10 THINGS I WISH I KNEW ABOUT UCAS!!
EDITOR'S NOTE: This post is written from the viewpoint of a Drama Student. Some of these pointers may vary depending on what your chosen subject is.
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Hi There,
For those of us who are at the final year of our level 3 courses, it's time for the dreaded task...UCAS. Last year I had to go through the experience similar to pulling teeth and there are a number of things I wish I knew about UCAS before applying.
1. There are two ways of applying:
UCAS actually allows you to apply 'Independently' or 'Through School/College'. There is a very big difference.
Independently:
YOU alone are responsible for your your application, meaning if you make a mistake when you submit it, there's no way of you changing it. It also means when you submit it, it's submitted and you're not worrying about anyone having to meet any deadline on your behalf.
Through School/College:
Your application goes through the person in charge of your UCAS, most likely your personal tutor. This means they are responsible for sending it off or sending it back to you should they see a mistake. This also means there is a chance your application might not make it past the deadline if they've got a bulk of applications to sort.
Personally, I used the Independent application by accident, but I did thank myself when other people's applications were being sent off late due to the personal tutor having a high volume of applications to deal with.
2. Will I actually go there?
Looking back, a lot of my choices weren't very well thought out. I found myself sort of 'filling' choices with things I wasn't really interested in. Some things to remember:
Staying At Home:
How far are you willing to travel in the morning?
If you're staying at home do you at least want to be under a different postcode to your home?
How many Universities do you have local to you?
What do you consider local?
Leaving Home:
Do you see yourself moving to the place where the University is?
What's the best place for your subject?
EG: Film & TV, Manchester might be a good place. For Drama, London might be a good place.
How are you going to get around? Is there public transport?
Personally I chose to stay at home (in London) for two reasons: A. It's cheaper and B. London is the ideal place for me. However, I at least wanted to be in a different borough to my own...which I am now.
3. Can I actually go there?
I'm all for being ambitious, but the question you have to ask yourself is: is it realistic? For example if you're applying for a degree in medicines when you're coming off a Drama course, you might not be holding your breath. My suggestion:
Choice A & B:
Ambitious, but within reach. Perhaps one grade above what you're predicted now and something that sounds quite challenging.
Choice C:
This choice, in drama, depends on what you're actually looking to do with your life.
If you want to go to drama school, but would also be happy doing a University Degree, I recommend making this choice a Drama School.
If you're happy doing a University Degree, but have found some drama schools that might be ideal: I recommend making this choice a University.
Choice D &E:
The opposite to your first choices. Within reach and perhaps even with lower grades to what you're predicted. This way you've got something to fall back on should your grades not go exactly to plan.
Personally I did 2 Drama Schools and 3 Universities. Two Universities for Drama and Creative Writing, one University for Contemporary Literature and Two Drama Schools. My extra choices were 1 Drama School, then when that declined me I chose 1 University for Drama (where I am now).
4. Take Advice, not instructions.
Everyone's very keen to give advice on UCAS, I'm no exception, but there is a big thing to remember. Your doctor's 'instructions' are actually only Medical Advice, meaning you can go against it at your peril. Your teachers and tutors are only offering advice on your UCAS, meaning you are more than welcome to go against it, for better or for worse. Remembering that you are the one who's got to do it, spend the absurd amount of money on it and be happy with it is very important. Advice, not instructions.
5. If you're happy with it, send it off early.
Something that's very easy to do is to feel happy with your application, then let it sit and gather dust until the deadline. It's a good thing if you feel ready early, so why not celebrate by sending it in early. Of course I recommend double checking and getting at least 2 influential people's approval, like a teacher or tutor. It's not a sin to send it off early, in fact it's probably a good thing. BUT only send it off when it's ready. If it's not ready early, don't send it early. You'll know when it's ready because you'll be happy with it.
6. Don't be afraid of Extra and Clearing.
As someone who's been through Extra, I know how degrading it can feel. Don't feel bad. You've got to get this right and if that means going through clearing, then so be it. I went through two extra choices before I got it right. Finding the right University can be like finding the right person to marry: it can take ages, but when you get it right it's PERFECT. Remember everyone can only go to one University out of their five choices. That means an awful lot of places will be left over after people have responded to their five choices. So long as you're organised and careful, you could find a place through Extra or Clearing.
7. Go to Post-Applicant Days.
Something I wish I knew when applying was that some Universities host post-application days. These are like open days, except they're specifically designed to give you a feel for the University from a post-application angle. If Universities don't do this, it might be worth requesting a private campus tour to see the University, as there is NO time in the application period to go round looking at University Open Days. You might find you don't have a day to spare, which is why a 45 minute campus tour in your lunch break might be a better option.
8. Don't Stress Too Much Over It.
Although it's easy to stress out over it, please try not to. Remember when you applied for your post-16 choice? You probably didn't worry as much as this. Remember a lot of people are going through the same as you and that the best thing you can do is focus on the present, which is a very important contributing factor to the future. You'll find something, but the key is going with your gut. Not your heart or brain.
Hopefully this has given you some insight to the art of UCAS-ing. Have you already been through it? How would you advise people? Or are you going through it now? I'd love to know.
