Guys

UCAS is done, I've sent it off with a completed personal statement and five choices and excellent predicted grades

SURVIVING UCAS / APPLYING TO UNIVERSITY

So, it’s that time of year where everybody is stressing about university applications and UCAS. I was in this position about a month ago, but I’ve sent off my UCAS now and have started getting offers back (4/5 so far!) So here’s a guide to surviving the process!

PREDICTED GRADES

What are they? These are the grades sent by your school to the university, telling them what they expect you to get. From my experience, they are usually higher than what your teachers may predict you on school reports etc. These grades help universities 👀 which students are capable of the course and mee the entry requirements.

They are very important. Predicted grades are quite possibly the most important factor in determining the likelihood of offers. Of course, your application and personal statement are important too, but to universities, grades speak more volumes. BUT you are still likely to get in if you slip a grade on the day - the universities want your money at the end of the day.

Get them as high as possible. At lots of schools, predicted grades are based on trial exams or mocks done earlier. Mine were based on Year 12 mocks and how I had performed throughout the academic year. It’s possible to negotiate these with your teachers - I went from BBC to AAC (which levels out to ABB). If your grades are also based on any mocks - really really study and try hard.

They are a guide. If you know your predicted grades are CCC, you shouldn’t look at unis with AAB, because it’s highly unlikely you will get an offer. Stick to universities with entry requirements you know your predicted grades match - you can always go through adjustment or clearing later! However, you don’t stick to your predicted grades completely. Try applying for universities with slightly higher grades, and definitely go for lower unis if that’s what you want. I applied for universities with a range of predicted grades from BBC-AAB so I’d have a solid insurance, but can also apply to the universities I aspire to go.

PERSONAL STATEMENTS

Overwrite. Yes, there is a 4000 character limit and a 47 line limit. DO NOT think about that when you first write it. Write down everything you can think of and then cut down.

Academic heavy. Some people say the ratio for academic: extra-curricular should be 60:40, others say 80:20. I say it should be whatever works for you. If you’re applying for medicine, go for the 80:20. If you’re going for something like social work, work experience and skills may be more valuable in your personal statement.

Over-exaggerate. Don’t lie! Universities WILL catch you out, and this won’t work in your favour. Instead, ‘big yourself up’. Talk about how you mentored younger GCSE students - even if it was your little sister and her friend, or how ‘recently’ (Year 10) your work was published in a book (a collection of poems by students).

Extra-Curricular. Don’t just talk about your subject, talk about yourself as a person. What makes you stand out? Have you done any relevant work experience? (Anything can be made relevant). Link singing in your bedroom to confidence, or working at the bar helping you to manage sensitive situations.

It’s yours. Your teachers and peers and whoever else will give you feedback, but at the end of the day, it’s your statement.  Don’t change things that make it personal to you, but amend grammatical errors etc.

INTERVIEWS

Not everyone gets one. Only certain universities/subjects ask to interview.

Clothes. Dress smart, but dress casual. Jeans are fine - it’s not a meeting with the queen, but be modest. Don’t wear anything revealing. Most people wear what they would to sixth form or an open day so don’t dress about an outfit.

Knowledge. Go with as much knowledge about your course, and university as possible - enough to show interest. Flip through the prospectus and module choices etc for the university and know what’s on the course. For example, if you’re doing psychology, talk about how you love the choice of the psychology of sleep module, as other universities don’t offer it.

Personality. The university already knows how intellectual you are, but they want to 👀 how you’d fit in at the school. You don’t need to be a genius, just be you. Be smiley, confident and be yourself.

OFFERS

Conditional Offers.  It’s in the name - these offers are given on the condition you achieve certain grades. It could be your predicted grades, it could be UCAS points, or it could be lower than your predicted grades. They can also be negotiated - AAB can be a BBB if you put the university as your firm choice.

Unconditional Offers. These are basically where you get the offer no matter the outcome of your grades. You might get one like me, where a university said they will give an unconditional if you accept them as your firm.  This is such a benefit and while you’re doing your exams, you will wish for this to reduce stress. However, if you’ve got an unconditional offer, don’t let it ruin your motivation - you still need your grades. Equally, you shouldn’t accept an unconditional offer just because it’s unconditional - would you really love going to study at that university? Do you like the modules? Accommodation?

Accepting.  I accepted the day I got my last one - because my mind was already made up, but some people wait longer.  Some people can wait so long, their first choice uni change the offer from a conditional to an unconditional - don’t think this will work every time though. Take your time, really think about it. You will spend 3, 4, maybe more years there, so don’t pick somewhere you’re not really interested in. Pick a solid insurance too - in case you miss the grades of your conditional. My insurance is 2 grades below my firm.

It’s your choice. Pick somewhere you want to go, not somewhere your parents or teachers think is best. It’s your choice and your future.

Rejections. Don’t worry! You can apply again, either next year or through UCAS extra. Maybe this will show you you need to work harder, or that university isn’t for you. Just remember everything will work out.

All that’s left to do after all this, is study as hard as you can to maintain your grades and hopefully go to university! I hope this helped! If you want a separate more detailed post on personal statements let me know in the comments! If you have any questions, message me or comment! Disclaimer: my interview advice is based on things I have read/heard as psychology rarely interviews, so I have not experienced one first-hand.

08-01-2017;

At MED SCHOOL ENTRY, our advice is that you are not sure how the Personal Statement is being used. It could be for shortlisting, in the interview, or to distinguish between borderline cases. It is a mandatory requirement for all applicants; therefore, it is worth doing your best.