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What Admissions Tutors look for: The Personal Statement

What Admissions Tutors look for: The Personal Statement. Sally Raby Education Liaison Manager University of Bradford 0800 073 1225. UCAS. Universities and Colleges Admissions Service Handles all undergraduate applications Apply online www.ucas.com. UCAS: some important points. 5 choices

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What Admissions Tutors look for: The Personal Statement

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  1. What Admissions Tutorslook for:The Personal Statement Sally Raby Education Liaison Manager University of Bradford 0800 073 1225

  2. UCAS • Universities and CollegesAdmissions Service • Handles all undergraduate applications • Apply online • www.ucas.com

  3. UCAS: some important points • 5 choices • Deadlines: • 15th October: Medicine/Veterinary Science/Dentistry/Oxford/Cambridge • 15th January: all other applicants

  4. Personal Statement • 4000 characters long (including spaces) • Should be in 12 font • In paragraphs – easier to read • Don’t repeat information already on your form • Sell yourself • Don’t make things up • Think about who you are writing for

  5. Comment from an admissions tutor: “Personal Statements are incredibly important at all stages of the Application process. They generally present the basis for deciding course offers and aid in the selection of whom to interview. “Furthermore, personal statements will also determine the nature of questions during the interview. “Perhaps the most important role of the Personal Statement is that they are re-evaluated should a candidate narrowly miss a conditional offer and they may tip the balance in your favour at such an important stage.”

  6. Personal Statement: Opening • Should clearly reflect: • Why you are interested inthe course • Motivation • Enthusiasm • Commitment to the subject(e.g. extra reading/related experience etc.) • Career ideas (if you have any)

  7. Personal Statement: Academic Skills • Are you studying the subject for which you are applying? • What do you love about it?/particular units/topics you enjoy/extra reading you have done etc. • What generic academic skills have you developed from other subjects you have studied?

  8. Well organised Problem solving Logical thinking Evaluation Analytical Research Presentation Meet deadlines Investigative Working independently Essay writing skills Personal Statement: Some academic skills

  9. Personal Statement: Interpersonal Skills • Evidence of skills you have developed through: • work; full-time, part-time or voluntary • Society membership, Duke of Edinburgh etc. • Involvement in sport, music etc • Summer Schools, Taster days

  10. Personal Statement: Social Work Experience of working with children, young people or families is essential. 35 hours of work experience in addition to any placements through school or college and within the last 2 years. • How long have you undertaken the work • Your roles and responsibilities • Reflections on the ways in which your experience has helped to prepare you for working with children, young people and families.

  11. Personal Statement: Nursing • Knowledge, Insight and Commitment • Interpersonal skills – teamwork, communication,time management • Evidence of voluntary or paid work • Evidence of the qualities needed • Demonstrates awareness of the some of thechallenges ahead.

  12. Personal Statement: Clinical Sciences “Students need to demonstrate that they have relevant health care experience and that they possess the personal qualities needed for a future health professional. Examples from their life should be provided that demonstrate they can take responsibility, work in a team and they have social and cultural awareness. “They should also indicate their motivation and insight into the profession that they are hoping to progress into and evidence their commitment, achievements and hobbies. The key is to reference; examples must be concrete, do not expect the admissions tutor to second guess.”

  13. Responsible Communication Independence Efficiency Confidence Trustworthy Co-operate with others Time management Self-motivation Teamwork Using initiative Personal Statement: Some Interpersonal Skills

  14. “Mentoring/Community Work required me to be sensitive to the needs of others and provided me with the opportunity to develop my own self-confidence and independence.” “My active involvement in sport/music (or whatever) has provided me with the opportunity to socialise and also to develop my own self-confidence and ability to co-operate with, and learn from, others.” “Experience in balancing the often conflicting demands of work, academic study and family life.” – evidence of time management and organisational skills

  15. There’s my Saturday job • I work in a shop and, if I am honest, I do so because I need the money. • True, I have learnt some useful things: • How to fold sweaters faster than customers unfold them

  16. “My job in retail has improved my understanding of the business world and has given me valuable experience in time management and customer relations”.

  17. Gap year Include reference to: • Initiative taken • Current status • What you will be doing • What you expect to gain • Indicate relevance to course/coursesapplied for

  18. Hobbies and Interests • Link to course if you can • If not, shows you are a well rounded individual • Say why you enjoy what you do and what you have gained/learned from it

  19. Personal Statement: Conclusion I have enjoyed my time at school/college and look forward to the challenge of studying for a degree and to developing my own independence by attending university.

  20. Fine tuning (1) • Avoid a simple listing format: demonstrate that you can write in clear, concise, grammatically correct sentences and that you represent an attractive proposition for university entrance.

  21. Fine tuning (2) • Make your application relevant toall choices • Do not alienate an institution!

  22. Fine tuning (3) • “I own my own pony and I exorcize him daily.”Equine studies applicant

  23. Fine tuning (4) • “My mother and I frequently attend dog shows where we have wonmany prizes.” Animal Science applicant

  24. Do Say why you want to study the course Refer to your current studies – what you enjoy & why Mention positions of responsibility Be reflective Show your statement to other people Talk about work experience etc. Check your spelling/grammar Make sure it has a concluding paragraph Don’t Refer to experiences that are too long ago Mention experiences without stating the skills you have gained Lie Apply for too many different kinds of courses Write a statement which makes your choices look random and not thought through Personal Statement: Dos and Don’ts

  25. Thank You For Listening! Good luck. Any questions? www.bradford.ac.uk www.twitter.com/BradfordUni www.facebook.com/pages/University-of-Bradford/123705457714885 www.youtube.com/universityofbradford

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