Applying Abroad: Application Tips for UCAS

What is UCAS?

Similar to the Common App, UCAS is the centralized application platform for universities in the UK. This is where students will compile academic and personal information including a personal statement. Unlike the United States, students applying to study in the UK are limited to choosing their top five universities to apply to.

*Important to note: students can apply to a total of five universities in the UK. Select universities that receive large numbers of American applicants are listed on the Common App as well as UCAS. If a student applies to a UK university via the Common App, that still counts as one of their five applications, and they will need to leave a blank spot on their UCAS application to account for that university.

Applying to a Course

In the UK, students apply directly into their course of study. Unlike admissions in the United States, application review is extremely focused on academic performance and fit to major. It is very important for students to think closely about the academic program they would like to apply into, and build an application that aligns with that choice. This means students should focus on coursework, extracurriculars, independent exploration, etc. in their field of study.

Because UK universities review applicants primarily on academic readiness for a specific subject, they will pay close attention not only to completed coursework but also to predicted future performance. This means senior year course rigor, counselor-reported predicted AP/IB scores, and current grades can all play a major role in whether a student receives an offer.

Admissions requirements vary by course, so it is essential that students check each university’s website to see what they will need in order to apply to that specific course. In addition to academic eligibility requirements, some courses may require supplemental materials such as admissions tests, portfolios, auditions, or interviews. Requirements are often very cut and dry, meaning if a student does not meet the eligibility requirements, they will not be considered for that course - simple as that.

The UCAS Personal Statement

One of the most important ways that a student can demonstrate their alignment with the course they are applying into is through their personal statement. This is a student’s opportunity to really outline their experience with their chosen field in as much detail as possible.

*Important to note: because this personal statement will be sent to all five universities, it is important to select similar academic programs to apply to. Applying to five dramatically different subjects can make it difficult to present a clear narrative of preparation and fit.

This isn’t the time for storytelling; it’s the time to show off why you are a great fit for the program. Give evidence. Be enthusiastic. Share your why. Reflect on your experiences.

Students are asked to answer the following:

1. Why do you want to study this course or subject?

2. How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?

3. What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

Topics to consider including:

• Relevant coursework, independent study, or research

• Work or volunteer experience

• Extracurriculars or hobbies that align with the field of study or have built skills that will be essentials for success in the field

• Relevant skills

• Leadership experience

What Else is Included on the Application?

• Basic personal and contact information

• Funding and fee status information

• Academic history

  • Note: AP/IB scores are often very important for UK universities; SAT/ACT scores are rarely considered

• Employment

• Activities

• Reference

  • Note: UCAS references should be academically-focused and speak directly to a student’s readiness for the chosen field of study. It is a good idea for students to choose someone who can speak to how well-aligned they are to their chosen course of study

After Applying

The UCAS equal consideration deadline is mid-January (though some highly-selective schools and courses have an October deadline), but most schools release decisions on a rolling basis, so it is important to complete your application sooner rather than later. Universities may follow up requesting additional documentation or clarification on US-based qualifications, so students should monitor email closely after submitting their application.

It is very common for US applicants to receive a conditional offer of acceptance, which means they will be admitted as long as they maintain a set standard for their senior year grades. It is imperative for students to finish out senior year strong, and score well on any AP or IB testing to ensure that their offer stands.

How Do I Know If My College Application is Ready To Submit?

Before you press send, become the viewer!

Your application is just about ready to go. But you want to make sure that it’s going to have the right impact! That it’s going to be noticed! What do you do?

I often have my students channel their inner-artist when reviewing each application for admission — even the non-artsy types! What I mean by that is to think about each aspect of your application like a piece of art in a portfolio. Artists talk about cohesion in their work, so should you.

Most college admission officers spend about 10-minutes reviewing an application. That’s it! They rarely look at a piece of the application more than once; one read of the essay, one glance at a resume. One of the biggest mistakes that an applicant can make is to confuse your reader. It’s like putting a DaVinci next to a Warhol!

So, as you review your application (or have someone else take a look), ask yourself the following:

• Do all of my essays sound like they are written by the same person?

