UCAS Applications

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UCAS Applications Personal Statements
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UCAS The Basics

• UCAS application deadlines
• Medicine / Veterinary / Dentistry / Oxbridge 15
  October
• Most others 15 January
• Art and Design Route B 24 March
• but apply earlier for best chance
• Can apply for up to 5 choices
• All applications now done on-line - UCAS Apply

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UCAS The Basics

• End March
• Deadline for replies from Universities
• End April
• Deadline for student choices
• Choose 1st and 2nd choice
• End August
• Results, Confirmation and Clearing

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Winning your place
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UCAS Apply

• Completed online in school/college
• One form for all 5 choices
• Often your only chance to sell yourself
• Four main sections
• - Personal details and application choices
• - Qualifications gained and pending
• - Personal statement
• - School/College reference
• www.ucas.com

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How important is the personal statement?

• Extremely important for
• Selective, competitive programmes
• Many arts/humanities programmes
• Vocational programmes which require work
  experience
• May form basis of interview

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Top 5 Tips

• Dont rely on grades alone
• You need to make a quick impact
• Take your time
• If applying to defer entry by a year tell us
  why
• Remember that your form may be read by an
  Admissions Tutor who
• loves their subject, and
• will be teaching students they choose

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Average Personal Statement

• I want to do X at University because I like it
  at A level.
• 6-8 lines about the subject of study
• I have Gold award Duke of Edinburgh
• Lists the 20 sports played and 15 positions of
  responsibility held at school
• I like socialising with friends, reading and
  films

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Turning an average Personal Statement into an
excellent one
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Excellent Personal Statement

• Clever, high impact opening sentence -
  this is usually written last to avoid getting a
  block about it
• Over half about the subject area
• - shows real passion for the subject area
• - academics are passionate about their
  subject!
• Work experience/career aspirations
• Explain context of social life/achievement
• - why? NOT what?, skills learnt and
  challenges/setbacks
• Shows real personality

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Remember

• You have one chance to get noticed!
• Deadlines are not a target earlier is better!
• Check carefully to avoid silly mistakes
• Show your personality and your passion
• Be reflective not just descriptive
• Get help but make it your own authentic voice
• Show you have researched your course choice

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What can you do between now and January (or
October, or March) to enhance your application?
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Resources

• www.getintouni.com
• www.ucaspersonalstatement.com
• www.studential.com

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Any Questions?
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Some First Sentences

• Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela and David
  Beckham, have undoubtedly gone down in history.
  They all had or have a passion, be it war or
  fighting against racism. (History)

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Some First Sentences

• As a big kid myself I have been drawn to the
  teaching profession to work with people on the
  same wavelength as myself! Children say the
  funniest things and never has a comedian come up
  with a one man show as memorable as some
  children's one liners! (Primary Teaching)

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Some First Sentences

• If I could paint my future I would leave the
  canvas blank, an unwritten masterpiece in the
  depth of the mind exposed to endless
  possibilities. Where is the adventure in knowing
  your destiny before you can hold it in the palm
  of your hand and be proud of your achievements.
  (Art with Art Therapy in mind as a career)

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Some First Sentences

• The word 'literature' conjures up many different
  things for many different people for me the
  word literature conjures up images of adventure,
  escapism, knowledge and relaxation. (Creative
  Writing)
• I know what you picked up, I know which cup you
  drank from, and I know which door you left the
  room by last. (Forensic Science)