The application process
Applying for university
With up to five different courses at separate institutions to select, but only one choice in the end, the UCAS process can feel like a lotery. Then there’s that personal statement to tackle! Here’s how...
M
ost of us don’t relish filling out forms, and this is probably
the most significant one that you’ll be faced with so far. But, as intimidating as the process may seem at first, half the batle is just to get started! Afer this, the most important thing to bear in mind is: Rule number one: make sure you follow the instructions!
Filling in a UCAS form Applications are made online and the same form will go to each of the (maximum) five courses at institutions of your choice. (The limit is a maximum of four, however, for medicine, dentistry and veterinary science.) Consequently, as admissions staff point out, it’s best to remain neutral about colleges and universities on your form and not mention specific courses by name. That’s not to say, however, that researching the universities and the types of courses you are interested in isn’t important. It is, particularly when you are invited to attend an interview for a place at university – more of which later. In order to process and send off
your form, you’ll receive a ‘buzzword’ from your school or college. Like any application form, it asks for personal
details, qualifications (anticipated grades as well as those achieved) and any employment history. So far, so straightforward – but do to check and recheck all the information you enter, as mistakes are easily made!
References All applicants need a referee. This should be a current or previous teacher, but can also be someone who knows you in a professional capacity – such as an employer, if you have a part-time job, for instance. The referee cannot, however, be
a member of your family or a friend. The ‘buzzword’ links the application to your school or college and so a teacher can write a reference if appropriate. They’ll also be able to look over the application and provide help if required.
It’s... the... personal statement! Like an exam paper, a personal statement can feel like an intimidating blank sheet that the person sitting in front of will surely never fill. ‘What do I say?’ you immediately think! When the time comes to complete your UCAS form, you may hear a lot about the allocation of “4,000 characters or 47
lines”. It’s probably best, however, not to think too hard about that number and just get on and draft something in a Word document first. Do this sooner rather than later, even if the whole thing feels incredibly daunting, it’s better to just grasp the nettle!
This really is one of those circumstances where chipping away slowly, over time, makes what feels like a mammoth task all the more manageable. Plus, the earlier you start, the more time you will have to hone and finesse the statement and to check, check, check it for any spelling or grammar mistakes, or factual inaccuracies. As with any application, you should keep all experiences and values relevant to the course you want to join. Despite the general anxiety that tends to be stirred up around the limited word length, it’s still a good idea to break the statement into paragraphs. This will make for an easier read – and admissions department gatekeepers will be reading a lot of applications!
In an exceptionally popular blog on the UCAS site, Alix Delany, head of admissions at the University of East Anglia, says: “Although you are working in a restricted space I find it helpful when students use
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