Fish's forum

Ready to go?

2008-08-29T03:13:00.000-07:00

I’m back, sorry for the delay in this post, I’ve had a hectic few days!

It’s getting near that time of year when term time starts for a lot of you. As August draws to a close it is time to start thinking about actually starting your course and thinking about what you need to be doing in the meantime?

First on the checklist is your start date. We’re getting calls about when courses officially start. It may well be different for each of you so if you need to check your start date then give your university a call and they will be able to confirm this for you. Secondly you’re a bit worried about your course fees, again give your uni a call and they’ll confirm the amounts and how to pay it.

Some other questions that we get are about accommodation. As your start date is only a few weeks away I assume you’ve sorted all this out but if you were accepted through Clearing it may be something that still needs confirming so…can you guess what I’m about to say? That’s right! Call your uni and chase them for details about accommodation!

On the topic of accommodation, something that may interest you is the competition available on yougofurther.com. They’re offering you the chance to win ‘ everything but the kitchen sink’ to kit out your new place with all the stuff you’ll need for uni, from can openers to lap top bundles! Visit the link for more info www.yougofurther.co.uk/articles/news-and-advice/student_loot/default.aspx

Back to your questions. Some of you are still asking what happens once you have sent your Clearing passport to a uni to confirm your place through Clearing. Technically once you’ve sent it off, your place should be sealed. It’s well worth calling the uni though to check they’ve received it so you can press on with your accommodation and anything else the uni may need from you before you turn up.

I’m in for a quiet one tonight – But is there anything decent on TV? Probably not! I can’t believe I actually sat through that Liverpool game the other night. Disappointing!

Anyway hope that has answered some of your questions and I’ll be back soon.

Festival weekend - enjoy!

2008-08-22T01:36:00.000-07:00

The busy 12 hour shifts have passed and normal service has resumed in the office. But after a very busy but triumphant period over the first few Clearing days there are still many questions still coming through on the phones that need answering.

The main question being that applicants are worried that nothing has updated on Track to confirm an acceptance of a place. If you find yourself in that position then you should call the uni direct to check that they have your results. If they confirm they have these then it’s probably just a case of them still being in the process of considering your application. Don’t panic, give them time and you may still be accepted so sit tight!

If you’re in a position where you have been made unsuccessful but its not showing on track then again call the university or college and see where they are with your form. It can take some time for these decisions to come through so check with the uni direct.

The same goes for people who have been accepted at a uni but now they do not want to attend a particular uni and actually want to go into Clearing. It’s vitally important to note here guys that this is a discussion that has to go on between yourself and the university, as if you have agreed to go to a uni, then you should really honour that contract. You must seek the uni or colleges permission do this before being entered into Clearing. If they agree, we will then send you your Clearing Passport, but remember its at the uni’s discretion.

On a lighter note I booked my tickets for the Oasis concert at Cardiff in October which I’m delighted about. I’ve heard great things about the new Album! I know many of you will be going to Reading Festival this bank holiday weekend. If you are, enjoy yourselves! Think of all the hard work you’ve put in for those A Levels! It’s a great way to celebrate so I’m jealous to all of you that are going!

I’m off for now. Hope it doesn’t rain! But then that’s what festivals are about!

Craig

What a weekend!

2008-08-18T06:30:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all of you who tuned in last night to listen to me on the Sunday Surgery show on Radio 1. I hope the questions raised were helpful!

Miss Kelly Osbourne wasn’t well (hope you feel better soon!) so Greg James filled in on the show. Both he and his team were brilliant on the night, so a big thank you go out to them for making us (two of my UCAS buddies came along as well) all feel welcome.

After an early start, nice hotel fry up and a smooth train journey home, I’m back on the phones answering all your questions again.

Remember If you still need advice on Clearing or your current status, just give us a call as usual on 0871 468 0 468 at UCAS and we’ll talk you through it.

I’ll be back soon with some answers to some frequently asked questions that I’ll gather up today so keep your eye on that. You can always view the webchats on www.yougofurther.co.uk for even more help and advice in the mean time!

Craig.

Hope it went well!

2008-08-15T03:22:00.000-07:00

Hi guy's, just a quick one today as it's still really busy on the phones!

I'm just on a quick break from the phones at the moment and thought I'd check in just to say hope it all went well yesterday, even if you didn't get the results you needed, hope you found something through Clearing.

Remember, the important numbers UCAS 0871 468 0 468 and the National Results Helpline 0808 100 8000.

Right, I have to head back to the phones, just managed to get a really sickly chocolate fudge thing and a can of Coke down me and I'm ready to go!

I'll get back to you soon, with something a bit more comprehensive, who knows, maybe I'll speak to some of you today!

Take it easy,

Craig

Good luck!

2008-08-13T08:59:00.000-07:00

Just a quick message to wish everyone expecting their results tomorrow the very best of luck. I remember feeling pretty nervous strolling up to my college on the morning of my results. Just remember you’ve done the best you can, so try not to worry!

