THIS BLOG IS NO LONGER ACTIVE - SEE TOP POST Want to know more about applying to university in the UK? This is an archived blog full of posts to help you on your application journey See below for the FAQ's page, popular personal statement advice post and much more Have a look around, and good luck!
After over four years on YouCanUCASToo, it’s time for me to leave here.
I’ve run this blog throughout my entire degree, through ups and downs, from the very beginning of a relationship that 6 months ago turned into a marriage. It means a lot to me, and it breaks my heart to have to go.
However, I’ve just gained a decision making position in university admissions, and to continue this blog could technically now be interpreted as giving insider information, so I can no longer provide support through answering new questions.
I’m leaving the blog up as an archive - all the tutorials, support posts and answered questions will remain here as long as they are needed.
For all you future UCAS applicants - I guarantee you’ll find something here that will help you.
And for everyone who’s stuck with me - you’ve all been so incredibly amazing since September 2012, and I never knew this blog could bring me the happiness and opportunities that it has.
I’m clearing out my inbox for a reason that will be detailed in the next post. These are messages that I have received over time that I want to keep for the future.
I got an offer from Manchester yesterday! It's the easiest to get into on my list but I'm so happy to have gotten the validation ❤️
Not a question, just to thank you on behalf of all students using this blog. The help you give is amazing and you get very little credit for it! I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say that this blog is incredibly appreciated. Thank you :D
I just want to say thank you for all your hard work and being so helpful and approachable. It can be a daunting experience, especially for those that have anxiety but it really helps when experienced people are willing to take time out. I hope you also do well in your studies.
Thank you so so so much, you're brilliant and you just saved me a buttload of worrying, I love you!! (the confusing question anon :P)
Hello! I asked you about my UCAS application after a gap year. I just wanted to let you know that my preferred uni has given me an unconditional offer even though my retake grades were a bit lower than their requirements. Thank you for your help! xx
Hm ... I guess you aren't able to do that in the UK but in my country, you are able to do that, it's perfectly natural. Anyway, thank you so much for your help, you're an angel. This is a really stressful time and you're making it tons easier on all of us!
You're absolutely amazing for helping us all, despite having a lot of your own things to take care of! Seriously, thank you so so much and kudos <3
I wanted to reply to your post where you replied to me but tumblr wouldn't let me. Anyway, I'm glad you got the position. You totally deserve it! This blog is extremely helpful to anyone struggling with ucas so a big thank you to you! :)
No problem, I understand - thank you for your reply and keep up the great work!
Thank you so much for that help about the third year. I love you for that!!!! X
ahhh that was an extremely helpful guide you wrote, thank you :)
im so sorry to hear that about your other university :( its hard to believe people are still so uncomfortable with this idea when the world is making a great progress. i hope your new university is nothing like that :D and if there are still some people like that, just punch them in the face haha :)
Hi, I have to write my personal statement now and I was wondering if it is okay to mention weaknesses as well? Like showing that you are trying to better yourself? I was thinking about adding something about how my gap year and my final year of school helped me get better at not procrastinating anymore. Because that is something I had problems with before. But im not sure if that would come across as good because you work on things and don't sweep weaknesses under the rug or the exact opposite?
I am a huge advocate of mentioning weaknesses - nobody is perfect and especially if you’re having a gap in your education then it’s very worthwhile to talk about how you’re overcoming any issues you may be having/have had with your studies. I did so in my personal statement which worked out well for me in the end, but make sure you do include plenty about your achievements as well - see here for more detailed personal statement advice.
Hi, I am really confused about how I should include that I am retaking. I have looked at the other questions and I am still not sure. How do i put in the information that I am retaking AS and A2 modules. For instance do I pick the qualification as GCE Advanced Level and enter all the modules individually and which I ever I am retaking do I put them in as pending or do I enter my AS modules that I am retaking under GCE Advanced Subsidery Level and then put in my A2 under GCE Advanced Level. TY.
I already have these two posts (x) (x) that talk through it in more detail, however this is what I would suggest.
Enter module details with the grades you already have, and then open a new qualification and enter the same modules again but with the grades as ‘pending’. Don’t worry too much, the university will reach out for clarification if necessary.
So my family has already booked a holiday for 22nd August (Monday after Results Day), do you think I will be done with clearing by then if I dont get my firm or insurance?
Yes, most definitely if you are on top of everything. See my clearing post here for advice and tips.
Hey. I don’t really like course I’m studying right now, so I’m thinking of dropping out and reapplying. I know I must put the university in my education section, but must I put my grades in as well? I didn't do well in one of the modules and I am afraid it might affect my application, though I think I would get in with my IB grades. :(
No, I don’t believe adding exact grades is necessary, however if you did particularly well in any modules it may be worth adding these into the additional info section to emphasise that you had some academic achievement while there. Bear in mind that the new universities you apply to may want a reference from the university you are planning to leave - talk to your current tutor to make sure they are willing to do this before you leave (most will be fine and understanding, don’t worry).
Hello I have applied to university and was given an invitation through email. I accepted it through email on their university site. But this hasn't been displayed on my UCAS track, that I've had an offer and accepted it. What do I do now?
You will have to accept the offer on UCAS Track as well - if you are unable to do this, contact the university for assistance.
