1

2

GENERALINFORMATION

Thisbookletisanessentialtoolforpreparingstudentsfor

thetimeafterleavingGreatMarlow,whetherapplyingfor

university,anapprenticeshiporajob.

Thisisthewebsiteversionofthebookletissuedinschoolforuseathomeby

students,parentsandcarers.Thehardcopyshouldbekeptinadesignatedplace,

perhapsinaformroom,sothatitcanbereferredtoduringstudyperiods.

Thisrevisedbooklethastakenintoaccountthedetailedfeedbackgivenby6th

formersconcerningtheirfutureplans.Theveryprecise6thformcommentshave

resultedinthisbookletbeingespeciallytargetedforthisyear’scohort.Further

commentsonstructureand/orcontentarewelcomed.

Thebookletisdividedintodifferentsections.However,somesectionsdooverlap.

Forexample,theremaybesomehelpfultipsintheUCASsectiononPersonal

Statementsforthoseapplyingforajob,becauseemployersrequiresomething

similarwhenajobisappliedfor.

Awealthoffurtherinformationisavailableonallthetopicsincludedinthis

booklet,sopleasebemotivatedtoresearchyourchosenpathway.

The Sixth Form team recognise that, for many of

students, the choice of pathway will change once,

twice, maybe more, over the next year. For all, it is

importantthatstudentsbegintomakeinitialdecisions

abouttheirfuture.

3

Itisonceagaindecisiontime,andhereareyourpossibilities:

Universityorcollege–gainvaluableskillsandaqualificationtohelpyoufollowyour

chosencareer.

Apprenticeships/Work–applyforjobsnow,orstartyourownbusiness,withtheaimtoworkuptoyourfuture

goals.

Training–preparefortheworldofwork,orlearnonthejobwhileyouwork.

Volunteering–gainexperiencetohelpyoutowardsyourworkorstudyaspirations.

Travel–getculturalinsightsduringworkingholidays,learning,conservationorteaching.

choices, choices,

choices

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PAGE

CONTENTS

UCAS

6 Fees

7 UCASApplicationProcessandKeyDates

10 HowtoChooseyourHigherEducationCourse

11 UsefulHEWebsites

13 UCASPointsConversionTable

14 CompletingaSkillsAudit

19 PersonalStatements

20 HowtoWriteaPersonalStatement

24 Examples

33 Step-by-StepProcesstoApplyingOnlinewithUCAS

APPRENTICESHIPS/WORK-BASEDLEARNING

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38

Apprenticeships-thebasicfacts

UsefulWebsites

JOBS

40 Jobs-usefulwebsitestosearchforemployment

41 CVs-puttingonetogetherandwhattoinclude

52 ExampleCVs

55 Interviewtechniques

GAPYEAR

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58

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GapYearInformation

WhyChooseaGapYear?

UsefulWebsites

5

UCASistheorganisation

responsibleformanaging

applicationstohighereducation

coursesintheUK.

Itistheonlywayofapplying.

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Manyofyoumay,currently,becautiousaboutapplyingtouniversitybecauseof

tuitionfees.Hopefully,thesebasicfactswillhelpmakethesituationclearer.

Allinstitutionsarecurrentlyallowedtochargeupto£9,250peryearforacourse,

providingtheymakeextraprovisionsofbursariesfordisadvantagedstudents.

Studentsdonothavetopaythisup-front.

StudentscanreceiveaTUITIONFEELOAN,whichwillbepaiddirectlytotheuniversityor

college.Repaymentforthisloandoesnotstartuntilearningsareatleast£25,725ayear(or

£2,143amonth/£494aweek).

Studentsdonothavetotaketheloanfortuitionfees;itcanbepaidfordirectly.

Theloanisrepaidthroughtheincometaxsystem;anemployertakesaspecifiedamount

atsource,reducingthetake-homepayoftheemployee;thisensuresnodebtcollectorscome

chasing.

Forthe2019-2020cohort,thethresholdis£25,725.Thethresholdisdesignedtorisein

linewithaverageearnings.Studentswillbeexpectedtorepay9%ofeverythingabovethat

threshold.

Studentsrepay9%ofeverythingearnedannuallyabove£25,725butshould

circumstanceschange,likeredundancyorapaycut,therepaymentsdropaccordingly.Youcan

makeadditionalvoluntarypaymentsatanytime.

Studentsstoppayingtheloanwhentheyhaveclearedthedebtor30yearshavelapsed,

whichevercomesfirst.Therefore,ifyouneverhaveajobearningoverthethreshold,you’ll

neverrepay.

StudentsmayalsobeentitledtoaMAINTENANCELOANtohelpwithlivingcostsofupto

£7,529iflivingathomeandupto£8,944iflivingawayfromhome.IfyouliveinLondon,away

fromhome,youcanbeloanedupto£11,672.AMaintenanceLoanforlivingcostsisbasedon

householdincome.Formoreinformationseewww.gov.uk.

tuition fees

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UCASApplicationsCalendar2019-20

Bytheendofthesummerterm:

• Youshouldhavedecidedonthesubjectareayouwishtostudy.

Ifyouhavenoideawhattostudy:

- bookacareersinterview,seeMrHollyman,MissJones,MrsEvansorMrsSouthon,

- speaktoyourtutor

- accessthewebsitesinthispack

- applyforaSixthFormbursaryifyouconsideryourselfeligible.

• Youshouldhaveattended/plantoattenduniversityopendaysand

appropriatesummerschools.

Goto-www.opendays.comwhereyouwillfindallthedatesyouneedtoknow(3daysabsence

fromschoolisallowedtoattendopendaysforcollegesanduniversities).

• Youshouldhavepreparedyourpersonalstatementandhaditcheckedby

yourtutor.

• YoushouldhaveregisteredforUCAS.Detailsofhowtoregisterisdocumentedinthis

booklet,alternatively,askyourtutor.

• Youshouldhavearrangedanyfurthernecessaryworkexperience.

