UCAS - Application Time

With the 'research' done and the 5 unis chosen, now came the time for the actual application.

UCAS, United Colleges and Asmissions Service, or the organisation through which you apply to the higher education courses in the UK. A centralized application system for the entire nation. Now that is something worth writing about.

It's unimaginable how this organization is actually so well organized! We have unequivocally been raving about this entire application procedure to our family and friends. Physically we didn't have to move more than just a few fingers - for typing, that is. And that's actually it!

Each and everything is given in detail, not just for reading but youtube videos demonstrating, directing, holding your hand and taking you through the entire procedure.  Hats off to you guys!

Do please keep the following few things in mind before applying:

1. The application dates and deadlines. All clearly stated on the website. The registrations are now open for  admissions in September, 2013. That means the students of class 12th and final year undergraduates should now be neck deep into the procedure.

2. Ask your teachers to write down 12th finals predicted marks for you on a school letterhead, subject-wise with each teacher's signature. This is not normally done in Indian schools, so you will have to explain exactly what you want. Also you will require a letter of reference (LOR) from either your present class teacher or a subject teacher. Find someone who really likes you! These letters should be signed by your principal with the school seal at the end. (Please feel free to ask me for more details, in the comments box.)

3. When registering for UCAS note down the password and username clearly in the same diary you were maintaining for tables and notes (as suggested in my previous post). You can register and save. Come back when you have all you material ready for application. You needn't do everything in one go.

4. Go to the chosen university websites and note down the university code as well as the subject code. Double check. Even if you're taking someone's help for applying, you must ensure these are filled in correctly. We took the help of an authorized consultancy here in Delhi. Back then we weren't too sure it could all have been done ourselves.

5. Prepare to write the most important aspect, if you haven't already -
your PERSONAL STATEMENT.

Questions to UCAS can be asked here

Some international student FAQs can be found here

You can always get in touch with them by calling - 0044 871 468 0 468 (for international calls). Timings - Mon to Fri 8:30 am to 6:00 pm UK time.  We spoke to them a couple of times during the application procedure and were always met with genuine help.


NEXT - ADVICE ON WRITING PERSONAL STATEMENT 

WHICH university-1-the daunting task!

Time to choose THE one! How do you decide which university. For students who are very high scorers it's easy. You score so well that the best universities choose you! However, it's not the same for the others. You need to strike a balance between what you want and what you'll get based on your predicted marks.

Once you've decided on your subject, as discussed in the previous post, google for the university rankings for your specific subject. Make a list of all the universities which offer your choice. Select 20 to 25 from different rank brackets. Most top ones, some above average and a couple of mediocre, as back up, below your expected grades. There is no limit to the number of universities you want to add at this moment. Finally start tabulating it all. Make a table with 8 columns as follows:

Columns:

1. Name of the Uni, as it's usually shortened to in the UK. Leave at least 5 to 6 lines after each name.
2. Cost per year. Not just cost of tuition but boarding, etc too. And if it offers scholarships. Though from my research there aren't many for Indian/International under-graduates. Most scholarships offered are for students who want to pursue post-graduation and higher degrees.
3. Ranking. Have 2/3 sub divisions for different rankings in this. For World-QS/World-Times/UK, etc. Though don't rely heavily on the rankings alone.
4. Subject. That this Uni offers, the exact name plus is it an honors degree and is it accredited. As in the case of Broadcast Journalism, the recognized accreditation is BJTC.
5. Entry requirement. Most of the unis state the exact requirement for Indian Board Examinations. Look for subject specific requirement which is usually different from the general university requirement. Email and ask, if in doubt. You will get a prompt reply.
6. Alumni. Famous alumni especially related to your subject may tip the scales in favour, especially  when it becomes difficult to decide between two.

7. Location. Where in UK is it. How would you reach from the international airport and how long does it take. However, again this can be the deciding factor only in case of two equally acclaimed unis. And in no way means that all universities close to London are better!