  • Often, in an attempt to be varied and engaging, students try to be something that they are not, and that shows in their writing style and their tone.

• Am I being consistent with my activities?

  • Did you list theatre as your top extracurricular activity but write an essay about football?

• Does the intended major that I listed make sense for your activities, transcript, etc.?

  • This can lead to a lot of confusion for an AO!

• Am I being repetitive?

  • You wouldn’t want to look at the same still life over and over again!!

• Does my application make sense for that college?

  • They’re not all the same!

• Is the real me expressed on the page?

The last is the most important one! Your point of view and how you see the world should jump off the page, whether you are a sculptor or a scientist!

Good luck!

When Do I Apply for Medical School?

To apply for medical school, you should start the application process about 1 to 2 years before your intended start date. The application cycle begins in the spring of the year prior to when you plan to start medical school. For example, if you intend to start medical school in the fall of 2026, you should begin applying in the spring of 2025. Submitting your application early, ideally by early June, is crucial due to rolling admissions, which favor earlier applicants.

5 Reasons to Love Swarthmore College!

1. Pass/Fail First Semester

Swarthmore really believes in supporting students in the transition to college. To alleviate academic pressure and allow students to focus on getting adjusted, building new relationships, and adapting to their new environment, the entire first semester is graded Pass/Fail.

2. Swarthmore Tuition Guarantee

Swarthmore is a need-blind institution for domestic students, and is committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need without the use of loans. Starting in Fall 2027, Swarthmore will cover tuition costs for students whose family makes $200,000 or less per year.

3. Tri-Co

Swarthmore is part of the Tri-College Consortium with Haverford College and Bryn Mawr College. Students can cross enroll in classes, join clubs and organizations, enjoy meals, access resources, and travel freely between the three campuses.

In addition to Tri-Co, students are also able to enroll in one class per semester at the University of Pennsylvania.

4. Cash-Free Campus

Swarthmore’s commitment to affordability extends to its no-hidden-fees policy on campus. All fees are included in the Cost of Attendance, so once students are on campus, they don’t need to pay for anything! This includes food, laundry, printing, shuttles, and even 8 rides per day on the train that connects Swarthmore with Center City Philadelphia.

5. Arboretum Campus

The Scott Arboretum and Gardens are fully integrated into the Swarthmore campus. Walking through campus, you’ll find thousands of varieties of plants and trees, all labeled with name plates, as well as bountiful lawns, Parrish Beach, and an outdoor amphitheater where students can study, relax, and spend time outside. Swarthmore is a green oasis just miles outside of Philadelphia, giving students the best of both nature and an urban life.

Can I Use One Essay for All of My Applications?

Myth: I only have to write one essay! All my colleges are on the Common App!

Reality: Many colleges who accept the Common Application require supplemental essays, often including one that prompts, “Why us?” In essence, colleges are asking you to write about what makes you a great fit for their institution and what makes them a great fit for you.  Or they ask you to write additional required essays that still need to be well-crafted and thoughtful.  As we always say, don’t wait until the last minute to investigate what each school requires and plan your time accordingly!

What You Need to Know About FAFSA’s New Identity Verification

Ready to file your FAFSA? Have a charged cellphone and government ID ready!

The New FAFSA ID Check: What Families Should Know Before They Log In

If you're gearing up to file the FAFSA this year, there's a new step in the process worth knowing about before you sit down at the computer. Beginning in April 2026, the Department of Education built a real-time fraud detection system directly into the FAFSA. Every submission is now screened automatically; most families won't notice a thing, but a small number will be asked, on the spot, to prove who they are.

How the screening actually works

As soon as a student submits the FAFSA, an automated system scores it for identity fraud risk: "low," "moderate," or "high." The Department hasn't published exactly what triggers a "high risk" score, so there's no reliable way to predict it in advance. Students who land in the "low" or "moderate" categories continue through the normal process with no extra steps, no extra documents, and no delay; this should cover most applicants.

