U-Birmingham Tips on UCAS Applications

8/14/2019 U-Birmingham Tips on UCAS Applications

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GCSE answers

Q: What is meant by momentum?

A: What you give a person when they aregoing away

Q: What is meant by a vacuum?

A: Vacuum: A large empty space where thepope lives

Q: What is meant by gravity?

A: Gravity was invented by Isaac Walton. It ischiefly noticeable in the Autumn when the

apples are falling off the trees


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GCSE answers

Q: What is the Fibula?

A: A small lie

Q: What is a seizure?

A: A Roman Emperor

Q: What does the word benign mean?

A: Benign is what you will be after you beeight.


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What we will cover

The context of applying to university

What admissions tutors look for Why demonstrating skills is important

How to structure a personal statement

Examples of the good, bad and the ugly


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Learning objectives To understand the importance of the personal

statement to HEIs

To understand what to include in a personalstatement

And what not to (by way of examples)

To understand your responsibilities


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Applicants to places which is thehardest course to get into?

Civil Engineering

Dentistry

Drama

History

Law

Medicine

Psychology


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Ratio of applications to acceptances (by

subject. Source UCAS) UK applicants, 2007 entry

Subject Total Total applications accepts

Ratio

Medicine 73,374 7,8379.4 : 1

Dentistry 11,283 1,199

9.4 : 1Drama 49,509 6,822

7.3 : 1

History 47,111 7,444

6.3 : 1


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Applicants to places which is thehardest university to get into?

Birmingham

Bristol

Durham

Exeter

Oxford

Southampton

York


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Ratio of applicants to places for 07 entry(Sourced UCAS web site 10 th March 2008 )

Number of Number of Ratio

applicants placesBristol 43,891 3,846

11 : 1

Durham 29,684 3,6518.1 : 1

Birmingham 41,050 5,3357.7 : 1

York 20,150 2,7457.3 : 1


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Applicants per place at Birmingham(Based on 2007 entry)Subject Apps Accepts Ratio

Biological Sciences 873 125 7.0

Civil Engineering 673 79 8.5

Dentistry 1,100 75 14.7

English 722 110 6.6

Law 1,295 220 5.9 Medicine 2,652 332 8.0

Physics 640 95 6.7

Psychology 1,263 147 8.6


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What is itAdmissionsTutors look

for?


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The Personal Statement How is itused?

Used to contextualise the application

Used to confirm the reference A good one will help with borderline

cases

To find students who willbe interesting to teach

May be used as a basis for

interview


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Admissions tutors are looking for ...

Confirmation of motivation and interest in the course

Confirmation of meeting the academic requirementsand that the applicant will cope with the course

Confirmation that the applicant has relevant skills tosucceed

Confirmation that the personal statement andreference are consistent


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The statement needs to address subjectspecific skills e.g. Medicine

E.g. Medicine - Sound academic background

Physical stamina Manual dexterity

Communication skills

IT skills Study skills

Team working

Self motivation


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Suitability for and interest in the course

For example, if applying for:

Modern Languages, have they visited the country? Science / Engineering, is their maths good enough

English: can they critically appraise a text?

History: do they understand the use of sources?

Psychology: do they understand the scientific as wellas human side?


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Skills for University


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Academic achievement, skills and potential An indication of their potential for degree level study

and factors that will make them good HE students:

Are they motivated to learn? Are they capable of independent study?

Do they have an enquiring mind?

Are they able to present an argument? Can they talk and discuss confidently in class?

Are they good at problem solving?


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A word on predicted grades

Be realistic

This is all that some Admissions Tutors will look at Some Admissions Tutors will tailor the offer to the predicted

grades

Short explanation of the prediction (especially if not obviouse.g. if predicted to go from a poor GCSE to good A levelresult because of illness, late development etc)

If theyve done well in their AS results, say so.


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Predicted Grades

It doesnt do the applicant any favours if their predicted grades are CCC and they are applying for courses that need AAB for entry

Many Admissions Tutors place great store by GCSEresults and use predicted grades to confirm

judgements made based on the GCSE results


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Non-academic information


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Its what they say about the subject thatreally matters

70% of the form should be subject related

If they quote, make sure its correct Give evidence of reading around the subject and

quote off the syllabus

Mention of extra-curricula activities should relate tothe skills that have been developed and are relevantfor the course


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We like evidence of critical thinking

Have they done Critical Thinking or

General Studies Do they read newspapers daily?

Do they read subject specific

journals (e.g. Lancet) Evidence of research

(e.g.Law in Focus, Radio 4 etc)


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What the Personal Statement shouldcontain

The reason for the course choice why they

want to study that subject What they enjoy about that subject Relevant skills and interests Relevant strengths and achievements Relevant work experience and employment

LESS what has been done MORE what they got out of it


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Some examples from realPersonal Statements


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Not so goodI enjoy the theatre and used to go a couple of times ayear. (Drama)

I am a keen reader and committed to the study of humanbehaviour through TV soaps. (Psychology)

My interest in medicine stems from my enjoyment of Casualty and other related TV series. (Medicine)

The world is becoming increasingly global. (Economics)To be or not to be, that is the question. It was this quotefrom Shakespeares Macbeth that persuaded me to studyEnglish. (English)


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Not so goodEnglish has been a subject which has fascinated me and Icannot imagine studying anything else. (Joint HonoursEnglish and Cultural Studies)

