First of all, my results. I got BBBD, the D being in ICT which is frankly a terrible A Level. Anyway, several friends have got similar (2 years ago we were all 'star' GCSE performers, but now many people getting A's are those who aren't generally clever ) Anyway, all my mates are going to Uni, but I failed to apply to UCAS within the deadlines. Basically, I didn't (and still haven't) complete my personal statement at the time, and just told my college that I'd apply next year. But now I realise just how long I have to wait - it's still not a year away! Add to this the fact that I have no job or ANYTHING to do for a whole year, and it's not looking very good really I still don't understand why you apply to something so long before you do it, and before you have your grades or anything.
Anyway, is there anything I can do? Is there any way to apply to a Uni at this stage, without a UCAS account? I don't really want to create one either as my college will think I'm a bit of an idiot, and I'd have to go in for interviews and what-not.
So are there any unis that...
- Don't go through UCAS
- Preferably don't require a PS (I suppose I could knock one up!)
- Take General Studies?
and will be willing to admit me to study History with BBBD
Lol, you sound almost exactly like me. My problem was that I made the wrong decision, and now I either beg for a place through clearing (which is unlikely), or I wait an entire year. I have no job and nothing to do for the year either.
I think though, you can apply through UCAS for clearing this year, but you'd need to apply pretty damn smartish before all the places get taken. It costs £15. http://www.ucas.com/ I'm not sure if its too late to apply for clearing now though, because it was on there yesterday and now I don't see anything about applying for clearing anymore.
Yeah, there may have been a hint of sarcasm in my original post
I suppose that is the main way of doing things yes, but there's no way I'm doing that today!
Why not? Get on writing your personal statement, email a teacher to check it over. Ask a teacher (today!!) to write you a reference (they take a long time to write, and with clearing you need to be damn quick), then start filling out the application tomorrow morning... it's not hard, the only thing thats annoying is filling out all your information about exams (including GCSE's) because you need to know the exam board, dates etc.
Yeah, there may have been a hint of sarcasm in my original post
I suppose that is the main way of doing things yes, but there's no way I'm doing that today!
You have wasted a year and it means time is at a premium. The places are literally being handed out on the telephone as we speak. If you want a ticket to play the game you need to get registered with UCAS as soon as possible. Seriously. No sarcasm.
Look at the clearing list to see if anything you are interested in is available. You can't apply to uni's directly, only via UCAS. Good luck and do it ASAP.
I just looked and there are vacancies for history - the searching for clearing places is now their front page. So if you go quick, you could apply to some.
EDIT: One said 160 points from at least 2 2 A-Levels. That was York st John? Anyway IDK where you want to study or anything, but they are there.
Why not? Get on writing your personal statement, email a teacher to check it over. Ask a teacher (today!!) to write you a reference (they take a long time to write, and with clearing you need to be damn quick), then start filling out the application tomorrow morning... it's not hard, the only thing thats annoying is filling out all your information about exams (including GCSE's) because you need to know the exam board, dates etc.
1) I already have a reference written - last time of applying I filled absolutely everything out, paid for it (didn't bother getting my money back), but then didn't have a personal statement and ended up deleting my application on deadline day.
Originally Posted by Good bloke
You have wasted a year and it means time is at a premium. The places are literally being handed out on the telephone as we speak. If you want a ticket to play the game you need to get registered with UCAS as soon as possible. Seriously. No sarcasm.
I haven't wasted a year yet - I could still get a good job which could help a lot towards Uni next year, but I don't know how to go about this I AM NOT working in a shop all year, for starters. Does anyone know any good places/websites for people in my exact position to get jobs? This is the route which, at the moment, it looks like I shall be taking.
In regards to needing to apply through UCAS, only to then ring up the actual universities - it just strikes me as being totally ridiculous. Who the hell are UCAS, anyway ?!?! I dunno - you should just get your grades (today), then go and queue up at a Uni to see an admissions tutor face to face and plead your case
You have as far as university applications are concerned.
Originally Posted by chrisw_bwfc
In regards to needing to apply through UCAS, only to then ring up the actual universities - it just strikes me as being totally ridiculous. Who the hell are UCAS, anyway ?!?! I dunno - you should just get your grades (today), then go and queue up at a Uni to see an admissions tutor face to face and plead your case
Well, don't come into the system six months late then. You get what you pay for.
Fine, don't bother if it's too much effort. Not to be mean though - but if that's too much effort, then a degree might just kill you.
Sorry I know this is mean, but you've been told what you need to do, and yet you're not doing it, instead you're whining on a forum about how much effort it is to do all this.
Most good jobs require some form of training, whether that's a degree or on the job training or whatever. Chance for you getting a really good job to work for 12 months isn't that high really.