Workexperienceisespeciallyimportantifapplyingforteaching,medicine,veterinaryscienceor

physiotherapy,butitisalsousefulforallothercourses,toshowevidenceofenthusiasm.

summer term 2019

What can you do now?

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5thSeptember2019 …applicationscanbesubmittedfromthisdate

20thSeptember2019-GMS

Oxbridgedeadline

…fortutorstoreceiveapplicationsfromthoseapplyingto

Oxford,Cambridge,medicine,dentistry,veterinary

scienceandlawcoursesrequiringLNAT.

6pm,15thOctober2019-

UCASdeadline

…forapplicationsforOxford,Cambridge,medicine,

dentistryandveterinaryscience.

20thOctober2019

(half-term)-GMSinternal

deadline

…forallUCASapplications.Thisgivestutorstimetowrite

referencesandmeetUCASdeadlines.

October/November2019-

March2020-university

interviewscontinue,offers

aremadebyuniversities

Trackyourofferson‘UCASApply’.

15thJanuary20206pm-

UCASfinaldeadline…forreceiptofallapplications.

25thFebruary2020-

UCASExtra

Studentswhomadetheir5choicesbutarewithoutany

offerscanaddadditionalchoicestotheirapplicationsto

trytosecureauniversityplace.SeeUCAS.ac.uk

March2020-Financial

SupportApplication

Formopen

www.studentfinance.direct.gov.uk

www.gov.uk/studentfinance

EndofApril2020 DeadlinefortheFinancialSupportFormstobereturned.

May-June2020

FinalStatementofDecisionmustbesenttoUCAS.(You

canonlyholdtwooffers,onefirmchoice,theotheras

insurance.)KEEPANEYEONDATESONUCASWEBSITE.

June–July2020

ClearingDocumentationwillbesentbyUCAStostudents

withoutanoffer.Makesureyoukeepthisdocumentina

safeplace.

13thAugust2020

ResultsDay-confirmationofanofferismade.Students

whoarenotplacedwillautomaticallyreceivedetailsof

clearingfromUCAS.Youmustbeavailableinpersonto

makecontactwiththeuniversities–makesureyouarein

thecountry.

August2020RemainingvacanciesarefilledthroughClearingandUCAS

Extra.31stAugust–Adjustmentends

September2020 Universitycoursesbegin

important dates 19/20

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THEEARLIERYOUSENDINYOURUCAS

APPLICATION,THEMORELIKELYITISTHATYOU

WILLRECEIVEANOFFER

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ChoosingaHigherEducationCourse

Step1Decideonthesubjectareayouwishtoapplyfor–refertothelistbelowforhelp,ifyouhaveno

idea.

• www.ucas.com-UCASCoursesearch

• www.ukcoursefinder.com

• www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk

• www.merlinhelpsstudents.com

• ArrangeforanappointmentwithGillSouthon,theschool’sCIAGadvisor

REMEMBER tofocusonthesubjectareasthatyouenjoy

andfindinteresting.

Step2Compilealistofcoursetitlestobeconsideredtogetherwiththerelevantuniversities.

Todothisuse:

• theUCASwebsite–www.ucas.com

• universityprospectuses/websites

REMEMBERtoberealisticaboutthegradesyouarelikelyto

achieve.Also,considerthelocationoftheuniversitycampusor

city/townaswellasthegeographiclocation.

Step3Producea“shortlist”ofcoursetitlesanduniversities.

Thisstepwillrequiremorethoroughresearch:

• Useuniversityprospectusesandwebsites.

• Gotowww.unistats.com–theofficialuniversityteachingqualitysite.

• Visittheuniversitiesyouareinterestingin.

• Phoneoremailuniversityadmissionstutors–wellworthdoing

REMEMBERthateachuniversitycanprovidegraduate

destinationinformation.Findoutaboutsportingactivities,

clubsetc.aswellasaccommodation.

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Step4Decideuponafinallistof5coursesforyourUCASapplication,thiswillcostyou£24.

REMEMBER auniversitycourseis3or4yearslong,soitis

worthspendingthetimechoosingtherightcourseintheright

university.

Step5Attenduniversityopendays,askquestionsandtakephotographs:visitwww.opendays.com.

Next,narrowthefieldtotwo:afirstchoiceandaninsuranceoffer(thisisacoursethatrequires

lowergrades).

UsefulHigherEducationWebsites

www.ucas.com-isessentialviewingforallhighereducationcoursesandapplicationprocedures

www.unistats.com-offersofficialteachingqualityinformationonUKuniversities

www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk-givescomprehensiveinformationonallaspectsof

UCASforstudents,parentsandcarers,coveringcoursesandfinance

www.thebigchoice.com-givesanoverviewofuniversitiesandcourses

www.push.co.uk-isauser-friendlyguidetouniversitychoice

www.ukcoursefinder.com-isafreeon-linetest,whichsuggestspossibledegreecoursesto

matchanapplicant’sinterests

www.thestudentroom.co.uk-isastudentforumofferinginformationanddiscussionabout

universityandtheapplication’sprocedure

www.ukcat.ac.uk-UKCATisthewaytoapplyonlinetosittheUKclinicalaptitudetestfor

medicineanddentistry–requiredbymostmedicalschools

www.bmat.org.uk-BMATgivesinformationontheBiomedicalAdmissionsTest–requiredby

medicalandveterinaryschools

www.lnat.ac.uk-LNAT–isthewaytoapplyonlinetosittheNationalAdmissionsTestrequired

formostlawschools

www.indeed.co.uk/Foundation-Degree-Courses-goheretoviewthenew2yearworkrelated

HigherEducationQualifications

www.opendays.com-documentswhenopendaysandtastercoursesarebeingrun–searchby

college/universityandmonthofvisit

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www.dfes.gov.uk/studentsupport-givesinformationaboutfinanceandstudentloans,includes

listofLEAs

www.slc.co.uk-istheofficialsitefortheStudentsLoansCompany

www.scholarship-search.org.uk-offersinformationaboutscholarshipsandawards

www.prospects.ac.uk-istheUKofficialgraduatecareerswebsite

www.thetimes.co.uk,www.independent.co.uk,www.telegraph.co.uk,www.guardian.co.uk

Manynationalnewspapersalsoproduceuniversity

sectionsatkeypointsintheyear,certainly

atresultstimeandinSeptember.