I was wondering if it is worthwhile cancelling the applications to the Unis that haven't got back to you if you already have a offer from your First Choice Uni? I have a conditional offer which I know I can make for sure and it's my first choice Uni, I don't want the class to fill up while I am waiting for the last two offers to come in (5 sent out) should I cancel and accept my first choice or wait? x
Once you have an offer it will not be retracted unless in exceptional circumstances (e.g. the course can no longer be offered by the university at all). Be rest assured that your place is secure and wait to see what other offers you can accrue in the meantime.
you are honestly a godsend with this blog! i was just wondering if i should reconsider my application at the moment. i achieved BBC at A2 and was rejected by both my choices so i'm doing another a level in one year and hoping to achieve an A. i'm currently thinking of applying to courses ranging from entry requirements ABB to BBB. do you think i should reconsider my choices considering some universities ask repeat candidates to have one grade higher than their entry requirements? thanks so much
I would apply the 2-2-1 rule here as I would in any other application. Aim to apply for 2 universities slightly above your grades, 2 perfectly within your grades, and 1 below your grades to make sure. More advice can be found at this post here.
Is it normal that on my ucas track my choice says it was last updated on 20th october and not again at all or does it just stay like this until you get an offer?
Yes - it will not update until you receive a decision from one of your choices.
It comes around so fast, and can be utterly terrifying - yes, it’s results day. Luckily, here on YouCanUCASToo, I’ve compiled a number of resources that can get you through even the most stressful of results days…
Results Day 2013 Tag on YouCanUCASToo
This could be useful to see what sorts of things people were asking this time a few years ago, and could hold the answer to your question!
FAQ’s
This is my general FAQ page that could also prove handy.
Clearing Advice Post
For everything clearing. I work for my university’s Clearing and Adjustment hotline, and anything I can possibly think of that’s helpful goes in here.
Adjustment Advice Post
For you lucky ones who exceed your offers, what to do if you find you have way more choice than before.
Admissions Stories
Just some words from people who didn’t quite have a smooth transition into university, but for whom it worked out anyway.
I know I have been INCREDIBLY absent, but I understand that time is of the utmost importance on results day so I will do my absolute best to answer any questions I receive over the coming days as fast as possible. Please bear in mind that I work 12 hour days during the Clearing period and therefore I will get to you as soon as possible.
When I started this blog nearly four years ago, I hadn’t even applied for this degree. I definitely couldn’t even begin to imagine my graduation.
I know I haven’t been around for a long time, and I’m deeply apologetic to the people whose question are unanswered, and for the help posts that aren’t up to date, but for the past three years, the last one especially, I’ve been working my butt off to get this degree.
And I did it. A first class degree in anatomy from the national leader in the subject area.
So I just wanted to let you know what I’ve been up to. I want to get back to this blog, I really do. But life has been getting in the way. I start a masters course in September, and I’m getting married at the end of the month. Life is going fast and it’s all I can do to just hang onto it, so some things have fallen to the way side.
If you still need me, I’m always here. Mark questions as urgent and you’ll probably get a reply, but unfortunately I can’t guarantee anything.
You all do deserve better than what I can give you right now, so if you all want to unfollow, that’s absolutely fine. Just know that I’ve appreciated every single one of you so much, followers, rebloggers, likers and askers alike.
I was a day late for the October deadline due to certain errors what do you think will??? Im sooo nervous i feel like i have no chance
If it was an error made by UCAS themselves then contact UCAS on 0371 468 0 468 and beg them to do what they can.
If it was an error made by you, your referee or something else out of UCAS’s control, then I’m really really sorry but you’ve probably got very little chance. You can always try contacting the individual universities and asking if they’ll still consider you, but the October deadline is for very competitive courses and they’re often very strict about it. By all means try, but please don’t get your hopes up too high - the most likely response you’ll get is asking why you didn’t send your application in earlier.
(Please remember the October deadline is for any Oxbridge courses and for medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine courses at any institution only. If you’re applying for courses outside those parameters then the deadline is in January and you don’t need to worry).
my english teacher is really incapable of writing a reference for UCAS! What should I do? None of my other teachers are willing.
You’re going to need a reference from a teacher, unfortunately there’s no way of getting around it. What’s making your other teachers unwilling to do it? You can reassure them that it’s not a huge thing they need to write, it won’t take them more than 20 minutes or so. There’s plenty of help and guidance on how to write and send a reference on the UCAS website, found here.
Applying for the October deadline. I just sent off my application today. But is the deadline actually for the time you click submit or for the time the universities receive your offer, e.g. after processing? What happens if there are any payment errors now?
The deadline is for UCAS receiving your application, including your reference and with completed payment. If you sent yours yesterday then you should be fine; the deadline is at 6pm BST today, 15/10/15. Payment errors would usually be picked up as soon as payment is processed, so there shouldn’t be anything standing in your way now, but if you receive correspondence that something has gone wrong today with your payment then call UCAS ASAP on 0371 468 0 468.
If you’re applying for one of the courses listed in the post below and you still haven’t sent your application, get it done as early as you can today so that your teachers can attach your reference and get it sent before the deadline.
If you’re applying through UCAS for one of the following, your deadline to do so is tomorrow!
- Any course at either Oxford or Cambridge University
- Medicine, dentistry or veterinary medicine at any institution
I’m here to help with any last minute worries about your application, so send me an ask if you need some help. There are also plenty of resources available of the home page of this blog.