Students flagged as "high risk," on the other hand, are prompted immediately, in that same session, to complete a live automated camera check using a smartphone or tablet and to present one valid piece of government-issued identification. If the check succeeds, the FAFSA is sent to colleges as usual and nothing further is required. If it fails or isn't completed, the submission is rejected, and the student must contact each college's financial aid office directly to finish verification in person.

Why we tell every family to have an ID within reach

Here's the piece that actually matters for your planning: if a student is flagged, the verification window is short, and it cannot be paused and resumed later. There's no option to finish the FAFSA now and come back with an ID tomorrow. An incomplete check simply results in a rejected submission, which then has to be sorted out manually with the college(s), adding real delay right when you're trying to lock in an aid offer.

That's why we recommend every student have valid, current identification and a smartphone or tablet with a working camera (fully charged) within reach whenever they sit down to submit the FAFSA, even if they never expect to be flagged. Accepted documents right now include a driver's license, a U.S. passport, a tribal identification card, or a permanent resident card. A state-issued non-driver ID card and a learner's permit aren't officially on that list yet, though indications in other Department of Education documents suggest they'll be accepted.

If your student doesn't drive and doesn't have a passport, we recommend applying for a state-issued non-driver ID as soon as possible rather than waiting for confirmation; many states require in-person applications, and getting the card back can take up to a month. We keep links to each state's application process on our website at college-matters.com/stateid.

A few questions we're hearing from families

Will every student have to go through this? No. Only applicants scored "high risk" are asked for a live ID check, and since the Department hasn't disclosed what raises that score, we're simply suggesting every family treat the ID and device as standard prep, not just the students they'd expect to be flagged.

Does this delay financial aid for most people? No. Applicants who aren't flagged, or who verify successfully, move through the normal timeline. Delay only shows up for the subset who fail or skip the live check and have to loop back through their college's financial aid office.

Where can we get the most current, official word? StudentAid.gov is the authoritative source, and the Department has continued to update its guidance since the April 2026 launch. If your student does get flagged, the fastest path to resolution is always the financial aid office at the specific college(s) in question.

If you'd like help thinking through the FAFSA, financial aid timelines, or any other part of the process, from freshman year on, we're happy to talk it through with you. Reach out to College Matters whenever you're ready.

Should I Submit an AP score of 3?

We get this question from students all the time! They know that a 3 is a solid score and shows mastery of the material in their AP class, but is it worth sending to colleges? And if they don’t send it, will the college assume that they got a 1 or a 2? Like many things in the college application process, it depends!

According to the College Board’s charts, AP score distributions vary widely. For example, fewer than 10% of students taking the AP Literature and Composition or AP Physics 1 scored a 5, while 45% of students earned the same 5 on the AP Calculus BC exam. The numbers are even higher for some of the World Languages and Cultures exams.

The first thing that you should do is check the AP Score credit policy for the colleges that you are applying to. If they will give you credit for the 3, then by all means, report it! On the other hand, if they only give credit for a 5 on that exam (not even for a 4), you may want to hold off.

The other thing to take into consideration is the selectivity of the college itself. As a general rule, the more selective the institution, the more applicants they will have with stellar AP scores. Think about how you will compare and make a call with that in mind!

The bottom line is to remember that a 3 is a very good score! Congratulate yourself for taking on the challenge and doing well!

Do I Need Tuition Insurance for College?

Surprises can happen — so it may be a good idea to have a plan!

Q: The college that my child is attending is offering the option of buying tuition insurance. Is it worth it?

A: Initially, we get quizzical looks from parents when we recommend that they consider purchasing tuition insurance for their first-year college student. “They’ve worked so hard so far, they’re not going to fail out!”

It isn’t that we’ve lost faith in the student’s ability to succeed in college. It is that we have witnessed times when tuition insurance alleviated a significant financial burden because of unforeseen circumstances.

• Molly was in her second semester when her mother was diagnosed with cancer. She wanted to take a leave of absence to spend some time at home.

• Bryce was a sophomore when he realized that he wanted to change his major, pretty drastically. He was already registered for classes for the spring that would not do him any good in making academic progress toward his ultimate goal and wanted to wait a semester to start again.

