UCAS and Personal Statements

But I’m not going to uni!!! We are getting all students to do a personal statement/sign up on the UCAS site even if they’re not intending on applying to university. The reason for this is that when you apply for apprenticeships or jobs, quite often there is a section on the application form where you get to explain why you are applying and what makes you suitable. Or you will have to include a cover letter which serves a similar purpose. This is very similar to the purpose of a personal statement, so if you spend the time now to prepare a personal statement it will help with job applications as well as UCAS applications. UCAS site is a good source of information on apprenticeships as well as uni related information.

UCAS – How to sign up

Would suggest that you let them contact you about all of the options here. First one – may give you ideas you’d missed. Second one – will give you student discounts Third one – if you don’t get any offers, they’ll help match you to unis.

Make a note: Write down your password as I can’t tell you that. Also make a note of the applicant ID number and username.

Buzzword = Bromfords2020

Parts you may not know the answer to… Personal Details (Ignore the Reference numbers section) Education Add in all GCSE/BTEC/A Levels (those in future – result= pending) Nominated Access - Parent or Aaron are best bets.

Stuck? On each page there is a ‘how to’ video to help you. If you have any questions come and see me.

Those probably applying to Uni Take the time over the summer (should take an hour max) to fill in the basic stuff – personal details / education / employment. Work on your personal statement – we will check these in September.

Personal Statements

Why are personal statements important? When judging applications universities look at two sets of information to decide whether to give you an offer. Your personal statement makes up a big chunk of the second box where you can demonstrate what your skills and interest in the subject are. You need to show you have the potential to succeed at that university. Data Personality GCSE Grades As Grades (?) Other qualifications Personal statement Staff reference Work experience / interview

What is the point of a personal statement? It is the only chance you have to sell yourself to a potential university. You get to show how you can bring value to the university. You get to show why you want to do that course. It isn’t an unlimited amount of text, so you need to be to the point in your explanation of your strengths and characteristics

What makes a good personal statement? Have a look at the examples that you have in pairs. Pick out the good points from their statements that you think really sell them. Are there any differences between different statements? E.g. TB/RM/AL (Oxbridge/Medical) vs some of the others. What makes these students statements stand out?

Tips https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8hFkMAjW-I Only 4000 characters over 47 lines. Don’t waste any, but try to use as many of them as possible to sell yourself. Course descriptions mention the qualities, skills and experience it’s useful to have for each subject – take note of these to help you decide what to write about. Make sure you meet the minimum requirements of the course. Remember it’s the same personal statement for all the courses you apply to, so avoid mentioning unis and colleges by name. Most students choose similar subjects, but if you’ve chosen a variety, just write about common themes – like problem solving or creativity.

What to write about Why you’re applying Why you’re suitable What makes you, YOU! What are your interests/hobbies? What volunteering, clubs, work experience, etc have you done? If you’ve done DofE mention it – it shows lots of different skills. Avoid humour – they may not be as funny as you are. Do not copy someone else’s statement – it will be detected and will be reported to the universities that you are applying to.

Structure Paragraph one – motivation and interest for the subject (don’t use a snazzy quote) Paragraph 2 and 3 – What have you been doing to show your interest in the topic? E.g. EPQ, Online courses, extra reading. Showing some reflective insight on what you’ve done. Show how you’re unique if it is relevant to the course. Paragraph 4 – Hobbies and interest – but use them to evidence competencies such as resilience, adaptability, team work not just for the sake of ma

Next Steps Look at your own personal statement What are the good points about it as it is currently? What is lacking from it – have you got genuine examples of activities that you have done? If you haven’t, then use the summer holidays to fill the gaps. Has your personal statement been read through by staff? Is it the best way of selling yourself to a potential university? Spend some time now working through your personal statement.

Peer support Having had a chance to update your personal statement – read someone else’s on screen. What are the good points about it? What could be better?