UCAS Connect (www. ucasconnect.com) already hosts UCAS’ Facebook and Twitter accounts, where experts reply to applicants’ queries in real time


“Also, instead of just listing your various achievements and endeavours, every university stresses how important it is to reflect on these experiences and really demonstrate what you gained from them that makes you a more prominent applicant.”


Giles added: “It’s always good to feel you’re not alone and that’s exactly what the UCAS Connect blogs page does - it allows UCAS applicants to realise there are other people who are experiencing the same feelings and emotions as themselves.”


Chris, who is applying to study law writes: “At times, the stress gets to you. When it does, talk to others: it might be a cliche, but you really aren’t alone, so speak to friends, to family and to teachers, go on UCAS Connect and share your feelings.”


The blogs also provide some useful insights from international applicants. The process can involve additional work such English language tests and ensuring qualifications are recognised.


Thomas, applying from Hong Kong, wrote: “Studying in the UK is an absolutely invaluable lifetime experience for me as an international student.”


His advice is to make sure you have everything ready to send in advance of the 15 January deadline to allow a “cooling-off” period.


The applicants will be updating their blogs throughout the UCAS application cycle. Readers can also take part by giving their opinions.


One visitor to the site wrote: “Thank you so much for this blog! I too am applying to university this year and it’s nice to hear that someone else is having the same worries as me.”


Giles and the team won the Most Effective Use of Social Media title at the Customer Contact Association (CCA) Excellence Awards this month.


Liam Burns, NUS President, said after the award: “It is unusual for organisations to engage with social media in such a proactive way and to genuinely change procedures off the back of their social media interaction.”


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42