Step 6) The Golden Rules

Follow these golden rules and you will improve your chance of being accepted to your first choice university. 

Differentiate your application:

  1. Research courses thoroughly to show your enthusiasm for and understanding of the subject.
  2. Be specific and display precise knowledge. Don't be vague. 
  3. Be honest, only include what you know about so that you can't be caught out. You might be interviewed as part of your application. 
    1. NOTE: Your application is kept on your student record and can be referred to and used as evidence at a later stage in your undergraduate careers or even after graduation. 
  4. Try to sound interesting and interested, but don't overdo it.
  5. Express your information and ideas clearly. 
  6. Don't be negative.
  7. Organise your research and your brag sheet before writing your personal statement.
  8. Don't state the obvious or repeat yourself. 
  9. Consider spellllling and grammar. Proof read your personal statement multiple times before sharing it with tutors. It's your personal statement so take ownership over the document that might make or break your university application.

Top Tip: Don't tell, show

Rather than just claiming that you are enthusiastic or knowledgeable about your subject, demonstrate your interest and understanding by describing: 

  • The background to your interest in the subject 
  • Ways in which you are currently following up this enthusiasm 
  • What exactly you know about the subject
  • and weave this together with your achievements, extra-curricular and personal interests.

Easy?

 

Transferable Skills are needed by an individual to make them ‘employable’ and also can be used to demonstrate essential characteristics of an undergraduate student. Along with an understanding and subject knowledge of the course you are applying to, universities often outline a set of skills that they want from a student. These skills are what they believe will equip the student to successful in the academic journey beyond school.

Transferable skills can be demonstrated through evidencing your knowledge, skills and attitudes, how you use those assets, and how you present them to universities in your personal statement and at interview.