Keepalookoutforthemorvisitthesewebsites:

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UCASPointsTariff

A-level

A* A B C D E

56 48 40 32 24 16

Considerwhether,asanindividual,thereareanyotherUCASpointsthatcouldbe

usedtoboostthetotal,forexample,thoseinvolvedinYoungEnterprise,Dukeof

Edinburghetc.

* PleasenoteArtFoundationcoursesdonotrequireapplicationviaUCAS.You

shouldapplydirecttocollegesandprovideaportfolioofwork.

CalculateaUCASpointstotal.

Berealisticwiththecalculationofthepoints

EndofYear12:……………….

(accordingtoprogressgrades/mockexams)

EndofYear13:……………….

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QuickSkillsAudit

Workingonyourown,orwithanotherstudent,identifytheskillsthatyouhave,orhaveused

andrecordthembelow.

Communication Caringforothers Photography

Numeracy Negotiation Cookery

UsingIT Showingmotivation Publicspeaking

Teamworking Motivatingothers Decorating

Problemsolving Designingandmaking Givingpresentations

Timemanagement FirstAid Copingwithnewsituations

Planning Driving Analysinginformation

Organising Mapreading Repairingmachines

Whatdoyoudo? Whatskillsdoyouuse?Hobbiesandinterests

Subjectsandcourses

Other:(sports,organisations,performances)

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ApplyingtoHE

Therearesomeimportantdecisionstomakeinthisprocess.Completingthetick

boxesbelowwillhelptofocusideas.

1. Choiceofcourse

Iwouldlikeacoursethat:

□ isthesameorsimilartooneormoreofmyA-levelsubjects

□ isrelatedtoaninterestoutsideofmystudies

□ willprovidemewithpreparationforafuturecareer

2. Typeofdegree

ThetypeofdegreeIwouldliketostudyforis:

□ singlehonours–onesubjectonly

□ jointhonours–twosubjects,equaltimespentonboth

□ combinedhonours–twoormoresubjects,proportionofeachmayvary

□ modular–widerangeofchoiceandflexibility

□ sandwich/placement–anorganisedperiodoftimespentinindustryorabroad

□ Foundation

□ HigherNationalDiploma(HND)

3. Placeofstudy

Usetheprospectusestomakesurethatyouareconsideringinstitutionsthatwillsuityou.

Ticktheboxesthatapplytoyou:

□ Iwouldliketostudyatalargeuniversity

□ Iwouldliketostudyatasmalluniversity

□ Iwouldliketogotoacampusuniversity

□ Itisimportanttometogotoauniversitywithagoodreputation

□ ItisimportantthatthedepartmentIgotowithintheuniversityhasagood

reputation

□ Iwouldliketoliveinacity

□ GraduatedestinationsfromtheuniversityIgotoareimportanttome

□ Sportingfacilitiesareimportanttome

□ Iwanttogosomewherewithanactivestudents’union

□ Iwanttogosomewherewithinreasonabledistancefromhome

□ Iwanttogosomewherefarfromhome

□ Iwanttostudysomewherewithindailytravellingdistanceofhome

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4. Wheretolive

□ Iwanttogosomewherewherehallsofresidenceareguaranteedforfirstyear

students

□ IwanttogosomewherewhereIcanliveindependently,forexampleinashared

house

□ Iwanttolivesomewherewheremymealsareprovided(catered)

□ Iwanttoliveathome

Choices

Researchisneededbeforecompletingthissection.Gotowww.ucas.comorindividualuniversity

websites.

TheuniversitiesIamconsideringare:

Name Reason

Remembertoberealistic!

Recalculateapointstotalusingthepromptsbelow.

Thesubjectsbeingstudiedandthegradesbeingaimedforare:

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Thegradesbeingpredictedbyteachersare:

Thefollowingcoursesmatchmylevelofentryqualification(AlevelgradesorUCASpointstotal):

Thecoursesbeingconsideredare:

University Coursetitle StandardOffer

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PersonalStatements

1. Begintorecordusefulinformationforyourpersonalstatementassoonaspossible;

consultyourNationalRecordofAchievement,ifyouhaveone.

2. Asksomebodyelseaboutyourachievementsandstrengths.

3. Donotminimiseyourachievements–mentionthemloudlyandproudly.

4. Avoidbeginningyourstatementwithphraseslike“Iamapplyingforthiscourse

because…”Youshouldendeavourtowritetoattractattentionintheopeningsentence.

5. Elaborateongeneralstatements,eg“Ienjoyreading…”(What?),“Ienjoygoingtothe

cinema”(Toseewhattypeoffilm?Whatdirectorsareyoumostinterestedin?)

6. DONOTLIE,OVEREXAGGERATEorPLAGIARISE!

7. Alwayskeepinmindtheimpressionyouwanttomakeonyourreader.

8. Usehelpfulsites–www.ucas.com(Thishasashortvideocliponhowtowriteapersonal

statement–clickonStudents,Applying,HowtoApply,YourPersonalStatement).

www.studential.com,www.merlinhelpsstudents.com

KeyPoints

Explainwhyyouwanttostudythecourseyouareapplyingfor.Ifyoumentionyourpersonal

interestsandhobbies,trytolinkthemtotheskillsandexperiencerequiredbythecourse.

Thepersonalstatementcouldbeusedasthebasisforaninterview,sobepreparedtoanswer

questionsonit.

ThePersonalStatementmaybetheonlywrittenworkthatthecoursetutorseesbeforemaking

adecision:makesureitisorganisedandliterate.Payattentiontogrammar,spellingand

punctuation.Astatementfilledwitherrorswillgiveanegativeimpressionofyourwriting

abilityandtheeffortyouhavemadeinapplying.YourstatementmustbewritteninEnglish(or

itcanbeinWelshifyouareapplyingtoWelshuniversitiesandcolleges).

