Denis Callaghan & Eta DanagherGuidance Counsellor’s

Applying to UCAS

Differences: UCAS -v- CAO

UCAS

• Closing Dates

15 October - Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary and Oxbridge

15 January - All other courses

• Web based application system

• Important Sections

Choices - up to 5 choices- max. of 4 for Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary

Results - those already taken- those to be completed

Reference

Step 1: Research

• Research subject of interest

• Potential careers with your degree of choice

• Entry requirements – be realistic!

• University facilities, sports and social clubs

Step 1: Research

• Every course is different so check for:

Length of course

Study abroad opportunities

Work placements

Unique facilities

Performance in RAE (research) and university rankings like the Times Good University Guide (research and teaching)

Step 2: Fill in your UCAS Application Form

• Use your 5 choices wisely

Don’t apply to widely differing courses

Don’t apply to the same institution 5 times

• Have a trial run

• Follow UCAS “How to Apply” instructions

• Make use of universities’ web sites for guidance

Step 2: Fill in your UCAS Application Form

• List all qualifications in Section 7

• Make sure name, school and date of birth are

correct

• Only fill in date of first entry to the UK where

necessary

• Be careful of spelling, punctuation and grammar

Beware of using personal email addresses

• serialkiller@ Applied for Nursing

• Murder_man2003@ Applied for Social Work

• Stalker_at_work@ Applied for Law

• Liam_turns_me_on@ Applicant was called Liam

• thongsonawashingline@

Why do UCAS make you fill out a Personal Statement?

To help you to stand out from the crowd!

The Personal Statement

• Should be concise

“Why should I be given a place to study x?”

• Should sell the applicant

• Explain any unusual references or

circumstances

• Be original

The Personal Statement: Why Me?

• Why have you chosen this subject?

• Which aspects of the course interest you?

• Show commitment to the subject

Reading

Work and/or voluntary experience

Additional study

• What can you offer to the university?

Why have you chosen this subject?

• Show passion for the subject

“Throughout my education, my interest in

studying Law has increased greatly. Not only

does it appeal as a subject that will challenge me

intellectually but also as one which I believe is

central to the future direction of our society…”

Which aspects of the course interest you?

• Make sure any subjects mentioned are covered in

degree modules!

“…particularly how the critical decisions that

affect our country are made. I am also keen to

explore the moral, political and economic

implications of such decisions on both

individuals and marginalised groups in society.”

Show Commitment: Link to Current Studies

“…I have very much enjoyed my History A -

Level. Studying the battles of the First World

War gave me a historical context for some of the

texts I subsequently studied in English, as well

as developing my analytical and research skills. I

hope to build on this as…”

Show Commitment: Relevant Experience

• Describe work and/or voluntary experience:

Where?

How long?

Why?

What did you learn?

• If you couldn’t get relevant experience, explain how

you attempted to gain experience and outline any

other efforts you have made

Show Commitment: Look ahead

• How has your experience to date helped you?

• How will the skills you have developed help you

throughout your university studies?

• How will they help you in your chosen career?

• Where do you see yourself in years to come?

Specialising in a particular area

Working for a particular organisation

What can you offer the University?

• Extra – curricular activities

• Examples of teamwork and enthusiasm

• Outstanding Awards or Achievements

• Positions of Responsibility

• Skills you will take with you to University

Remember! Non-academic - maximum of 25%!

Summing Up

• Round up statement and end on a positive note

“I hope that this personal statement demonstrates

that I am an enthusiastic, disciplined and hard

working student with a keen interest in current

affairs, who would enjoy contributing to all aspects

of university life”

What are universities looking for?

• Relevant academic ability

• Motivation

• Skills

• Relevant experience

• Passion and dedication to the subject

• Originality

• Evidence of literacy

• Someone who will be interesting to teach

Personal Statement Do’s

Do

• Research your subjects and universities

• Tell the truth

• Give examples – show, not just tell

• Make sure it has structure – paragraphs, etc

• Check your statement

Personal Statement Don’ts

Don’t

• Cover too much – keep it relevant

• Write it at the last minute

• Rely on spell check

• Repeat yourself

• Overuse quotations

• Use abbreviations, text talk or non-standard English

Personal Statement Don’ts

Don’t

• Forget to demonstrate obvious subject interests

• Fail to make full use of the space provided

• Mention a particular university if applying to more than one

• Lie or plagiarise

• Use bullet points or lists

• Be too wacky

ABRDN A 2 0 N 4 0 0 MA/Acc AccountancyEDINB E 5 6 M 3 2 0 LLB LawGLASG G 2 0 M N 3 4 BFLS/FLS Financial and Legal Studies

ULS U 2 0 N 1 2 0 J BSc/BusS Business Studies

QBELF Q 7 5 M 1 0 0 LLB/LAW Law

UCAS Choices

What happens to the form?

What happens after you submit your UCAS application form?

• Receive 5 responses by May – offer or decline

• After receiving your last response, you have a few weeks to make your choice of :

– Firm Choice

– Insurance Choice (usually lower grade requirements)

What happens once you get your results?

• In August:

– If you received an offer and got your target grades, Congratulations! You’re in!

– If you don’t achieve the grades mentioned in your offer, call the University – they will try to get you in

– If you didn’t get an offer but achieved the grades, call the University – if they have room, they will give you a space

– If you have an offer and achieved better grades than expected, you can apply for new courses if you wish through Adjustment

Differences: UCAS -v- CAO