1. Make it or Break it! The Do’s and the Dont’s
Personal Statements
Make it or Break it!
The Do’s and the Dont’s

2. Why does it matter?
Only a minority of university courses hold interviews, so more often than not the decision to offer you a place will be based purely on your UCAS application. The personal statement part could be the clincher.
Your personal statement is your big opportunity to demonstrate your enthusiasm, potential and suitability – as well as showing you have done your homework.
The more competitive the course is, the more likely your personal statement could be the deciding factor, especially when it comes down to two candidates with very similar academic achievements.
Your statement will still be an opportunity for you to introduce yourself to the admissions tutor and demonstrate your suitability.

3. UCAS Apply Buzz word - Outwood17 UCAS Apply.
How to register;
UCAS Apply.
Register with UCAS
Register and apply for the 2017 entry.
Register (below login)
Follow instructions on the UCAS website.
Buzz word - Outwood17

4. What admission tutors look for in an application…
Section 2
Your qualification
Grades obtained
Predicted grades
Section 1
Personal details
Name, address, age, contact details etc…
Chosen courses (5 choices)
Section 3
Personal Statement (4000 characters including spaces – 47 lines)
Section 4
Reference

5. Section 1 & 2
These are the sections that get your background, both educational and personal down and ‘out of the way’.
If you have mentioned it here, do not repeat information in your personal statement.
You MUST put down your predicted grades if you have not taken the exam.

6. Section 3 – Personal Statement
This is your chance to ‘talk’ directly to admissions staff – there are up to half a million personal statements written each year.
Be prepared to expand on anything mentioned in here in your interview, they will pick factors to question you on as they would hope you are comfortable talking about this to help try and relax you (so make sure you aren’t too elaborate in your statement!)
HOWEVER - some courses do not hold interviews making your personal statement your interview.
Use persuasive language when talking about yourself – what do you really want to say.
Admissions tutors can see when you have had a lot of ‘help’ by particular generic sayings. “From a young age”

7. REFLECT on attributes you can bring to the course.
DO NOT repeat information, it is a waste of the little space you have – focus on a particular subject specific area. Detail can be better than amount. (Quality over quantity)
DO NOT use an undeveloped list or cliché.
Rather than list skill sets that are beneficial, show an understanding of why a particular skill is relevant.
Avoid unintentional humour – think academic essay.
DO think, spelling, grammar and vocabulary. Do not be afraid to add comments, views and explanations.
Vocab – use vocabulary related to their subject! It is all about making connections.

8. F.A.Q.’S 1. When should I start?
"As soon as you can! Give yourself time to write it properly. Your first draft alone could take you a whole day to write.
"Set yourself a schedule. It will take longer than you think to write your personal statement and it is important that you allow time to review your work several times."
3. How should I structure my personal statement?
"Put your notes in order according to what the course you're interested in is looking for. If you have any skills and experience relevant to the entry requirements, make sure you say so at the start of your personal statement." 
"First impressions aren’t everything – yes, a lot of personal statements start in the same way. However, don’t put so much prominence on writing a witty first line – having a good overall personal statement will make a much better impression." 
2. What are unis looking for?
"Don’t forget about the obvious! Why do you want to study your chosen course?  Hopefully it’s something you know the answer to and have taken a lot of time to think about so make sure you include it." 
"Enthusiasm, motivation and focus about the subject you’re applying to. Mention extra- curricular activities, transferable skills and include what your future career plans are after your degree.“
4. What should I do when I've written it?
"Check it carefully! Get your teachers, friends, partner, work colleagues or someone else you trust to read it - out loud - to you. It's a great way to spot errors and make sure it makes sense." 
"Don’t forget to save an up-to-date copy somewhere.  If you are invited for an interview your personal statement is likely to be read by the person interviewing you and may be used as a starting point for questions.  Make sure you can remember what you wrote and back it all up if you are asked." 
"Unis aren’t looking for a dictionary definition of a subject. They know what their degrees are about; they want to know what you understand and enjoy about the subject.  

10. Remember….
This is the most time consuming but most important part of your application. Start early!
Tutors receive 200 per week so yours needs to stand out.
Your statement must not exceed 4000 characters over 47 lines. A short personal statement really stands out quite negatively.
Do not copy someone else’s personal statement or one that you have found on the internet, It must be your own work and universities are very alert for copied personal statements.
Explain why you want to study the course you are applying for. If you mention your personal interests and hobbies, try to link them to the skills and experience required for the course.
The personal statement could be used as the basis for an interview, so be prepared to answer questions on it.
This may be your only written work that the course tutor sees before making a decision: make sure it is organised and literate. Get the grammar, spelling and punctuation right. A statement filled with errors will give a negative impression of your skills and the effort you have put in to being accepted.

11. Skills and achievements
Universities like to know the types of skills you have that will help you on the course, or generally at university. They also like to see if you've been involved in any accredited or non-accredited achievements. Include:
non-accredited skills and achievement which you have gained through activities such as:
ASDAN (Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network) awards, for example, Universities Award
CREST awards
Diploma of Achievement
Duke of Edinburgh Award
National citizen service
OCNW Level 3 Certificate in Personal Development for Progression (previously known as the Liverpool Enrichment Programme)
vInspired Awards
Villiers Park Scholars and Residential Programmes
WorldWide Volunteering Certificate of Volunteering Achievement
Young Enterprise.
- Accreditation achieved for any activities in preparation for higher education, for example through the ASDAN Aimhigher Certificate of Personal
- Effectiveness (CoPE qualification).
- Any other achievements that you are proud of, eg reaching grade 3 piano or being selected for the county cricket team.
- Positions of responsibility that you hold/have held both in and out of school, eg form prefect or representative for a local charity.
- Attributes that make you interesting, special or unique.

12. Hobbies and interests
Think about how your hobbies, interests and social activities demonstrate your skills and abilities. If there's anything that relates to your course or to the skills needed to complete a higher education course, include it - the more evidence the better.
The Assistant Registrar for Undergraduate Admissions from University of Warwick says that:
'The strongest applicants are those who can link their extra-curricular activities to their proposed course of study.' Your statement will be more convincing and personal if you write about why an experience, activity or interest makes you a good candidate for the course. Include enough additional information to make it interesting and to demonstrate your own interest. Rather than making a statement such as
'I enjoy badminton' try to provide context and show what you have learnt
'I play badminton twice a week with a club that plays in local competitions and I play in both singles and doubles matches. Doubles matches requires good team working, an ability to support your partner, to devise a game plan but be able to adapt it as required and fast reactions. I enjoy the social side of the club and take responsibility for organising the social activities and fundraising events. This gives me an opportunity to develop my organisational and planning skills. Fitting in all these activities while keeping up with my academic studies demands good time management and I think I do that very well.'

13. Next steps? Back to guidance to begin making notes.
Begin with this table in the back of your pack to help you break down your skill set into relevant sections.
Don’t panic – you do not have to start with the introduction.
Period 3 – back to the auditorium for a presentation from
Richard McCann.
Period 4 & 5 – timetabled lessons to begin the full structure
of your personal statement.
1st draft to be handed in next Friday – 1st July 2016.