TheUndergraduateAdmissionsManageratTheUniversityofNottinghamtoldus:

“Thesetypesofskillsarethebasicsthatacademicswillexpectfromsomeoneatthislevelof

education.Incorrectspelling,poorgrammarandpunctuationcanmakeapoorimpressionon

thereader.ForcoursessuchasEnglish,theseskillsareofparamountimportance.'

Writingaboutyourselfisprobablynotsomethingyoudoveryoften,soyoumightneedto

practisewritinginthisparticularstyle.Itisagoodideatolistyourhobbiesandachievements,

beforedecidingupontheonesthatdemonstrateyourstrongestskillsandpersonality.”

personal statements

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HowtoWriteaPersonalStatement

Twoimportantthingstoincludeinapersonalstatementare:

Thereasonsforapplyingforthecourseyou'vechosen

Thisisparticularlyimportantwhenyou'reapplyingforasubjectthatyouhavenot

studiedbefore.Telltheuniversitythereasonswhythesubjectinterestsyou,andinclude

evidencetoshowyouunderstandwhatisrequiredbythecourse,egifapplyingfor

psychologycoursesshowthatyouknowhowscientificthesubjectis.

Thereasonswhyyou'resuitableforthecourse

Telltheuniversitytutorabouttheskillsandexperienceyouhavehadthatwillhelpyou

tosucceedonthecourse.

Makesureyouthinkabout:

• howyourcurrentorpreviousstudiesrelatetothecourse(s)thatyouhavechosen

• anyactivitiesthatdemonstrateyourinterestinthecourse(s)

• whyyouwanttogotouniversityorcollege

Therearereasonswhyapplicationsareunsuccessful:

• Thepersonalstatementmaynotshowsufficientunderstanding,relevanceorknowledge

aboutthecoursebeingappliedfor.

• Thepersonalstatementmaynotstronglysupportyourdesiretostudyyourchosen

degreeorcourse.

• Theremaybeafailureindemonstratingsufficientknowledgeandinterestinthesubject

inyourpersonalstatement.

• Theremaybecompetitionforplacesonapopularcourseandthepersonalstatementand

experiencedocumentedisnotasstrongasotherapplicants.

• Theapplicationform(includingpersonalstatement,referenceandpredictedgrades)does

notevidenceaccurateunderstandingof,ormotivationfor,asubject.

• Thepersonalstatementdoesnotexpressastrongenoughinterestinthesubjectareaof

choice.

Itisimportanttoshowwhyyouwanttostudythecourseand

whatyoucanbringtoit-especiallyasadmissionstutors

compareapplicationsforthesamecourse.

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DosandDon'ts

Thingstodo,andnottodo,whenwritingyourpersonalstatement

ü Docreatealistofyourideasbeforeattemptingtowritetherealthing.

ü Doexpecttoproduceseveraldraftsbeforebeingtotallyhappy.

ü Doaskpeopleyoutrustfortheirfeedback.

ü Docheckuniversityandcollegeprospectuses,websitesandEntryProfiles,asthey

usuallytellyouthecriteriaandqualitiesthattheywanttheirstudentstodemonstrate.

ü DouseyourbestEnglish/Welshanddon'tletspellingandgrammaticalerrorsspoilyour

statement.

ü Dobeenthusiastic-ifyoushowyourinterestinthecourse,itmayhelpyousecurea

place.

û Don'tfeelthatyouneedtouseelaboratelanguage.Ifyoutrytoohardtoimpresswith

longwordsthatyouarenotconfidentusing,thefocusofyourwritingmaybelost.

û Don'tsaytoomuchaboutthingsthatarenotrelevant–redraftifyouthinkthatyou

have.Takeabreakandreturntoyourstatementwhenyoufeelmorefocused.

û Don'tlie-ifyouexaggerateyoumaygetcaughtoutintheinterviewifaskedto

elaborateonaninterestingachievement.

û Don'trelyonacomputerspell-checkerasitwillnotcorrectallmistakes-proofreadas

manytimesaspossible.

û Don'tleaveittothelastminute-yourstatementwillappearrushed,andimportant

informationmaybeleftout.

û Don'texpecttobeabletowriteyourpersonalstatementwhilewatchingTVorsurfing

theinternet-thisisyourfuture.

ApplyingtoMultipleCourses

Rememberthatyouonlywriteonepersonalstatement,whichwillbeusedforallyour

choices.Trynottomentionauniversityorcollegebyname,evenifyou'reapplyingtoonlyone

place,becauseyourpersonalstatementcannotbechangedifyouapplytoadifferentinstitution

-later.

Ifyou'reapplyingforajointdegreeyouwillneedtoexplainwhyyouareinterestedin

bothaspectsofthejointprogramme.

Ifyou'reapplyingfordifferentsubjectsorcourses,youneedtoidentifythecommon

themesandskillsthatarerelevanttoyourchoices.Forexample,bothmathematicsandlaware

subjectswhereyouhavetothinklogicallyandapplyrules.Youmaylikebothsubjectsbecause

youenjoysolvingproblems,usingtheory,andnaturalorman-madelawstocometoacorrect

conclusion.

Ifyourchosencoursescan'tbelinkedbyacommontheme,thinkaboutyourreasonsfor

applyingforsuchvariedcourses-itmightbeusefultospeaktoacareersadvisertogetsome

guidance.

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Ifyoumentionasubjectinyourpersonalstatementandareapplyingforothercourses,

youmaybeaskedbytheuniversityorcollegeforadditionalinformationastowhyyouhave

doneso.

AttractAttention

Somestatementsstartwithquotes,someincludejokes,andotherssetouttobeunusualor

eye-catchinginotherways.Sometimesitworks,butitmighthavetheoppositeeffecttowhat

youhoped.Theadmissions’officermaynotshareyoursenseofhumour,sobecarefulwhen

tryingtomakeyouropeningstatementstandout.

WhattoWriteAbout

Tohelptheprocess,usethepromptboxesbelow.

