HE and HSC Admissions

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• HE and HSC Admissions
• UCAS Applications and Personal Statements
• Dr Gail Born
• UWE

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What are admissions tutors looking for?

• The single thing that impresses me most is a
  clear passion for the subject.
• Evidence of extra reading and perhaps a brief
  discussion of areas they find interesting is
  always a good sign.
• The students who stand out clearly demonstrate
  vocational commitment, so have taken time to
  visit an audiology department, spoken to an
  audiologist about what the job involves

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What are admissions tutors looking for?

• I like candidates to be honest and explain
  (briefly) why they have followed a slightly
  unusual progression to HE. Im not asking for
  hard-luck stories, but it does help to get a more
  rounded picture of the individual.
• One thing I see regularly is a statement saying
  something like 'I am aware of the wide range of
  patients that physiotherapists work with' - or
  words to that effect, as you can see a statement
  like that does not provide any evidence of this
  being true, it merely suggests that the applicant
  perceives that they are aware of the broad range
  which may or may not be true!  Not a long list
  but a few examples are helpful to demonstrate
  they do have some idea.

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What are universities looking for in a good
applicant?
Skills What skills do they have? Decision
making, leadership etc
Current studies What mix of study do they have?
WHAT DOES A GOOD APPLICANT LOOK LIKE?
Work Experiences Any in a similar role as chosen
subject?
Performance What is their academic performance
to date?
Achievements Any in similar subjects or modules
as course selected?
Lifestyle What are they looking for in a
university? Expectations
Ability Individuality What are these?
Predictions Predicted academic performance?
Understanding of profession What do they know,
what have they done?
Personal Qualities Compassion, empathy,
understanding
Numeracy Literacy
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Skills and Qualities
Good Communicator
Interest in People
Caring
Calm under pressure
Problem Solving
Enthusiasm
Good Listener
Team working
Empathy
Time Management
Energy
Criminal Convictions
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References

• Information about the course
• Structure, subjects
• Students academic abilities and interests as
  much hard information as possible level 3
  achievement
• Students commitment, inc. time management,
  meeting deadlines
• Social and communication skills
• Recommendation for degree level study

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The importance of the personal statement

• May be the only chance to sell themselves all
  an admissions officer/tutor has to go on
• Enforced self-reflection they might learn
  something too!
• Opportunity to demonstrate interest in the course
  or area of study
• To explain why they have gone down the
  educational route that they have chosen and how
  it has benefited them
• Biographical Questionnaire

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Questions to consider (and answer!) before making
a start

• Have I done sufficient research into course and
  HEI choices? Am I confident in this?
• Why do I love this subject? What is it about it
  that I enjoy the most?
• How long have I been interested in it?
• What do I love to do in my spare time?

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Questions (continued)

• What am I proud of? What do I take pride in being
  able to do?
• What opportunities have I taken?
• Do I have any non-accredited achievements? (eg.
  Duke of Edinburgh)
• Have I held any positions of responsibility?
• Have I had work experience or a placement? If so,
  what did I learn from it?
• What makes me a good candidate?

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Questions (continued)

• Have I demonstrated an interest in the subject
  outside of school or college? (if not, do I have
  plans to do this?)
• Have I demonstrated an interest in the subject
  inside school or college? (if not, do I have
  plans to do this?) e.g. field trips, work place
  visits, taster days, open days etc.
• What experiences have I had that led to this
  choice of career? What experiences make me right
  for it?
• Do I possess transferable skills (leadership,
  communication etc.) how have I attained them?
  How can I use them during my studies?

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Having answered these questions

• Make a list of everything they want to say as
  well as notes based on answers to questions
• Think about structure which order makes sense?
• Consider what is the most important thing to get
  across
• Ask friends and family for advice can they
  think of something that has been missed?

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Do..

• Try to make a strong impression but dont be
  jokey or quirky, and keep it light
• Demonstrate clarity about choice of subject and
  why they want to study it
• Connect their level 3 studies and personal
  experiences to desired degree subject
• Be enthusiastic and interested I hope toI
  would like to further my knowledge ofI am
  looking forward to the challenge of etc.
• Ensure that the structure is good and that
  spelling and grammar are perfect (very important!)

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Do

• Talk about gap year plans if deferred entry has
  been requested
• Cover all subject areas, if applying for multiple
  subjects applied for (be wary of doing this
  though as it implies indecision)
• If applying for midwifery, dont talk about a
  desire to work with babies and children (121
  applicants to places, 200 interviewed for 50
  places, Feb-April)
• If applying for physiotherapy, dont talk about
  sports injuries!
• Demonstrate that they are well-rounded give
  specific examples
• If they are not in full-time education, give
  details of work experience voluntary or paid
• Keep it as up to date as possible

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Dont

• Dwell on shortcomings or negative things
• List all level 3 subjects again (its elsewhere
  on the application) only if relevant
• Be overconfident
• Be biased towards any particular university 5
  institutions will be viewing the application!
• Copy any part of the statement from elsewhere
  (Similarity Detection Service 10 or higher
  similarity reported to universities

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Dont

• Try too hard - being themselves is the best
  policy
• Leave it too late allow plenty of time!
• Underestimate how important it is
• Put how old they are (that appears elsewhere on
  the application) or provide confidential or
  private information
• Provide an inappropriate email address (on
  application form generally)

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Presentation

• Type and perfect in Word then copy and paste into
  UCAS Apply
• 4000 characters (including spaces) or 47 lines
  (including blank lines) or approx. 600 words
• Aim to fill the space not too short!
• Dont use bold, italics or a different font it
  wont work
• Check spelling, grammar and punctuation (again!)
• Get a second (and third) opinion on what they
  have written does it make sense? Does it flow
  well?
• Ensure that the information is all true and can
  be discussed further at interview (UWE guarantee
  the minimum of an interview for applicants on
  access programmes)
• Keep a copy to refer to at a later date

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Questions?

• www.dayinthelife.org.uk
• www.ucas.com
• www.aimhigher.ac.uk
• www.life-pilot.co.uk
• www.thestudentroom.co.uk