1. UCAS and writing an effective personal statement
Ruth Westbury
Partnership Development Officer
V1.0
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2. What is UCAS? Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)
Applications for full-time undergraduate courses are made through UCAS
Every year UCAS processes more than 2 million applications
A wealth of information on their website:
Course search
UCAS tariff
Key university information
Apply
Track
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3. How to apply…the application calendar
September 1st – UCAS application cycle opens October 15th – Oxbridge deadline Medical, Dentistry & Veterinary deadline January 15th – UCAS main scheme deadline Finance applications can be made from this point Applications received by UCAS & sent to institutions
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4. How to apply…the application calendar
November to March – Applicant invited for VISIT or INTERVIEW
Decisions made (Conditional, Unconditional, Unsuccessful) or UCAS Extra
April to May – Applicant chooses FIRM & INSURANCE choices
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5. How to apply…the application calendar
April to July – Accommodation applications
August – Results & CLEARING
August to September – Registration packs sent out
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6. September or October – START UNIVERSITY!
and finally…
September or October – START UNIVERSITY!
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7. Making sure you have the RIGHT course
Look for area of study rather than institution first
Don’t limit your options to your current subject areas
Consider the debate surrounding choosing something you enjoy versus career prospects.
Think about whether you prefer to be practical or academic
Consider getting some work experience to try it out
Make your own decisions
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8. What you need to tell the Admissions Officers
Why you want to study the course you are applying for?
What makes you suitable and different to everyone else?
What you can contribute to the course/University?
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9. Your Personal Statement
Introduction
Start off by explaining what subject you are applying for and why
Academic interests
Talk in depth about what you enjoy about your chosen subject and why you want to take it further
‘Super-curricular’ activities
Anything related to your course that you have done outside of school or college will massively boost your application
Extra-curricular activities
This section will give the Admissions Officer a little more information about your personality and what you can contribute to university life
Conclusion
Finish with a strong conclusion, summing up why you want to study your chosen subject at university
70%
30%

10. Your Personal Statement
Academic Interests
Which course(s) do you want to study?
What do you particularly enjoy about your subject?
What have you learnt from your current studies that you would like to take further?
Have you done any particular academic projects within your studies? An extended essay or a research project?
What personal qualities do you possess that make you suited to this area of study?
Is your interest sparked by particular career ambitions?

11. Your Personal Statement
Work/Life experience
Examples might include:
Work experience
Volunteering
Travel
Own reading/ research
Anything you have done outside of school that is directly relevant to your course.
These kind of activities will show your dedication to studying at degree level and demonstrate a wider interest in your subject area.
It is vital to mention any work experience or volunteering you have done that is relevant to your degree subject
Make the most of these activities - say what you have gained from them and why they made have made you want to study a course in that area.

12. Your Personal Statement
Extra-Curricular Activities
Positions of responsibility
Sports
Volunteering
Music
Hobbies and interests
Activity
Explanation
What have you gained from it?
Drama group
I have been a member of X Theatre Group for X years playing a variety of roles in several plays and shows
Commitment, confidence, communication skills, interpersonal skills and determination.
Volunteering on a school open day
Last summer I volunteered on both of my schools open days, informing students and parents about Biology
This demonstrates that I am proactive and responsible
Football team captain
I have been part of my school football team for 3 years, and this year I was promoted to captain
I have learnt to be a team player and have demonstrated good leadership
School prefect
As school prefect this year I have mentored younger students and monitored the corridors
I have shown leadership, and that I am committed and responsible
Extra-curricular activities look fantastic on your personal statement and tell admissions officers a little more about you as a person. Make sure you mention:
Admissions officers are looking for well-rounded students who will get involved in the social side of university as well as the academic side.
Even a part time job has relevance to an admissions tutor and can be mentioned on your personal statement, but should not replace anything more relevant to your academic studies.
If you don’t have any extra-curricular activities to write about, it’s not too late to take something up!
If you have loads of activities, choose the most relevant ones and talk about them in more depth.

13. Important things to remember about Admissions Officers…
The Admissions Officer is a real person
They want to know who you are, but it has to be relevant
They do not need you to tell them what they already know
They want to know where you want to go with your study area
This may be your only chance to impress
They can not read minds
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14. Reasons why applications are unsuccessful
Wasn’t relevant to the degree applied for
Didn’t show sufficient understanding and knowledge about the degree applied for
Failed to demonstrate sufficient interest in the subject
CHECK YOUR GRAMMAR, SPELLING AND PUNCTUATION!
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15. Simple Do’s Do expect to produce several drafts.
Do ask people you trust for their feedback.
Do check prospectuses and websites, as they usually tell you the criteria and qualities that they want their students to demonstrate.
Do be concise and make sure your personal statement is well constructed
Do apply for a scholarship.
Do remember is an academic piece of writing but keep it personal
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16. Simple Don'ts Don’t feel that you need to use elaborate language.
Don’t say too much about things that are not relevant.
Don’t lie.
Don’t let spelling and grammatical errors spoil your statement.
Don’t rely on a spellchecker as it will not pick up everything.
Don’t leave it to the last minute - important information could be left out.
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17. Most over used phrases to open your statement.........
1. I am currently studying a BTEC National Diploma in ...
2. From a young age I have always been interested in ...
3. From an early age I have always been interested in ...
4. Nursing is a very challenging and demanding career ...
5. For as long as I can remember I have been fascinated with
6. "Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only” ...
7. Nursing is a profession I have always looked upon with ...
8. For as long as I can remember I have been interested in ...
9. I am an International Academy student and have been studying since ...
10. Academically, I have always been a very determined and ... (Telegraph)
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18. This