UCAS evening 2014 – What to expect…
Preparing your application
The personal statement
Receiving offers
Student finance
Competitive admissions
What do I need to do?
July – September/October
The role of UCAS
UCAS operate on behalf of all full-time
higher education (HE) courses at member
institutions
Undergraduate Degree Foundation Degree HND / HNC Certificate/Diploma of Higher Education
The provision of higher education in the UK
▪ Number of institutions
▪ Number of courses
▪ Applicants in 2013
▪ Acceptances in 2013
372
37,000+
677, 400
495,600
Most popular subject applied to in 2012
Online research – where to go for useful information
▪ UCAS website
▪ UCAS Course Search
and Entry Profiles
UCAS books
University websites
UCAS connect
▪ Unistats
▪ Unifrog
Do you enjoy reading and analysing novels, stories and poetry?
Have you ever wondered how language works?
Are you interested in knowing more about the cultural contexts of your favourite literary texts?
Unistats website
UNIFROG
Research – Additional sources
▪ Publications
▪ Institution Open Days
▪ Taster Courses
▪ Subject specific events
▪ Career fairs
▪ And finally, for Year 12 students:
Key features of the UCAS scheme
Application is online
1 Choice - £12 2-5 Choices - £23
Maximum of 5 choices
Some choice restrictions:
Medicine, Veterinary, Dentistry – max 4
Simultaneous consideration
‘Invisibility’
5 Choices
1 x aspirational choice, 1 or at most 2 grades above your
predicted grades
3 x courses at your predicted grades
1 x course below your predicted grades. An ‘insurance’
choice in case things don’t go to plan.
Entry requirements
2 different ways of asking for grades
1. Points eg 280 UCAS points. This may in some cases
include points gained form AS qualifications.
2. Straight grades eg BBB. Some may additionally request
grades from particular subjects.
Things to consider
What grades / UCAS points are needed?
What are your predicted grades?
Are you going to live at home or move away?
The cost off fees
Is there a bursary available?
Where do you want to live?
Do you want a campus based or city University?
Key dates and deadlines
• Mid June-July – start completing applications online
• Early September –applications can be submitted to UCAS
• 15 October – Oxford, Cambridge, Veterinary, Medicine and Dentistry courses deadline
• 15 January - main UCAS deadline• 24 March – additional Art and
Design deadline• 30 June – last date to submit
applications before clearing
19/04/23
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Making a UCAS application
Every applicant has five sections to complete: Personal details Choices Education Employment Personal statement
Forward to tutor: Reference
UCAS
Universities / colleges
July - September / October
Completion of personal details, education and work
experience sections of the UCAS application
Have 5 course choices in mind for discussion with your
Form Tutor/Year Leader
1st draft of personal statement written
Writing your Personal Statement
Draft 2
Personal Statement - the section that has applicants tearing their hair out!
Personal statement exercise
Personal statement exercise
Personal statement exercise
Personal statement exercise
Personal statement exercise
Personal statement exercise
Personal statement exercise
Personal statement exercise
Personal statement exercise
Personal statement exercise
How important is the Personal Statement?
Most courses at most universities do not interview
Those that do interview will often base their questions on the personal statement
Often the only chance applicant has to impress the admissions team
Key to writing personal statements
It is a process - likely to require several rewrites Takes time – start early Short (47 lines or 4000 characters)
– Clarity, concision, precision
– Well written plain English
– Structured, paragraphs that flow
– No errors in punctuation, spelling, grammar
– Strong opening and closing
Write in a word processor then paste in Apply– Spell check, grammar check
– But don’t rely wholly on these
Get others to read and advise Polish – it needs to be close to flawless Remember similarity detection!
Don’t do these….
No evidence of ‘enthusiasm’ or ‘passion’ for the subject Spelling mistake Repetition of words e.g. ‘interesting’ Poor structure – no flow, sentences too long etc No evidence of interest outside of the school
curriculum Lack of expansion on relevant areas Broad statements, no specifics Criticism of school Too much emphasis on hobbies with no links to course Quotes too long, too general, too common and/or
not sourced
How is the Personal Statement used?
As part of selection institutions weight the importance differently
Helps distinguish between applicants with
similar academic profiles
Some look for ‘reasons to reject’!
As the basis for interviews Keep a copy to refresh your memory
For ‘near misses’ at confirmation
In clearing Keep a copy to refresh your memory
Help for applicants
Similarity Detection Service
Personal statements are checked against a library of
those already in the system, and from a variety of
websites and paper publications Each new statement is added to the library after
processing
What to include (1)
Why have you chosen the course?
What is it about the subject you like?
Relevant information on current
studies?
Outline of academic skills
Reading on the subject outside of set
texts
Experience relevant to chosen course
What to include (2)
What other transferable skills / personal
qualities have been obtained Extra curricular interests, hobbies and
activities (especially as relevant to course) Personal achievements Career plans Anything that demonstrates suitability for
HE studies
Be selective: it is sometimes better to give a bit more detail or supporting evidence on really relevant information, than a lot with little relevanceAsk yourself what value is added by includingsomething?
Strong opening
Capture the reader’s attention
“I have always wanted to be a teacher ever since I was very young. I liked learning and thought it would be good to teach”
OR
“Making a rocket style engine from a bottle of lemonade; working with class mates to create a human model of the solar system; explaining in written reports what we had learned: these were the classes that inspired a passion for learning in me…and later a desire to pass on that passion to others”
Common opening sentences
1. I am currently studying a BTEC National Diploma in..
2. From a young age I have always been interested in..
3. From an early age I have always been interested in..
4. Nursing is a very challenging and demanding career..
5. For as long as I can remember I have been fascinated with...
6. “Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only”...
