University decisions

One of the young people I volunteer with recently turned 18, which means that it's become quite a stressful time for her lately. Mainly because she's now hit that crucial age where she decides whether or not she would like to go to university. We had a long chat about it the other day, and I gave her a few hints and tips, but it made me realise that she probably wouldn't be the only one going through this so thought I would put some thoughts together on here for anybody else in the same boat.

Know your distance. 

There are so many universities and if you are determined not to go too far from home, this can really help you to narrow your options. I know, it can feel like a total maze, lost and surrounded by grades with no idea of where you're heading. 

Your course. 

Is there a specific module you have your heart set on? If quite a few universities offer it, make sure they're top of your visit list. That said, leave yourself open to change, because it will really upset you if you do not get a course with that module. 

Don't limit yourself. 

You will have been told by your career advisor to put more than one option down on your ucas form,and ensure that at least one requires slightly lower entry grades. It's not a reflection on your ability to get the grades you want, rather on the huge amount of competition from other potential students. To put it into perspective, the postgraduate course I want to get onto has 70 places for 700 applicants. Difference between that and an undergraduate course is that very few universities offer the course I need so I can't apply to multiple. If you can, do it. 

Please do visit your options! 

So many people I went to college with left university after the first six months because they had had no idea where they were going. This is particularly true if you end up somewhere as a result of clearing. 

These are just a few pointers for anyone who really doesn't know where to start, but I really hope they'll be of use to some of you out there. 

Have any of you been to uni? What are your top tips for applying?