So who is on hand to help?

As you know UCAS Customer Services are taking calls from 8am until 8pm for any application queries. For all opening times for tomorrow and beyond head here: www.ucas.com/clearing/adviser.html.

As mentioned before, the Exam Results helpline are available to help with anything related to careers, gap years or any other questions. Check the times on the above link for these guys too.

Yougofurther.co.uk will have an all day presence online too. As well as Amy manning the site all day with your questions, we’ve got special guest Bill Rammell MP dropping in for a web chat at 11am to help with any questions you may have. He’s the Minister of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills so if anyone knows his stuff, this man does. The usual daily UCAS web-chat will run at 3pm as normal so tune in to this one as well.

The University of Bedfordshire(Thursday 14 August, 10pm) and University of Southampton (Friday 15 August, 4pm) are also live on yougo for their own web chats, so go check them out if you need any info from these guys.

On a personally exciting note I’ll be live on the BBC Asian Network radio station @ 11am tomorrow (Thurs) for a live phone in and you can catch me on Radio 1’s, Sunday Surgery, (surprisingly on Sunday evening) at 10pm. Ill be joining presenter Kelly Osbourne to discuss all things careers, which will involve loads of useful info about Clearing too.

If you want to check out news and information relating to all things student, check out www.ukstudentnews.co.uk

That’s all for me, keep your comments coming in and enjoy your evening and just think, it’s nearly time!

Good luck

Craig.

The big week ahead

2008-08-11T08:49:00.000-07:00

Forget the Olympic games for just a sec, (I promise you can return to the Canoe slalom soon!) as this week of course is all about Clearing. It’s nearly time for you to get your results for those of you who haven’t received them already. Thursday is a big day for all concerned so let’s get to one of those crucial questions that you may need answering.

What do you do if you don’t have an insurance choice and you’re made unsuccessful at your firm choice?

Well all this means is that you haven’t achieved the grades required by your firm choice. If this is the case you will automatically be entered for Clearing. (providing you have paid the £15 application fee).

At this stage we will issue you with a Clearing Passport letter which you’ll get in the post. This letter contains your Clearing number (which will also be available online on Track so don’t fear, you don’t have to wait for the post!).

Next, look at the Clearing Vacancy list at www.ucas.com from Thursday and find a uni and course that you’re interested in and get ringing around. Quote them the all important Clearing number and they will check your application and make a decision as to whether they’d like to give you a place on the course.

Just a quick reminder that if you need independent advice things like gap years, employment and more, contact the National Exam Results Helpline on 0808 100 8000. All opening times are available on this link so go check it out when you can @ www.ucas.ac.uk/clearing/adviser.html

Enjoy the next few days, oh and you can get back to the Olympics now. Andy Murry is out of the tennis already but the swimmers are going well!! I’ll pop back before the big day.

Good luck!!

Craig

Jumpers for goal posts

2008-08-06T03:48:00.000-07:00

Hello, I’m back again, refreshed and officially ready to roll for Clearing now! As my post yesterday was short and sweet, I didn’t get time to update you on my holiday!

I disappeared to the island of Skiathos for a couple of weeks and thoroughly enjoyed the sea, sand and cheap lager. I’ve been away from all the news and goings on since I left was heartbroken to find when I came back to find that the Weston Pier had burnt down. I spent a lot of time (and hard earned coppers) there in my childhood, it was such a shame to hear.

As I mentioned yesterday congratulations to all the Scottish students who got their results, I really hope all your hard work has paid off. If the grades you got were not quite what you expected, remember there are PLENTY of options for you, so give us a call if you are at all worried about your results.

On a lighter note the annual epic football tie between UCAS and The Exam Results Helpline XI is in the preparation stages. In conjunction with Radio 1, the Surgery is a great help at this time of year for you guys about to get your results as they offer extra advice and guidance around the results day.

They are a good crew, so if you need any specific career advice or didn’t quite make those grades you were hoping for then don’t hesitate to call them for assistance on 0808 100 8000 or at www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/surgery. Of course if you want to ask us a question about the application/Clearing process you can do so on the usual number 0871 468 0 468.

Anyway, back to the footy! Jumpers will be down as goalposts in our local park as football fever hits UCAS on 13 Aug. We pinched it one - nil last year, even with their celeb footballer (last year The Surgery had Ricky Whittle on their team (Calvin from Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks). He looked promising; good pace, good touch but no end product! Thoroughly nice chap though.

It is great to get back, talking to you guys on the phones and there are a lot of calls coming through at the moment about “If I don’t get my firm choice, and don’t want my insurance, what do I do?” The answer is, if you don’t quite achieve your Firm choice but you do get in for the insurance BUT don’t want this choice, then once that insurance choice is confirmed, you will need permission from that uni to allow you to leave this offer and then you’ll be eligible for Clearing where you can then apply anywhere else that’s available. Remember on this one that it is the uni you need permission to leave from not UCAS.

