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The University Admissions Process

Dean Gonsalves

Queen Mary, University of London

The University Admissions Process

Dean Gonsalves

Queen Mary, University of London

Competitive Courses

• Application figures:

– 10-15 applications per place

– QMUL:• Medicine = 2,548 applications for 260 places• Dentistry = 667applications for 55 places

The consequences…

• What it means:

1. Higher entry requirements

2. Admissions tutors may use additional tools to help with the filtering process• Admissions tests• Interview

Applying through UCAS

• The UCAS form is completed on-line at www.ucas.com

The UCAS form

– Personal details– University & course choices – All qualifications– Personal statement– Teacher’s reference

University and course choices

• A maximum of five choices

• Four choices if the student is applying to study either:– Medicine– Dentistry– Veterinary Science

Qualifications

• The first hurdle

– Minimum GCSE and A-Level requirements– Predicted grades

Admissions tests

• Increasing in popularity

– Only three medical & dental schools are not using UKCAT/ BMAT

– 10 Law Schools use the LNAT test

UKCAT

• 90 minute test• Four sub-sections:

– Verbal reasoning– Quantitative reasoning– Abstract reasoning– Decision analysis

Teacher’s Reference

• Will support the student’s choice of degree• So…

– Keep in close contact with your teachers– They are very rarely negative, however….

Personal Statement

• 47 lines• 4000 characters (including spaces) • Just over 700 words

What do admissions tutors look for?

• Motivations

– Honest/genuine reasons for subject choice– Evidence that the student has researched their chosen subject– Career aspirations

What do admissions tutors look for?

• Awareness of current affairs

– Students should (where possible) link their studies to the outside world

– Evidence of reading around their subjects

What do admissions tutors look for?

• Academic ability…

– Must display enthusiasm for current A-Levels/studies– Discuss links between A-levels– Examples of relevant coursework

What do admissions tutors look for?

• Relevant work experience

– For subjects such as medicine, dentistry and teaching, relevant work experience is essential

– Why?• To develop a realistic understanding of the career

What do admissions tutors look for?

• Students should highlight their ‘staying power’:

– How?• Discuss positions of responsibility• Achievements – both academic and non-academic

What do admissions tutors look for?

• Outside interests– Admissions tutors are searching for well rounded individuals– Mention hobbies, membership of clubs and societies, outside

achievements

UCAS deadlines

• UCAS window– Mid-September to mid-January

• October deadline:– Oxbridge applications– Medicine– Dentistry– Veterinary Science