[freshlybaked]

Hi guys,

Needed some help here on behalf of a friend. My friend is in India and he is out there doing charity work on the first leg of his gap year. He has only been out there for a few weeks now, but after last weeks bomb blast, which were in the same province in which he is working, he understandably wants to come back to the UK. Nothing is more paramount than a persons safety.

He is, however, worried about his Personal Statement. He said he would be doing charity work from Sept until November before returning here, but looks like he is returning after just a few weeks. Is there any way the Universities would find out about this if he came back? Could it possibly affect his application in anyway? Should he contact the universities telling them his situation, or just leave it as it is.

Thanks for reading guys

[aKarma]

I guess there can be no harm in contacting the universities and seeing what they say, but it would be a cruel world if they think any the worse of him for returning early given the circumstances.

Assuming the work is a significant part of his application he could try to find some in England, and then if he is asked about what he learn in the charity work he could explain how he had to return and what he did before then. Plus, if he finds another in the UK, it looks like he is really keen on doing whatever he is doing and he won't miss out on any experience.

The universities will probably give you a more informed reply, even if you just contact the admissions office as a general enquiry.

[freshlybaked]

Only one of his universities actually requires an interview.

Would it be worth not saying anything? When he comes back here he will probably not be able to do anything for a while as he will have to reformulate his plans.

[Myotherone]

contact all of the universities and see what they say i think they will be understanding

[Minerva]

Originally Posted by freshlybaked

Hi guys,

Needed some help here on behalf of a friend. My friend is in India and he is out there doing charity work on the first leg of his gap year. He has only been out there for a few weeks now, but after last weeks bomb blast, which were in the same province in which he is working, he understandably wants to come back to the UK. Nothing is more paramount than a persons safety.

He is, however, worried about his Personal Statement. He said he would be doing charity work from Sept until November before returning here, but looks like he is returning after just a few weeks. Is there any way the Universities would find out about this if he came back? Could it possibly affect his application in anyway? Should he contact the universities telling them his situation, or just leave it as it is.

Thanks for reading guys

Has he applied for 2009 already? Or is he holding a deferred place from 2008? Either way, he submitted his PS in good faith, and gap year plans don't usually form part of offers! It's not like changing your exam plans, so I really would suggest that he does not need to worry too much about this.

[Jez_249]

I guess he'll have to ring up the unis and admissions tutors to see if they think it's fair.. (probabbly a yes).... don't think there's anythign to worry about tbh

Jez

[Minerva]

I really don't think he should bother to contact the unis at this stage.

If he has a deferred place from 2008 then he certainly doesn't need to tell them. His place is already confirmed.

If he is applying in the current round, then it depends on how relevant his gap year plans were to his course choice.

[freshlybaked]

Originally Posted by Minerva

I really don't think he should bother to contact the unis at this stage.

If he has a deferred place from 2008 then he certainly doesn't need to tell them. His place is already confirmed.

If he is applying in the current round, then it depends on how relevant his gap year plans were to his course choice.

He is applying this year for Ancient History 2009. During April-May he intends to visit some classical sites in Greece. But that's still a while away. I don't really think that Charity work in India is that relevant to Ancient History.

[Minerva]

Originally Posted by freshlybaked

He is applying this year for Ancient History 2009. During April-May he intends to visit some classical sites in Greece. But that's still a while away. I don't really think that Charity work in India is that relevant to Ancient History.

I agree. I wouldn't bother to tell the unis about his change of plan, personally. He wrote about the trip to India in good faith, and unis know that things change.

[Juno]

Originally Posted by Minerva

I agree. I wouldn't bother to tell the unis about his change of plan, personally. He wrote about the trip to India in good faith, and unis know that things change.

Also, he has a good reason for the change, rather than just "I changed my mind"