UCAS DEADLINE - 15 JANUARY 2013

Good evening everyone...

I know it's been a hectic and panicky week for most of you and rest assured, the Careers dept is working around the clock to meet your needs and process your UCAS applications. However, whilst, we are busy handling the UCAS applications, there would be some 'lost' students who miraculously just found out that the SMSA Pre-U Careers and Higher Education Dept exists eventhough we have been around throughout SMSA's sixth form existence...

To be brief, I would like to clarify a few important details...

1. Applying to UCAS: so why should you apply to UCAS? Well if you are planning to study in the UK via scholarships or privately then you must apply to UCAS and through SMSA.

2. Is UCAS for every student who 'wishes' to study in the UK?

Well, to study in the UK is competitive as you are not the only country applying to UK. Hence, each UK university offers their courses with specific requirements e.g Mechanical Engineering in Nottingham University may probably require 3 A levels with a minimum of AAA in your A level subjects and so forth. Now if you think you do not meet the requirements of the university you dream of studying in then it is wise to think of other options.

3. UCAS deadline: Tuesday, 15th January 2013

This deadline has been notified by UCAS with the following message:

Please be aware that the on time deadline of Tuesday 15 January is approaching. We recommend that all relevant applications are sent to UCAS by 17:30 to ensure help and support is available, should you require it.

If your students are applying for courses with a 15 January deadline, please make sure that you have completed the references for these, and sent their applications to UCAS before the deadline of 23:59 on Tuesday. Any applications for these courses received at UCAS after this time will be marked as late and are not guaranteed consideration.

To check the deadline of the courses(s) your applicants are applying to, please use Course Search. Courses with a later deadline include selected Art and Design courses.

4.  According to the above statement, students with courses that are only accepted on 15/1 should send their applications ASAP. The following will be SMSA's deadlines:

Reference forms: Saturday, 12th January 2013 (12pm)

UCAS applications & personal statements: Monday, 14th January 2013

If you do not meet the above deadlines, then you are able to wait until your results are out in Mid-February and apply UCAS in March via SMSA. 

5. Can students apply after the Jan 15th deadline?

Yes, you can. The same process applies but this time you can wait for your results to come out then apply. This will apply to students who are not confident in their results  and students who have applied but have not received satisfactory forecast results will be advised to take this option. Don't worry, you will have your chance and there's no need to rush. This way you still have time to research available courses and universities as well as work on your personal statements with your GP tutors. 

I hope this is clear to everyone.
P/S: if you wish to see me personally, I will be teaching sets 1 and 6 but other career officers are around to help you if necessary.

Signing out,

Miss UK