September - tools to help you choose

To make the best application you can, you need ...

Information, information, information

Two important sources of information you may use when choosing where to apply to university or college are:

• league tables
• UCAS Guide

Now you're at the stage when you're beginning to refine your ideas and move from dreaming to planning. So you need to look beyond the lists of subjects and facilities on offer at the various universities and colleges and perhaps begin to research prospectuses, websites and open days. Attending open days is very useful as you can have a look around the university or college for yourself.

Another fruitful source of information is to see what other people think. This brings with it, however, a need for a cautionary note: other people's opinions might be irrelevant to you! They might be based on quite different criteria and needs from yours. Other people will be judging what's available to fit in with their interests, family situation, qualifications, special needs and other various requirements - these might or might not overlap with yours.

 

You can also find the answers you need at UCAS Connect - watch how-to guides and video responses to questions about applying, or type a question into the search box to get instant answers. You can also read through the blog of six UCAS applicants.

League tables

The more you look at league tables the more detail you can discover. One source is Unistats - and your job is to sort out what matters to you and what doesn't. The better informed you are the more likely it is that you will make a good choice - but don't give too much weight to what other people have judged 'best' without knowing more of what they mean by the term. They might be talking about laboratory equipment and you might be more concerned about the nightlife - or vice versa! If library access is restricted, it might be because there was a fire, rather than that the university was under-resourced - and the replacement library might be better than ever. You need to look for the stories behind the numbers.

UCAS Guide

The UCAS Guide contains advice and information about the entire research and application process. Bringing together the expertise of UCAS staff, along with insights and tips from well known universities including Oxford and Cambridge, and students who are involved with or have experienced the process first-hand. The book clearly sets out the information you need in a step-by-step format, through your entire journey into higher education.

Find out more when you visit

This sort of information can also be useful if you visit a university or college. If you are invited for interview you can ask a question or two based on your research and get a more fleshed-out version tailored for your own particular situation. Or it can give you a lead about the various facilities to investigate on an open day, just to check something out, for instance.

Finally ...

Such research is an essential part of making sure you make the best application to the right choices for you. It will help you piece everything together into the application so it shows off the best of you. And don't forget to watch our 'how to' guide to Apply on www.ucas.tv!