The University of Plymouth UCAS application process and writing your personal statement Helen Smith Colleges Liaison Assistant

Today’s talk Information on the UCAS process Tips for writing your personal statement

UCAS deadlines 15 th October – Oxford / Cambridge and Medicine / Dentistry / Veterinary Science 15 th January – all others

Preparing to apply Year 12Year 13 Start thinking about courses and universities Choose up to 5 courses Attend open daysFinish writing personal statement Start planning personal statement Don’t leave things until the last minute Get a summer job / voluntary experience Attend preview days

What happens to your application? JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMay Application deadline Interviews and preview days Institution offers / rejections Applicant accepts / declines (First and insurance choice)

Your application form

The personal statement

Where to start? Students are all different There is no magic formula! Think honestly about yourself – what makes you interesting, special or unique? Map out your ideas, then build up paragraphs Writing about yourself is not something you do often, so expect to write several drafts

The content Relevant background information about yourself and why you are interested in the academic aspects of your chosen subject Include any life skills, strengths, work experience, positions of responsibility, and any recent study relevant to your application Always try to link your skills to the course you are applying for Taking a year out? … Why?

What you have to offer ActivityExamples of skills / qualities developed Work experience Responsibility, punctuality, team work, enthusiasm, ideas person D of E, Mentor, Prefect, Ten Tors Communication, confidence, leadership, reliability, motivation, self belief, decision making Recent relevant study Subject knowledge, passion for subject, enthusiasm Travel, Holidays Research, planning, budgeting, organisation, patience, independence Hobbies, volunteering Commitment, motivation, sense of achievement, time management, social skills

What are universities looking for? A well structured personal statement with thought behind it What sort of a person you are and why you are suitable for the subject area Evidence for the things that you say about yourself Examples that show you have motivation and commitment to complete your course

Handy hints Remember Admissions Tutors are very busy people Be factual and concise and only include relevant information Get as many people to read over it as possible Rise above the rest by being interesting and passionate The best applicant is an early applicant!

Opening sentence “I first became interested in Physiotherapy when I was sat in the waiting room of the West Cornwall A&E after my sister was recovering from a broken pelvis” “Seeing a Reef Shark off the coast of Australia first sparked my passion for anything from the marine world. Instead of swimming away – I swam closer, I was fascinated” “ ‘Lights, camera, action!’ – just saying the words sends me into a whirl of excitement about all the possibilities that await me after studying Film”

Finishing your application Internal deadline Reference Cannot continue to the pay/send section until you have completed all other sections Keep a hard copy! Apply for your financial support

What if? UCAS Extra: opens late February Clearing: opens on A-level results day in August Re-sits

Further information Look at ‘prospective students’ page