Don’t Make These Common University Application Errors

1. Don’t Make These Common University Application Errors

2. With university education being more and more sought after, and competition for places on courses at its fiercest, getting your university application right has never been more important. While each university application process will vary, there are some common errors many students make, and these can mean the difference between success and failure: • Course eligibility Most universities issue a list of requirements that students will need to meet to qualify for their desired course, and if you don’t meet those requirements, there may be little point even applying, since your application will most likely be discarded.

3. Misreading application instructions Take the time to read thoroughly the set of guidelines that most universities issue when you are applying for a course; incorrectly reading the instructions may lead to your application not be taken seriously. • Not giving specific reasons for pursuing a course Giving a generic response to the question of why you want to apply for a course, will do nothing to make your application stand out from your competitors.

4. Unoriginality If you are asked to produce an essay – as many universities do – you must try to make it as original as possible and avoid plagiarism. This will allow the assessor to get a better picture of your personality. • Don’t be boastful There is a difference between listing your achievements and skills in an objective way and bragging about them in an overtly narcissistic manner. This will serve only to make your application less appealing.

5. Try not to make any grammatical errors Grammatical mistakes will stick out like a sore thumb in any university application, and they will certainly not go in your favour. Get someone professional to proofread your application before you submit it. • Talk about your goals and ambitions It’s important to show faculty members that you have ambition and drive, since these are the types of thing that they look out for, and which could separate you from your rivals.

6. Avoid the temptation to write one essay for each application Adapting the same essay for different university’s may be tempting as it will save you time, but assessors will be looking out for essays that don’t mention specific details about their university or the course you are applying for, and they will instinctively know that you haven’t taken the time and effort to write a new essay. • Get your application in with time to spare Late applications will not impress anyone and suggests that you may have rushed things and left it to the last minute, a clear indication to many that you might not

7. be an organized student and therefor not suitable for the course. • Allow plenty of time for letters of recommendation Try to give your professor or employer enough notice and time to write you a letter of recommendation; these can be vital for some applications and you want them to have enough time to write it properly and include all the relevant details. If you’re struggling with your university application, there are services out there that can help give you tips and guidance to ensure that you give yourself the best chance of being selected for the course of your choice.

8. Oxbridge Sciences was set up by a group of Oxbridge Graduates who felt that there was a need to demystify the admissions process, providing advice and guidance to talented students with Oxford and Cambridge university tuition. Among our founders include Doctors, Research scientists and management consultants – all graduates of Oxford and Cambridge. All of our oxbridge tutors are either current or very recently graduated students of Oxford and Cambridge University. We have hundreds of applications each year for tutoring spots and we typically only choose a select few to join us in our very unique aim.