Finding my path: Why I chose SOAS through Clearing

Final-year student Daisy reflects on her journey back to university. After dropping out at 19 and working for three years, she chose to return through Clearing to study for a BA in Chinese.

My route to SOAS was not the most straightforward. I dropped out of university at 19. I worked various jobs over the next three years, none of which felt fulfilling. I was self-studying Japanese and wanted to pursue it at a degree level, but I wasn't ready and feared dropping out again.

Why I returned to uni

In March 2020, I lost my job as a chef due to COVID-19, but by July, I had found a new position in an Italian restaurant. However, this period made me reconsider the instability of hospitality work and consider returning to university. I missed the application deadline, so I had to apply through Clearing.

I considered Sheffield, Manchester, and UCL. Initially, the Russell Group prestige drew me to these institutions, but I realised I needed to stay in London. I had grown quite homesick at my first university, which contributed to my dropping out. When I was in secondary school, my English teacher often mentioned SOAS. She led parts of the UCAS process and recommended SOAS, among others. This encouraged me to investigate it further. Additionally, my grandfather spoke fondly of SOAS, particularly for its expertise in African history, and this stuck with me. 

How I applied through Clearing

While working full-time, I wrote and edited my personal statement and secured a reference from my old English teacher. I reached out to the BA Japanese convenor at SOAS, who guided me through the Clearing process. I submitted my UCAS application and waited for results day. On results day, I was in constant contact with SOAS' Clearing team and the BA Japanese convenor. When asked which course I was applying for, I impulsively chose BA Chinese over Japanese, feeling it was the right fit. I received and accepted my offer, starting my course within four weeks. 

 If you're nervous about Clearing, don't be! Help is available from SOAS, your school, and your family and friends.

The clearing process initially felt daunting, which delayed my application. However, once I sought help, I found it was more manageable than I had anticipated. With support from SOAS and my former teacher, the process was straightforward. If you're nervous about Clearing, don't be! Help is available from SOAS, your school, and your family and friends. 

My best advice is to visit the campus and thoroughly research your course. This ensures you make the right decision. SOAS' focus on regional expertise, particularly in East Asia, and its supportive environment made it the right choice for me.