Where to go for advice on UCAS & Reference...

Wiggynut

Hi everyone

I've realised that I'm late sending the UCAS application off (online) but I'm stuck on finding someone to check my statement and who do I get for a reference.

the guidelines on the ucas site mention college references etc.. but I'm 36 and left school at 15 so that doesn't apply.
My boss at work doesn't usually turn up at work and it's constantly drunk when she does come in... she's also gone away for a couple of weeks. (her company is going down the pan and I'm not sure how much longer I'll be working here - and I'm on a rolling contract so I'll be the first out of the door! :eek: )

I am doing a OU course at the moment which finishes soon (official end of course is end of March)... can I ask my tutor for a reference? but I have only spoken to him twice... .guess it wont hurt to ask.

but who can advice me on what to do about everything concerning being a mature student and when I need to do what and when etc.. ideally in a nice clear concise way?

I've emailed learn Direct to see if I can get an appointment - try phoning my local Learn Direct office but can't get a reply.. I've not heard anything from the email.

if anyone is a mature student or will be from sept 08 has gone through this sort of thing can you let me know who you asked for information?

also, when applying for funding (I was way too early applying for that ) I will need to supply a reference form a solicitor or doctor who has known me for two years... but I don't know anyone like that... can't believe I'm stumped so early in the game

any information would be gratefully recieved as I'm now panicking... the UCAS date was 15th Jan so technically 'late' now.. but I would like to get this sent ASAP anyway.

:cool:

impy78

Wiggynut wrote: »

Hi everyone

I've realised that I'm late sending the UCAS application off (online) but I'm stuck on finding someone to check my statement and who do I get for a reference.

the guidelines on the ucas site mention college references etc.. but I'm 36 and left school at 15 so that doesn't apply.
My boss at work doesn't usually turn up at work and it's constantly drunk when she does come in... she's also gone away for a couple of weeks. (her company is going down the pan and I'm not sure how much longer I'll be working here - and I'm on a rolling contract so I'll be the first out of the door! :eek: )

I am doing a OU course at the moment which finishes soon (official end of course is end of March)... can I ask my tutor for a reference? but I have only spoken to him twice... .guess it wont hurt to ask.

but who can advice me on what to do about everything concerning being a mature student and when I need to do what and when etc.. ideally in a nice clear concise way?

I've emailed learn Direct to see if I can get an appointment - try phoning my local Learn Direct office but can't get a reply.. I've not heard anything from the email.

if anyone is a mature student or will be from sept 08 has gone through this sort of thing can you let me know who you asked for information?

also, when applying for funding (I was way too early applying for that ) I will need to supply a reference form a solicitor or doctor who has known me for two years... but I don't know anyone like that... can't believe I'm stumped so early in the game

any information would be gratefully recieved as I'm now panicking... the UCAS date was 15th Jan so technically 'late' now.. but I would like to get this sent ASAP anyway.

:cool:

I would try your local library firstly, i found quite a lot of information about funding studies a s a mature student.

there is a book which details sponsorship from companies for various types of qualification, and if there is any other criterea you need to fulfill it would be listed there.

Also, there are bursaries which can be claimed from the institution, i myself received a part scholarship for mature students when i went back to study last year.

I'm not too hot on ucas, as it's been over 12 years since i did mine, but maybe try the CAB???

As far as the references go, i think it can be any professional person like a jp, a cleric, and engineer, any sort of manager.. as long as they hold some sort of position of responsibility and they are not realted to you in any way, you should be fine.

x

Wiggynut

I didn't think of CAB as when I've tried going to them a couple of years back they never answered the phone.. had to take days of work and then no one turned up to the offices so I just stood there for a couple of hours hoping someone would come in late!!
I currently walk to work and walk past one daily and it always has a queue stretching up the road and that's an hour before it opens!!!

But will definately try the Library.. actually I have lots of ID on me so I'll join the big one that I walk past.

I don't think I can apply for bursary's etc until I've been given an actual placement and I need to get the UCAS bit done and sent first.

I really don't know what to write for the statement.. I've written a draft up but if it's not good then it could let me down before I even get my foot in the door.
It would be nice if someone could look at it who have knowledge of that sort of thing.

I'll try emailing or ringing my OU tutor and see what he says.. maybe he'll have a look at it for me.

thanks for your help

Gingernutmeg

This part of the UCAS process drove me absolutely bonkers when I was filling the forms in, like you I was a mature student and because I was working in the family business I didn't have a 'work' referee. I eventually got round this by getting a reference from our business mentor, and it was accepted. Tbh, I think that the reference isn't as important for mature students as we're assessed much more on experience/work/qualifications than your average 18 yr old. Also, if the uni is worried, they'll probably ask to interview you so I wouldn't worry too much. Anyone who is in a position of responsibility and isn't a friend/family will be fine. If you've got an OU tutor I'm sure s/he'd do it - they might want a chat with you first but it's probably the easiest solution.

I'm not sure about the funding referee ... I know for my passport I got my photos signed by an acquaintance who was a nurse and that was accepted - I think it just has to be someone with a professional qualification ... Do you you know anyone like that?

