Submitting your UCAS application is one of the biggest moments in your university journey, after months of research, attending open events, drafting your personal statement, and searching for your perfect course, it all comes together with one click.
But before you hit that final submit button, it’s worth taking a step back to make sure everything in your application is as strong, accurate, and polished as possible. A few last-minute checks can make the difference between a good application and a great one.
Here are five essential things to do before you send off your UCAS form.
Finalise and re-read your personal statement with fresh eyes
So, you’ve finished writing your application. The first thing you’ll want to do is take a short break from the screen – you’ll have put a lot of time and energy into this so step away and have a quick reset. Returning with a fresh perspective makes it easier to spot any mistakes or anything you want to expand on. As you re-read it, check that your ideas flow, the tone feels right and that it really sounds like you.
Revisit your university research and confirm your course choices
It’s good to go back and check your university choices to make sure you are happy with them. Check that there aren’t any other universities or courses that you might want to consider or any new courses that you might want to research.
Second proof your whole application
Now that you have completed your application, it’s always good to double-check your application in case there is anything you want to update, such as personal details or grades that were pending. This also includes your personal statement. Make sure you’re checking this for grammar, spelling and punctuation.
Get one trusted person to review everything
Once you’ve proofed your whole application, the next step is to get one trusted person to review your application. This can be a personal tutor, a teacher, or a career advisor, who can help spot any mistakes or advise you on how to make your application stand out even more.
Speak with your referee
This is the one part of your application that you can’t do yourself. Speak to your teacher/tutor to make sure they’ve written it for you. This is an important part of your application as it tells universities about you from someone else’s perspective, so don’t leave it until the last minute to check your reference has been completed.
By completing these last essential checks, you’re ensuring that your UCAS application is accurate. Now, with everything in place, you can submit knowing you’ve presented your best self. Good luck!
