UCAS form submitted, and so the email deluge begins ...

[bombard]

[Light hearted]
DS submitted his UCAS form a couple of days ago, so has now received acknowledgements from all 5 unis and invitations to log into accounts on their websites so he can "track" his application, upload information that they say is needed to "complete" his application, view messages from their admissions teams, etc. From memory, when my older son did this, he then received many more emails from each of the 5 unis, with some sending up to 2-3 messages a week. He was never sure whether it was safe to unsubscribe without missing something important, or whether his application might be partly judged on whether he logged in or not (I know, it is unlikely, but that's easy for me to say when it's not my application 🙂). It's all a little at odds with the concept of a centralised admissions hub, and I can't help thinking it would be nice to at least get past the offer stage before the marketing begins!

Did he set it all up using his school email address? That way it keeps the uni stuff separate from personal emails. We found some unis were very persistent, whereas others just sent things via post.

DS sent his today. I deliberately created a new email address linked to the family one so that DH and I have visibility of what is coming in and can make sure nothing is missed. I know this sounds like helicopter parenting but DS has ADHD and is the most disorganised being on the planet and using the school email backfired for older child when the email account was deleted in July.

You can switch over the main contact email once you get your offers, so you aren't stuck with using a school email which might be deleted once they leave.

Ha, yes, teens don't really do emails do they?

You should never use your school email and I think the ucas website tells you that. He can’t unsubscribe as he will miss stuff. I’m assuming he’s an early entrant and Cambridge especially ask for a significant amount of extra ‘stuff’.

He's not applying to Oxbridge, but many from his school do, so they're all encouraged to apply early if they know where they want to apply. Gets it out of the way.

Use filters, one for each university.
That way they each have their own inbox.

I'm glad it's not just us. We are overseas and thought this nonsense of portals etc was especially so overseas students could upload all the forms - for fees, certificates of achievement, etc.

My DD just got an offer though this week, unconditional (based on existing grades) so its starting to feel worth it.

It's now part of our evening routine. "Checked your emails today, DS?" He's filled out some online 'more information' portals and found an offer that way!

DD's uni overshot their numbers this year, and those who missed replying to the email to confirm that they wanted accommodation have not got rooms in halls. In some cases it had gone to junkmail. So if your child is not good at dealing with emails, keeping an eye is not a bad idea!