UCAS References

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UCAS References Personal Statements Kathy
Robinson Deputy Director of AdmissionsSam
Winter- Schools and Colleges Liaison Officer

• www.le.ac.uk

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How to impress an admissions tutor
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• UCAS References

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Layout of the reference

• Background/context of school
• Type of activities available to students
• Range of subjects and typical number of
• A levels studied by students
• Widening participation activity

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Layout of reference

• Subject motivation
• Current achievement in the subject(s)
• Academic skills
• Career plan
• Underperformance
• Extenuating circumstances
• Additional Needs

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Layout of reference

• Work Experience
• Work experience related to chosen subject
• Skills developed

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Layout of reference

• And finally
• Has the student got the ability to succeed
  academically?
• Clearly indicate if you would recommend the
  student
• What type of student would they be?

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Tip 1

• Be concise with predicted grades in the summary
  section

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Biology A, Chemistry A, Geography A, P.E. A/B
German A,Mathematics A,Psychology A,AS General Studies B,AS History A.
Biology B, Chemistry C, Spanish C/D
Chemistry A --- Mathematics A --- History A --- General Studies A
Not applicable
A level Computing grade B A level Mathematics grade B A level Physics grade BAlready has grade C in AS German
LAW A, HISTORY A, PSYCHOLOGY A, GENERAL STUDIES
No predicted grades supplied
English Literature AHistory APsychology A
A Level Geography A, Chemistry B/A, Biology B, General Studies A. AS Level Physics B
Physics A Mathematics AGeography A Production Design B
A2 Business and Economics - A, A2 ICT - A, A2 Psychology - A.
Biology - AChemistry - AMaths - A Spanish - A
Mathematics - AChemistry - G ABiology - G AGeneral Studies - A
Biology A, Chemistry A/B, P.E.A, History B/C.
Geography APhysics BMathematics A
A level Biology grade A, Chemistry grade A and Mathematics grade A
Her teachers predict the following grades in the IB DiplomaBiology (H) 6 Chemistry (H) 6 German (H) 6English (S) 6 History
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Tip 2

• Be aware of negativity
• All comments should be positive. If in doubt,
  omit any aspects you feel you cannot comment
  positively about omission can be as equally
  telling.
• Taken from a School policy document

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(No Transcript)
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Tip 3

• Dont exaggerate
• I've noticed also that both teachers and
  students have the same problem over
  exaggeration! Sometimes, reports or statements
  appear ridiculous, as the student has wanted to
  'study the subject since birth' or the teacher
  feels the student 'is the brightest star in the
  firmament . . . skilled at absolutely everything
  they turn their hand to' (neither of these are
  actual statements, but I think the idea behind
  both is becoming prevalent). So, I think a bit
  more honesty and a bit less exaggeration would be
  beneficial for all concerned.

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Tip 4

• Provide information on extenuating circumstances
  (but beware of data protection issues)

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Tip 5

• Make sure the reference matches the predictions
• I can say that most important for me as
  admissions tutor is that the reference for a
  student and the prediction of grades on the UCAS
  forms are strongly related, so that especially in
  borderline cases we have good arguments to take
  the students at the end, for example in
  Clearing.

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• UCAS Personal Statements

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Time

• The importance of starting early
• DEADLINES (09 Entry)
• Oxbridge, Medicine, Dentistry, Vets - 15th
  October 2008
• Most courses - 15th January 2009
• Get it checked, double checked etc etc

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What Admissions Tutors are looking for

• A clear, well written UCAS application form
• Why this subject?
• Knowledge of the subject
• Aspirations
• Enthusiasm
• Work Experience, Volunteer Work
• Extra-curricular activities
• Evidence of relevant skills

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Avoid.

