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

Alex O’Driscoll

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…

What are universities looking for?

• Relevant academic ability

• Motivation

• Study Skills

• Relevant experience

• Passion for the subject

• The whole person

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

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

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

• Make sure that you get you know the deadlines and that your form is in on time

Structuring the Personal Statement

• About two thirds of the personal statement should be focussed around your desire to study the particular subject• Why• What• Academic

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

• Interests – activities and sport• Conclusion

The Personal Statement ‘Essay’

The question you must try to answer is…

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

SHOW not TELL

Why has applicant chosen this subject?1. Anecdote2. Specific element of the subject that appeals3. Refer to an expert in the field4. Refer to something specific from your life

e.g. ‘Since dismantling my first toys at an early age, I have been compelled to discover how and why things work.’

Engineering

What

e.g. ‘I attended two residential courses at the University of Nottingham, ‘VetSix’ and ‘VetSim’: sessions ranged from reptiles and exotics to saturing, keyhole surgery and emergency callout simulation, and I attended lectures on parasites, surgical techniques and holistic treatments. I found both courses intriguing and their diversity affiremed my desire to be a vet.’

Veterinary Science

Academic

e.g. ‘While studying for my A levels, my self confidence and public speaking skills have improved tremendously from my Theatre Studies course. I have also developed the ability to interact with different nationalities while studying and speaking German.’

Travel and Tourism

Interests and activities e.g. ....‘The Gold Duke of Edinburgh award has given me the opportunity to take on many challenges; the practice and assessed expeditions frequently placing me in demanding situations and allowing me to deal with unuasual predicaments and work with a variety of people.’

Conclusione.g ... ‘I believe, without doubt, the veterinary profession is for me. I look forward to the day that I perform my first keyhole surgery.’

Veterinary Science

Any questions?