8. Others. Leave this column for any extra comments you would like to add. For example, if you've emailed them and are waiting for a reply or the date when their representatives are visiting your city or even something about their accommodation.

Visit chat rooms and keep googling using different words each time to dig out as much information as possible about each university that interests you. Here are the links to some I found very useful.

 Push - especially their university guides.

The student room - I picked up a lot of good information (plus a lot of gossip!) from here. Type in the exact name/subject you want information about in the search box at the top, right hand corner. Spend time sifting through all the chats to get what you want.

UCAS - The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, highly informative and dependable site.
Click on the red coloured links on the left hand.

The British Council - For information about various courses, universities and many important related topics of settling in and staying on, etc.

QS-Study in UK - (one amongst many such which give loads of Info) - click on the names of Universities given.

I also googled 'worst unis in UK' to strike a few universities off my list! Of course you will have to take everything you read with a pinch of salt. Use your wisdom and don't believe everything you come across, good or bad.

Additionally, visit all 'study abroad/UK' exhibitions to meet the representatives of various universities. Make a list of all possible questions beforehand to ask them. Make a note of the answers they give (to tabulate them later) to be added to your table. I remember the first one we visited was the British Council's 'Education UK Exhibition'. Amongst many we met the admissions officer of 'London City University' who told my daughter to spend at least a day with a journalist and know more about this profession. Which she dutifully did, later to be added in her personal statement.

Once your table is ready it will become easier for you to compare and contrast. Keep writing down tips that you come across in your readings from various sites. Add stars or strike off, write 'not good reviews', 'very good subject content' or 'highly rated for journalism', etc, as and when you're sure. Thus narrowing down to a few chosen ones. For the simple reason that you can't apply to as many as you want but to only 5, through UCAS.

Be careful!

1. The names of universities can be similar and thus confusing. Be sure which one you want. If there is Sheffield then there is Sheffield Hallam. Leeds University and Leeds Metropolitan University. Nottingham and Nottingham Trent university, etc. One may be good for certain subjects while the other may not match your requirements. Do a thorough check.

2. Always check the International students ratio. This will give you a good picture in terms of its international popularity.
3. If it's possible speak/email to any current Indian student at that university. 

4. Be sure of the value the programme will add to your education. Even if it is the 'name tag', it should be worth all the money spent. 

5. Be extremely careful of fake universities. A fake university will certainly not be there on any world league table of top 200, for example. And you will certainly pick up something about it in the chat room discussions. You can't be duped if you've done your homework well.

NEXT - WHICH university - the final 5 

WHY this blog at all?!

Sending a child abroad for studies is a major decision in the life of any parent. Especially Indian parents because of huge finances and long distances involved in sending children to US or UK. These being the two most popular destinations for Indian students. The other two being Canada and Australia, in that order.

When we started thinking of sending our only daughter abroad, we started asking around. Friends, relatives, neighbours and anyone who had even the slightest inkling to people with deepest insights. Then of course, there was the internet. The internet had hours and hours and yet more hours of material worth reading on thousands of sites! It was exciting but extremely overwhelming. If it had been for any other reason, I would have probably skimmed through the sites to jump to a conclusion. But the fact remains that an undergraduate degree happens to be a notably important factor in your child's life, as important as his or her schooling. So I couldn't just skim over, in fact I read the really fine print and went into details. And boy did I go into the details!

I spent a whole year and more, researching and jotting everything down. Roughly, in the beginning but had a properly maintained journal by the end. And now that my daughter's safely and happily settling down in the University of Leeds, I've got down to noting down all the points of how that journal came to be and what's in it. To the tiniest important detail.

My journey as a parent and a guide. For these couple of years, especially.

I am writing this blog as a way of helping other parents and students who may be as lost as I was to begin with. I hope this provides clarity and gives some useful insights. Thus making it easier for everybody to take one of the most important decisions of life!

NEXT - WHY study in the UK