personal statement
DESCRIPTION
Writing personal statementsTRANSCRIPT
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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
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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
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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
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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!)
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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….
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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?
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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
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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
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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
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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….
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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
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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.
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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”
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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
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The UCAS Reference
What is it?
The process
Predicted grades
What goes in the reference?
Tips: Do’s and Don’ts
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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• “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”
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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
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Thanks for listening – any questions?