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OPPORTUNITIES
HIGHER EDUCATION
General Application Advice.
Subject Information
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Personal Statement.
Below are a few bits of advice you may find useful.It is by no means definitive but should help you to make a start.
The personal statement on your UCAS form is probably one of the most important things you will have to write, and can be one of the most difficult.
The school now produces the form electronically and this has proved to be much easier than in previous years.
Not all University courses offer an interview so you can see why the personal statement is so important.
Before you start, you need to clarify in your own mind what you want to say.
Make sure that your personal statement is structured correctly. Seek advice from your form tutor.
You should show that you have an applied interest in the subject. Explain what sparked your initial interest in pursuing your chosen course. Specify exactly what you have done that is relevant to the subject and explain why you found it interesting. For example you may have some subject related work experience, but anything else you have done to show you have an active interest in the subject is just as good. Field trips may be relevant. It may be that you have attended the Oxford Access School or been to a talk given by a visiting University lecturer at the school.
Be specific; say what you have learnt from your work experience, and what makes you want to study the course.
Admissions tutors will want to see that you have an interest and already have a sound grasp of the subject and that you are academically curious and eager to learn. For example you might use a paragraph to discuss some relevant books you have been reading and maybe the issues that were raised. In some cases it is a good idea to read several opinions on the same issue, you can then discuss your views from a more authoritative position. Current relevant news items can provide useful sources. Certainly read the press for news regarding your chosen subject area prior to an interview, you may be asked questions about these issues as some potential Medics have in their interviews.
It is also useful to look on the university's WEBSITE (or contact them) and find one of the introductory general texts to the subject (especially important if you are applying for a subject you have not done at A-Level).
Visits to University Open Days can provide much information and answer a lot of questions you may have about specific courses. They can also confirm or otherwise your choice of subject you wish to study.
For your extra curricular activities, keep the details succinct. Unless you have done something really remarkable, just a paragraph will suffice. If you play sport regularly for a school team give details, for example if you have been on tour with a sports team or won a competition you certainly should mention that. You may like to mention sporting activities that are not mainstream sports such as, Golf, Sailing, Kick boxing etc. Positions of authority in school suggest that you are conscientious e.g. head boy/girl, school prefect etc. You may have run a school society for example. If you have participated in the “Challenge of Management” mention it. If you have helped at the “Acorns Trust” then include details. Say if you play a musical instrument or have performed in an orchestra.
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PREDICTED GRADES AND REFERENCES.
In addition to your personal statement the school's predicted grades and references are two of the most important things that universities use to decide whether to offer you a place or not.
Predicted grades will be based on past and current performance. Module results will also be very relevant!
References will be as positive as possible.
Subject tutors’ comments also provides important information for the school reference.
It is best to have a long term, excellent track record!
However read your recent reports carefully and also those from previous years. Look for any criticisms your teachers have made, and try to address them.
Below for example are two common criticisms, and advice on how to avoid them:
“Doesn't participate enough in class”. Solution: ask more questions in class. Also, try answering questions that the teacher asks, this indicates that you have been participating more in lessons.
”Not working to his/her full ability”. There is no easy remedy here, apart from hard work. That said, it's surprising how quickly a few good, well-researched essays/projects can change opinions.
Obviously make sure you are up to date with your work and you have a good reliability record.
This is a sure indicator of your commitment.
A/S & A2 Subject information.
A/SA2.co.uk |
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