UCAS Vs Common Apps: Must Know Things In 2024-25

If you are planning to pursue higher education in the UK or the US, then you must be well aware of UCAS vs Common App. UCAS vs Common App is an ongoing debate that creates a lot of confusion for students. However, through this article, we will explain in depth UCAS vs Common App. With the upcoming UCAS results, it is essential to understand the difference between UCAS vs Common App. Before we begin with the difference between UCAS and the Common App, let’s cover a little bit about both processes. 

UCAS vs Common App Purpose

UCAS, which stands for Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, is a key to the kingdom of higher education in the UK. If you want to study at a university in the UK, UCAS is the place to go. It is a centralized mechanism that allows you to apply to up to five UK institutions at the same time. It's not just about your grades and scores; they also want to know why you're drawn to studying in the UK. The Common App, on the other hand, is your golden ticket to American universities and institutions. It is utilized by students from all around the world, including over 900 schools. The Common App is used by students worldwide from more than 200 countries. This platform allows you to apply to up to 20 institutions, making it quite versatile. It's also been improved by inquiring about the influence of events like the pandemic on your life. UCAS is your guide to UK dreams, while the Common App opens doors to colleges across the US. While both help you reach your destination, they each have their unique paths to follow.

UCAS vs Common App Fees

Another differentiating factor between UCAS and the Common App is the application fees. The UCAS application process allows students to apply to up to 5 universities for a cost of $36. This covers up to five university choices. Students can choose the universities of their choice from the list and apply at their convenience. It's like getting a package deal to apply to your top choices in the UK. However, on the other side of the pond if we talk about the Common App offers a different approach. This platform is free of cost and doesn’t charge a penny for letting students apply through it. This is a fully free platform. However, some individual institutions may charge specific application fees as per their prevailing guidelines so it's a good idea to check with each institution. UCAS offers a set fee for multiple choices, while Common App provides a free platform but leaves room for potential additional fees from universities. 

UCAS vs Common App Application Deadlines

Whether you're applying through UCAS for UK universities or using the Common App for US institutions, knowing when to submit your application is a vital part of the process. UCAS vs Common App, the two main application platforms, have their own specific timelines.  The deadline for the UCAS undergraduate application is January 31, 2024. Students are expected to submit their applications by 6 PM. This date is called the “equal consideration.” However, some of the universities have flexible and varying deadlines hence, students are advised to check for the deadlines before submitting their applications. If we talk about the Common App, then, in this case, every university can flexibly choose its application deadlines. Well, students are advised to apply with all documents by 11:59 PM on a particular day on the platform. It's worth mentioning that understanding these timelines is crucial to avoid missing out on opportunities. 

UCAS vs Common App Personal Statement

Another on our list of differences between UCAS vs Common App is the personal statement or essay, which is considered the most important aspect of UCAS vs Common App. A personal statement plays an important role in standing out the candidate's application which is why it is essential to understand the requirements and the criteria before writing the personal statement or essay. The personal statement should strictly stick to 4000 characters. Moreover, it focuses on the reasons behind students choosing or applying for specific courses in the UK. Whereas for writing the personal statement for the Common App, students get the flexibility of writing approximately 6000 characters. This is yet another difference between UCAS and a Common App that one needs to understand better to up their game while applying for universities through any of these platforms. 

How to Apply for UCAS and Common App?

We have already covered the major key differences between UCAS vs Common App. Now let us delve into the UCAS application process and Common App application process of these two platforms and understand UCAS vs Common App better. Applying to universities through UCAS and Common App involves specific steps tailored to each platform. The criteria for applying through these platforms are quite easy and flexible. However, there’s a step-by-step process that students can follow. Let’s dive deeper into both the processes. 

UCAS Application Steps

1. The first step is to start by registering yourself on the UCAS hub, where you are expected to fill out all the required questions and confirm the year along with the level of the study.
2. The next step is to fill out all the required details for your application which includes questions like residency status, how one is planning to fund their education, and more.
3. Once you finish this, add your education history and qualifications. Here, you are expected to send proof of your qualifications, that is, certificates to your chosen university. 
4. Now it's time to add your employment history and enter details of up to 5 part-time or full-time jobs. You can also include any work you participated in.
5. You can choose up to five courses to pursue, followed by the next step is to write your personal statement. 
6. Once you are done following the above steps, you can submit your UCAS application process.
7. The last step is to add the reference you get from the school or college and pay the UCAS application process fee.

Common App Steps

1. Begin with assembling all the required documents in one place. This includes your text scores and important dates from the college entrance exam like SAT/ACT. Apart from this, students are also required to submit details like parent/guardian details, academic honors, achievements, etc. 
2. Next, create your account and choose the student login type. Fill up all the details such as the name, date of birth, home address, phone number, etc. You are also expected to choose your communication preferences. 
3. Next, select colleges based on your preferences and choice. You can select up to a maximum of 20 colleges; this is something that stands out the Common App. 
4. This is considered one of the most important steps where you are supposed to get your recommendations in one place. 
5. Depending on the college requirements, write an essay that stands out amongst other candidates.
6. The final step is to submit your common app application process and pay the application fees if it is required by the college. 
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Well, this was all about the UCAS vs Common App that you would need to understand which one you want to go ahead with while selecting a university of your choice. UCAS vs Common App has been a topic of debate for a long time. I hope this article cleared out all your doubts regarding the same. Learn more about UCAS and its guidelines for applying to UK universities. This will be helpful for you while applying to UK universities. You can read our blog for more information on how to apply to UK universities. If you're a student planning to study abroad, finding suitable accommodation might be a concern. Explore amber to discover your perfect student housing options worldwide.

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