Help - error on application form

[AugustRose]

We have a big problem - DS1's UCAS has been sent and on Sunday he received his first offer only for us to discover the start date is Sept 16 instead of Sept 15 on all his choices.

The school say it is because he has highlighted the defer for a year button but he says he didn't - I asked why they did not verify this with him as the application was looked over by 3 different staff (2 of whom knew he was applying for next year) and they simply say it's not for them to question if a student wishes to defer.

The upshot is that UCAS can't do anything and he now has to phone each of the 5 universities and explain the situation. The problem is that he isn't the most confident on the phone, any help as to what he can say so that he doesn't sound like an incompetent kid not worthy of a place would great.

Am feeling rather stressed, as is he, after feeling really pleased on Sunday.

Could he email the 5 admissions offices instead?

It think your son needs to start taking more responsibility here. Suggest he goes on the Student Room website himself and asks for advice about how to deal with this. Then let him sort it out.

Thanks for the replies, he has now emailed the universities explaining the error. He has had 3 offers now so I just hope they will still stand for next year instead of the year after.

He has been responsible and is upset about the form as he had it all prepared weeks ago but the school teacher responsible for the reference wasn't doing her side. He doesn't understand how the defered bit got missed. He went onto Student Room but there wasn't much advice on there. Anyway hopefully it will be sorted now.

Fingers crossed for him. If he has offers already it means he's a good candidate so hopefully it will all be ok.

Have you been in touch with UCAS? DD had an error, and we found out that errors can be corrected within 14 days.