You are entitled to read your school reference, and make sure it is the final one that is sent off to UCAS and not just the tutor's original draft ,as it might have been changed before being sent to UCAS. If you are refused, for whatever reason, then you may obtain a copy of the complete application form from UCAS which will cost you £10. This however is the reference that the universities will see, and you will not be able to change it.

Under The Data Protection Act, you can receive a copy of your application as part of the information UCAS hold on computer. Normally you would request this in writing. If you have a credit/debit card, you can ring our Customer Service Unit on 0870 1122211 and arrange to receive a copy of the information that UCAS hold.

Personal Statement.

Below I have collated some advice you may find useful. It is by no means definitive but it should help you to make a start.

·        The personal statement on your UCAS form is probably one of the most important things you will have to write, and can be one of the most difficult!

·        The emphasis is on personal, and it should demonstrate some independence when writing it. However seek advice from your form tutor and additional advice outside school from friends, relations etc.

·        The school now produces the UCAS form electronically and this has proved to be much easier than in previous years.

Not all University courses offer an interview so you can see why the personal statement is so important.

·        Before you start, you need to clarify in your own mind what you want to say.

·        Make sure that your personal statement is structured correctly.

·        You should show that you have an applied interest in the subject.                                          

·        Most Universities will be looking for commitment to the subject and this should be reflected in the personal statement.

·        This is particularly important in subjects such as medicine where you should show medical work placements etc.                                                                                                 

·        Be specific; say what you have learnt from your work experience, and what makes you want to study the course.                                                                                                                             

·        It is very important that you understand the course entry requirements.                                     

·        Which specific A level subjects are required? What are the minimum grades/points that are being asked for?

Remember that the grades in the university prospectus and the UCAS directory are the minimum  grades required, and, are likely to be two years out of date! Check with the university direct . Some university courses ( e.g. Birmingham medicine) in 2005 would not interview or make offers on less than 5 GCSE A* grades.

·        Does the particular course require you to show long term commitment through any particular work experience? For example medicine etc.                                                                                          

·        Be confident but realistic.                                                                                                           

·        Obviously avoid applying for courses that require grades well beyond your capability, or subjects that you are not studying.                                                                                                         

·        Explain what sparked your initial interest in pursuing your chosen course and/or intended career.     

·        Specify exactly what you have done that is relevant to the subject and explain why you found it interesting.

·        For example you may have some subject related work experience, but anything else you have done to show you have an active interest in the subject is just as good.                      

·        Field trips may be relevant.

·        It may be that you have attended the Oxford Access School or been to a talk given by a visiting University lecturer at the school.

·        Admissions tutors will want to see that you have an interest and already have a sound grasp of the subject and that you are academically curious and eager to learn and show an intellectual flexibility ( particularly at interview).

·        For example you might use a paragraph to discuss some relevant books you have been reading and maybe the issues that were raised.

·        In some cases it is a good idea to read several opinions on the same issue, you can then discuss your views from a more authoritative position.

·        Current relevant news items can provide useful sources.

·        Certainly read the press for news regarding your chosen subject area prior to an interview, you may be asked questions about these issues as some potential Medics have at their interviews.

Some Universities such as Nottingham Med. school may even ask you to complete a questionnaire before considering you for interview.

A growing number of competitive courses also will require you to sit an exam, Law for example.

It is also useful to look on the university's WEBSITE (or contact them) and find one of the introductory general texts to the subject (especially important if you are applying for a subject you have not done at A-Level).

Visits to University Open Days can provide much information and answer a lot of questions you may have about specific courses. They can also confirm or otherwise your choice of subject you wish to study.

For your extra curricular activities, keep the details succinct. Unless you have done something really remarkable, just a paragraph will suffice.

If you play sport regularly for a school team give details, for example if you have been on tour with a sports team or won a competition you certainly should mention that.

You may like to mention sporting activities that are not mainstream sports such as, Golf, Sailing, Kick boxing etc.

Positions of authority in school suggest that you are conscientious e.g. head boy/girl, school prefect etc. You may have run a school society for example.

If you have participated in the “Challenge of Management” mention it.

If you have helped at the “Acorns Trust” then include details. Say if you play a musical instrument or have performed in an orchestra.

PREDICTED GRADES AND REFERENCES.

Keep your aspirations high but, be realistic!

If you have gained C or D grades at A/S then it is unlikely that you will gain A grades at A2.

Subject tutors will be honest when predicting grades and these will be based on your track record, so do not expect to negotiate!

• Because some schools do not cash in A/S grades, then the only actual exam grades that admissions tutors see are your GCSE grades.
• N.B. This may well change as from 2006/7 if universities are allowed to see your  module results in order to differentiate between those who not only gained the highest marks but perhaps those who only gained the high marks through re-sits.
• However if you have obtained excellent A/S grades, say 3 As and a B or 280 plus UCAS points then ensure these are mentioned in the reference.
• Some of the more competitive courses( Medical schools for example)  will require at least 4 or 5 A* grades with few if any B grades for the rest.
• If you only have a  B  in GCSE English for example, you may not be offered an interview for some courses. However if English is your additional language or you have only been in the country for less than a year or two, make sure this is mentioned both in the reference and your Personal Statement.
• References will be as positive as possible and you are entitled to read it. If you are refused for whatever reason then you may obtain a copy from UCAS which will cost you £10.
• In addition to your personal statement the school's predicted grades and references are two of the most important things that universities use to decide whether to offer you a place or not.
• If you are predicted an A/B for A2 instead of a straight A grade then the majority of admission tutors will read this as a straight B!
• Predicted grades will be based on past and current performance.
• Module results will also be very relevant
• Subject tutors’ comments also provides important information for the school reference, so check that all your work is up to date and of a high standard in order to ensure positive comments.
• It is best to have a long term, excellent track record! 
• However read your recent reports carefully and also those from previous years.
• Look for any criticisms your teachers have made, and try to address them.
  
   

Below are two common criticisms.

“Doesn't participate enough in class”. Solution: ask more questions in class. Obviously playing a more active part in lessons and answering questions that the teacher asks shows that you have been attentive. 

”Not working to his/her full ability”. There is no easy remedy here, apart from hard work. That said, it's surprising how quickly a few good, well-researched essays/projects can change opinions.

Obviously make sure you are up to date with your work and you have a good reliability record. This is a good indicator of your commitment.

N.B. If you are applying for a course which, normally invites applicants  for an interview, make sure that you re-read your personal statement carefully before you attend the interview.

 Admissions tutors may well base questions on your personal statement. You do not want the embarrassment of forgetting what you wrote. It may be a number of months since you wrote it

If you have the opportunity of seeing the school’s reference take note of the information contained there,  as some questions may also based on this.

It is advisable  to experience at least one mock interview, preferably with someone you do not know. If this is not possible then why not arrange some mock interviews amongst your fellow students. They may also have already attended an interview and they may well be able to ask some pertinent  questions, particularly if they are applying for the same course.

 B Lucas