UCAS. Timing of application. Any disadvantage?

[jewel1968]

Is there any disadvantage to leaving it until January to submit UCAS application. An admissions officer at a university event we attended emphasised that students should get their applications in as soon as possible and no later than mid November as this gives the university more time to fully consider the application.

Tutor and teacher at school saying something similar but head of Dept is saying it makes no difference and wants DS to sit mock in January before finally deciding on predicted grade. Any thoughts? Thanks

It depends if it's a course and/or university that will interview. If so, there is a lot of benefit in applying sooner to try and get interviews out of the way so your DS can concentrate on his mocks and A levels.

Hi Jewel,
There was a thread about exactly this a few weeks ago. I'll try to link:

UCAS Thread

Lots of info that might help.

There's also an ongoing (very lovely) thread for parents of year 13s where we share information and experiences, in Further Education, come and join us!

Good Luck to your DS with his application.

sorry forgot the link to that one!
year 13 thread

Thanks guys

Absolutely not and that admissions officer needs shooting for peddling out that sort of shit

Long held belief from MN professionals that there is no advantage. A professional has broken ranks and appears to be lending weight to the anecdotes that support early application! How many more will be unearthed!?

Get it out of the way! Don’t sweat on it all over Christmas. Just sensible really!

It depends on it there are interviews or entry tests. Teacher courses for example you have to do a maths and English test. It has to be done after you submit your application but before you start the uni course and some units tt it before interview. The earlier you apply the better in that case

How many more will be unearthed!?

None. It ain't rocket science. There are more places than applicants. The UCAS contract requires equal consideration to early and late (pre Jan deadline) applicants. No institution would risk being banned from using UCAS.

Thanks all. Read other thread. Very useful. Head of Dept has now given predicted grade wanted and won't make him wait until mocks. So will submit very soon. Psychologically better so he can focus on studying.