1. Reasonsforyourchoiceofcourse

2. Backgroundtoyourinterestinthesubject

3. Workexperience/part-timeworkrelevanttoyoursubjectchoice–skills/experience

4. Particularinterestsincurrentstudies,especiallyifrelevanttochoiceofdegreecourse

tutor time tasks

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5. Careeraspirations

6. Leisure-time/sporting/socialinterests/SKILLSgained

7. OtherachievementsegDofEAward,positionsofresponsibility,anythingthatmakesyou

“standout”.

8. Anyotherexperiences/awards/extensivetravel(don’tforgetthismaybeveryrelevantto

yourcoursechoice)

DeferredEntry

Deferredentrymeansyoutoapplyforuniversitythisyear,foraplaceinSept2021.

1. Givereasonsforadeferredentryintheapplication.

2. Outlinewhatthegapyearwillbeusedtodo.Wherepossible,makethegapyear

relevanttoyourchoiceofdegree,andshowthatyou’rekeepingyourmindactive.

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PersonalStatements

PersonalStatement:Example1

MyClassicaljourneystartedin2015atOxfordUniversity'sFacultyofClassics.Through

selectiontostudyforanadditionalGCSEinLatinonSaturdays(OXLATOutreachProgramme),a

passionwasignitedinmeforRomanLinguisticsandLiteratureandtheenthrallingaspectsof

RomanSociety.LearningLatinhashelpedmedevelopskillsinlogicalcognitionand

grammaticalanalysis,vitaltoolsforfutureacademicdiscourse.MyloveofPhilosophyalso

knowsnolimitsandextendsfromClassicalPhilosophyto20thCenturyideassuchas

Existentialism.Asaresult,Iamnowhighlymotivatedtopursueadegreeencompassingboth

ClassicsandPhilosophy.

Tomydelight,myongoingstudyofClassicshasbeenpossiblethankstotheOxfordTrinity

CollegeAdvancedClassicsCourse(2017-2019)-acompellingundertakingofAncientGreek,

CivilisationandClassicalLiterature.Thecoursehasexposedmetotextswithapersonal

touch,suchasbywritersCatullus,Sapphoandmymostadmired,MarcusAurelius.Tacklingsuch

textswithabackgroundinAlevelPsychologyallowsmetoreachfascinatingconclusionsabout

theauthors.Forexample,IbelieveMarcusAureliusused'Meditations'totemperhisnegative

emotions.

Greekartefactsareanotherareaofinterest,sparkingfrommyattendanceoftheAshmolean

lectureentitled'GreekVasePaintersandtheTrojanWar'andflourishingduringmytimeat

ReadingUniversity'sUreMuseum.HandlingthesepreciousremnantsbroughttheHellenistic

periodtolifeandunearthedquestionsastowhattheAncientsregardedas'beautiful'.The

subjectivityofbeautyisalsoofPhilosophicalinteresttome.NeilMacGregor'sthought

provoking'AHistoryoftheWorldin100Objects'openedmyeyestoearlycross-culturalism,

andkindledadesiretoinvestigatetheriseofmonotheisticreligions.

Inanentirelyself-taughtmanner,myknowledgehasprogressednaturallyfromClassicsto

Philosophy.IamatthestageofhavingreadtitlessuchasNigelWarburton's'Philosophy:The

Classics'and'Think'bySimonBlackburn.Philosophypodcastsarealsoapartofmydaily

life,with'PhilosophizeThis!'and'PhilosophyBites'beingamongstmyfavourites.

ThesynthesisbetweenClassicsandPhilosophycanbeseenintheHellenisticSchoolsof

Thought,whoseconflictingideasonhowtoleada'GoodLife'resonatewithme.WhatIfind

evenmoreinterestingistheprolongedandfarreachingappealofStoicismthroughouttheages

-documentedbythreediversewriters:Senecathestatesman,MarcusAureliustheemperor,

andEpictetustheex-slave.MyattendanceatStoicon2018(internationalStoicismconference),

hasallowedmetoinvestigatetheethicaldoctrinesofStoicisminacontemporarycontext.

OutsideofPhilosophyandClassics,ArtandLanguagesaremyfurtherlove-hencemyotherA

Levels.MypassionforArtencapsulatesmanydifferentmedia,andinparticularillustration.

ThroughmyartisticendeavoursIhavelearnttoappreciateaestheticsandfindmyselfviewing

exemplar

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theworldthroughacriticallens,withaneyefordetail.Ialsovolunteeratalocalart

centre,supportingandencouragingchildrentoexploretheirownartistictalents.Igain

personalandprofessionalsatisfactionfromthis,aswellasdevelopingmyteachingskills.

HavingbeenexposedtospokenItalianfrombirth,IfeelastrongconnectiontoRomance

Languages.AlevelSpanishre-enforcesthis.ThelinksbetweenSpanish,Italian,Latinand

Greekintrigueme,andthroughexplorationoftexts,Ilovetograpplewiththestructuresand

complexitiesofthesecaptivatinglanguages.

IhavereachedapointinmyacademicjourneywhereIamcravingtheopportunitytodelve

deeperintobothPhilosophyandClassics,whileembracingthechallengesandexcitementofa

formaluniversitysetting.IcanthinkofnothingInowrelishmorethanengagingin

discussionandexchangingideaswiththosesharingmyenthusiasmforthesewonderful

disciplines.

PersonalStatement:Example2

Tome,Psychologyisnotjustaboutthehow'sandwhy'softhemind,butwhatyoucandoto

improve,inspireandinnovateperceptionsandrelationshipsaroundyou.Fouryearsago,my

cousinwasdiagnosedwithautism;seeinghimstrugglewithsocialdevelopmentIwantedto

learnmoreabouttheconditionandhowtofacilitatehisneeds.Iamaninquisitive

individual,whoendeavourstoprovidepositiveguidancetothosearoundme.Helpingand

supportingpeopleisahugepartofmylifeandbeingabletoempathiseisaqualityIam

proudof,andisoneofthereasonsIwanttostudypsychologyandpursueacareerasan

educationalpsychologist.