• Jordan had a bad fall skiing over winter break — several broken bones and a severe concussion — and was advised not to return to college until their health was back to 100%.

• Julia had always struggled with some anxiety but had everything under control until she had a particularly bad break-up. She needed to take some time to restore her mental health.

• Austin was a recruited athlete. He couldn’t wait to start college until he was cut from the team in pre-season. He couldn't imagine not being a student-athlete and wanted to take a gap year and apply to transfer. But the tuition was already paid.

• Abigail learned in August, just before she started packing the car for her freshman year, that she had come off the waitlist at her dream college.

We realize that not all policies would cover each of the situations listed above, so it is good to read the fine print before making a decision. But regardless, we recommend that it is worth taking a look!

Common App Essay Prompts for 2026-27

Get brainstorming…

The Common Application just announced the essay prompts for the upcoming admission cycle. Good news! They are remaining the same as 2025-26!

Below is the full list of prompts for 2026-2027.

• Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

• The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

• Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

• Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

• Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

• Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

• Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Should I Use AP Credit for College Classes? Thinking Pre-Med -- Maybe Not!

Pre-Med Students MAY WANT TO Think Twice About Using AP Credit in College

As a high school student with medical school aspirations, you've likely been encouraged to take Advanced Placement (AP) courses to demonstrate your academic prowess and prepare for the rigors of college. While high school AP classes are undoubtedly valuable, pre-med students should carefully consider whether to use their AP credits when entering college. Here's why:

The Value of AP Classes in High School

Before we dive into the reasons for potentially forgoing AP credit in college, it's crucial to emphasize that taking AP classes in high school is still highly recommended for pre-med students. These courses:

1. Demonstrate your ability to handle challenging coursework

2. Prepare you for the pace and depth of college-level classes

3. Show admissions committees your commitment to academic excellence

4. Can boost your GPA and class rank

Why You Might Want to Retake Courses in College

Despite the benefits of AP classes in high school, there are several compelling reasons why pre-med students should consider retaking these courses in college:

1. Building a Solid Foundation

Medical school prerequisites are notoriously challenging. By retaking foundational courses like biology, chemistry, math, and physics in a college setting, you ensure a thorough understanding of these crucial subjects. This solid foundation will serve you well in upper-level courses and when preparing for the MCAT.

2. Boosting Your GPA

Medical schools have extremely competitive admissions processes. Retaking courses you've already been exposed to through AP classes can help you achieve higher grades in college, potentially boosting your overall GPA – a critical factor in med school applications.

3. Adapting to College-Level Expectations

While AP courses are designed to mimic college-level work, they don't always capture the full college experience. Retaking these classes allows you to adjust to college-level expectations, pacing, and teaching styles, which can be quite different from high school.

4. Forming Relationships with Professors

Letters of recommendation from college professors carry significant weight in medical school applications. By taking introductory courses, you have more opportunities to interact with professors and potentially secure strong recommendations. In addition, many successful applicants obtain research positions with faculty during their undergraduate years, further enhancing their preparation and candidacy.

5. Preparing for the MCAT

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) covers material from introductory-level college courses. Retaking these classes in a college setting ensures you're exposed to all the necessary content and helps reinforce your understanding of key concepts.

6. Medical School Prerequisites and GPA Considerations

Many medical schools do not accept courses fulfilled by AP credit as prerequisites or will not count them toward the student's science GPA. This is because AP credits often appear as pass/fail on college transcripts, which do not provide a clear indication of your mastery of the subject matter. By retaking these courses in college, you ensure that you meet medical school requirements and that your grades are factored into your science GPA, a crucial component of your application.

Conclusion

While it may be tempting to use AP credits to get a head start in college, pre-med students should carefully weigh the pros and cons. The potential benefits of retaking courses – including a stronger foundation, higher GPA, better preparation for the MCAT, more opportunities to connect with professors, and meeting medical school prerequisites – often outweigh the advantages of skipping ahead.

Remember, the goal isn't just to get through college quickly but to emerge as a well-prepared, competitive applicant for medical school. By strategically approaching your college coursework, you can set yourself up for long-term success in your medical career.