It's not THAT much of work to do a UCAS application especially that you have your reference. Write up yor ps and fill out the forms, should take about 3-4 hours at most (everyone works faster when time's pressing).
It really doesn't matter what uni you get into, and you could check out courses other than history too. A year at uni will look MUCH better in your 2009 application than a year spent hanging out at home/working in a supermarket. You don't have anything to lose. And if you make it to a decent uni, all the better.
Instead of complaining about UCAS do your application NOW.
Fine, don't bother if it's too much effort. Not to be mean though - but if that's too much effort, then a degree might just kill you.
Sorry I know this is mean, but you've been told what you need to do, and yet you're not doing it, instead you're whining on a forum about how much effort it is to do all this.
Most good jobs require some form of training, whether that's a degree or on the job training or whatever. Chance for you getting a really good job to work for 12 months isn't that high really.
1) I already have a reference written - last time of applying I filled absolutely everything out, paid for it (didn't bother getting my money back), but then didn't have a personal statement and ended up deleting my application on deadline day.
Fine, don't bother if it's too much effort. Not to be mean though - but if that's too much effort, then a degree might just kill you.
Sorry I know this is mean, but you've been told what you need to do, and yet you're not doing it, instead you're whining on a forum about how much effort it is to do all this.
Most good jobs require some form of training, whether that's a degree or on the job training or whatever. Chance for you getting a really good job to work for 12 months isn't that high really.
I understand that from what I've said I may seem a bit lazy, but I just have an overwhelming inability to write anything about myself. I'd rather write 10 history essays than a personal statement
I've decided I'd rather get into a decent uni next year rather than a not so good one this. I'm going to resit one of my history modules which should get me an A as an outside student in January. Oh but I've just thought - I'll still have to have applied by then won't I, which means I'll be applying with a B. This is what I mean about UCAS being ridiuclous. Anyway, throughout this I'll get a job and gather up some money (which was never going to be a problem anyway, but the more the merrier! )
I understand that from what I've said I may seem a bit lazy, but I just have an overwhelming inability to write anything about myself. I'd rather write 10 history essays than a personal statement
I've decided I'd rather get into a decent uni next year rather than a not so good one this. I'm going to resit one of my history modules which should get me an A as an outside student in January. Oh but I've just thought - I'll still have to have applied by then won't I, which means I'll be applying with a B. This is what I mean about UCAS being ridiuclous. Anyway, throughout this I'll get a job and gather up some money (which was never going to be a problem anyway, but the more the merrier! )
You indeed are pretty lazy. You're not the only one who has problems with writing about themselves, still most of us managed to churn out a ps. Check out sample ones (here on tsr too), it's not very difficult. And even if it is, it's defo worth some effort.
Why can't you resit while you're studying at uni? Perhaps choosing a matching course will help you get better grades at the resits too.
In your next ps you might have to explain what you'd been doing for a year...and uni attendance is worth much more than some student job (bc you won't be able to take a course-related job obviously). I have a feeling you'll regret this at some point. If you won't then don't go to uni at all
My advice of what to include on a personal statement and what NOT to include:
Don't put your age, name, or anything, and dont say "I studied ____ at ______" because its all on your application.
In the first paragraph I wrote why I want to study the course I am applying for, and included some skills and qualities which i felt would make me an asset to the university and course.
I then wrote about what I have learnt from my courses at college, including skills, and how they college has helped me to develop into a more mature person.
I then wrote about relevant work experience (if you haven't got any work experience relevant to your course, you could discuss things like extra-curricular activities etc).
I then wrote a little bit about what I do to relax in my free time/hobbies.
I then wrote in the conclusion why I want to study at university and why university is important to me and my career plans.
Just thought I'd update this thread in response to all you lot who called me lazy / bum / wastrel, to tell you that, believe it or not, I've actually SOMEHOW got a place to study History & Politics at Lancaster, despite having what I thought was nowhere near the required grades. I also had another offer from Lancaster, as well as Leicester and Brum.
So, there
I have however, as some predicted, done absolutely NOTHING from August until now. So that's 6 months down, 8 to go
Discussions relating to university entry and applications, including questions about Clearing.
Useful Resources:
I want to go to Uni, but am not on UCAS ?!?!
) Anyway, all my mates are going to Uni, but I failed to apply to UCAS within the deadlines. Basically, I didn't (and still haven't) complete my personal statement at the time, and just told my college that I'd apply next year. But now I realise just how long I have to wait - it's still not a year away! Add to this the fact that I have no job or ANYTHING to do for a whole year, and it's not looking very good really 
I still don't understand why you apply to something so long before you do it, and before you have your grades or anything. 
I AM NOT working in a shop all year, for starters. Does anyone know any good places/websites for people in my exact position to get jobs? This is the route which, at the moment, it looks like I shall be taking.
