Making your final UCAS choices, another East Midlands gem, and some wisdom about worrying (Copy)
😊 Welcome
A very Happy New Year to you all!
Right now, many students will be finalising their UCAS forms, while others will have received several offers already and will be turning their attention to making their final firm and insurance choices.
So today we start by looking at some super-useful articles that I’ve written in previous years about making those final choices, plus there is a brand new piece with four questions that you should be asking about universities you are considering.
Meanwhile in today’s university snapshot, we look at a university in the East Midlands that definitely merits a closer look!
And we finish with some wisdom about worrying.
✍️Going from five to two choices
Many of you will be receiving offers from your chosen universities. It’s a nervous time, and while some of you will be getting offers promptly within days of applying, others may need to wait weeks, or even months for a decision.
So when you get all these decisions from universities, what happens next? Well, the response is now up to you.
The universities will all be hoping you’ll choose them. They’ll be sending you emails, inviting you to visit days, perhaps even sending you a brochure or two in the post. But the reality is that the power now rests with you. You get to choose which offers to accept!
So, how does it all work, and what should you be thinking about as you accept your offers?
✍️UCAS Applicant Days: What are they and how do you get the most out of them?
Those of you who have applied to UCAS relatively early will be beginning to receive offers from universities. Most of these offers will be accompanied by an invitation to go and visit the university, normally to an event called a UCAS Applicant Day, or something similar.
In this article we’ll be having a look at what these events are, how they differ from University Open Days, and what you should be looking out for if you decide to attend one.
✍️New: Choosing between different universities
Every so often I come across questions that challenge my assumptions about the university applications process.
Right now, loads of students are receiving offers and starting to make firm and insurance decisions. Meanwhile, loads of parents are online asking questions in order to help and support them.
One recent question on a parents facebook group that made me realise just how much I take for granted was a parent asking for thoughts on choosing between Loughborough and Nottingham Trent for sport.
Why is that a surprising thing to ask? Well, I kind of assume that people know the difference. Loughborough: Mid-size campus uni, strong academic reputation (fixture in top 10 in league tables), competitive entry, unrivalled reputation for sport. Nottingham Trent: Large city centre uni, former Polytechnic, professional and vocational focus, straightforward entry grades, mid-table in rankings.
But, it turns out, most parents don’t have an encyclopedic knowledge of universities built in, and nor do they have my 30 years of bias and prejudice to deal with.
They just want to find the place where their sons and daughters will thrive.
So, while you don’t need to be a higher education geek like me in order to make a great choice of university, there are a few questions I suggest you ask about potential universities in order to find the right fit (for you, or your sons and daughters!).
📸 University Snapshot: De Montfort University
Became a university in: 1992
Student population: 27,915 (2022/23)
Location: Campus in Leicester city centre
Subject areas: Art, Design & Humanities, Business & Law, Health & Life Sciences, and Computing, Engineering & Media.
Admissions: Generally straightforward academic requirements; normally around A-levels BBC to BBB, or BTEC Extended Diplomas at DDM. Nursing, Midwifery, Education and creative subjects will normally require an interview, portfolio, audition etc.
Having lived in Leicester for over a decade, I have indeed worked at all three Leicestershire universities. Due to a couple of problematic managers, however, I spent just 9 months at De Montfort.
A shame really, as it has a lot to recommend it.
📢 Quote of the week
“Worrying does not take away tomorrow’s troubles. It takes away today’s peace.”
Randy Armstrong
Musician and composer
This is for all those parents out there who are worrying about their children’s futures and decisions. By all means inform and educate yourselves, support and assist your kids with their decisions, and listen to their worries and uncertainties. But worrying? That won’t help them or you.
Thanks for reading!
Jonathan
🎯 In case you missed it
For students, teachers and parents who are looking to quickly check whether a Personal Statement is on-track, don’t forget to check this out (a downloadable pdf is also available):
