Insiders Guide to Applying to University

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Here he provides some top tips for students preparing their personal statement. This is your chance to demonstrate your enthusiasm and commitment and show us what value you can add to a university. I am a member of the college chess club.

I also play the clarinet in the orchestra. I have developed my problem solving skills through playing chess for the college; this requires concentration and analytical thought. I am used to working as part of a team as a member of the college orchestra I play clarinet , cooperating with others to achieve a finished production. Below are some real-life examples from students that we do not want to see again: Sign up to our monthly e-update for hints and tips on your university application, direct to your inbox.

We help students around the world research degree courses, universities and colleges — including accommodation, fees, and sport — and to make the right choice in changing times. Featuring our independent UK university league tables and rankings, overall and by subject. What Will it Cost? What Will You Earn? Containing essential tips for applicants, it opens up on the real reasons why universities reject a quarter of applications and offers practical tips on how to avoid being part of this statistic.

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The book reveals the secrets of a successful university application, including a broad range of advice on why students should apply early, key differences between what the official information says and what actually happens and what to do if student's don't make the grade. Full of honest insights, it discloses vital information you can't find in university prospectuses, from how the application process really works to securing a place on the course of your choice.

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Share your thoughts with other customers. Write a customer review. At Oxford the deadline for the submission of this work is 10 November. If you're applying to Cambridge, you'll be advised by the college when it needs to be submitted usually early November. Your academic performance is still the key factor, but 'contextualisation' allows the university to assess how your school performs, your socio-economic background and more.

It is part of what is sometimes referred to as 'widening participation', and is intended to give a fair platform for applicants from differing backgrounds. Cambridge Admission Tutors consider publicly available data such as school performance and geo-demographic location, to help place students' educational achievement into context when assessing applications. In addition, teachers can submit an Extenuating Circumstances form direct to the university, providing information relating to an individual applicant's circumstances.

Oxford encourages teachers to include details of any special circumstances or other relevant information in the main UCAS application. Oxford also uses publicly-available information to indicate those applicants who may have experienced educational or socio-economic disadvantages. Where applicants demonstrate the necessary academic aptitude for Oxford, they are likely to be considered for interview and seen in addition to students identified through the normal shortlisting process.

Contextual information can also be given as part of your personal statement, or the teacher's academic reference. For Oxford, where applications are around three per place, most applicants will be shortlisted.

Personal Statements – an Insider's View

For the most competitive degrees, the applicants who most closely meet the selection criteria may have multiple interviews. The purpose and structure of interviews are very similar at both universities. Essentially, they are like a mini tutorial or supervision, where the tutors will give you a small passage to read or perhaps set a small problem and then ask you to discuss it.

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Contrary to many popular myths about the interviews, there are no tricks or mind games involved. The interview is for tutors to get a sense of how you react to new situations and how you process the information available.

University Guide: Want a place? Get the insider knowledge

It is not a matter of how quickly — or even whether — you arrive at a particular answer. There may not even be a right answer. The tutors just want to get an insight in to how you think, and how you apply your knowledge and skills. Your performance at interview alone does not determine whether you get offered a place; a variety of factors are considered, as outlined above. However, no commercial test will influence your application success, and neither university supports nor encourages such commercial enterprises.

Personal Statements – an Insider's View - Complete University Guide

Sign up to our monthly e-update for hints and tips on your university application, direct to your inbox. We help students around the world research degree courses, universities and colleges — including accommodation, fees, and sport — and to make the right choice in changing times. Featuring our independent UK university league tables and rankings, overall and by subject. What Will it Cost? What Will You Earn? An Insider's Guide to Applying If you are planning to make a university application to either Cambridge or Oxford together known as 'Oxbridge' , read on for our complete guide, based on an original article by University of Oxford staff.

In truth Oxford and Cambridge Universities: What makes Oxford and Cambridge such special universities? The collegiate system Both Oxford and Cambridge universities are made up of individual colleges, as well as different academic departments.

Teaching Teaching methods are very similar at both universities as you will attend lectures, seminars, classes and laboratory work as appropriate for your course. Choosing between Oxford and Cambridge It is not possible to apply to both Oxford and Cambridge in the same year, so you'll have to choose one or the other. Visits to the universities are encouraged; each university has a number of open days and events.

Your Oxbridge application As referred to above, you cannot apply to both Cambridge and Oxford in the same year. In all stages of your application, demonstrate how you have met the above criteria. Key stages to your application Choose a course: If you have no preference, make an 'open' application.

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These may take place before you are invited to interview, or while at interview. Application assessments Many A Level Oxbridge applicants are predicted to achieve top grades and many also have excellent references.

Your application will be assessed on a combination of the following: Your academic record and predicted performance in subject studied see Entry Requirements below Personal statement School or college reference University forms Performance in university tests Written work submitted Contextual data Performance at interview. Entry requirements Make sure you expect to achieve the required A Levels, International Baccalaureate IB grades or other equivalent qualifications. Personal statement Personal statements give applicants the opportunity to show their potential to excel within the tutorial or supervision system.

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