UCAS application process - Interview?

What should I expect?

We interview all UCAS applicants at Cardiff University.

We want to find out more about you than what’s in your UCAS application.

It’s an informal, but important process that will impact on any offers made.

Why do we interview?

This is an opportunity for both us and you to get more information

Information gathered allows us to tailor your offer if one is to be made.

We want to see:

•Why you want to study Chemistry?

•What interests you about the subject?

•Do you have the background knowledge to start the course?

•What do you see yourself doing with a Chemistry degree?

15 minute segment of our UCAS open day

Very informal

Cardiff UniversityWhat will we ask?

We want to find out about YOU.

•We will start with the personal statement.

•All Chemistry interests in statement will be investigated

•Expansion of theory - Mechanistic knowledge

•Favourite experiments – Why?

•Application of theory to real world problems

2* = Quality that is recognised internationally in terms of originality, significance and rigour.

What type of Chemistry questions?

Make sure your core chemistry knowledge is up to scratch.

Each interview is different.

Any projects undertaken will be investigated further.

Questions in areas such as:

•Organic; Mechanisms, chirality, functional groups

•Inorganic; Reduction – Oxidation, metal complexes (cis-platin)

•Physical; Thermodynamics + Kinetics.

•Spectroscopy; NMR, IR, UV-Vis, Mass Spectrometry

You should not have to revise beforehand

What can you do to prepare?

You can’t!

•All aspects will be on topics you should have covered at A-level

•We will not ask anything new

•We want you to display understanding

•As long as your Chemistry knowledge is up to date then that’s all we ask.

The information gathered at the interview

We want to find out about YOU

•Feedback from interviewing staff will impact on your offer.

•Offers should be live on UCAS track within 5 days.

•Did you have a bad interview?; we’ve seen it before! Don’t worry!

•Remember the interview is a chance for you to gain information too.

•Use this time as a chance to ask questions.