Making a successful application

Bob Savill

Head of Admissions

Application Timeline

•Spring 2011 Initial research – “Long list”

•Summer 2011 Start Personal Statement

•Summer/Autumn Visit Open Days / “shortlist” of university choices

•Oct 15th Early deadline - Oxbridge / Dentistry / Medicine

•Nov - Dec School / College deadline for all other

applications

•Dec 1st GTTR - PGCE Primary deadline

•Jan 15th UCAS Deadline – late applications may or may

not be considered

Application Timeline

(Dec to March)

UCAS forwards your application to all the universities you have applied to at

the same time. NB for PGCEs the process is sequential.

We cannot see where else you have applied.

Each university will then assess your application and issue one of the following decisions:

•Interview/Audition: For some courses, we require an interview or practical audition;

•Conditional Offer: You will be asked to achieve specific results in your exams - or to

gain relevant experience;

•Unconditional Offer: Your application already meets all the entry criteria;

•Rejection: If your application is not suitable / strong enough, your application may be

rejected.

UCAS Application

Personal Details

Supporting information

Qualifications (awarded & pending)

Personal Statement

Reference

The UCAS application – apply @ ucas.ac.uk

Completing the UCAS application - Register

Name,

address,

security

questions,

e-mail

verification.

Important: -

Note

username and

personal I-D

Completing the UCAS Form

You can

complete

the form in

any order.

You can

save and

return.

Sussex Liaison Progression Accord

An agreement between the three universities and most of the sixth forms and colleges in Sussex.

Guarantees either an offer or interview if applicant is taking appropriate subjects (some very popular courses excluded).

Need to type “Accord” on UCAS application (Section 3f)

www.progressionaccord.org.uk

Your Personal Statement is the

place on the UCAS form where

you can really differentiate

yourself, so make the most of

it!

Why is it so important?

Some courses are VERY competitive with many applications for each

place. Most applicants have the right qualifications / predicted

grades.

So the personal statement can make the difference between getting

an interview / offer - or not!

4000 Characters (1 side of A4).

6 - 8 Paragraphs.

A ‘sales pitch’ / an interview on paper!

Showing an admissions tutor that you are a suitable / good

applicant for their course.

Academic Interest

The main part of your Personal Statement.

Why do you want to do this course?

How has your previous study has helped you?

What your ambitions are, at University and once you have graduated?

Your Experience

This can be the most important part of your personal statement and

often it is a set entry requirement.

You need to be analytical of your experiences, discussing what you

learnt and what challenged you. Then link this back to why you want

to follow this course / career path

Your Interests

These can be academic or personal / social.

They must be relevant & show up-to-date transferrable skills.

We are looking for interests, strengths & achievements.

These can be gained from: work experience; volunteering; positions of

responsibility; membership of clubs; sporting achievements.

The best personal statements…

Are written with enthusiasm and passion

Are interesting and original

Are aimed at the audience which will read them

Are analytical rather than descriptive

Review It!

Don’t stick with your first (or second, third..) draft.

Ask several people to read through it – friends, family & tutors.

Spelling, punctuation and grammar are important – don’t just rely on a

spell-checker.

Don’t leave it until the last minute.

Ten Top Tips

1. Is it all your own work?

2. Spelling, punctuation & grammar

3. Is your subject choice clear?

4. Is it all positive?

5. Is it original?

6. Does it demonstrate the required skills?

7. Does it focus on academic skills & experience?

8. Are your career goals/development clear?

9. Have you analysed your work experience?

10. Have you included info about your gap year?

Any Questions?