Perfect Personal

Statements…..

These slides are an amalgamation of presentations from several

university conferences on Admissions. Some slides are aimed at

students and some at advisors

Applying to HE – Timetable

Sept Sixth Form/College begins…..

1 Sept UCAS begins accepting applications

End September School‟s need to process early applications

15 Oct Closing date for Oxbridge & Medical

Mid October Most applicants begin to get offers

15 Jan UCAS Applications official deadline

March UCAS extra begins for eligible students

End April Deadline deciding on

Firm and Insurance Offers

Mid August Exam Results! Places confirmed/clearing

starts

Subject “Fit”

Interested in Biology Biomedical Sciences, Human Biology, Genetics, Optometry, Zoology

Geography

Business, Environmental Sciences, European Studies, Logistics, Surveying, Town Planning

Maths

Accountancy, Computer Science, Engineering, Internet Gambling Studies

20%+ of Scientists/Engineers go into Finance/Accounting 50%+ of Graduate Jobs advertised don’t specify a particular degree

Application Strategy may be subject dependent

Selective

Medicine, Dentistry, Law, Pharmacy, Vet Sci, Physio,

English, Psychology, some Business, History, Sports

courses

high competition, higher grades, can vary between

Universities

Seductive

Some Engineering, Chemistry, Languages, Sociology

(compared to Psychology), Philosophy, Physics

Less competition, sometimes lower grades (but often

excellent career prospects!)

What do Admissions Tutors look for?

Academic Potential (Predicted Grades) Academic Record (GCSE, AS) Reference from School/College…..

Evidence of:

Motivation and Commitment Leadership, Teamwork, Communication Evidence of research into subject Relevant, well written Personal Statement IT/Business/Key Skills (if relevant) NOT Nobel Prizewinners, just general enthusiasm….

The Personal Statement – consider 3 main

issues

1. Why do I want to study this course? What are the reasons for my choices, any career aspirations/ideas? Related academic or work experience? Show you know what the course will involve and mention any special subjects you are interested in. Some consistency in your 5 choices

2. What can I offer to the course? How do my academic interests and strengths match up with my chosen course? Have I done anything which highlights my skills / knowledge / initiative? any relevant experience eg paid / voluntary work?

3. What am I like as a person?! Have I held any Positions in and out of school/college? Am I a member of any teams or societies? What are my relevant interests, hobbies, leisure activities?

Personal Statements – Practical Ideas

Consider dividing form up into paragraphs, maybe with headings. Consider 5 paragraphs

Practice on a “dummy” = brainstorm Spelling and Grammar ARE Important…… Don’t list endless sports/hobbies Always make it relevant Humour rarely works - don’t risk it!

Look at School/College examples from previous years Closing statement

Personal Statements - Style

Positive words- achieved, developed, learned,

discovered, enthusiasm, commitment, energy,

fascination….

Short, simple sentences in plain English - not

contrived, not verbose or grandiose

Personal touch if possible- but be careful with

humour and vernacular/‟chatty‟ approaches

Use evidence wherever possible to support

claims/statements

Dos and Don’ts

DO

Plan the statement as you would an essay

Clear and Concise - the more concentrated the points and

facts, the more powerful

Be honest- „truth will out‟ - don‟t copy/buy!

Similarity Detection Software at UCAS

Draft and redraft (X10 not unusual), and seek other

opinions

DON‟T

Waffle or try to include your life history

Start with “ I‟ve always wanted to be a……”

Use gimmicks, or quotations- unless they are very relevant

and you deal with them in a way that shows your qualities

Don‟t blow your own trumpet – let your referee praise you

Mixed UCAS Choices

Avoid very different choices if you can (though of course

accepted for 5th choices for Medicine/Dentistry/Vet Sci)

If choosing joint or combined courses, write about your

interest in each subject such as to reflect the balance in the

course

Different course titles may be fine - check the actual

contents for similarity. The principle is to be coherent so

that whoever reads your statement, it makes sense for that

course

Show your appreciation of links between different subjects

where applicable

eg of Optometry and sometimes Pharmacy at Aston….

Plagiarism – Similarity Detection Service (SDS)

Universities are informed by UCAS with an SDS score out

of 100%

We can then view the statement online with the “similar”

elements highlighted

Policies then vary between HEIs and courses – eg reject,

asking to explain or resubmit a statement

In our experience there is already another reason for a

rejection before this becomes a factor

Students should not panic about this but consider their

statement as confidential from their friends or parents

Ultimately, it needs to be PERSONAL

The Main Message

Why this subject choice

Relationship to current/past studies?