7. Nursing is a profession I have always looked upon with...
8. For as long as I can remember I have been interested in...
9. Academically, I have always been a very determined and...
464
309
292
275
196
189
178
166
138
Evidence based
Don’t just declare; support and evidence
“I have always been interested in art. I especially like paintings. I like lots of different styles. My favourite is modern art”
OR
“Frequent trips to art galleries as varied as the National Portrait Gallery, the Wallace Collection and the Tate Modern have inspired an understanding and deep appreciation of painting as a medium across a wide range of styles. This has been supported by reading texts like…”
Have a strong ending
End your personal statement on a positive note,use opportunity to impress
“I am looking forward to becoming a psychologist”
OR
“I am passionate about working with young children in the future and therefore am highly determined to make the most of my degree and achieve my ambition to become a developmental psychologist.”
But don’t go over the top…
… and when I’m not working towards World
Peace, I enjoy learning languages from scratch,
writing symphonies and playing a standard of
golf that Tiger Woods can only dream about.’
Personal statement - 10 things for a student to double-check
1. How impressive is my opening? – score out of 102. Have I made a convincing case of why I have chosen my course? 3. Do I have at least one piece of evidence that I have researched what the course entails 4. Do I have at least one piece of evidence of wider reading in the subject5. Do I have at least two pieces of evidence of skills picked up in my A level or other level 3 studies6. Do I have at least one piece of evidence of skills gained from an out-of-school activity 7. Have I suggested what I might do after university?8. Have I avoided using over-long sentences?9. Am I guilty of using any bland generalities (I love football)?10. Is the ending a positive affirmation of what I can bring or contribute to a university community?
Opening SectionProvide insightful reasons for choosing the subjectDemonstrate commitment to the subject(this section should be at least 70% of statement)
Middle SectionOpportunity for the writer to identify themselvesas a reflective and mature individual with appropriate skills, knowledge and attitudes
Final SectionNeeds to be ‘punchy’ and leave the reader with a firm impression of a strong desire tostudy the subject chosen
Layout
Strong opening?
Ever since I accidentally burnt holes in my pyjamas after
experimenting with a chemistry set on my 8th Birthday, I have
always had a passion for science. Following several hospital
visits during my teenage years to explore my interest, the
idea of a career that would exploit my humanity and problem-
solving abilities always made medicine a natural choice…
The insight into human anatomy was fascinating and I found
that I definitely have the stomach for my chosen vocation!
More importantly though, the opportunity provided me with a
valuable perspective on hospital life; it was unglamorous,
sometimes heart-wrenching, but confirmed beyond any doubt
that this is where my future lies.
• EXAMPLES • COMMITMENT • KNOWLEDGE• INTERESTS +
PASSION• WORK
EXPERIENCE, GOOD
STRUCTURE.
A wise man once said “…how dreadful knowledge of the truth can be, when there’s no help in truth.” I think, out of all thoughtful things one can think about, this quotes is unique description of what the depth of Drama and the Performing Arts can do for people. By studying Drama, we can become a variety of people, trapped within one single mind, all trying to be freed and each with their own personality and poison.
I cannot possibly do myself justice inthe amount of space available here. Therefore, please visit my website atwww.christopher......
What about this opening?
Or this?
“I have always believed in settling for nothing less than my best. Now that I have nearly completed my
A-Level courses I think it is necessary to continue my studies, and obtain a degree; this way I know that I am trying my best to extend my knowledge and become a specialist in a subject, and by doing this I will be fulfilling my desire to become a university graduate... The enjoyment of solving particularly challenging problems has made me want to pursue a degree course which involves elements of challenge: Optometry.”
“I have never been afraid of the dentist. A good dentist is like a good cake decorator - always aware
of the customer's needs, a steady hand, an ability to create intricate designs and a keen attention to detail. Dentistry draws on the skills of one of my favourite hobbies; cake decorating.”
My hobby of cake decorating – creating intricate
designs with a keen eye for detail – helps me to both concentrate and relax. The calmness and hand-eye co-ordintion skills this hobby has helped me to develop will, I feel sure, prove invaluable in fostering patient trust in my future career, as the prospect of visiting a dentist fills many people with dread.
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The Personal Statement
You will write yourpersonal statement
Any questions?
Good luck for the future!
How do Universities make their decisions?
Qualifications
Past, present and future
Predicted grades for ‘pending’ qualifications
Personal statement
Reference
Interview
Piece of written work
Portfolio
Audition
Admissions tests
Decision making by institutions
An admissions tutor may initially make one of three
decisions: Unconditional offer Conditional offer Unsuccessful
Or recommend: A place on an alternative course
Applicant replies to offers
Once the final decision has been received, a maximum of two
offers may be held
Applicants have a choice of three reply options:
Firm acceptance
Insurance acceptance
Decline the offer
Track
Enables you to follow the progress
of your application (24/7, access
via password)
Quickest way to find out about
new offers
You can reply to offers online
UCAS Extra
Now operates from mid February to the end of June
Course vacancies listed on UCAS website
Allows additional single choices, entered and considered
once at a time via Track
Applicants eligible for Extra:
Used all 5 choices
All choices unsuccessful, cancelled or offers declined
Clearing Operates from mid July to mid September
Course vacancies listed on UCAS website
and with the Telegraph
Allows additional single choices, entered and considered once at a time via Track
You must contact the university to discuss directly
Applicants eligible for Clearing:
Paid full fee (£23)
All choices unsuccessful, cancelled or offers declined
Applied after 30 June (no choices)
Adjustment
For applicants whose place has been confirmed at their FIRM choice, and who have
• MET all conditions of offer and
• EXCEEDED at least one condition
• Paid full fee (£23)
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