his life after school

(he's 20

Post by Matthew Huntbach

Post by Matthew Huntbach

Post by Rachel
now). He contacted JMU and explained his situation, and they replied

saying

Post by Matthew Huntbach

Post by Matthew Huntbach

Post by Rachel
they would be happy to consider him, yada yada, and sent him an

application

Post by Matthew Huntbach

Post by Matthew Huntbach

Post by Rachel
form (not through UCAS, one specifically from the uni).
However Clearing is now happening, and there's an Open Day at JMU for
it. My question is - would it be worth going along? Is there any

chance he

Post by Matthew Huntbach

Post by Matthew Huntbach

Post by Rachel
would be accepted onto the course, or would he have to apply the

"normal

Post by Matthew Huntbach

Post by Matthew Huntbach

Post by Rachel
way"?

But you've already told us they would consider him and they've given

him a

Post by Matthew Huntbach

Post by Matthew Huntbach
form. So what difference would it make whether he fills in that form

and

Post by Matthew Huntbach

Post by Matthew Huntbach
gets his place that way, or fills in a UCAS form and gets accepted the
other way?

Sorry, I've probably been a bit unclear. If he applied via JMU

"normally",

Post by Matthew Huntbach

I assume that he'd probably be starting in 2005.
Once I heard about Clearing, we were wondering if he'd be able to apply

via

Post by Matthew Huntbach

Clearing to start this September - hence my questions about applying for

a

Post by Matthew Huntbach

student loan so late, and if they'd even consider him this way.

Perhaps you need to check the situation with JMU. I was assuming the form
sent was some sort of special form to bypass the normal UCAS system and
allow entry this year.

It was just a general application form, it didn't say what year it was for
entry.

Post by Matthew Huntbach
If not, surely they would just have asked your
partner to appy through UCAS by the normal means when the next round of

UCAS

Post by Matthew Huntbach
applications starts. I can't see any reason why they would turn away an
applicant who's ready and willing to start and who they're ready and

willing

Post by Matthew Huntbach
to take, and say "come back next year".

Me too - however it is very late to apply for next September (IMO, but I
don't know the official stance on it) - for a course AND a loan, and also
with his situation regarding qualifications... I'm not sure if it would be
possible this year. He'd obviously have to be assessed by the History dept
regarding his potential etc, and I'm thinking it's normally quite a
drawn-out process.

What is the stance on this? Anybody know?