Taking a gap year - state this on UCAS or not?

[zatarontoast]

DS has to submit his UCAS form in by 25th September (school insist on this) and in the last few days decided he wants to defer to pursue a sport he took up several weeks ago He insists the instructor has told him he can get to an international level very quickly and potentially earn a living from it. I'm despairing about the whole thing but trying to be supportive.

My question is, is it better to apply for deferral now, or is it better to secure a place and then request a deferral? I understand we need to check per course if this is even possible which we will do. DS is very prone to last minute 180 turns so I'm worried that he will apply for deferral and then decide that he actually wants to go, so I feel it is probably better to try to secure a place and then ask for the gap year. What do you all think?

Your main problem is that he doesn't know his mind a minute. He really doesn't know whether he wants to defer or not??
The making a living from a sport he took up a couple of weeks ago is too stupid to be real.

Secure a place then apply for a deferral

Apply now defer later, I defered a week after results day because I wanted to get industry experience first before committing to the degree. (And have some money at uni). Had no issues deferring. Worst case you 're apply in the next cycle.

That’s so early, specially as there’s been no open days due to lockdown, so many students won’t even have had a chance to visit their favourite uni (at least). Is there a particular reason for the early applications?

And while it’s worth double checking, I think your DS can just put one university course down on his form for now, then add others later in the process, if he really has to do it next week.

To be honest though I think I would be talking to his head of year and explaining that while you’re supportive of him getting most of the form completed, your DS doesn't want to apply until later in the year.
The school can’t actually make him apply by the end of September.

@Thisismytimetoshine believe me I know it's so stupid that I actually burst out laughing when I think about it. DS on the other hand think I am not supporting his dreams though I would be highly embarrassed to go into his HOY and tell them his 'career' plans.

Thanks for the advice everyone, will encourage him to apply now and perhaps by next week he will be on to another ridiculous dream career

@CandyLeBonBon

Secure a place then apply for a deferral

Not all courses/unis will agree to this. Apply now and if needs be he can withdraw as late as resukts day or even beyond.

I've been through this several times. Never know a uni to say no but obviously it depends on the course. However, if you CAN do this, it's the best option.