Persuasive UCAS Forms

Sarah Student Recruitment Officer

Setting the scene

In March 2011 there were 618,116 applicants applying for places at university by 21 March 2011* This is an increase of 13,352 applicants (2.2%) on 2010* Competition for places is high Fewer courses interview Application forms and personal statements demonstrate why you want and deserve a place at university
*source: UCAS Media Releases http://www.ucas.ac.uk/about_us/media_enquiries/media_releases/2011/20110328

Setting the scene: applications by subject group

Applications (Choices) by JACS2 Subject Group JACS2 Subject Group Group A Medicine & Dentistry Group B Subjects allied to Medicine Group C Biological Sciences Group D Vet Sci,Ag & related Group F Physical Sciences Group G Mathematical & Comp Sci Group H Engineering Group J Technologies Group K Architecture, Build & Plan Group L Social Studies Group M Law Group N Business & Admin studies Group P Mass Comms and Documentation Group Q Linguistics, Classics & related Group R European Langs, Lit & related Group T Non-European Langs and related Group V Hist & Philosophical studies Group W Creative Arts & Design Group X Education Y Combined arts Y Combined sciences Y Combined social sciences Y Sciences combined with social sciences or arts Y Social sciences combined with arts Z General, other combined & unknown Total

2010 entry 93,348 301,738 207,906 24,144 88,990 127,190 120,751 11,492 45,804 223,543 109,028 279,572 55,188 72,609 25,096 7,975 82,802 269,074 84,547 69,471 35,894 32,626 102,282 62,992 15,797 2,549,859

2011 entry 96,937 345,246 219,123 26,737 96,503 135,095 126,818 10,992 45,620 230,641 114,010 297,753 58,614 69,604 24,903 8,063 81,583 287,733 90,471 67,703 37,194 32,048 98,077 61,050 15,302 2,677,820

Diff (+/-) 3,589 43,508 11,217 2,593 7,513 7,905 6,067 -500 -184 7,098 4,982 18,181 3,426 -3,005 -193 88 -1,219 18,659 5,924 -1,768 1,300 -578 -4,205 -1,942 -495 127,961

Diff (%) 3.80% 14.40% 5.40% 10.70% 8.40% 6.20% 5.00% -4.40% -0.40% 3.20% 4.60% 6.50% 6.20% -4.10% -0.80% 1.10% -1.50% 6.90% 7.00% -2.50% 3.60% -1.80% -4.10% -3.10% -3.10% 5.00%

source: UCAS Media Releases - http://www.ucas.ac.uk/about_us/media_enquiries/media_releases/2011/20110328

Setting the scene: applications by subject line and course type

Subject B7 - Nursing W2 Design Studies C8 - Psychology M1 - Law by Area A1 - Pre-clinical Medicine N2 Management Studies X1 - Training Teachers L5 - Social Work C6 - Sports Science G1 - Mathematics F5 Astronomy

Degree applications for 2011 149,514 96,817 92,588 90,695 83,715 67,127 54,221 54,464 52,826 40,941 1,176

Percentage change on 2010 +48.2% +8.2% +2.7% +3.9% +4.3% +8.7% +3.1% -2.6% +3.3% +3.1% +38.5

Selection of courses for illustration only. See the full list online. Source: UCAS Media Releases http://www.ucas.ac.uk/about_us/media_enquiries/media_releases/2011/20110328

Why choose Higher Education?

Personal development

Academic interests
Career choices and advantages Financial advantages

Social life and new friends

Travel abroad

Broadens your horizons

What can you study?

Over 50,000 courses on offer in the UK

Over 300 different institutions

Foundation degrees Honours degrees Single honours/joint honours Full time and part time study Sandwich courses

What can you study?

Familiar subjects? English History German Politics Maths Biology Dance Theatre
Vocational subjects? Teacher Training Nursing & Medicine Dentistry Architecture New subjects? Events Management Zoology Anthropology Golf Course Management

Things to consider

What interests you!?

