Competitive Admissions and Academic Interviews

Jonathan TinnacherDirector of Student Recruitment & Outreach

Overview

• Overview of applications and admissions at Imperial

• Criteria used to select• UCAS Entry Profiles• Personal statements• Selection tests• Interviews• Offers• Confirmation

Applications and Admissions to Imperial

Applications Admissions Ratio Averagetariffscore

Engineering 5,642 922 6.1 : 1 562

Medicine 3,512 435 8.1 : 1 560

Natural Sciences

5,163 856 6.0 : 1 560

Total 14,316 2,213 6.5 : 1 561

The process at Imperial

• Department Admissions Tutors: Academic with administrative support

• Some use selection tests• Most Departments will interview*• Decision made by Department• Admissions Office check• Decision sent to applicant by UCAS and

Department

*Life Sciences, Biomedical Science and Mathematics do not interview

Criteria used to select

• Subject selection (what subjects were being studied in final year)

• School’s grade prediction• Previous exam results (where they exist)• Personal Statement• Referee’s Statement• Admissions tests• Interview

A very useful resource...

UCAS Entry Profiles

UCAS Entry Profiles

Imperial Entry Profile: Aeronautical Engineering

Essential skills/qualities at entryYou may not yet have much appreciation of Aeronautical Engineering, but an interest in applying your maths, physics and/or design studies to real world practical situations is a good starting point. An interest in aircraft is helpful but certainly not necessary; our graduates gain employment in a wide range of technologies.• Mathematical Ability: Aeronautical Engineers use the laws of physics and a pragmatic imagination to

develop mathematical models of the processes, structures and systems which they are investigating and to predict and refine their performance. What connects these processes is the flow of a fluid in contact with a solid object, e.g. air past an aircraft wing, car or building, oil through a pipeline, blood in an artery. Although Aeronautical Engineers often use wind tunnels and computers to help solve the associated problems, a rigorous understanding of the underlying mathematical principles is essential to be able to assess the validity of their predictions. The first two years of the courses will build on your mathematical background to give you the range of numerical skills required; however you must be able to demonstrate a very high level of mathematical ability at entry.

• Scientific Ability: The ability to extract and understand the basic physical principles involved in any practical system is an essential requirement of a successful engineer. When creating a new design the engineer must be able to clearly identify how the device is meant to work, and describe the principles in such a manner that it is possible to ensure that it will work safely and without risk. In many applications, e.g. aircraft, an overly conservative design will make the device heavier than necessary leading to higher fuel costs, lower load-carrying capacity or reduced operating range.

• Motivation: Any engineering course requires a lot of hard work if you are going to complete it successfully, so we are looking for indications in the personal statement of your UCAS application form that you have researched what is involved in studying and, later on, applying Aeronautical Engineering. Clearly if you plan to be a Formula One racing car designer, or aircraft designer, you will be able to see that these courses provide a very strong academic background to such a career. However if you just want to "do something with your physics and don't like computing or electricity" then you may find that these courses are too challenging.

Imperial Entry Profile: Aeronautical Engineering

Desirable skills/qualities at entryThere is no "ideal applicant" for Aeronautical Engineering; we are looking for very bright students who will be able to benefit from our courses and who have the potential to become professional engineers. However there are some interests and useful skills which you may already possess; these will help you on our courses. • Interest in aircraft or other transport or related technologies: Aeronautical Engineering has its roots in

the design and construction of aircraft but any other technology that involves fluid flow needs the special skills of Aeronautical Engineers.

• Interest in design: Design is at the heart of engineering. Engineers try to create devices and machines which will be useful to people. The designs must work, be safe and economic to manufacture and operate, cause minimum pollution, and be desirable so that people will buy them. If you enjoy design technology and the idea that there is not always just one right answer to many problems, then the challenge of producing innovative aeronautical designs which will work may be one reason for selecting one of our courses.

• Interest in problem solving: Many engineers have to resolve complex problems involving both technical matters, e.g. size, materials etc., and more nebulous problems such as human relations. The ability to identify clearly what are the main problems, and then to propose and implement strategies for solving or resolving them with out creating more problems, is an extremely useful skill for project management.

• Interest in working with others: Some engineers work as individuals, doing everything themselves. However most have to work in teams to design and produce machines in a shorter period of time utilizing the different skills of each m ember of the team. The ability to get on with other people, and to get them to work with you and for you, are important skills, particularly if you want to become a manager.

The Personal Statement (1)

• Clear, well written, articulate (no copying and no mistakes).

• Motivation – clear reasons for wanting to study their subject.

• Demonstrate an understanding of the subject.• Evidence of skills such as time management.

The Personal Statement (2)

Skills, understanding and motivation, evidenced by:• Previous study• Relevant experience – work or extra-curricular• Career aspirations

Other:• Activities, interests, music, travel, community work,

sports – use to demonstrate skills• Any exceptional circumstances?• Why are you taking a year out?

The Personal Statement (3)

Tip: Mention open days, taster courses, public lectures, books – shows drive, motivation and desire to find out about subject (especially if

not studied at school)

Selection tests

BMAT (Biomedical Admissions Test)• Medicine & Biomedical Science• Register September, exam November

MAT (Maths Admissions Test) • Mathematics• Register September, exam November

Interview day tests • e.g. Aeronautics Maths test / advance question

See: www.admissionstestingservice.org

Interviews (1)

Admissions tutors will look for:• Motivation• Research on the subject and course• Good performance on interview questions• Willingness to learn – can take a hint and run

with it!

Interviews (2)

Admissions tutors will inevitably ask:• Why do you want to study the subject (at

Imperial)?

Tip: Have something prepared.

Interviews (3)

Technical part: • Based on A level (or material that can be

deduced from A level), profession, or on personal statement. e.g.

› Tell us about Spectroscopy› How does a jet engine work?› In ten years time, would you expect to see more

patents for cancer or for diabetes?

Tip: You can steer these, by telling them about your main interests

Typical offers at Imperial

• A-levels: A*A*AA to AAA• Will specify if specific grades required for

specific subjects

Confirmation

• If meet grades – then will be accepted.• Near misses will be considered if places

available.• Will, on occasion, make alternative offer.

And finally…

• Contact Admissions tutor in department with any special circumstances.

• Encourage applicants to contact Admissions tutor if they wish to seek any clarity, or need different interview arrangements.

• Check on-line prospectus and departmental websites for more information about selection process.

Any Questions?