University Application process The personal statement
What is UCAS ? Use unifrog to search courses and to perfect your personal statement before adding it to your UCAS application
The UCAS application Choices Education Personal statement Personal details You can choose up to five courses You will need to enter all The most difficult and Use an appropriate (all now or some later). There’s no subjects taken at GCSE time consuming personal email preference order and your (including exam boards grades section of of your address universities/colleges won’t see achieved and ) application where else you’ve applied until after you reply to any offers you You will also need to include get. your A level / BTEC / Cam Tech subjects (including exam boards 4 choices for Medicine / but grades will be left pending) Veterinary / Dentistry
How long is the personal statement? 4000 characters - with spaces (approx. 650 words) / One side of A4 If your statement is over the character count it will not be accepted when you enter it on your UCAS application
How should I I structure my personal statement? 1. Opening paragraph - Why do you want study the subject? 2. Evidence - What you have done in the past that makes you a suitable candidate 3. Transferable skills & Personal Interests – what skills have you developed during your academic studies Personal interests - What are your interests? What else have you done that would contribute to the university community? Evidence Evidence Evidence
1. Opening Paragraph What you shouldn’t include Over-used clichés ‘I have always been fascinated by…..’ Admissions tutors call it ‘ever since I was a foetus’ ……I have always wanted to be a doctor ……I have always known I would become a teacher ……I have loved being with animals all my life
What you shouldn’t include Quotations . These are the most common quotes admission tutors read Philosophy: "I think, therefore I am" - Descartes Art: "A picture is worth a thousand words" -Napoleon Bonaparte History: "Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it" - George Santayana Maths: "Pure mathematics is the poetry of logic" - Albert Einstein Engineering "Scientists investigate that which already is; Engineers create that which has never been“ – Albert Einstein sport admissions tutor: 'I’m totally fed up of Muhammad Ali quotes!' Don’t quote unless you really really want to – they want to know what you have to say
What you shouldn’t include 3. Random lists I’ve read this, I’ve been there, I’ve done that, watched that… ‘it’s boring…….. What did you learn from this? 4. Big yourself up with sweeping statements or unproven claims ‘I am an exceptionally talented photographer’ (no one will want to work with you) 5. Limit your use of the word ‘passion’ ‘I m passionate about.. I have a passion for...’ The word interested is repeated throughout personal statements. 6. Stilted vocabulary ‘I was enchanted..... Mesmerised’ - use plain English 7. Plagiarism, lies or exaggeration don’t say you have read a book when you haven’t. They will catch you out at interview or in your first tutorial! 8. Trying to be funny the admissions tutors may not share your sense of humour or even have one 9. Negative comments or excuses I dropped that subject because it was boring……… means you will not bother turning up for lectures for units you don’t like, or worse… drop out 10. Irrelevant personal facts ‘I have seven siblings so I am very sociable. In year 10 I won the 100 metres race. I have a paper round and get up early every morning
What you should include Show why you want to study ‘X’ Maths has lots of features that fascinate me. However, something that stands out above everything else is understanding complexity, the logic and management of concepts that can first appear chaotic leading up to the solution of a difficult questions can be an extremely satisfying experience to solve.
What you should include Show why you want to study ‘X’ My admiration for physiotherapy developed following a week-long placement at Southampton General Hospital where I shadowed physiotherapists in various medical settings. My placement gave me a valuable insight into many of the areas in which physiotherapists work. For example, I spoke to multiple sclerosis patients receiving hydrotherapy, assisted with a pulmonary rehabilitation class for COPD sufferers and observed treatment of patients in amputee rehabilitation . I enjoyed the unique hospital environment and having contact with the patients on the wards as, whilst one patient may have a similar problem to another, their personal stories can be entirely different and thus may require differing treatments.
What you should include Show why you want to study ‘X’ My decision to study Law was confirmed when I attended the Royal Courts of Justice and The Old Bailey . Gaining first-hand experience of how the courts are run, introduced me to how the legal system is structured and conducted , whilst giving me the opportunity to witness a broad range of cases . Time spent at a local solicitor’s firm highlighted some of the more ordinary and routine aspects to the law and the work of a solicitor, allowing me to experience the complexity of the legal system but, at the same time, being exposed to the benefits of justice.
What do I I in include ? 2. Evidence your interest • work experience relevant to the course you have chosen. • Job shadowing Don’t forget to • Any Moocs or other online courses ‘geek out’ on unifrog • Books / journals you have read • Any other evidence that you can use to show you are interested and have the skills to be able to handle the demands of the course • Remember to research the course . Universities differ in the content they teach. Make sure you find out what you will be learning and include your interest in these areas.
How to evidence During Year 12 I directed A Midsummer Night’s Dream which I really enjoyed doing. I worked with thirty other people and I was able to include live music as I have always liked music and play bass guitar and double bass in school productions. You are saying what you did What did you learn from this?
How to evidence During Year 12 I directed A Midsummer Night’s Dream . The Dream is a play that I desperately wanted to know intimately – beyond the restraints and rigours of academic study – to see how it worked on stage. This experience was certainly the singularly most satisfying moment in my education so far. I feel that I came of age directing that play. Not only was it intellectually and artistically challenging: working with thirty other people I learned a great deal about patience and tolerance in those months . I introduced live music and dance as part of the production……
What do I I in include ? 3. Your academic transferable skills (What makes you suitable to study the subject) Think about the transferable skills you have learnt from your courses • Independent learner, • Research skills, • Attention to detail • Time management • Analysis of results • Collaborative work in lessons / projects • Include EPQ if you are studying for this qualification.
How to evidence Through participation in the Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award I have learnt the importance of planning, collaboration and I have achieved my Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award, I commitment, particularly in physically and emotionally am currently working towards my Silver, and I am demanding situations , such as the expeditions. I believe hoping to gain Gold level at university. I love planning these skills will help me have the courage and competence to and undertaking expeditions as they are physically demanding. deal with the challenging circumstances a career in nursing could present. I also enjoy working for the ‘service’ element of the award. At the moment, I visit the elderly residents at the local sheltered housing association once a week. I am My volunteer work at the local sheltered housing association, hoping to be involved in promoting the award scheme to young people in the future, as I have really benefitted for the ‘service’ element of the award, can be emotionally from it and would like to be able to share my experience draining but is incredibly rewarding . It has allowed me to with others. develop compassion and empathy for those in different circumstances to my own and improved my care and communication skills.
What do I I in include? 3. Additional skills & Personal interests What skills do you need for a career related to your degree Job description - lawyer Find a job description • Good at negotiating and debating (not just arguing in a calm manner) • Can stay cool under pressure what the skills and qualities are needed for that job? • Good communicator (both in writing and speaking) • Get those skills and qualities in Confident • Good at Maths • but provide evidence • Attention to detail • Excellent organisational skills
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