In terms of what you do and when, I found that as long as you send forms off as soon as you can, and keep up to date with any correspondence, then there isn't really much more to it. One thing that surprised me about the application/financial procedure was how little there is to do, once you get the main forms off. It's mainly a matter of waiting, then doing as you're told when you get a letter. The main things to sort out are a university place, your funding and accommodation, if you're needing that. As long as you get those forms off fairly early (especially the funding and the accommodation) then you'll be ok. When I had problems with the forms etc, I found that it could usually be solved with a quick call to my LEA or UCAS - they're used to this so they can give you the best advice. Tbh I found my local careers service absolutely useless. It's one of my big bugbears that getting into the uni 'system' is so hard for mature students who are applying 'independently'. It's a real maze unless you know what you're doing and there isn't much help out there.

Wiggynut

Gingernutmeg wrote: »

I'm not sure about the funding referee ... I know for my passport I got my photos signed by an acquaintance who was a nurse and that was accepted - I think it just has to be someone with a professional qualification ... Do you you know anyone like that?
.

thanks

I'm not sure if I know anyone with a professional qualification!! I definately do not know any doctors, Solicitors, clergy, professors etc.
Do accountants count.. I was thinking that I could ask the accountant where I work to be my reference (he's far more responsible than the boss) but I've only known him for a year! and the requirements for the funding reference is required to know you for at least two years.

It's a shame that there aren't more mature student advice type places to go.. when I went to an open day last October at a University it was all geared towards school leavers.. .I was the only one there without mummy and daddy! and when I asked who I could go to for advice they all looked rather blank and didn't really respond. Weird as apparently Universities are suppose to want mature students.

Thanks for your help
:cool:

Gingernutmeg

I'd imagine an accountant would count, anyone who's a member of a professional body seems ok as far as I know ...

Voyager2002

Your top priority is/should be getting your application in by the closing date.

An OU tutor would be a great referee: s/he will know about your marks from any OU assignments you have completed (and will have marked some of them) and will have access to other information about you.

If you have made any progress with an OU course then I'm sure your personal statement will be fine. Getting it checked by someone in the world of education would be a good idea, but getting your application in on time is really far more important.

If you have missed the UCAS deadline (even by just one day), then contact the Universities that interest you to let them know what has happened and ask whether they will receive your late application, and if not, would they consider you if you applied to them directly.

elisebutt65

I thought the UCAS deadline closed about a week ago??? I'm working in an FE college and there was a bit of a panic a couple of weeks ago for some our students to get in their applications!!!

Having said that - There is always clearance - which is how I got my place - which is the one I wanted anyway.

I don't remember having to get a 'responsible' person to sign for my funding either - I just filled in all the loan forms and sent them off. Got my reference from an old employer - had been at home having children so didn't have anyone recent.

jodavid_2

I agree, you can use the accountant, and if there is any problems then use your tutor, they may not know you very well but they know what you can do. My mums a mature student and she used old tutors and her landlady! You shuld get intouch with UCAS about your statement if it is really bothering you, but to be honest you should only need to let your tutor have a read and he will giv it the nod. Most importantly.. get that form in asap, you can follow up with the funding issues after, but you need a place first! And dont worry about mature student life, once you have established a place then you can go along and meet others in your shoes and find out whats available to you in terms of funding, bursaries, grants, housing e.t.c. Good luck!

Wiggynut

thanks for all the advice everyone

I thought I'd better find out what to do rather than faff about and figured asking others who have been dealing with this sort of thing would know what to do - thanks

for some reason I thought the UCAS side of things had until mid February but it 'ended' on the 15th Jan... so bit of a panic.

I'll go through my statement tonight and get that sent to my OU tutor to have a check through at the weekend.

I'll also ask if he can be the reference for the UCAS part and I think the accountant where I work can give the ID reference for the local authority funding bit later... the UCAS part is top priority right now.

contacting the individual university would be a good idea as it will also show my desire and hopefully create a good impression... it can't really cause any harm so that's a helpful suggestion.

Thanks for all your help.. feel slightly more in control now as I have a better idea of my plan of action

:beer:

cannygal

I might be able to help with this, having worked in university admissions for some time. The importance of the UCAS deadline only comes into play if you are applying for a very popular course. If not, I know of some universities who only receive two thirds of their total applications by the 15th Jan deadline. They often rely on the later applications.

Regarding your UCAS reference, your OU tutor will be ideal. This looks much better than a personal reference from a friend and they will be used to writing references for students - even if they haven't seen them for a while.

Your personal statement should draw on all of your experience and how that will make you a perfect future [graphic designer, solicitor, midwife..insert future career here]. You really need to show an understanding of the subject, perhaps by noting any relevant journals/publications you have read?

Most universities have a dedicated person who looks after mature students, so I would call your top 3 universitides and try to arrange an appointment. Mature students are often the most dedicated, so if you show a real interest in the university, they will want to help you. It will also help you guage how mature-student friendly that institution is.

I hope this helps a little bit. Good luck!