Applying to Competitive UniversitiesPenny DowellWidening Participation and Undergraduate Recruitment Officer

14th June 2013

Overview

Why apply to competitive universities? Competition for placesWhat are admission tutors looking for?How can you stand out?What tools can you use?Top tips

Why apply to competitive universities?

Graduate employmentQuality of teachingAcademic teaching styleStudent satisfactionResearch intensive institutions Access to certain professions

Competition for places

Competition for places

Subject Applications Places

Medicine 3,452 216 16

Geography 1,220 137 9

History 1,272 190 7

English 1,064 150 7

Law 1,007 184 5

Archaeology 158 23 7

Engineering Maths 105 38 3

Social Policy 87 34 3

Italian 30 8 4

What are admission tutors looking for?

A level (or equivalent) gradesSubject combinationsAS grades, predicted grades and unit marksGCSE gradesPersonal statementReferenceTest results (where applicable)Interview (where applicable)Work experience (where applicable)

What are admission tutors looking for?

Relevant academic abilityMotivationStudy skillsWritten communication skillsRelevant experiencePassion for the subjectThe whole person

What are admission tutors looking for?

That you have read around your subject areaIf possible, work experienceBeing able to demonstrate your skillsPositions of responsibilityWhat has inspired you? Why are you passionate about the subject?Additional qualificationsOther interests, what else could you contribute to the University?

What are admission tutors looking for?

A realistic interest in MedicineInformed about a career in MedicineDemonstrated commitment to helping othersDemonstrated a wide range of interestsContributed to school/college/community activitiesA range of personal achievements

Medicine example: - Personal Statement

What are admission tutors looking for?Medicine example: - InterviewReasons for wanting to study MedicineAwareness of current developmentsAbility to communicateSelf-confidence, enthusiasm, determinationHow informed you are about the course and careerAbility to think critically and to discuss potentially contrasting points of view on topical subjects selected by interviewers

How can you stand out?Qualifications

– Have you got anything over and above the basic 3 A Level formula?

Research– The market– The course– The selection criteria (not just the standard offer grades)– Actual grades of successful applicants

Read around the subject– Evidence of motivation and commitment

Tailor your application– Evidence of close fit with selection criteria

How can you stand out?About two thirds of the personal statement should be

focussed around the desire to study the particular subject• Why• What• Academic

• The rest of the statement should be about the whole

person – hobbies, jobs, interests. • Interests – activities and sport• Conclusion

How can you stand out?

Simple question....

“Why should I be allowed to study ______ at University ?”

What tools can you use?

Admission statements

• Application process• Qualifications• Personal statement• Reference

• Typical offer

Where to start?

Admission statements

• Application process• Qualifications• Personal statement• Reference

• Typical offer

What tools can you use?Social Media

• The Student Room

Information on interviewsPersonal statement reviewsFind out typical offers made

What tools can you use?Open Days/Taster Days/Lectures

Top tips

Do your researchLook through admission statementsRead outside of the core curriculumGet involved with lots of activitiesGet work experienceProvide examples!!Analyse your activities, sports and interestsBe ambitious but realisticHave a back up plan

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Questions

Schools-Colleges-Liaison@bristol.ac.uk