Changing application too late?

creamsnugjumper · 2025-01-10T00:24:49+00:00

My DS has just had a chat and decide he's selected the wrong course, he's been accepted on 3 already but wants to change direction entirely. A quick google tells me he's got until the 29th to apply, but given his application is already submitted how do we navigate this? My plan is to phone UCAS in the morning and ask as his Alevel teachers are all striking currently, so I can't talk to them. I'd rather him not waste a year even though he's a young one (August). Anyone had similar? Or any advice really appreciated.

crumblingschools · 10/01/2025 00:29

Has he submitted more than 14 days ago. If not there is a cooling off period and can change options.

If more than 14 days technically he can reject all offers and at some point (not sure when) go through Extra, where you apply one university/course at a time.

Or can look at clearing

Or start again next year

Not sure what happens with personal statement if you go through Extra, as I assume it is tailored towards the original courses applied for

Pinkissmart · 10/01/2025 00:33

He can change his application within 14 days.

If 14 days has already expired. and he wants the university, but a slightly different course, he can contact the university and ask if they can change it. Ensure you check entry criteria carefully. He may need to submit an additional statement.

Pinkissmart · 10/01/2025 00:36

By the way, it is often possible to submit a statement directly to the department in question at the university.

Can you give us an idea of what the old/ new courses are?

Original poster

creamsnugjumper · 10/01/2025 00:37

Thank you, it's a different university and different course, so graphic design to marketing & business.

And he applied more than 14 days ago, it was before Christmas when he got his offers.

So maybe a new application is needed? And a quick decision.

OP posts:

crumblingschools · 10/01/2025 00:47

You can’t do a full new application. Look up Extra on UCAS website. Explains what you can do and when

Pinkissmart · 10/01/2025 07:37

I agree. Extra. He cannot be holding any offers to be eligible for Extra, so would need to decline offers or withdraw his application from those universities.

I’m more curious about why the big change?
Did he not go visit the universities he applied to? If not, why not? If he loved those universities enough to apply, they are likely to offer Business and Marketing as it is a widely offered degree. He could ask the universities he liked if he can swap to the Business/ Marketing degree.

If the course he likes is still available during the’Extra’ part of the cycle, he should get in touch with that uni and have a word about applying. If it is available and he still wants to apply, he can withdraw/ decline any offers he has received.

If the course is not available during Extra, he can keep an eye on it for Clearing. Or he may need to take a Gap year and reapply

Cakeandusername · 10/01/2025 07:58

I wouldn’t see a gap as wasted year especially if really young. Better to be sure and a year spent working/volunteering etc and to grow up a bit than starting and dropping out. I’d be concerned a massive change of direction at this stage shows he isn’t ready.

Original poster

creamsnugjumper · 10/01/2025 08:17

crumblingschools · 10/01/2025 00:47

You can’t do a full new application. Look up Extra on UCAS website. Explains what you can do and when

Thank you, I'm on the case this morning, that's so helpful.

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Original poster

creamsnugjumper · 10/01/2025 09:14

Pinkissmart · 10/01/2025 07:37

I agree. Extra. He cannot be holding any offers to be eligible for Extra, so would need to decline offers or withdraw his application from those universities.

I’m more curious about why the big change?
Did he not go visit the universities he applied to? If not, why not? If he loved those universities enough to apply, they are likely to offer Business and Marketing as it is a widely offered degree. He could ask the universities he liked if he can swap to the Business/ Marketing degree.

If the course he likes is still available during the’Extra’ part of the cycle, he should get in touch with that uni and have a word about applying. If it is available and he still wants to apply, he can withdraw/ decline any offers he has received.

If the course is not available during Extra, he can keep an eye on it for Clearing. Or he may need to take a Gap year and reapply

Edited

So the one he's go into is a pure arts uni so no other courses.

I'm in the industry myself and my eldest has almost competed his degree in design and our industry's is in total free fall.

I'm sure it may recover but he's thinking of shifting to marketing/business related courses, while still doing his design elements but more as a skill he enjoys than a full time career move.

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Original poster

creamsnugjumper · 10/01/2025 09:16

Cakeandusername · 10/01/2025 07:58

I wouldn’t see a gap as wasted year especially if really young. Better to be sure and a year spent working/volunteering etc and to grow up a bit than starting and dropping out. I’d be concerned a massive change of direction at this stage shows he isn’t ready.

I'm stating to think the same, but he's in a relationship, and that's having a big bearing on his decisions or lack off, as his girlfriend isn't going down the uni route.

