Making University Decisions

Hi all,

I received my final offer last week for uni to study earth/ env science and now I have many questions surrounding making the choice that is right for me.
I have received offers from:
St Andrews ABB
Lancaster ABB (BBB if I firm)
Hull BBC
York BBB
Bangor BBB
These are roughly in the order that I would want to go to each on but this is very subject to change, I have attended all of the open days but I only have slight recollection and I am very easily swayed.

I am predicted 3A*s though I doubt I'll achieve this - regardless I reckon I will easily get ABB as I have never got below an A. St Andrew's is my top choice but Lancaster was my second. Since these will have the same requirements what would happen if I put Lancaster as my 2nd choice - would this just waste the insurance? Also, how quickly should I be responding to these offers; will I be able to attend the offer holder days for the ones that I am interested in before replying?

I have tried the whole pro con list and ranked them on excel and stuff but yk it's a big choice that I don't want to rush.
Thanks if anyone replies.

Reply 1

neptune_

the response deadline isn't until the first week of june so you'll be able to attend offer holder days / applicant visit days with lots of time left to reflect upon your experiences and thoughts!

as for firm and insurance, whilst it is usually recommended you put a lower, you must also be 100% okay with going to your insurance. i'm in a similar situation atm and i'm just having to weigh everything up so i know how it feels. just make sure you thoroughly research each course to see your preferences (e.g. if you really wanna learn about volcanoes but x places doesn't do that) and maybe take notes when / if you revisit for offer holder days. going with questions beforehand will also make sure you can have everything answered and don't miss anything out. there's also unibuddy (?) on most university pages that allow you to speak to current students on the courses you've applied to so it may also be worth seeing if you can ask any specific questions before the offer holder days come about!

i imagine you already have, but you might also wanna consider the types of places each are versus what you're looking for! (nightlife, things to do, proximity to city, proximity to transport links etc)

number one piece of advice would be not to rush it. let the next few months happen and see where you're feeling closer to, if not at the start of, exam season. worst thing you could do is jump in and firm an offer you eventually realise you don't want.

it's s stressful thing so good luck!!

Reply 2

McGinger

You have until JUNE to decide this.
Plenty of time to go to Offer Holder visit days, hear more about the course in detail, look around, ask questions and think carefully about the reality of being at that Uni, and what it would be like living in that place for 4 years.

Making this decisions way too early - and regretting it - is one of the most common mistakes applicants make.
Remember, once you have entered your F&I choices, your other choices/offers disappear and you cannot get them back.
Resist all pressure from parents, school or even from the Unis themselves, to make an earlier decision. Your attitude towards your choices will flip back and forth over the next few months, so any decision made before about Easter is risky.