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Applying to UCAS. Denis Callaghan & Eta Danagher Guidance Counsellor’s. Differences: UCAS -v- CAO. UCAS. Closing Dates 15 October-Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary and Oxbridge 15 January-All other courses Web based application system Important Sections - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Denis Callaghan & Eta DanagherGuidance Counsellor’s
Applying to UCAS
Differences: UCAS -v- CAO
UCAS
• Closing Dates
15 October - Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary and Oxbridge
15 January - All other courses
• Web based application system
• Important Sections
Choices - up to 5 choices- max. of 4 for Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary
Results - those already taken- those to be completed
Reference
Step 1: Research
• Research subject of interest
• Potential careers with your degree of choice
• Entry requirements – be realistic!
• University facilities, sports and social clubs
Step 1: Research
• Every course is different so check for:
Length of course
Study abroad opportunities
Work placements
Unique facilities
Performance in RAE (research) and university rankings like the Times Good University Guide (research and teaching)
Step 2: Fill in your UCAS Application Form
• Use your 5 choices wisely
Don’t apply to widely differing courses
Don’t apply to the same institution 5 times
• Have a trial run
• Follow UCAS “How to Apply” instructions
• Make use of universities’ web sites for guidance
Step 2: Fill in your UCAS Application Form
• List all qualifications in Section 7
• Make sure name, school and date of birth are
correct
• Only fill in date of first entry to the UK where
necessary
• Be careful of spelling, punctuation and grammar
Beware of using personal email addresses
• serialkiller@ Applied for Nursing
• Murder_man2003@ Applied for Social Work
• Stalker_at_work@ Applied for Law
• Liam_turns_me_on@ Applicant was called Liam
• thongsonawashingline@
Why do UCAS make you fill out a Personal Statement?
To help you to stand out from the crowd!
The Personal Statement
• Should be concise
“Why should I be given a place to study x?”
• Should sell the applicant
• Explain any unusual references or
circumstances
• Be original
The Personal Statement: Why Me?
• Why have you chosen this subject?
• Which aspects of the course interest you?
• Show commitment to the subject
Reading
Work and/or voluntary experience
Additional study
• What can you offer to the university?
Why have you chosen this subject?
• Show passion for the subject
“Throughout my education, my interest in
studying Law has increased greatly. Not only
does it appeal as a subject that will challenge me
intellectually but also as one which I believe is
central to the future direction of our society…”
Which aspects of the course interest you?
• Make sure any subjects mentioned are covered in
degree modules!
“…particularly how the critical decisions that
affect our country are made. I am also keen to
explore the moral, political and economic
implications of such decisions on both
individuals and marginalised groups in society.”
Show Commitment: Link to Current Studies
“…I have very much enjoyed my History A -
Level. Studying the battles of the First World
War gave me a historical context for some of the
texts I subsequently studied in English, as well
as developing my analytical and research skills. I
hope to build on this as…”
Show Commitment: Relevant Experience
• Describe work and/or voluntary experience:
Where?
How long?
Why?
What did you learn?
• If you couldn’t get relevant experience, explain how
you attempted to gain experience and outline any
other efforts you have made
Show Commitment: Look ahead
• How has your experience to date helped you?
• How will the skills you have developed help you
throughout your university studies?
• How will they help you in your chosen career?
• Where do you see yourself in years to come?
Specialising in a particular area
Working for a particular organisation
What can you offer the University?
• Extra – curricular activities
• Examples of teamwork and enthusiasm
• Outstanding Awards or Achievements
• Positions of Responsibility
• Skills you will take with you to University
Remember! Non-academic - maximum of 25%!
Summing Up
• Round up statement and end on a positive note
“I hope that this personal statement demonstrates
that I am an enthusiastic, disciplined and hard
working student with a keen interest in current
affairs, who would enjoy contributing to all aspects
of university life”
What are universities looking for?
• Relevant academic ability
• Motivation
• Skills
• Relevant experience
• Passion and dedication to the subject
• Originality
• Evidence of literacy
• Someone who will be interesting to teach
Personal Statement Do’s
Do
• Research your subjects and universities
• Tell the truth
• Give examples – show, not just tell
• Make sure it has structure – paragraphs, etc
• Check your statement
Personal Statement Don’ts
Don’t
• Cover too much – keep it relevant
• Write it at the last minute
• Rely on spell check
• Repeat yourself
• Overuse quotations
• Use abbreviations, text talk or non-standard English
Personal Statement Don’ts
Don’t
• Forget to demonstrate obvious subject interests
• Fail to make full use of the space provided
• Mention a particular university if applying to more than one
• Lie or plagiarise
• Use bullet points or lists
• Be too wacky
ABRDN A 2 0 N 4 0 0 MA/Acc AccountancyEDINB E 5 6 M 3 2 0 LLB LawGLASG G 2 0 M N 3 4 BFLS/FLS Financial and Legal Studies
ULS U 2 0 N 1 2 0 J BSc/BusS Business Studies
QBELF Q 7 5 M 1 0 0 LLB/LAW Law
UCAS Choices
What happens to the form?
What happens after you submit your UCAS application form?
• Receive 5 responses by May – offer or decline
• After receiving your last response, you have a few weeks to make your choice of :
– Firm Choice
– Insurance Choice (usually lower grade requirements)
What happens once you get your results?
• In August:
– If you received an offer and got your target grades, Congratulations! You’re in!
– If you don’t achieve the grades mentioned in your offer, call the University – they will try to get you in
– If you didn’t get an offer but achieved the grades, call the University – if they have room, they will give you a space
– If you have an offer and achieved better grades than expected, you can apply for new courses if you wish through Adjustment
Differences: UCAS -v- CAO