The "waiting for news is driving me crazy" uberthread 2011-12
You've got questions about applying for uni, we've got the answers. Step inside...
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The "waiting for news is driving me crazy" uberthread 2011-12Sent off your application? Checking Track all times of day and night? This thread is for you

Some FAQ:
How long before UCAS sends me my Welcome letter?
Usually within a few days. Do check it and make sure it's accurate as you won't be able to change any of your choices (or correct any mistakes, eg wrong course code) after 7 days.
How soon can I log in to Track?
When you get your Welcome letter you will be given the details you need. [Some people do manage to get in before their Welcome letter arrives, by using their UCAS registration number (without the dashes/spaces) and hitting the 'I've forgotten my password' option.] UPDATE: It seems that this year you should be able to log in to Track using the Personal ID from 'Apply', and the same username/password.
When does Track update?
Track updates at any time, even at weekends, when the unis send through decisions, and this is supposed to generate an email notification to you. See this thread for examples of how randomly timed these can be. Nevertheless, it is possible to log in and find a decision you haven't received the 'Your Track has Updated' email for.
How long before I hear anything?
Nobody can say. Some people get offers within 48 hours; others wait for weeks or months without hearing anything, not even an acknowledgement. Where used (many unis and/or courses don't send them) acknowledgements are generated automatically and their timing and content is of no significance whatsoever.
Someone else has got an offer for the same course/uni that I've applied for, but I haven't heard anything yet. Does that mean I'm certain to be rejected?
No.
Will universities be making decisions over Christmas/New Year or during the Easter Holidays?
Universities do not operate like schools with 12 weeks holiday a year meaning there will be staff at work over the Christmas/New Year and other holiday periods. However, like with all jobs, a lot of people do take annual leave at these times which means there may well be a delay to replying to UCAS applicants. The effect this has on replies will completely depend on the department and university so asking on TSR will not help you find an answer. Also, remember that UCAS (and the Royal Mail) operate reduced hours over the Christmas/New Year period so even if decisions are made by universities they may not be communicated to you until a later date.
When is the latest that unis can send through a decision on my application?
UCAS asks universities to make decisions on applicants who met the 15 January deadline by 31 March, but not all of them achieve this. The absolute deadline for these decisions is 10 May, when UCAS will automatically enter an 'unsuccessful' decision on Track if the uni has not posted its own decision by then.
If you applied after 15 January, unis have until 19 July to make a decision, after which UCAS will enter 'unsuccessful' if a uni has not responded.Last edited by Minerva; 15-03-2012 at 08:22. Reason: Update -
Re: The "waiting for news is driving me crazy" uberthread 2011why should the ' I have forgotten my password' button be hit. Does track not allow anyone to just put the UCAS Id, UCAS User name, UCAS password right away (even without the welcome letter) and sign on? Can some one please clarify on this?(Original post by Minerva)
Sent off your application? Checking Track all times of day and night? This thread is for you
Some FAQ:
How soon can I log in to Track?
When you get your Welcome letter you will be given the details you need. Some people do manage to get in before their Welcome letter arrives, by using their UCAS registration number (without the dashes/spaces) and hitting the 'I've forgotten my password' option.[. -
Re: The "waiting for news is driving me crazy" uberthread 2011Sorry, I've just accidentally given you a neg- clumsy fingers on a touch screen(Original post by letsdothetimewarpagain)
now I've had 4 out of 5 acknowledgements I am getting inpatient
I've had 3 out of 5 acknowledgements so far, some don't even bother do they?
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Re: The "waiting for news is driving me crazy" uberthread 2011
But we still have this tread; why do we need another?
But yeah, I'm waiting for my four remaining decisions, and the wait is almost unbearable.
EDIT: Whatever, the more threads, the better.
Last edited by stifa; 10-10-2011 at 18:44. -
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Re: The "waiting for news is driving me crazy" uberthread 2011It's not the same password as the one you used to sign up for Apply.(Original post by mpc1)
why should the ' I have forgotten my password' button be hit. Does track not allow anyone to just put the UCAS Id, UCAS User name, UCAS password right away (even without the welcome letter) and sign on? Can some one please clarify on this? -
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Re: The "waiting for news is driving me crazy" uberthread 2011But some people have applied or will apply for 2013....(Original post by Just Josh)
This shouldn't be '2011' but '2012 entry' -
Re: The "waiting for news is driving me crazy" uberthread 2011Sure?(Original post by Minerva)
It's not the same password as the one you used to sign up for Apply.
I thought it is!
The same is being addressed here as well - http://www.facebook.com/ucasonline -
Re: The "waiting for news is driving me crazy" uberthread 2011I used the same password, and did never hit the "forgot password" button...(Original post by Minerva)
It's not the same password as the one you used to sign up for Apply.
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Re: The "waiting for news is driving me crazy" uberthread 2011-12
I got into track without my welcome letter, by putting in my username/password and hitting 'lost ID' button, they sent an email with it in which I used and got in no problem.
Seriously though, the waiting is killing me already. How I will last til March or whenever is doubtful right now... -
Re: The "waiting for news is driving me crazy" uberthread 2011I did this. I logged on to track the day my school sent my form off. And it was the same password, username and ID.(Original post by mpc1)
why should the ' I have forgotten my password' button be hit. Does track not allow anyone to just put the UCAS Id, UCAS User name, UCAS password right away (even without the welcome letter) and sign on? Can some one please clarify on this?
And I didn't get my welcome letter until 2 days later.

I've had 3 out of 5 acknowledgements so far, some don't even bother do they?