MyAlevelstudieshaveintroducedmetobiologicalpsychologyandIhavedevelopedakeen

interestinFreud'spsychodynamicexplanationofpersonalitydevelopment.Thisconcepthas

furtherprovokedmypassiontounderstandmoraldilemmas,togetherwithmyenthusiasmfor

cognitionandmentalprocesseswhichhavegivenmeasolidfoundationtofurthermystudiesin

thisarea.Daytoday,IfindmyselfobservingothersandputtingthoseskillsIhavelearnt

intopractice.Forexample,recognisingandunderstandingthecausesofaperson'sreactionto

aparticularsituation,suchasobedience,conformityoraggression.Ihaveaveryanalytical

mindandbelievethiswillenhancemylearningofthissubject.Myattentiontodetailanda

questioningmindsetisadditionalqualitiesthathelpmetounderstandnewtheories.

Iamespeciallyinterestedinworkingwithchildrenasthisisamostcriticaltimeina

person'slifeintermsofimpressionabilityandgoverningtheircapacitytolearn.Thishas

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ledmetotakeonworkexperiencewithinalocalprimaryschool,whereIhavegained

first-handexperienceofhowchildreninteractwiththeirpeersandteachers.Iworkedclosely

withachildwhohadADHD,andwasabletomanagethedifferencewiththeirneedsand

integratethemintoagroupsetting,alongwithdevelopingmypatienceandencouraging

inclusivenessfromthewholeclass.

Furthermore,ItookonworkexperienceatITinfrastructureproviderSoftcatwhereIdeveloped

interpersonalskills.Theseskillshavebenefittedmegreatlywhenworkingaspartofateam

andlearningtocompromiseandcooperatewithdifferentindividuals.Thejobdrovemeto

performefficientlyandaccuratelyunderpressure.IenhancedmyITknowledgeandwasableto

usemyinitiativetotakeonnewtasksandlearnnewprocesses.Thishasbeenaninvaluable

experiencewhereIcoulddevelopbusinessandteamworkskillswhichIhavebeenabletoapply

notonlyinaworkenvironment,butalsowhencommunicatingwithalltypesofpeople.

Awayfromschool,Idedicatetimethroughmychurchtosupportingahomelesscentreon

Mondaynights.Thoseattendingreceiveshelter,warmth,foodaswellasadviceabouthousing

andjobseeking.IenjoymeetingnewpeopleandcateringforthoselessfortunatethanI.In

addition,IvolunteerattheSalvationArmy;alloftheseopportunitieshaveshapedmycareer

pathandencouragedmetoberespectfulandkindtoothers.Ihavebeenfortunateenoughto

converseandinterminglewitharangeofpeople;inwhichacknowledgingtheirneedshas

inspiredmetofurtherpursuemystudiesintopsychology.

Inmysparetime,Ienjoyphotographybecauseithasgivenmeakeeneyeforobservingthe

worldaroundme.Anotherpassionofmineismusic;Ihaveachievedgrade4pianothusfarand

amself-taughttoplaytheviolin.Tabletennisisahobbyofmine;wehaveatabletennis

clubatmylocalchurchandIamregularlyinvolvedincompetitions.Ienjoysocialisingand

talkingtonewpeople;myextra-curricularactivitieshaveenabledmetobeperseverantunder

pressurewhilemaintainingmyhighscholasticstandards.

Overall,Ibelievethispsychologycoursewouldbeidealtohelpmedevelopintomychosen

careerand,asacommittedstudent,myworkethoswouldbeanassettotheUniversity.

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PersonalStatement:Example3

Withoutalawandjusticesystemourcivilizationwouldnotbewhatitistoday,itdefines

rightandwrongandprovidesstructuretooursociety.Myenthusiasmforacareerinlawwas

awakenedwiththestartofmyA-Levelstudies.Consequently,Iamcontinuallyseeking

opportunitiestoexpandmyknowledgeinallareasofthelaw,withthehopeofhavingacareer

inthissectoraftergraduating.

ThroughstudyingLawatA-Level,Ihavebeenabletoinvestigatedifferentsectorsingreater

detailandbyreviewingrelevantcasesIhavebeenabletounderstandhowitaffectspeoplein

differentwaysandinmostcasesbringsjusticetothosewhodeserveit.TheLawGazettehas

beeninvaluableinexpandingmyknowledgeofthelaw.Asanavidreader,ithasallowedmeto

betterunderstandthesubject,seehowthelawisaffectingeverydaylifeandhownewcaselaw

isimpactinglawyersandthelegalsector.Furthermore,fromvisitingbothReadingCrownCourt

andWycombeMagistratesCourt,Iwasabletoseelawyersinactionwhichfurtherconfirmed

thatthisisacareerIwanttopursue.Thesevisitsmademethinkaboutthemorepractical

applicationsofthelawratherthanjusttheorywhich,hasenabledmetomakebetter-rounded,

criticalargumentsinmystudies.Iamalsoagroupleaderofalawstudygroup,wherewemeet

regularlytodiscussourindependentstudyandcreateareadinglogandnewspaperclipping

bookforfurtherdebate.

MychoicesofA-Levelsubjects,asidefromlaw,areEnglishLiteratureandSpanish.Ienjoy

facingchallengesfromallthreeofthesesubjectsandtheskillstheyrequireareall

relevanttothestudyoflaw.Englishliteraturedemandsgoodwriting,analyticalandresearch

skills.IntakingalanguageIhaveshownacommitmenttoadifficultsubjectinthebelief

thattheabilitytobefluentinSpanishwillpotentiallybenefitmycareeratalaterstage.

In2018,IattendedahighlybeneficialoneweekplacementatEdenSolicitorsHighWycombe.

Thiswasaneyeopeningexperiencewhichallowedmetoexploredifferenttypesoflawsuchas

childconduct,propertyandasylum.Thisworkexperiencesawmeworkingwithprofessionals

withinthesectorandenabledmetoseefirsthandhowalawfirmoperates.

