The "waiting for news is driving me crazy" uberthread 2011-12

I got an email from Sheffield saying I was being offered a place but then on track the next day it changed to unsuccessful. I've emailed them about it but I expect they'll take a while to reply. Which is more likely to be right, the email or UCAS?

Also, for another university i'm applying to i've seen posts on here from someone who sent their UCAS form on the exact same day as me applying for the same course and they received an offer two days ago, does me not hearing from them yet mean i've been stuck on a maybe pile?

Track is the one to believe, unfortunately.
There are errors like this every year where applicants are sent the wrong information by email or by post, but the university doesn't have to uphold the offer even if they say in one place they're giving an offer then it comes up on track that they're not. With email its obviously harder for them to retract it once they've sent it whereas with the post the mistake can be realised before its actually been sent.

As you've already done, email Sheffield and see what they say. They might say its a mistake at their end on track (much more unlikely than a mistake with the email) or that given the confusion, they'll give you an offer anyway out of good will or they might just say sorry, we made a mistake sending you the email.



It could mean you're on a maybe pile or it could not be - its all completely random. Some universities will look at all applications as they come in whereas some will just look at a sample to gauge the standard of applicants. It could be that the other person had a stronger personal statement or predicted grades than you so therefore they've been given an offer immediately. It might also be something like they've got an unconditional offer because they've already got their grades and you don't or that they're an international applicant, as people from both of these groups tend to find out quicker than home students who are applying with predicted grades. Obviously I don't know what category you fit in, I'm just giving reasons.

I already have my grades. So basically i've probably not got the offer I thought I had for my second choice and it's looking unlikely i'll get one for my first That's fairly devastating, they shouldn't be allowed to make mistakes like that.

Thanks for your reply though.

It might also be something like they've got an unconditional offer because they've already got their grades and you don't or that they're an international applicant, as people from both of these groups tend to find out quicker than home students who are applying with predicted grades. Obviously I don't know what category you fit in, I'm just giving reasons.

So international candidates don't have to send predicted grades?

I got an email from Sheffield saying I was being offered a place but then on track the next day it changed to unsuccessful. I've emailed them about it but I expect they'll take a while to reply. Which is more likely to be right, the email or UCAS?

Also, for another university i'm applying to i've seen posts on here from someone who sent their UCAS form on the exact same day as me applying for the same course and they received an offer two days ago, does me not hearing from them yet mean i've been stuck on a maybe pile?

STILL NO OFFERS

Sent application off 15th October. Nothing. Friend sent his off two days ago, gets an offer today.

Was it 'successful' on Track one day and the next day they changed it to 'unsuccessful'? Coz then Track is probably right, I can see why that would be devastating though.

As for the other uni, I think it's just that they haven't gotten to reviewing your application yet.

Some Uni's don't send out any offers until post the January deadline so I wouldn’t worry. At least that's what Durham and St Andrews claimed last year...

STILL NO OFFERS

Sent application off 15th October. Nothing. Friend sent his off two days ago, gets an offer today.

If you're from the UK/EU, they'll take longer.

Track is the one to believe, unfortunately.
There are errors like this every year where applicants are sent the wrong information by email or by post, but the university doesn't have to uphold the offer even if they say in one place they're giving an offer then it comes up on track that they're not. With email its obviously harder for them to retract it once they've sent it whereas with the post the mistake can be realised before its actually been sent.

As you've already done, email Sheffield and see what they say. They might say its a mistake at their end on track (much more unlikely than a mistake with the email) or that given the confusion, they'll give you an offer anyway out of good will or they might just say sorry, we made a mistake sending you the email.



It could mean you're on a maybe pile or it could not be - its all completely random. Some universities will look at all applications as they come in whereas some will just look at a sample to gauge the standard of applicants. It could be that the other person had a stronger personal statement or predicted grades than you so therefore they've been given an offer immediately. It might also be something like they've got an unconditional offer because they've already got their grades and you don't or that they're an international applicant, as people from both of these groups tend to find out quicker than home students who are applying with predicted grades. Obviously I don't know what category you fit in, I'm just giving reasons.

Ha! Boarding school as well? My computer is on all throughout the day with email open with auto refresh so I don't get the panic of having to nervously open my email 3000 times a day.