The Student Room Group

Ucas help 2024

I really need some help please and wondered if anyone was in a similar situation? I passed my A levels last summer with BBB in my subjects, and have since taken a gap year as I was so overwhelmed and had a lot going on. I was planning on doing a law apprenticeship and I have applied to two however, I got an email this morning saying I was unsuccessful in one and I am now panicking big time!

When I was at college last year, I applied to uni and accepted an unconditional offer and asked them to defer my place as I was not mentally ready for uni. I am now thinking that a different university would suit me more, and I want to re apply however that would mean losing my space at the uni, I also know that it is way past the deadline. I am worried that if I take the step to reapply that I will have no space and then have nothing in September. Is it worth the risk of losing a solid place at uni to try and get into another? I don't know if they will treat me differently anyway as I already have the grades, and they are not predicted.
Original post by georgia2005
I really need some help please and wondered if anyone was in a similar situation? I passed my A levels last summer with BBB in my subjects, and have since taken a gap year as I was so overwhelmed and had a lot going on. I was planning on doing a law apprenticeship and I have applied to two however, I got an email this morning saying I was unsuccessful in one and I am now panicking big time!
When I was at college last year, I applied to uni and accepted an unconditional offer and asked them to defer my place as I was not mentally ready for uni. I am now thinking that a different university would suit me more, and I want to re apply however that would mean losing my space at the uni, I also know that it is way past the deadline. I am worried that if I take the step to reapply that I will have no space and then have nothing in September. Is it worth the risk of losing a solid place at uni to try and get into another? I don't know if they will treat me differently anyway as I already have the grades, and they are not predicted.


Hi, I am not exactly in the same situation as you are but I have also been trying to pursue the solicitor apprenticeship route. It depends on whether you are willing to take another gap year, if you are then I would recommend spending that time improving your application (work experience, virtual courses etc) that way you can be nearly certain for offers from universities should you choose to make a new application. You can also spend the time applying to plenty of solicitor apprenticeships, they are extremely hard to land so being able to spend another gap year working on the applications will put you ahead of other applicants who may be applying during their a levels. I think you need to make sure that you evaluate whether you’re willing to take another gap year for better opportunities or whether you would prefer and be more comfortable with going to the uni you had deferred.
Definitely make a pros cons list to work out whether taking another year out would be beneficial for you, I would advise you to not settle for the second best option if you think a better option is obtainable. Sorry I couldn’t give you a linear answer, but I hope this helped.
Good luck!
Reply 2
I would call up the uni you want to go to and just try and ask them what you can do, they might not help much but it’s worth a try I think.. you might have to go through clearing on results day
Reply 3
Original post by emoucasapplicant
Hi, I am not exactly in the same situation as you are but I have also been trying to pursue the solicitor apprenticeship route. It depends on whether you are willing to take another gap year, if you are then I would recommend spending that time improving your application (work experience, virtual courses etc) that way you can be nearly certain for offers from universities should you choose to make a new application. You can also spend the time applying to plenty of solicitor apprenticeships, they are extremely hard to land so being able to spend another gap year working on the applications will put you ahead of other applicants who may be applying during their a levels. I think you need to make sure that you evaluate whether you’re willing to take another gap year for better opportunities or whether you would prefer and be more comfortable with going to the uni you had deferred.
Definitely make a pros cons list to work out whether taking another year out would be beneficial for you, I would advise you to not settle for the second best option if you think a better option is obtainable. Sorry I couldn’t give you a linear answer, but I hope this helped.
Good luck!

Hi, thanks for your input! I just don't think it's obtainable for me to have another year off, it would mean me nearly being 21 before I got an apprenticeship, and if I don't get the apprenticeship next year it's a bit worrying. I just can't really decide if I want to go to the safe uni or gamble it all and apply there again but also to some others. My friends have just gone straight into work and my family did the same, I just really am stuck. I have emailed my old college tutor so hopefully he can guide me too. I wish you all the good luck and hopefully you can get the apprenticeship!
Reply 4
Original post by IdkOklol
I would call up the uni you want to go to and just try and ask them what you can do, they might not help much but it’s worth a try I think.. you might have to go through clearing on results day

I emailed them a few weeks back and they said to me that I need to reject my offer and apply through UCAS, or try clearing.
Reply 5
Original post by georgia2005
I emailed them a few weeks back and they said to me that I need to reject my offer and apply through UCAS, or try clearing.

It depends on the uni, the ucas deadline isn’t final like you can still apply and they might still consider it even if it’s past the deadline. But I know that only ones submitted before the deadline are processed with “equal consideration” or something like that. If you have the grades you need for the course you want to do, I’d try and find out if anyone else has applied late to that specific uni too, and if so it might be fine 🙂
Reply 6
Original post by IdkOklol
It depends on the uni, the ucas deadline isn’t final like you can still apply and they might still consider it even if it’s past the deadline. But I know that only ones submitted before the deadline are processed with “equal consideration” or something like that. If you have the grades you need for the course you want to do, I’d try and find out if anyone else has applied late to that specific uni too, and if so it might be fine 🙂

Thanks, I will try do this now! The course I want to do at the Uni also has a January start date, so I am thinking if I don't get the September one I will just have to do January instead. I got BBB and the entry is BBB but because I have them, I was thinking they can make an easier decision as I have the grades and they are not just predicted.
Original post by georgia2005
Hi, thanks for your input! I just don't think it's obtainable for me to have another year off, it would mean me nearly being 21 before I got an apprenticeship, and if I don't get the apprenticeship next year it's a bit worrying. I just can't really decide if I want to go to the safe uni or gamble it all and apply there again but also to some others. My friends have just gone straight into work and my family did the same, I just really am stuck. I have emailed my old college tutor so hopefully he can guide me too. I wish you all the good luck and hopefully you can get the apprenticeship!


Your welcome! I think that in this case playing it safe is a good option, at the end of the day you will get the law degree no matter which university (or apprenticeship) route you choose. Hopefully your tutor can give you a bit more insight, I am sure you would enjoy the university anyway and it might even make you feel comfortable being in university and knowing you are now definitely en route to obtaining a law degree.

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