Choosing where to study after A level college can be a daunting experience. For sixth form college students who find themselves with a few conditional offers, there comes the dilemma of which to make their firm choice.
Are the entry requirements a realistic goal?
Most A level college students will know what grades they are capable of pulling out of the bag. If the conditional offer is A*AA and you’re not sure that you can comfortably reach Bs, it might be worth putting this offer aside.
Will your choice affect future career plans?
It is no secret that degrees from certain institutions carry more weight than others. It has been noted that graduating from a Russell Group university for example, may be beneficial when you enter the employment market. Those with very specific career goals may benefit from doing additional research into the academic journeys of those in the careers they are aspiring to. Recruiting from a select few universities is something that top businesses have been known to do for years, and Linkedin research has revealed that specific universities produce more professionals in certain industries than others.
Give open days a chance to open your eyes
What happens on a visit to a university can make or break a decision for some students. Of course it’s impossible to judge after just one (open) day, but going with a gut feeling once you’re in the surroundings could help. If you wish to be more thorough, taking into account the nightlife, social scene and your general level of comfort, may also help you to make an informed decision.
Are you content with the course content?
If you’re struggling to make a firm decision after visiting your universities, course content is something else you could factor in. Does one particular course offer a module that is more aligned with what you want to achieve long term? Taking into account the smaller details will help you to narrow things down.
Early research could be more helpful than you realise
Although you will have the opportunity to reply to offers as early as March 31st (this can vary, and is also dependant upon whether your application reached UCAS for the January 15th deadline), getting a head start on research ahead of that time could be of great benefit. Having a clear picture of what you’re working towards will keep you focussed and could help to motivate you during your exam process even more than you know
Source: Telegraph Blogs