• Defining the subject
• Too much gushing
• Embroidering the truth
• Being too quirky
• Conscientious, not wacky

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• From the horses mouth
• A good personal statement should make it clear
  why the candidate wants to read their particular
  subject and supply concrete evidence of that
  enthusiasm. It should reflect the distinctive
  style and characteristics of its authorThe worst
  statements are polished but boring.
• Nicholas Shrimpton
• Vice-Principal of Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford
  University
• Education Guardian

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• From the horses mouth II
• You should check that your personal statement
  is expressed in accurate and logical English. You
  should write in a clear and coherent manner, and
  are advised to avoid pomposity and platitudes,
  and not to make strained attempts to appear funny
  or different.
• Entry Profile on UCAS website from Bristol
  University

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Accept or Reject?!
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Criminology

• From watching and reading Sherlock Holmes,
  Cracker, CSI and Crime watch, my interest in
  criminology has developed. Criminology has
  always had a glamorous image but it is more than
  that it deals with criminals and supports the
  justice system. Criminology is all about crime
  and punishment. It is an exciting
  inter-disciplinary subject which draws on
  Sociology, Psychology and Law to help examine how
  crime is defined, why people commit crimes, and
  how society responds to crimes.

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Economics

• Examination of any quality newspaper will
  probably demonstrate that more of the headlines
  address economic problems than any other topic.
  The importance and relevance of economics and
  related disciplines to the modern world have led
  me to want to pursue the study of the subject at
  a higher level. I am particularly interested in
  the behaviour of firms and organizations from an
  economic standpoint. During my study, I have come
  across many real life complexities and, while
  attempting to apply theoretical ideas, I have
  developed a keen interest in analyzing and
  understanding how the world of business is
  influenced by economics.

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• Examination of any quality newspaper will
  probably demonstrate that more of the headlines
  address economic problems than any other topic.
  The importance and relevance of economics and
  related disciplines to the modern have led me to
  want to pursue the study of the subject at a
  higher level. I am particularly interested in the
  behavior of firms and organizations from an
  economic standpoint. During my study, I have come
  across many real life complexities and, while
  attempting to apply theoretical ideas, I have
  developed a keen interest in analyzing and
  understanding how the world of business is
  influenced by economics.

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Websites

• www.studential.com
• www.thestudentroom.co.uk
• www.getintouni.com

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Dentistry

Dentistry is a subject I have become interested
in through personal experiences. This includes
having orthodontic treatment myself and through
discussions with friends that are undergraduate
dental students. My interest in dentistry has
been furthered through work experiences I have
undertaken, which has given me an insight to many
branches of Dentistry. The strong practical
element is what especially draws me. I enjoy
using manual skills to network and build
computers. This requires operating in a small
space within a computer cache using tools in a
delicate environment. I have shadowed two
dentists in general practice for a month, both
offering NHS and private treatment. I have also
gained experience in two hospitals. Firstly with
my orthodontist for two weeks in Queen Marys
where I learnt to make dentures. The other being
for a couple of days in Orpingtons Oral and
Maxillofacial department. All dental shadowing
was done this Summer. Furthermore I attended
dental lectures in a Medisix course held at
Nottingham University. It was evident to me that
there is a common thread of skills running
through the people working in all dental
environments. These include close teamwork,
leadership and excellent communication skills
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Dentistry

• I am fascinated with dentistry because I love to
  network and build computers.
• If I spoke these words aloud, many people would
  scratch their heads and appear confused. At first
  glance, this statement appears absurd. On a
  closer look, however, it makes perfect sense.
• When I work on computers, I must operate within
  a tiny space inside a computer cache, taking
  extreme care to avoid damaging the delicate
  equipment. As a dentist, I will also perform my
  duties within the smallest of spaces, using tiny
  instruments on fragile surfaces.
• Of course, there is a crucial distinction
  between building a computer and providing dental
  care. While both fields allow me to employ my
  manual skills, only one has the significant
  interpersonal component that I seek in a career.
  While I am grateful to the computer technician
  who corrects glitches in my operating system, I
  have far more gratitude to the orthodontist who
  straightened my teeth as a child

129.99!!
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Cheaters WILL be caught

• 5 of applicants borrow from websites
• 234 applicants - dramatic chemistry set incident
  aged 8
• 370 applicants a fascination with the human
  body!
• 175 applicants an elderly or infirm
  grandfather
• UCAS now runs anti-plagiarism software
  Similarity Detection

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Websites

• www.studential.com
• www.thestudentroom.co.uk
• www.getintouni.com
• www.ucas.com