Reapplying with (unplanned) Gap year

[nacras]

Due to various personal circumstances my DC has not gone to Uni this year - very last minute decision (day before going) - & reapplying this year, largely to places applied & had offers from last year.
Part of issue was wasnt sure of location but obviously nothing in clearing this year
Not sure what to put on P/statement re Gap year as not really doing anything relevant/helpful to course & has rel grades. Really doing it for MH & to improve confidence. Dc hoping to work then travel but obviously covid dependant.
DCs been told to say how this year will make them a better applicant but really struggling so any thoughts appreciated
Also does anyone know how applicants holding relevant grades will be looked at this year with all over-allocation ? In previous years I assume you could merrily apply to anywhere you had grades but should DC be applying somewhere with lower grades?
Any help greatly appreciated as all been incredibly stressful. thank you!

One obvious comment is that unless the subject being applied for (and / or at either Oxford or Cambridge) is one with an October 15th deadline, he's got another couple of months to get a 'plan' together to be mentioned in his PS. No rush to get the application in just now.

He really does not need to mention the gap year if he hasn't done any relevant work experience or courses etc relevant to his course he is applying for. Of course even a part time job can be mentioned as a way to demonstrate commitment and responsibility.

He may decide to do some reading or courses during his year out and can of course add these stating that during my gap year I have kept active by reading/course and his views on them if he wants.

However the reality is he can use exactly the same personal statement if he wants.

He should be fine applying this year with his grade as this year's A levels whilst being lower percentage A*/A will not be back to pre covid rates until 2023.

Hi there. My DS is in the same situation. Had a place to start at a uni and cancelled it on Sept 10th (their latest cancellation date) in order to reapply elsewhere. It was a hard decision to make as he had a 'bird in the hand' so to speak in these tricky times. Tbh I don't think he's too worried about how a 2nd gap year will look on his PS. I'm really not sure that unis are going to be bothered or even look that closely as long as your grades are ok. It might be worth mentioning that they intend to get some experience of XYZ or read up more about XYZ (all subject related) but beyond Oxbridge I doubt that many admissions people would be that bothered. The caveat is usually that if it's a maths-y subject, you really need to keep up your Maths.

@SeasonFinale @MarchingFrogs- many thanks for comments but sorry slightly confused (too much going on!)
He wants to apply asap so sorted but as its at beginning of gap year does he say I'm planning on doing reading/courses etc as obviously wont of done them yet. To be honest had no intention of taking year but became very anxious as leaving approached & decided was best to spend year becoming more confident. Thanks

I think it would be fine to keep most of his existing PS and just add a little bit at the end saying he's now on a gap year and plans to do XYZ in that year that is relevant to his subject. See my earlier post - if it's a maths-y subject than I think this is very important. If not maths-y then it's possibly less important. I don't think admissions people necessarily go through with a fine tooth comb seeing who's on a gap year or not.

If he is not applying for Oxbridge he will be better off applying after 15 October.

If he has specific plans he can mention them. Some unis don't even read the personal statement except in a tie break situation. Do you have an idea of which unis and what subject?

Or medicine or vet med ( I should add)

Dd did this. Think she vaguely mentioned some possible relevant plans (which went awry) but on the whole just updated what she had previously used. Got unconditional offers from all five, including the one she withdrew from and is there now,