1. UCAS: what happens to your form? Arrives at UCAS. Copied up to 5 times. A Paper copy is sent to each Universities’ admissions office. Passed to the departmental / course selector. Offer / Interview / Short List / Unsuccessful [Reject]. The University informs UCAS. UCAS informs you. Decisions can be viewed on-line at UCAS.com/track

2. General Points Use your 5 choices. Best not to apply to widely differing courses. Best not to apply to the same institution 5 times! Check the course[s] entry requirements. Do think about your audience. Do follow UCAS ‘How to Apply’ instructions. Do make use of Universities’ web-site for guidance.

3. What sparked your interest in your chosen degree subject? Have you had a conversation with people already studying in the field? Where do you see yourself in 10 years time? Has anyone motivated you? If yes, who and how? Have you faced any challenges in your school work? Did it change you? What is your favourite book, film or hobby? How has it influenced you? What has been your biggest achievement and why? List any prizes you have won – inside or outside school Getting started – questions to ask myself What would your friends/family say about you if they were writing your statement?

4. What admissions staff tell UCAS they are looking for in a personal statement Evidence of: Independent study skills Self-awareness Motivation and commitment An understanding of the course Good numeracy and literacy Essay writing Research skills Time management skills Enthusiasm to go beyond the syllabus

5. Example format for a personal statement Opening Section Provide insightful reasons for choosing the subject Demonstrate commitment to the subject (this section should be at least 70% of statement) Middle Section Opportunity for the writer to identify themselves as a reflective and mature individual with appropriate skills, knowledge and attitudes Final Section Needs to be ‘punchy’ and leave the reader with a firm impression of a strong desire to study the subject chosen

6. Tip for students – avoid ‘list addiction’ I enjoy watching football, I play netball for Kent schools, I sing in the choir, I belong to the debating society, I am taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, I work in Tesco on Saturdays and I shop for my Granny on Monday after school.

7. Select key activities to expand on I have been an active member of the debating society at school for the last three years. This has proved really interesting as I have had the chance to research and defend viewpoints that I would normally not agree with; an exercise which I’m sure will be prove valuable as I study Law.

8. Things to avoid Things to avoid Intellectual Pretensions Misdirected humour No mention of future aspirations / direction Committing GBH on English language ‘I so don’t want to miss this opportunity’ ‘I have been interested in History from the get-go.’’

10. Similarity Detection Service Personal Statements are checked against a library of those already in the system, and from a variety of websites and paper publications Each new statement is added to the library after processing

11. Personal Statement Overview Spelling, Punctuation & Grammar. Keep it focussed. Mention all subjects applied for. Be concise, don’t waffle. Explain any unusual references or circumstances. Use the space and sell yourself.

12. Choice of Subject Why have you chosen this subject? Specific Areas of Interest Which aspects interest you?

13. Why Me? …. Be original – selectors see thousands of forms. Why have you chosen this subject? Which aspects interest you? Can you show your commitment to the subject? What have you gained so far? What can you offer in the future?

14. Things to AVOID Spelling, Punctuation or Grammatical Errors. Repeating yourself. Failure to demonstrate obvious subject interest. Failure to make use of the full space. Jargon, abbreviations, txt, & non-standard English. Lack of ‘structure’ Mentioning a particular Institution or Course

15. What are Universities looking for? Motivation. Subject Interest & Enthusiasm. Dedication. ‘Spark’. Evidence of Literacy. Majority of Personal Statement about the SUBJECT Someone who will be interesting to teach.