UCAS:UCAS: what happens to your what happens to your form?form?

• Arrives at UCAS.

• Copied up to 5 times.

• A Paper copy is sent to each Universities’ admissions

office.

• Passed to the departmental / course selector.

• Offer / Interview / Short List / Unsuccessful [Reject].

• The University informs UCAS.

• UCAS informs you.

• Decisions can be viewed on-line at UCAS.com/track

General PointsGeneral Points

• Use your 5 choices.• Best not to apply to

widely differing courses.• Best not to apply to the

same institution 5 times!• Check the course[s]

entry requirements.

• Do think about your audience.

• Do follow UCAS ‘How to Apply’ instructions.

• Do make use of Universities’ web-site for guidance.

Getting started – questions to ask myself

What admissions staff tell UCAS they What admissions staff tell UCAS they are looking for in a personal statementare looking for in a personal statement

Evidence of:

• Independent study skills

• Self-awareness

• Motivation and commitment

• An understanding of the course

• Good numeracy and literacy

• Essay writing

• Research skills

• Time management skills

• Enthusiasm to go beyond the syllabus

Example format for a personal statement

Opening SectionProvide insightful reasons for choosing the subject

Demonstrate commitment to the subject(this section should be at least 70% of statement)

Middle SectionOpportunity for the writer to identify themselves

as 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 to

study the subject chosen

Tip for students – avoid ‘list Tip for students – avoid ‘list addiction’addiction’

I enjoy watching football, I play netball for Kent schools, I sing in the choir, I belong to the debating society, I am taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, I work in Tesco on Saturdays and I shop for my Granny on Monday after school.

Select key activities to expand onSelect key activities to expand on

I have been an active member of the debating society at school for the last three years. This has proved really interesting as I have had the chance to research and defend viewpoints that I would normally not agree with; an exercise which I’m sure will be prove valuable as I study Law.

Things to avoidThings to avoid• Intellectual Pretensions

• Misdirected humour

• No mention of future aspirations / direction

• Committing GBH on English

language

• ‘I so don’t want to miss

this opportunity’

• ‘I have been interested in

History from the get-go.’’

Similarity Detection ServiceSimilarity 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

Personal Statement OverviewPersonal Statement Overview

• Spelling, Punctuation & Grammar.

• Keep it focussed.

• Mention all subjects applied for.

• Be concise, don’t waffle.

• Explain any unusual references or circumstances.

• Use the space and sell yourself.

Choice of SubjectChoice of SubjectWhy have you chosen this subject?

Specific Areas of InterestWhich aspects interest you?

Why Me? ….Why Me? ….

Be original – selectors see thousands of forms.

• Why have you chosen this subject?

• Which aspects interest you?

• Can you show your commitment to the subject?

• What have you gained so far?

• What can you offer in the future?

Things to AVOIDThings to AVOID• Spelling, Punctuation or Grammatical Errors.

• Repeating yourself.

• Failure to demonstrate obvious subject interest.

• Failure to make use of the full space.

• Jargon, abbreviations, txt, & non-standard English.

• Lack of ‘structure’

• Mentioning a particular Institution or Course

What are Universities looking What are Universities looking for?for?

• Motivation.

• Subject Interest & Enthusiasm.

• Dedication.

• ‘Spark’.

• Evidence of Literacy.

• Majority of Personal Statement about the SUBJECT

• Someone who will be interesting to teach.