Going the extra mile…The key to a successful university application

Doug Jennings

An overview of the process

• UCAS will accept your applications between 1 September and 15

January

• There is an earlier deadline (15 October) for Oxford and Cambridge

Universities and certain courses eg Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary

Science

• There are different rules for certain Art & Design routes (see UCAS)

• If you miss the 15 January deadline you can still apply, although

universities do not have to consider it. If you apply after 1 July, you will

go straight into Clearing.

The importance of research

• Before you can apply for your course you have to know exactly what the course entails.

• If you are applying to five courses, make sure you are aware of the nuances that differentiate all the courses you are applying to.

• There is plenty of information out there…

The UCAS form

• Your UCAS form is probably your only chance to shine so make it as good as it possibly can be

• Make sure that you have got your name, school and date of birth right as well as the course code – lots of people don’t

• Your ability to write can be as important as what you write, so make sure spelling, punctuation and grammar are correct

• List all of your qualifications in section 7, not just the ones you’ve done through college – some departments will be interested in music exams, Duke of Edinburgh etc

What are universities looking for?

• Relevant academic ability

• Motivation

• Study Skills

• Relevant experience

• Passion for the subject

• The whole person

The UCAS Form: The Personal Statement

• If you’ve thought carefully about what you like about the subject and researched what each university offers, you’ll have a good starting point when you think about the personal statement

• Tell the Admissions Tutor:• What you like about the course and why you want to study it

at university• Anything relevant you’ve read or researched that wasn’t part

of the A Level syllabus• Any masterclasses or summer schools you’ve been to, or

relevant work experience

Structuring the Personal Statement

• About two thirds of the personal statement should be focussed around your desire to study the particular subject• Where did your interest in the subject come from?• What have you done to develop this interest?• Why do you want to study the subject at university?• How have your current studies shaped your desire to study this

subject?

• The rest of the statement should be about you as a whole person – hobbies, jobs, interests.

The Personal Statement ‘Essay’

The question you must try to answer is…

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

SHOW not TELL

The UCAS Form: The Personal Statement

• What not to do on your UCAS form:• Don’t include misleading information or claim to know more than

you do about a subject – it will not impress!• Don’t use bullet points or lists• Don’t complete the form without getting it checked• Avoid being too wacky or off the wall

• Finally, make sure that you get you know the deadlines and that your form is in on time

Why has applicant chosen this subject?

e.g. ‘Throughout my education, my interest in studying Law has increased greatly. Not only does it appeal as a subject that will challenge me intellectually but also as one which I believe is central to the future direction of our society.....’

Which aspects interest applicant?

e.g. ‘....particularly how the critical decisions that affect our country are made. I am also keen to explore the moral, political, and economic implications of such decisions on both individuals and marginalised groups in society.’

Make links to current studies

e.g. ‘... I have very much enjoyed my History A-Level. Studying the battles of the First World War gave me an historical context for some of the texts I subsequently studied in English, as well as developing my analytical and research skills. I hope to build on this as ... ’

Not just about what applicant has done but what they have gained by doing it

e.g. ....‘I have particularly enjoyed my time on the college council, where school matters are discussed and decisions made. This, together with public speaking, has helped increase both my confidence and communication skills.’

Round up statement and end on a positive note

e.g ... ‘I hope that this personal statement demonstrates that I am an enthusiastic, disciplined, and hard working student, with a keen interest in current affairs, who would enjoy contributing to all aspects of university life.’

Any questions?