applying to competitive universities penny dowell widening participation and undergraduate...
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Applying to Competitive UniversitiesPenny DowellWidening Participation and Undergraduate Recruitment Officer
14th June 2013
Overview
Why apply to competitive universities? Competition for placesWhat are admission tutors looking for?How can you stand out?What tools can you use?Top tips
Why apply to competitive universities?
Graduate employmentQuality of teachingAcademic teaching styleStudent satisfactionResearch intensive institutions Access to certain professions
Competition for places
Competition for places
Subject Applications Places
Medicine 3,452 216 16
Geography 1,220 137 9
History 1,272 190 7
English 1,064 150 7
Law 1,007 184 5
Archaeology 158 23 7
Engineering Maths 105 38 3
Social Policy 87 34 3
Italian 30 8 4
What are admission tutors looking for?
A level (or equivalent) gradesSubject combinationsAS grades, predicted grades and unit marksGCSE gradesPersonal statementReferenceTest results (where applicable)Interview (where applicable)Work experience (where applicable)
What are admission tutors looking for?
Relevant academic abilityMotivationStudy skillsWritten communication skillsRelevant experiencePassion for the subjectThe whole person
What are admission tutors looking for?
That you have read around your subject areaIf possible, work experienceBeing able to demonstrate your skillsPositions of responsibilityWhat has inspired you? Why are you passionate about the subject?Additional qualificationsOther interests, what else could you contribute to the University?
What are admission tutors looking for?
A realistic interest in MedicineInformed about a career in MedicineDemonstrated commitment to helping othersDemonstrated a wide range of interestsContributed to school/college/community activitiesA range of personal achievements
Medicine example: - Personal Statement
What are admission tutors looking for?Medicine example: - InterviewReasons for wanting to study MedicineAwareness of current developmentsAbility to communicateSelf-confidence, enthusiasm, determinationHow informed you are about the course and careerAbility to think critically and to discuss potentially contrasting points of view on topical subjects selected by interviewers
How can you stand out?Qualifications
– Have you got anything over and above the basic 3 A Level formula?
Research– The market– The course– The selection criteria (not just the standard offer grades)– Actual grades of successful applicants
Read around the subject– Evidence of motivation and commitment
Tailor your application– Evidence of close fit with selection criteria
How can you stand out?About two thirds of the personal statement should be
focussed around the desire to study the particular subject• Why• What• Academic
• The rest of the statement should be about the whole
person – hobbies, jobs, interests. • Interests – activities and sport• Conclusion
How can you stand out?
Simple question....
“Why should I be allowed to study ______ at University ?”
What tools can you use?
Admission statements
• Application process• Qualifications• Personal statement• Reference
• Typical offer
Where to start?
Admission statements
• Application process• Qualifications• Personal statement• Reference
• Typical offer
What tools can you use?Social Media
• The Student Room
Information on interviewsPersonal statement reviewsFind out typical offers made
What tools can you use?Open Days/Taster Days/Lectures
Top tips
Do your researchLook through admission statementsRead outside of the core curriculumGet involved with lots of activitiesGet work experienceProvide examples!!Analyse your activities, sports and interestsBe ambitious but realisticHave a back up plan
?
Questions
Schools-Colleges-Liaison@bristol.ac.uk
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