The Student Room Group

Wrong info on UCAS, problem?

So I am care experienced and I put that on my UCAS form this year, however I was in care as a child so I didn't know exactly how long I had been there for, I asked my parents and they said 9 months so I put 3months - 1year option on ucas, UCL has recently asked me to get confirmation from my local authority that I am care experienced. The issue is when I got the confirmation email from my local authority he replied saying I was not in fact there for 3months - 1 year but for 21 months meaning ive selected the wrong category for "time spent in care" and I should have clicked 1year-3years on my UCAS form but I didn't know this at the time and I can't change it now cause you can't edit your UCAS form after you've sent it off. My question is will I get in trouble with my other unis for putting the wrong time period (accidentally clicked a shorter one), UCL replied to say thanks for the confirm not sure if their nonchalant response will be shared by the other unis tho. I didn't want to put that I was care experienced initially cause I was told this information could weaken my application, but I was unsure whether they would know if I lied about having never been in care so put it down just in case. I think the reason for this dramatic post is cause imperial decisions are coming soon and I've made a mistake on my application that might be noticed if they ask for confirmation to know how long ive been in care for and they're told that I was in there for longer than advertised.
(edited 1 month ago)
Original post by WorriedUser4737
So I am care experienced and I put that on my UCAS form this year, however I was in care as a child so I didn't know exactly how long I had been there for, I asked my parents and they said 9 months so I put 3months - 1year option on ucas, UCL has recently asked me to get confirmation from my local authority that I am care experienced. The issue is when I got the confirmation email from my local authority he replied saying I was not in fact there for 3months - 1 year but for 21 months meaning ive selected the wrong category for "time spent in care" and I should have clicked 1year-3years on my UCAS form but I didn't know this at the time and I can't change it now cause you can't edit your UCAS form after you've sent it off. My question is will I get in trouble with my other unis for putting the wrong time period (accidentally clicked a shorter one), UCL replied to say thanks for the confirm not sure if their nonchalant response will be shared by the other unis tho. I didn't want to put that I was care experienced initially cause I was told this information could weaken my application, but I was unsure whether they would know if I lied about having never been in care so put it down just in case. I think the reason for this dramatic post is cause imperial decisions are coming soon and I've made a mistake on my application that might be noticed if they ask for confirmation to know how long ive been in care for and they're told that I was in there for longer than advertised.

Don’t worry you’ve acted in good faith.

I would suggest that you email your other choices to let them know that when you asked for proof from your local authority you found out that you were in care for longer than you selected on your UCAS application.
As above - its not a big problem, don't worry.

They ask for the proof because its an easy box to just tick, and its not the length of care, its the proof that you were in care at all that they need. With anything like this, it worth sending a copy of the LA email to each Uni and explaining - honestly is always the best policy, and they won't mind about your initial mistake.
Reply 3
Being in care is a very strong widening access criteria. It won’t weaken your application.
Reply 4
UCL counts care experienced as three months or more in care. If you get an offer, you might want to explore the bursary they mention: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/students/support-and-wellbeing-services/additional-information/specific-student-groups/care-experienced
UCAS can change it on your application,email or call them. Also email your unis after ucas has changed it to see if they have seen the change

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