HE and HSC Admissions
UCAS Applications and Personal
Statements
Dr Gail Born
UWE
What are admissions tutors looking for?
‘The single thing that impresses me most is a clear passion for the
subject.’
‘Evidence of extra reading and perhaps a brief discussion of areas
they find interesting is always a good sign.’
The students who stand out clearly demonstrate vocational
commitment, so have taken time to visit an audiology department,
spoken to an audiologist about what the job involves…’
What are admissions tutors looking for?
‘I like candidates to be honest and explain (briefly) why they have
followed a slightly unusual progression to HE. I’m not asking for
hard-luck stories, but it does help to get a more rounded picture of
the individual.’
‘One thing I see regularly is a statement saying something like 'I
am aware of the wide range of patients that physiotherapists work
with' - or words to that effect, as you can see a statement like that
does not provide any evidence of this being true, it merely
suggests that the applicant perceives that they are aware of the
broad range which may or may not be true! Not a long list but a
few examples are helpful to demonstrate they do have some idea.’
What are universities looking
for in a good applicant?
Skills
What skills do they have?
Decision making, leadership etc
Work Experiences
Any in a similar role as
chosen subject?
Achievements
Any in similar subjects or
modules as course selected?
Performance
What is their academic
performance to date?
WHAT DOES A GOOD
APPLICANT LOOK
LIKE?
Ability & Individuality
What are these?
Understanding of profession
What do they know,
what have they done?
Current studies
What mix of study
do they have?
Lifestyle
What are they looking for
in a university? Expectations
Predictions
Predicted academic
performance?
Numeracy & Literacy
Personal Qualities
Compassion, empathy,
understanding
Skills and Qualities
Caring
Calm under
pressure
Good
Listener
Energy
Interest
in
People
Good
Communicator
Problem
Solving
Enthusiasm
Empathy
Team working
Criminal
Convictions
Time
Management
References
•Information about the course
•Structure, subjects
•Student’s academic abilities and interests – as much ‘hard’
information as possible – level 3 achievement
•Student’s commitment, inc. time management, meeting deadlines
•Social and communication skills
•Recommendation for degree level study
The importance of the personal statement
•May be the only chance to sell themselves – all an admissions
officer/tutor has to go on
•Enforced self-reflection – they might learn something too!
•Opportunity to demonstrate interest in the course or area of study
•To explain why they have gone down the educational route that
they have chosen and how it has benefited them
•Biographical Questionnaire
Questions to consider (and answer!)
before making a start:
•Have I done sufficient research into course and HEI choices? Am
I confident in this?
•Why do I love this subject? What is it about it that I enjoy the
most?
•How long have I been interested in it?
•What do I love to do in my spare time?
Questions (continued)
•What am I proud of? What do I take pride in being able to do?
•What opportunities have I taken?
•Do I have any non-accredited achievements? (eg. Duke of
Edinburgh)
•Have I held any positions of responsibility?
•Have I had work experience or a placement? If so, what did I learn
from it?
•What makes me a good candidate?
Questions (continued)
•Have I demonstrated an interest in the subject outside of school or
college? (if not, do I have plans to do this?)
•Have I demonstrated an interest in the subject inside school or
college? (if not, do I have plans to do this?) e.g. field trips, work
place visits, taster days, open days etc.
•What experiences have I had that led to this choice of career?
What experiences make me right for it?
•Do I possess transferable skills (leadership, communication etc.) –
how have I attained them? How can I use them during my studies?
Having answered these questions:
•Make a list of everything they want to say as well as notes based
on answers to questions
•Think about structure – which order makes sense?
•Consider what is the most important thing to get across
•Ask friends and family for advice – can they think of something
that has been missed?
Do…..
•Try to make a strong impression but don’t be jokey or ‘quirky’, and
keep it light
•Demonstrate clarity about choice of subject and why they want to
study it
•Connect their level 3 studies and personal experiences to desired
degree subject
•Be enthusiastic and interested: ‘I hope to…I would like to further
my knowledge of…I am looking forward to the challenge of…’ etc.
•Ensure that the structure is good and that spelling and grammar
are perfect (very important!)
Do…
•Talk about gap year plans if deferred entry has been requested
•Cover all subject areas, if applying for multiple subjects applied for (be
wary of doing this though as it implies indecision)
•If applying for midwifery, don’t talk about a desire to work with babies and
children (12:1 applicants to places, 200 interviewed for 50 places, FebApril)
•If applying for physiotherapy, don’t talk about sports injuries!
•Demonstrate that they are well-rounded – give specific examples
•If they are not in full-time education, give details of work experience –
voluntary or paid
•Keep it as up to date as possible
Don’t…
•Dwell on shortcomings or negative things
•List all level 3 subjects again (it’s elsewhere on the application) –
only if relevant
•Be overconfident
•Be biased towards any particular university – 5 institutions will be
viewing the application!
•Copy any part of the statement from elsewhere (Similarity
Detection Service – 10% or higher similarity reported to
universities
Don’t…
•Try too hard - being themselves is the best policy
•Leave it too late – allow plenty of time!
•Underestimate how important it is
•Put how old they are (that appears elsewhere on the application)
or provide confidential or private information
•Provide an inappropriate email address (on application form
generally)
Presentation
•Type and perfect in Word then copy and paste into UCAS Apply
•4000 characters (including spaces) or 47 lines (including blank
lines) or approx. 600 words
•Aim to fill the space – not too short!
•Don’t use bold, italics or a different font – it won’t work
•Check spelling, grammar and punctuation (again!)
•Get a second (and third) opinion on what they have written – does
it make sense? Does it ‘flow’ well?
•Ensure that the information is all true and can be discussed
further at interview (UWE guarantee the minimum of an interview
for applicants on access programmes)
•Keep a copy to refer to at a later date
Questions?
www.dayinthelife.org.uk
www.ucas.com
www.aimhigher.ac.uk
www.life-pilot.co.uk
www.thestudentroom.co.uk