So much as I support his relationship I think going away will be a good move for him to get some independence.

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Tunnockslover · 10/01/2025 18:35

We are in the same position. Dd has decided that the vocational degree is not for her and wants to change to a BA instead at the same uni. I thought we had this all done and dusted now we will probably have clearing stress.

Pinkissmart · 10/01/2025 18:37

Tunnockslover · 10/01/2025 18:35

We are in the same position. Dd has decided that the vocational degree is not for her and wants to change to a BA instead at the same uni. I thought we had this all done and dusted now we will probably have clearing stress.

Tell your daughter to call the university and ask if she can change the choice

Tunnockslover · 10/01/2025 18:50

thank you @Pinkissmart, I thought this would only work for a similar course. We are going back for an open day next week and will take it from there. I thought this was my easy child!

Original poster

creamsnugjumper · 11/01/2025 01:01

It's a big decision to make, so I do understand some hesitation. But getting the balance of saying what's best, and staying neutral is tricky.

I think we are off to some more open days, and I thought I was done! But it's ok, I'm a firm believer of things happening for a reason.

It's like a sliding doors moment for these guys.

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TinyMouseTheatre · 11/01/2025 07:13

Cakeandusername · 10/01/2025 07:58

I wouldn’t see a gap as wasted year especially if really young. Better to be sure and a year spent working/volunteering etc and to grow up a bit than starting and dropping out. I’d be concerned a massive change of direction at this stage shows he isn’t ready.

Definitely not a waste.

Our DC1 ended up having a year like this and worked. They grew up so much and understood more about why they wanted a degree.

By the time they got to Uni they'd saved quite a bit of money and gained some very valuable skills.

Original poster

creamsnugjumper · 11/01/2025 07:26

@TinyMouseTheatre that's good to hear, did they travel or just work?

I'd need him to be driving if he took a year as we are rural, and I'm already a bit taxied out!!

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TinyMouseTheatre · 11/01/2025 07:32

creamsnugjumper · 11/01/2025 07:26

@TinyMouseTheatre that's good to hear, did they travel or just work?

I'd need him to be driving if he took a year as we are rural, and I'm already a bit taxied out!!

They did a month travelling before Uni started with a DFriend who wasn't going to Uni and worked.

We did have to do lifts at first. They had a retail job on minimum wage in the next town which also gave a great insight into what liked is like for a lot of other people

We're also fairly rural but they quickly found a better job within walking distance that they now do in the holidays from Uni.

I can understand you wanting him to go away. It's difficult to get the balance right balance between wanting what's best for them and pushing what you want onto them. For us working for a year made them want to go away even more.

yogasam · 11/01/2025 07:43

Cakeandusername · 10/01/2025 07:58

I wouldn’t see a gap as wasted year especially if really young. Better to be sure and a year spent working/volunteering etc and to grow up a bit than starting and dropping out. I’d be concerned a massive change of direction at this stage shows he isn’t ready.

This, with bells on

Original poster

creamsnugjumper · 11/01/2025 07:53

Thanks all, he already has a job so could just increase hours, do some traveling and stay home.

Maybe I need to chat to him and say we'd support this route as well, he's a really hard worker so Im sure he would save lots. And we have many friends overseas and family so he could travel.

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Pinkissmart · 11/01/2025 10:09

Tunnockslover · 10/01/2025 18:50

thank you @Pinkissmart, I thought this would only work for a similar course. We are going back for an open day next week and will take it from there. I thought this was my easy child!

I’m forever surprised by how flexible some universities are. Generally speaking, as long as you meet the entry criteria, and spaces are available, they will swap. Generally!

crumblingschools · 11/01/2025 10:12

I’m guessing many universities just want bums on seats. Explains why more universities were dropping grade requirements in clearing last year

Original poster

creamsnugjumper · 13/01/2025 22:39

@crumblingschools it really does seem that way, looks like the course he would like has spaces. Also a good uni that I assumed would be full up!

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SockFluffInTheBath · 15/01/2025 20:16

My DS did this last year. He dithered about accepting any of his offers and eventually confessed he’d changed his mind. Exams were looming at this stage. Got him to accept the offer at the uni he liked so he could get into the accommodation system with the plan to look at other courses there. The day after his last exam he emailed their admissions team and said he had an offer for x course, would love to swap to y course if they had any space. They asked him to rewrite his personal statement then just moved his offer onto the new course.