Received multiple offers and don’t know how to choose? Weighing up the merits of each and feeling divided, stressed and confused? You’re not the first prospective university student to feel stuck and you won’t be the last. Every summer, thousands of students go through the exact same process. BUT… there are ways of whittling it down until you are left with your final choice.
Attend Applicant Days
Even if you have attended one of the open days at your top 2-3 choices, you should attend an applicant day. These are designed to give you a better feel for the place and nothing beats getting the real experience. Consider everything – the accommodation, the general vibe about the place, the location, transport links and even how much you like the faculty. Sometimes, students reject universities on their gut alone and this is perfectly fine.
Look at Accommodation Cost
Accommodation will, by far, be your biggest living expense. Never choose a university purely on accommodation cost. However, it should be a consideration when whittling down. Look through Pads for Student’s accommodation listing. We have property listings for virtually every university town. It isn’t just a north-south divide. You’ll see prices between towns or cities close together can vary wildly. You can also get cheaper accommodation slightly farther away from campus.
Consider Non-Academic Support Services
Some issues you might not have considered are the other support services. By this we mean access to such facilities as medical services. Most universities have on-site medical staff including nurses and GPs. Where they are on campus (and which campus if your intended institute has several) are important, as are the universities policies on disability support. Look also at the Student Union. What services do they have? What support do they offer?
Compare Courses
If all else fails, which courses or modules within those courses appeal most? Let’s say you’re looking to study history. One university has experts in 19th and 20th century history but you’re more interested in the constitutional and political history of the 17th and 18th centuries. If the second is more in line with your preferences, it would be unwise to choose former. Going with your strengths and interests could mean the difference between a good or an average degree mark.
Final Note: Always Choose a Backup
Unless the offer from your final choice university is unconditional, you should always keep a backup. If your top offer is conditional on your grades, choose a backup that is unconditional or whose grade requirements are comfortably lower than your top choice. Your predicted grades are just that and you shouldn’t rely on getting them. The right second choice could mean the difference between going to university this year, having to resit one of your exams, or entering clearing.