That’s all for the moment, but I’ll pop back again very soon. Thanks to those who have sent comments too, I’ll try and answer a few questions you might have in these blogs, so keep them coming in. I’m off to do my fantasy footy team for the new footie season. But can I really afford Keane and Torres up front?

Craig

Congratulations Scotland

2008-08-05T02:54:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to all those Scottish applicants who got their exam results today, I hope you all got the results that you were looking for.

But remember, for those of you who didn't get the grades you hoped for, you can still secure a place at uni by going through Clearing. Nearly 2000 Scottish students found a place through Clearing last year.

Don't forget if you have any questions you can call the Careers Scotland Helpline on 0808 100 8000

I'll be back soon.

Just a quick one - good luck!

2008-08-01T08:26:00.000-07:00

Hi folks, just a quick one today, I'm on holiday recharging the batteries before I get back to work for the busy Clearing period.

I thought I'd just check in and wish the Scottish students all the best for next Tuesday's exam results day. Try to relax and enjoy the weekend, don't worry about getting your results. I mean over 27,000 Scottish students were accepted by a uni or college last year, that's really good going!

But if for some reason you don't get the results you were looking for, don't panic as almost 2,000 found places through Clearing.

Anyway I'm going to get back to my holiday. All being well I'll update my blog on Monday and Tuesday with some more advice and guidance. In the mean time check out www.ucas.com/clearing

Enjoy your weekend and take it easy!

Craig

Hello again, hot isn’t it?!

2008-07-29T01:00:00.000-07:00

It’s been pretty quiet this week so far in the office but at this kinda time it’s really just the calm before the storm and people waiting for their results. For a lot of applicants it is just a waiting game so to speak. We’ve had callers asking if there really is anything they should be doing at this stage. Well the answer is as long as you’ve sorted your accommodation and your Student loans form is in then relax and enjoy yourself! There really is nothing you can do until you have your results!

Yet understandably at this time there are still questions you guys may have. One of the questions cropping up at the moment is how many unis can you apply to once you know you’re in Clearing. The answer is that once you are eligible and you have your Clearing Passport you can start to contact the universities you’re most interested in studying at directly.

You could contact as many as you like but you can obviously only confirm one uni place. Once you have done this you will then receive a UCAS letter with a reply slip for you to send back to confirm you want to attend this uni course. So if you are talking to more than one uni make it clear to them that you definitely want to take up the place to help them out as much as possible!!

Until next time guys enjoy the sunshine! ( hope I haven’t cursed it for rain now!). Roll on the weekend! Even I get a break! Everyone’s happy then!

As ever, any probs give us a call in Customer Services on the usual no. 0871 468 0 468.

Craig.

Here we go again!

2008-07-23T07:45:00.000-07:00

So here we go again, the lead up to the busiest but often most rewarding time in the UCAS calendar. Clearing is upon us and anyone who has not managed to obtain a place at uni or is thinking of applying for the first time can use Clearing to get themselves a place this summer. Throughout the coming weeks I’ll be giving my account of what it’s like to be an Adviser in UCAS covering the highs, the lows and the 12 hour shifts!

Just to explain though, Clearing has begun but many of you won’t know if you’re eligible until you receive your results. For those lucky few who already have results you can start ringing around now to find a place through the Clearing process. The official list of what is available will not be posted on www.ucas.com until 14 August, so if you do already have your results then you might want to get ringing around to your choice of uni’s to see what’s available before then!

With Clearing underway for some already I’ve been taking various calls regarding how applicants can use Clearing and the processes involved in getting a place.

Quite a lot of callers are in a position where if they’ve used less than five choices and have not been successful with these, how do they go about applying for a new course? The answer is that as long as you have paid £15 originally, we will send you a Clearing Passport. Once you’ve received this, you can call any uni’s you’re interested in directly, quoting your Clearing No. and they’ll let you know if you’ve been successful. Simple.

On a lighter note I made a call-back to an applicant in Spain today regarding accepting his offer - I applaud his choice of holiday as it seems to be a positive place to be at the moment being as the nation recently won the Euros and Nadal's brilliant victory on our turf at Wimbledon! Although I bet his holiday’s not being stopped by rain delays! It’s quite often that I speak to applicants abroad whilst they’re on their holidays and as nice as our office is (honest), I’m definitely due one this year!! Any suggestions are welcome!

Right, I’m off for now, but in the mean time if you have any Clearing specific questions, members of yougo (www.yougofurther.co.uk) can view the forums and get involved with the daily webchats that Murry and his team are running, regarding all your current queries so get on and have a read. I’ll be in there on Thursdays from 3pm answering your questions so get online.

Until then enjoy yourselves and don’t be afraid to call Customer Services on 0871 468 0468 with any queries at all!

Craig Fish