Career ideas?

Work experience and Other life experiences bearing on

choice?

Many Universities can easily call up the statement online

via their application systems – it does matter, especially at

results confirmation and for borderline cases

Encourage your students to be proud of what they have

written –interviews will be based on what they have written

– or it may be their only chance to pitch themselves.

Please don‟t write this type of stuff…..!

“I enjoy the Theatre and used to go a couple of times a

year.” (Drama)

“I am a keen reader and am committed to the study of

human behaviour through TV soaps!!”

“I have led a full life over the last 18 years and it is a

tradition I intend to continue”

“I describe myself in the following two words: “TO ODIN!!”

the ancient Viking war cry” (Law)

“My favourite hobby is bee-keeping & I want to be an

engineer”

“My interest in Medicine stems from my enjoyment of

“Casualty” and other related TV series”

“I enjoy socialising with my friends”

Realistic but positive….

Vast majority receive 3 or more offers (80% plus)

Applications per place – don‟t forget students are making 4 other applications!

Check entry requirements and specific requirements (eg A/AS/BTEC/GCSE/IB)

Medics and Vets face serious competition, as do applicants some vocational courses – e.g. pharmacy, physiotherapy

The UCAS Reference

What is it?

The process

Predicted grades

What goes in the reference?

Tips: Do’s and Don’ts

The Reference: What is it?

An informed and academic assessment of:

• their academic performance in their post-16 education

• their potential for academic success in higher education

• why the course they have chosen is suited to them

• any personal qualities which will benefit them at university, such

as skills, aptitude, enthusiasm

• what they can bring to the university, such as extra-curricular

activities and interests

www.ucas.com/advisers/online/references

The Process

This will be different at different schools, but we suggest…

• Students could be invited to provide information about themselves

(pro forma and /or discussion) and to compile grade predictions

• Subject teachers provide specific comments and predicted grades

• Personal Tutor may provide statement on personal qualities and

assemble the reference, editing it to include introduction and

conclusion, ensure consistency and that it ‘reads well’

• Completed reference added to online application for final checking

and submission by senior ‘authorised’ UCAS contact

Predicted grades

Predicted grades should be clear and unambiguous, and need

to consider:

− Do they match the entrance requirements of the courses

chosen?

− Are they consistent with the past academic performance of

the student?

− Do they match the reference?

If ‘yes’ to any of the above, need to provide explanation in the

reference.

How to write the reference

Structure is not set in stone, but should include:

• Background information on the applicant and the school

• Academic performance post-16

• Extra Curricular activities / Personality

• Suitability for the course

Background/context of school

Relevant info about school:

Size / type of school

Number of students & proportion going to HE

Range and number of A-levels studied by students

Contextual info about the catchment area

Corresponding relevant info about the student:

participation in special programmes e.g. WP / G&T /

Compacts

Individual circumstances that may merit special

consideration

Academic performance post-16

Current / past achievement in the subject(s)

Motivation, attitude and commitment

Academic curiosity beyond the syllabus

Supplementary course / study information

Appropriate work experience of initiatives

Curriculum enrichment

Underperformance / Extenuating circumstances?

Note/explain deviations from standard programme

Known aptitude for selected course/ H.E. Research

Link to predicted grades

UMS information is helpful

Extra Curricular activities/ Personality

• Complement the Personal Statement

• Personal qualities that will benefit them at university

• Skills, aptitude and enthusiasm

• What they can contribute to university

• Work experience, volunteering, sport, music

• Additional needs

Suitability for the course

• Has the student got the ability to succeed academically?

• What are their career aspirations?

• What type of student would they be?

• Clearly indicate if you would recommend the student

Tips: Don’t

Use stock phrases

Repeat yourself

Write as a report (e.g. ‘J--- should concentrate on…’)

Refer to resits, unless it seems positive in the circumstances

Be specific about universities

Exaggerate

Raise weaknesses unless documented, evidenced and

communicated to/discussed with student/parents

Be negative – omit things you can’t be positive about

• “In Maths he has demonstrated a good interest and some

natural ability. However he is something of an enigma…”

• “If working alone, he could be focused and produce promising

work. However he comes as part of a package along with his

mates and this was counter productive”

Tips: Do

Use subject-specific guidelines as applicable

Add comment where predicted grades are not a true reflection

of potential or are inconsistent with achievement so far

Focus on academic skills, enthusiasm, ICT skills

Be concise

Clearly indicate if you are supporting / recommending the

student

Thanks for listening – any questions?