During2017,IstartedmyfirstjobatCosta.Thejobhelpedmeimprovemyteamworkand

communicationskillswhicharehighlyimportantinaclientfacingrole.Additionally,Ihave

volunteeredatmylocalprimaryschoolfrom2013until2017.Taskedwithjobssuchashelping

withsportsdays,presentationsandadminworkwithintheoffice,ithasallowedmyskillset

toimproveinareassuchasattentiontodetail,communicationskillsandcreativity:allof

whichareskillsthatalawyerrequires.

Fortunately,myschoolhavegivenmemanyopportunitiestoexpressmyideasandviews.Through

beingamemberoftheschoolcouncil,Ihavebeenallowedtovoicethesuggestionsofmypeers

whichhasimprovedmylisteningandcommunicationskills.IwasalsoaprefectinYear11

whichallowedmetomotivateandencouragefellowstudentsanddevelopmyskillsasaleader.

Sincejoiningsixthform,IhavebeenappointedseniorprefectandfromthisIhavebecomea

year7mentor;thisroleallowsmetohelpandadvisenewstudents.

Studyingatuniversityhasbeenmyambitionformanyyears,asIwouldbethefirstgeneration

withinmyfamilytocompleteadegree.Also,Iattendedasecondarymodernschoolina

selectedsystemwhichIbelievehasbeenadisadvantage.Ihavealwaysworkedveryhardfor

whatIhaveachieved,andIbelievethishasgivenmetheconfidencetostriveforwhatIwant

outoflifeespecially,withinthelegalsector.

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PersonalStatement:Example4

Thecomplexitiesofourenvironment,andhowtechnologycanbeharnessedtosolveproblems

toreducethatcomplexity,areofgreatinteresttome.IamintriguedbytheuseofAIinnew

technologiesandespeciallyinspacetravel.Forexample,SpaceX'sdevelopmentofapersonal

assistantthatprovidestechnicalsupporttoastronauts(CIMON),andtheAIwithintheir

self-landingliquidfuelboostersdesignedforreuseandcommercialspacetravel.

IwouldliketopursueacareerinComputerScienceinordertoexplorefurtherthedesignand

applicationofcomputersystemsandartificialintelligencetosupport,replaceandenhance

humanactivityineverydaylife.

A-levelMathshasgivenmetheproblemsolvingandlogicalmind-setwhichIbelievewillbe

crucialtostudyingatuniversity.StudyingPhysicshasgivenmetheopportunitytoexplore

newandchallengingideasandconcepts,increasedmyanalyticalskillsandhashelpedme

understandhowasciencedisciplinerelatestotherealworldandourdailylives.Studying

Computinghasbuiltonthisandgivenmeanewperspectivefromwhichtoseeandunderstand

howbroadersystemscanbeenhancedandadaptedthroughtheuseofnewtechnologies.

MydesiretopursueaComputerSciencedegreeandmyunderstandingofthepracticalitiesof

applyingcomputertheorywerereinforcedwhenIinstalledacomputernetworkinmyhome

andbuiltmyownPCwhichgavemeaninsightintothetrade-offbetweencostand

performance.Asakeensportsman,Ihavebeenabletodemonstrateteamworkskillsandan

unrelentingcommitmenttoachievingmygoalsandthoseoftheteamunderpressure.Ihave

playedbothrugbyandhockeyforMarlow,andIhaverowedatvariousregattasandheadsof

theriverincludingNationalSchools,gainingschoolcoloursintheprocess.

Ihaveanopenmind-setandreadilytakeonnewexperiences,ideasandresponsibilities.Iwas

aprefectatschool,haveparticipatedinaninternationalscoutcampinSwitzerland,andover

theSummerIworkedatanoutdooractivitycentrewhereIhelpedleadoutdooractivitiesand

workedwithyoungerchildren.Eachhasbroadenedmyrangeofexperiencesandhelpedmeto

improvemycommunicationskillsandbecomemoreconfident,independentandresilient.

AsanactivePADIRescueDiverandanemergencyFirstResponderIhavefirstaidtrainingand

amabletoplanandleaddives.Thishasallowedmetoimprovemyleadershipand

communicationskillsunderpressureanddeveloptheabilitytothinkfastandfindthebest

outcomesquickly.

Ilookforwardtotheopportunitytoresearchmodulessuchas:computingtheory,systems

applications,computerengineering,softwareengineeringandartificialintelligenceatdegree

level.

Computingandhowitcanbeappliedtothehumansystemandnewdiscoveriesreallyexcite

me.Withmyenthusiasmanddrivetosucceed,Ibelievethatthiscoursewillhelpmefulfilmy

ambitiontopursueacareerinComputerScience.

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PersonalStatement:Example5

Ihavefoundthatliterature,asadeviceofcommunication,servesasaconduitforconveying

awriter'semotionsandsensitivitiesuponareaderoraudience.Whenawriter'ssubject

matteriscontroversial,themessagecantranscendthetimeofproductiontoresonatewith

laterreadersoraudiences,whichisfascinating.Atuniversity,Ilookforwardtobroadening

myknowledgeandunderstandingofliteraryvoiceswhosewritinghasescapedtheparametersand

conventionsoftheirtime;andwhoseworksstillservetoinspireandresonate.

StudyingShakespeareatA-levelhaschallengedmetoconsidertheimportanceofhisworkover

time.TakeShakespeare'sOthello:bycraftingsuchafinale,inwhichthefemaleprotagonists

arepunishedforchallengingthestatusquo,Shakespearekeepsthecensorsonside,buthis

women'sconfrontationofpatriarchaldominanceisprevalenttoday.Thistiesinwithmy

participationinthefeministsocietyatschool,whichhasheightenedmyawarenessof

alternativeinterpretations,whilemyindependentinterestinthelifeandworksofAphra

Behn,especiallyherpoetry,hasbeenofparticularinteresttomyfeministstancesince

listeningtotheBBCpodcast"InOurTime".

FollowingaCreativeWritingProgrammeinVenicelastOctober,Ihavebeenabletoidentify

thetranscendenceofotherliteraturesuchasthepoetryofLordByronwhose"ChildeHarold's

Pilgrimage"includesthepoem,"IStoodinVenice".ByvisitingVeniceandviewingits

magnificenceformyself,ItrulyappreciatedthecreativeuseoflanguagethatBryoncommands.

