UCAS and the Common App: two systems that want opposite things from you

UCAS is a single form, up to five course choices, one personal statement, one reference and one set of predicted grades. Every university sees the same document. The Common App is a single form too, but each university adds its own supplementary essays, and the main essay is personal rather than academic.

The trap in the UCAS statement

You write one statement for all five choices, so the five must be closely related. Applying to economics at two universities and history at three means writing something vague enough to cover both — and vague loses to specific every time. Pick one subject, or one clearly connected pair, and commit.

The trap in the Common App

Supplementary essays scale with the number of universities. Twelve applications can mean thirty separate pieces of writing, all due within the same two months as your IB internal assessments. Eight well-researched applications beat fifteen rushed ones, and the number that actually fits a person's autumn is usually smaller than the one they first write down.

A workable calendar for an IB student

1. 1Spring of year one: shortlist countries and subjects; sit any admissions tests that are offered early.
2. 2Summer between the years: draft the personal statement and the Common App essay. This is the only quiet stretch you will get.
3. 3September: ask for references, confirm predicted grades, register for tests.
4. 4October: submit early UK applications; finish supplements for early US deadlines.
5. 5November to January: remaining submissions, interviews, and the rest of the IB, which has not paused for any of this.