Some changes to UCAS
If you've managed to get your
head around all things UCAS we've some great news - there's more. Fret not
though, they are some small changes which are unlikely to affect your
application much. They might even come in handy.
- In future, there won't be a
UCAS Application Number. Once your application has been sent to UCAS,
they'll send you a letter telling you your Personal ID, which is
effectively a 10 digit username to login with.
- If an unsuccessful
application has left you feeling as rejected as a poor, fat, ginger,
science enthusiast in an American teen drama, you can now request feedback
from the uni, via UCAS. This could mean saving yourself a lot of hassle
and money if you were considering travelling up there, knocking their door
down and demanding to know why they don't want you there. They can charge
you a fee - perhaps don't tell them that if they don't already know,
though. They don't have to respond, but hey, it might just be worth
asking.
- The question about care in
your application will now also ask how long you've been in care.
- In 'Track' on the UCAS site
there will be a pre-populate button, which basically means that all those
little details like address and date of birth that took you ages to fill
in, can be taken from UCAS and shared with the Student Loans Company.
- When you get your grades on
the 20th August (or 5th August for Scottish students), UCAS are bringing
in a "Timing and Adjustments" week. This means that if that last
minute cramming paid off and you've done better than expected, you'll have
5 days to hold your firm offer and search if you want to trade up. This
closes at the end of August.
- Clearing is now an entirely
electronic process.
- You know that glowing
reference you have to get in order to apply? It's the one probably from a
teacher, or head of sixth form. Well, if you do have a niggling feeling
that they might still be bitter about the time you put cling film over the
toilet in the staff room, and might have felt the need to put their
obviously unfounded and outdated view of you across in your reference.
Worry no more. You can ask to see the reference. Who'd of thought the Data
Protection Act 1998 would come in so handy, huh?
Last updated on: 17 December 2008