I would dearly love to become a vet. Alternatively I wouldlike to work with animals in either veterinary science or one of the associated industries, eg dentistry or animal

chiropractor. (Physiotherapy)

Radiography appeals to me ... helping patientsemotionally and physically ... enjoy a wide range of topicsin biology. (Joint Honours Drama and English)


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Good ... showing sustained interest

I organised a reading circle for Year 9 children inschool, where we read and discuss books and producebook reviews for the school newsletter. (English)

My English teacher introduced us to the war poets in

Year 11, and ever since I have been reading as muchof it as I could find. Last year my family and I travelledto France and we visited some of the war graves. Itreally helped my understanding of the feelings theyexpressed in their poetry. (English)


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Good interest in the subject

I am also particularly interested in the dominant role of the language in French culture, finding theFrancophone determination to preserve the languagefascinating (especially when compared to the Englishattitude to language). (French)

I am interested in the way that language shapes societyand consequently how people are affected by changesto a language. I am also fascinated as to how analysingliterature can enable us to study a society and itsculture in more depth. (English)


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The discipline, logic and challenge of mathematics interestme greatly, and during the A Level course I have

particularly enjoyed studying mechanics as I am veryinterested in the subjects scientific applications. As aphysics student I have had opportunities to apply themathematical principles I have learnt to physicalsituations. (Mathematics)

The problem solving aspects of maths challenges appealto me as they bring together different branches of mathematics and go beyond what is taught in the

classroom. (Mathematics)

Good ... understanding of the subject


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Geography is a subject that I have always foundfascinating, especially since I realised how it

encompasses both social and political issues.(Geography)

Since I was a child, I have had a passion for history, but Ihad always thought that the colourful characters of thepast had no connection with the modern world. However,my A level studies have shown me that the machinationsof Cardinal Wolsey in the sixteenth century were not sodifferent from those of modern politicians. (History)

Good ... understanding of the subject


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Good ... interest and clear reasonsThe English dramatist Edward Bulwer-Lytton wrote thatThe pen is mightier than the sword. The written wordspower is precisely the reason I wish to study EnglishLiterature at university. I have always been fascinated bythe effect good writing can have on a reader, and by theway a writer uses words. (English)

My favourite aspect of literature is poetry. I love to studyboth form and meaning, mainly in modern poets like CarolAnn Duffy, Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes, although I havealso read and enjoyed work by John Donne, John Clareand of course Shakespeare. (English)


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Good relevant work experienceDuring my work experince with Honeywell, I joined a teamof chemical engineers and was able to observe themimplementing a project at a petrochemical plant. This not

only gave me an insight into their work, but also allowedme to gain knowledge of the petrochemical industry.(Chemical Engineering)

My work experience at Ove Arup involved designing abuilding, as part of a team of other students, and thenpresenting our ideas to a group of engineers. This helpedmy presentation and team working skills as well as givinga valuable insight into the work of a civil engineer. (Civil

Engineering)


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My decision to study medicine has been reaffirmedover the last year after undertaking work experienceplacements in various parts of the health service

these enabled me to gain an insight into the workinglife of a doctor and showed the need for goodteamworking, communication and interpersonal skills.(Medicine)

Good ... understanding of skills


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I know that in medicine there is not always a perfectsolution to a patients problem, but there is alwayssomething that can be done. I would like to bring mycaring and compassionate qualities, together withcommunication, confidence and teamwork ... to ensurethe best possible outcome for the patient. (Medicine)

Good ... knowledge and realism


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General Guidance on the PersonalStatement 1 of 2

At least 70% should concentrate on course or subject related issues and why they want to studythat subject

They need to show motivation, commitment andenthusiasm for the chosen course or subject

Analyse experiences and skills and relate them tothe course or subject

They need to be specific, honest and positive


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General Guidance on the PersonalStatement 2 of 2

It must be well structured, with correct grammar andspelling

Dont start every sentence with I

Ensure they get someone else to read it (preferablyevery time they re-draft it)

If possible, avoid banal over-used words such as I ampassionate about


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Interviews Not all institutions interview

Not all courses interview

Some have to interview

Have they researched the course content?

How will they present themselves?

your interviewers will not be dressing up for you so shouldyou dress up for them?

Do they need to take anything?

Should they have some questions to ask?


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The ideal interviewee for medicine Has a clear idea of what doctors actually do

Understands the education and training requirements

Can show evidence of genuine interest in medicine A fluent and articulate speaker who is able to converse

on a range of subjects and shows warmth of personalitythrough non-verbal behaviour

Has a variety of interests and hobbies (includingparticipation in sport), at least one of which has beenpursued to a reasonably high level of proficiency

Well read and with a good knowledge of human affairs


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Taking a Gap Year Get them to think about it carefully is it right for

them?

7.4% of students nationally take a GAP year 95% of Admissions Tutors are generally not against

a Gap Year none are at Birmingham

However, Gappers have often got out of the habit of

studying and may struggle with maths-basedsubjects

If they decide to take a Gap Year, get them to dosomething constructive and make it clear in their

application what they are doing and why


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Summary Research the courses on offer

They should try and visit an institution / several HEIs

Know the competition / ratios of applicants Make clear:

Student potential

Any unusual circumstances

Ensure that their personal statements are original and intheir own words

Get the applications in as early as possible

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U-Birmingham Tips on UCAS Applications

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