What subjects do you enjoy that you are currently studying? Jobs and careers you are interested in?
Do you want to continue a current subject? Do you want to study something completely different? What degree courses are available to me? What can I commit to for three, four or five years?

Personal Statements

Most important element of the UCAS form

The process is all about selling yourself

This is your chance to sell yourself to the admissions tutors You need to stand out amongst the applications Interviews are becoming less popular due to numbers entering Higher Education each year

Some course still do though!

More emphasis on personal statements

What is a Personal Statement?

47 lines of text, 4,000 characters or 500 words expressing your suitability for the course No spell check on UCAS Apply prepare in Word (or equivalent) Not able to use formatting effects (bold, italic, underlined) One personal statement for all 5 choices

Similarity Detection Service(!)

Personal Statements
It is not enough to just list things that you do/are interested in Present a clear and well prepared statement Talk to your teachers / tutors and ensure they understand what you are interested in and how dedicated you are to pursuing a chosen career path

What are we looking for?

Structure

Strong opening paragraph

Enthusiasm people who are eager to learn

Motivation for Higher Education

Identify why you want to pursue the degree programme Two subjects? - try and identify a link between the two

What are we looking for?

An understanding of the subject area (evidence of wider reading etc.) Vocational i.e. teaching/medicine/nursing a commitment to becoming a teacher/doctor/nurse and understanding of the role and responsibilities Relevant work experience/interests/hobbies Link to academic study where possible

What are we looking for?

Explanation of subjects and skills learned

Explanation of skills learned through hobbies and interests A focus on skills that are relevant
People who are going to contribute something to the university / college community Leave the last paragraph memorable

Skills and experience audit

Personal statement is not simply a list of what you have achieved Attempt to prove to admissions tutors that you have the relevant skills and motivation to pursue chosen degree programme Identifying your skills and experience is a great place to start when writing your personal statement

Skills and experience audit

MY EXPERIENCE
Academic Subject

History

Extended Essay
Research/writing Skills Organisation Skills Time Management Skills

Skills and experience audit

MY EXPERIENCE
Part Time Job

School/Sixth Form Checkout operator in a shop Time Management Communication Skills Organisation Skills

Skills and experience audit

MY EXPERIENCE
Hobbies / Extra Curricular Activity

Cricket Captain Fund raising for new equipment Leadership Teamwork Overcoming Challenges

Skills and experience audit

Use this exercise to mind map your skills and experience Be prepared to explain your skills as well as list them I have captained the school cricket team, organising a series of inter-school matches. I designed the posters advertising these matches and then introduced a ticketing system which raised 300 to buy new bats

Use of language

The use of language is just as important as what you are saying in your personal statement Be positive and proactive Use buzz words, phrases and action words these convey a sense of participation, involvement and accomplishment:

Trained, invented, wrote, designed, created, analysed

Check spelling and grammar use Word and then cut and paste to online version! Get someone to check it before you submit it!

Youd be surprised how many mistakes people make!

Remember
Do: be clear and specific about why you want to study what you do leave some white space on the page (good margins, a line between paragraphs) ensure that you come across as realistic and informed about career plans Dont write your personal statement for just one course rush it; it needs careful proof reading and benefits from outside comment (teachers, family or friends)

What do you need?

Entry requirements Knowledge of subject e.g. interest in particular areas Evidence of interest in subject e.g. lectures, wider reading, documentaries Career aspirations/motivation for choosing HE Work experience/voluntary placements Extra curricular activities Key skills communications, team work, organisations etc.

Sources of information

Careers library, general guides & resources Tutors, advisors, parents, siblings etc. www.UCAS.com Admissions Profiles Good/bad practice examples University/College web sites League tables/QAA reports Prospectuses and course literature HE conventions Visits to Higher Education Institutions

Finally
Top Tips Start early Research thoroughly Use the advice and guidance available Websites, Open Days etc. Ask questions Spend time on producing a good application Get application in on time, dont risk annoying your teachers by making them chase you! Make sure it is what you want to do

Any questions?

Sarah Booth Student Recruitment Officer admissions-liaison@york.ac.uk