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UCAS Guidance

UCAS Guidance

The UCAS application process can be confusing and daunting for some students. We have created a guide to help students navigate the process confidently and with ease. This document has been made in order to help Chiswick School students all with the entire UCAS application process.

In it you will find help on how to complete the application form, how to write your personal statement, and other helpful information. This should be the first place to look for guidance as it has been made specifically for Chiswick School students. Nevertheless, our UCAS team can be contacted through email if you struggle with any aspect of the application.

In addition to this guide there will be a number of online presentations to further help you prepare a brilliant application for university. Students need to check both their school email and the website for any updates. The sooner students can get your application together the better as it will enable us to review or submit applications earlier which we deem as providing an advantage to applicants. If you are not planning on making an university application (e.g. you wish to do an apprenticeship) could you please contact the Sixth Form Team so we can make sure you have the right help for your future pathway.

Throughout the personal statement guide we have favoured giving as much information and examples as possible as many of you will not have seen one of these before, but it is extremely important that your application is personal to you. Please do use the examples as inspiration but do not plagiarize any of your application as it will result in that application being deleted.

Good luck with your applications. There are many other online resources to help you. The new UCAS portal has a lot of information for students as does Unifrog. 

Introduction

Short section which outlines which course you are applying for and why (50-100 words)
  • A particular moment that made you interested in a particular area
    • Trip to Africa - Created interest in infectious disease
    • Visiting speaker - Gripping speech about International relations

Or

  • Personal experience leading to building of interest
    • Friends or family with health issues - medicine
    • Playing high level sport - Physical Education

Or

  • Academic learning
    • Biology project on mammals
    • History coursework
    • Book or article read

Example

Recently I applied, and was successfully selected, to attend a conference on ‘Populism and International Politics’ at LSE, this provided an insight to the debates within International Relations, this lead to me conducting further research around the subject such as reading Zideks article in ‘The Economist’ that has instilled in me a determination to make the study of Politics and International Relations part of my future.

Paragraph 1

Why are you suitable for the course AND why is the course suitable for you? (150-200 words)
  • What academic skills do you have that will help your study
    • Extended essay writing skills - English/ History/ Philosophy/ Politics/ etc
    • Using one subject with another - History providing context for scientific developments
    • Critical thinking - Psychology etc
    • *Independant working - Coursework/ project/ reading
  • *Research the course requirements (prospectus) and show how you meet them
    • If the course states you need ‘organisational skills’ show how you have them. Make it obvious you have read their requirements by using the same wording. - “I have developed strong organisational skills through…”
  • Extra curricular skills or experiences that will help you with the course’s specific requirements.
    • Debating societies - forming arguments
    • Team sports - leadership/ teamwork
    • Wellbeing mentoring - workload management
    • Orange jackets - role model/ work ethic

Example

My academic study of A-level Biology has ingrained in me an appreciation of the wider discipline of Biology. I have learnt to treat all areas of the course with academic rigour, regardless of my preexisting interest. I also find independent research rewarding, enjoying the possibilities of learning outside the remit of the curriculum in a recent project...

Paragraph 2

Why will you be a good university student generally? (100-150 words)
  • What have you achieved at school? Everyone has something!!
    • Give an example and say what it taught you or trained you in:
      • Prizes
      • Leadership roles
      • Sporting achievements
      • Drama
      • D of E Award.
  • What have you achieved outside of school? Everyone has something!!
    • Remember to say what you gained from this experience:
      • Working part time job
      • Coaching sport
      • Helping manage finances at home
      • D of E Award.
  • Any other relevant information!

Example

My recent employment in a Michelin star restaurant as ‘job title’ has instilled in me the values of commitment and flexibility. The examples set by the dedicated team there have shown the reward and satisfaction that working hard and being headstrong can bring. It has also helped me with skills such as time management and prioritising of my responsibilities...

Conclusion

End briefly by summarising the main points and saying what makes you unique. (50-75 words)
  • Summarise what makes you an outstanding candidate
  • Show you are positive about the prospect of studying
  • Outline potential career progression

Example

I am also extremely excited about the prospect of studying psychology, and truly broadening my knowledge of the subject and whilst my current aspiration to pursue a career down the clinical route has been fuelled by my recent studies and work experience, I relish the opportunity to either create the foundations for this or to experience the world of psychology as a whole.

At this point your part of the application should be complete. Check your application and ensure you have chosen the correct courses, entered the correct fee code, and completed all relevant sections. The next stage will be for your subject teachers and tutors to enter a personalised reference for each of you. Once this has been done you will need to Pay and Send your application. This will only be approved by Ms. Rider or Mr. Williams once a full check of the application has been conducted.

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