Application Process Outline 2014

• Sep13 – Applications open

• 15 Oct 13 – Deadline for Oxbridge applications*

• 15 Jan13 – UCAS applications close (UK)

• 25 Feb 14 – UCAS Extra

• 24 Mar – Some A&D course application deadlines

• Apr 14 – Decision time on offers

• May/Jun – Students need to reply to offers

• After Jun applications go into clearing

• Aug 14 – Results / Adjustment / Clearing

May / Jun 13• research coursesJun / Jul / Aug 13• Visit universities• Open Days• Summer Schools• Draft personal

statements?Sep 13• Continue with draft• Get reviewed *Oct 13 – Dec 13• Institutional

deadlinesJan 14 UCAS main deadline

Personal StatementsSupporting BTEC and Access to HE Diploma learners in writing effective personal statements

Common Pitfalls!• Turned statement into a story

• Too far back – from an early age / I was 5 when....

• Flippant comments / humour out of context

• Quotes not justified / named people not justified

• Shopping list style

• Relevancy and up-to date

• Repetitive words

• Not understanding about the course they have applied for (title of the degree)

• Negativity

Assumptions!• A-level students good at theory and not practice

• BTEC students good at practice but not theory

• Access students have lots of experience (work/life) and less on academic ability

It’s Personal!• Its personal? – Similarity Detection System

• They need to write it first

• Unique and persuasive

• 47 lines (5000 characters / 600 words)

• Different people read them

• Its their way of saying ‘that place is for me” so need to make it positive impression!

• Use as framework for jobs

Framework (guide)►In their statement they should try and include the

following:

• Reasons for choosing the course (60%)

• Work Experience (10%)

• School and college experience (10%)

• Experience outside school (10%)

• Sports / music / language involvement (5%)

• Concluding statement (5%)

Why is it so important? • Essentially it gives them the opportunity to sell

themselves to the Admissions Tutors or other staff

• Less likely to have interviews!

• It can be down to a choice between one statement and another.

• Will help them later when applying for jobs

• Why do they think they are a good student for that programme?

Choosing your course

►Its essential that you state your reasons with examples

• Reasons for choosing the course and why

• Knowledge of the subject area

• Provide examples that confirm your interest

• Describe any specific interests / activities that relate to the course you have chosen, what interests you most

• Identify skills related to the course and how they acquired them

• Future career plans

Work experience

► Include any work experience and any skills (transferable) gained while doing it for example:

Working to deadlines | Diplomacy, empathy and sensitivity | Confidence, working independently | Problem solving, team work | Using your initiative, responsibility | Communication skills – speaking / listening / reading

Evidence of skills:

Details of jobs, placements, work experience (what they did, what were they responsible for and how does it link to the course?

School / College Experience

►Link with what you are doing now to what you want to do!

• Influenced by a particular subject/s - which

• Influenced by a particular person/s – who and why

• Gained skills as a result of going to college (if so what skills)

How does their current or previous studies relate to the course you have chosen

– Don’t list all the units

(SDS)

– Pick one or two units that

relate to the course

– They can refer to future

units if necessary

– What is the connection

here

– It must be relevant as

this will show their

research skills

Experience outside school

►More to life than studying

• Received awards or recognition

• Family or carer responsibilities

• Voluntary, charity or community activities

• Spent a significant time abroad (i.e. not a holiday)

• Playing musical instrument / amateur dramatics

• Remember the skills gained from these!

Sporting / musical involvement►Particularly for related degrees:

• Which sports and why?

• Skills developed from these, examples?

• What level of sportsmanship?

• What musical instruments do they play and why?

• Grades, competency?

• Who/what influences them in music?

• How relevant are these to the course?

Languages ►Related degrees or skills set:

• Which languages and why?

• Level and competency

• What skills do they have from languages?

• Their background to languages?

• Languages in the future?

• Study abroad?

Concluding statement ►This should show that you: -

• Have the skills suited to university life

• Someone who will benefit from university

• Will benefit from the chosen course

• Have an interesting personality

• Shown good research skills

• Show commitment and enthusiasm

Do’s and Don’ts ►What they need to remember: -

• Organise your material so that it is informative and interesting read

• Short and concise paragraphs

• Only write things they can or are prepared to talk about (interviews)

• Don’t describe what you are doing now (story telling)

• No spelling or grammatical errors

• Practice makes perfect – expect several drafts

Final points

• Needs to be checked over by people that know them enough to make suggested changes

• The statement must reflect their individuality

• They must not lie

• Personality must come across

• Use all available space (47 lines)

• Use humour with extreme caution!• No quotes unless justified• End on a positive note

Things to think about Law

►Very popular subject – people do drop out!

• Compulsory if you want to join the profession

• No quick route – minimum 7 years (starting block)

• Intellectually challenging and demanding

• It’s not all “big bucks” and glamorous

• Two principal routes – Barrister or Solicitor

• Additional key skills required:

• Integrity, advocacy, professional responsibility, good judgement, high interpersonal skills, empathy

• CPD throughout career

Things to think about Media

►Extremely popular subject –!

• Fast paced, dynamic and constantly moving industry

• Media comprises of many specialist areas

• Intellectually, practically challenging and demanding

• It’s not all “big bucks” and glamorous

• Get used to a life of jumping through hoops

• Additional key skills required:

• Self confidence, self starters and go-getters, high interpersonal skills, team-working and networking

• May not always have a permanent job