Byronacknowledgestheeffectoftime:"musicnotalwaysnowtheear:thosedaysaregone"yet

the"glory"ofVeniceiscaptured,paradedandhonouredinaremarkableway.Furthermore,I

foundthatvisitingVenice,withitsrichpastofdecadenceanddramatictragedy,gavea

backgroundcontexttobothOthelloandmyA-levelhistory.

Aninterestinlinguistics,furtheredbymyFrenchA-level,hasextendedmyunderstandingof

languageandhassharpenedmyanalysisskills.Studyingalanguagehasledmetobemore

articulate:ofgreatbenefitifspeakinginadebate.Beingaprominentmemberofthedebate

clubhasbeenbeneficialasithasencouragedmetoevaluatecontradictoryevidence;makingme

morecriticallyaware.

Sinceworkingonmyschool'swebsite,astheirfirstSixthFormCorrespondent,Ihave

developedajournalisticstyleofwriting.Therolehasturnedmeintoasmall-scalepublished

writer,whichhasgivenaninsightintotheliterarychoicesthataremadebetweendraftand

publication.Thisexperience,inconjunctionwithmyworkexperienceatTheTelegraph

newspaper,haswhettedadesireforacareerintheliteraryworld.ThemoreliteratureI

encounter,themoreconsciousIamoftheplethoraofvoicesutilisedbywriters.Manyspeak

ofhavingthegerminationofanideabutfindingthebestvoicetowriteintakestime.

Agreaterconfidencetoexperimentwithvoicesindramahasbeenfosteredbymyparticipation

inperformingartsproductions;Ihaveparticularlyenjoyedfindingwaystoshowcaseplotand

message.Myexperienceofuniversitylife,withtheNationalCitizenshipService,gaveme

furtheropportunitiestoexploreliveproductions.Finally,myabilitytoevaluateliterature

hasbeenenhancedwhenmentoringstudentswhosegraspofEnglishliteratureislessthanthat

oftheirpeers,yetdiscussionswiththemhashighlightedhowwriterschallengetheirreaders

tothink:thebestliterature,itseems,findsawaytospeaktoreadersofallability

levels.Moreover,volunteeringwithchildrenwithadditionalneeds,atalocalsportsclub,

hasdemonstratedhowpowerfullanguageisasacommunicationtool.

Toconclude,Ilookforwardcriticallyexploringliteraturetextsatuniversity:itpromises

tofurthermypassionforthisengagingsubjectandIamtrulyexcitedbytheprospect.

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PersonalStatement:Example6

Thehumanbody fascinatesme.Formanyyears Ihavebeen intriguedby theway inwhichourbodies

workandinparticular,thephysiologicalresponsestoinjury.

Asakeensportsmanmyself,Ifullyunderstandthefrustrationsufferinganinjurycanbring.Itakeagreat

interest in the range ofmusculoskeletal problems sustained; how andwhy they occur as well as the

treatment necessary to return individuals to full fitness. I aspire to be able to diagnose and help

individualsrecoverfromsuchinjuriesaswellascardiovascular,respiratory,andneurologicaldisorders.

NotonlywouldthisgivemegreatsatisfactionbutwouldbeaprocessIwouldundertakewithpassion.

Baseduponmyenthusiasmforthisarea,IchosetostudyBiology,PsychologyandPhysicalEducationat

A-Level.Therangeoftopicscoveredacrossmycourses isdiverseandincludeareasfromneuronaland

hormonal communication in biology to social impact theory of obedience in psychology. I particularly

enjoyedamoduleinPEfocusingonsportsinjury.Thedetailedstudyofhumananatomyinbiologywould

provideasolidgroundingaheadofthiscourse.Iwouldnowliketoextendmyknowledgebystudyingthis

degreeatuniversitywithaviewtomakephysiotherapymycareer.

Overthesummer,Icompletedaworkexperienceplacementataprivatephysiotherapyandsport

rehabilitationclinic.Ienjoyedbeingabletoexperiencefirst-handthetreatmentrequiredforarangeof

problemsandtheinteractionsbetweenthepatientandthephysio.Bywitnessingindividuals'satisfaction

ofrecoveringfromaninjury,myambitiontostudythisasadegreewasreinforced.Inaddition,Ihelda

part-timeeveningjobatTheIvyMarlowGardenrestaurant,displayingmyabilitytoworkhard,andbe

committedtoatask.

Inmysparetime,Iplayrugbybothformylocalclub,Marlow,aswellasatBuckinghamshireCountylevel.

Iwas alsoprivileged tobe involved in theWaspsAcademydevelopmentprogramme for a numberof

seasons,exposingmetohighperformingathletesandprofessional support staffandphysios.Through

sport,Ihavedevelopedvaluablelifeskillssuchastheabilitytoworkeffectivelywithothers.Ibelievethis

skillisfundamentaltothesuccessofateamandisequallynecessaryinanenvironmentwherepeople's

healthandwellbeingareimportant.

Inadditiontoplayingrugby,Ihavealsocoachedyoungerstudentsatmyschoolforseveralseasons.This

responsibilitydevelopedmy leadershipandcommunicationskillsaswellasdemonstratesmyability to

haveempathywith,relatetoandcareforothers.Mycontributionswererecognisedbytheteachingstaff

whenIwasawardedtheKS4SportsLeaderoftheYearaward.

Ienjoyparticipating inandwatchingseveralothersportstoo,givingmeanextensiveunderstandingof

commonproblemsthatmayoccurforparticipantsandthewaysinwhichtheymaybeprevented.

Withinschool,furthertobeingselectedinYear11asaprefect,Ihavethisyearbeenappointedtherole

of Deputy Head Boy. This fantastic position of responsibility requires me to work closely with both

membersofstaffandtheseniorprefectteam.Asarolemodelandmentor,Isupportyoungerstudents

through theirGCSEchoicesandotheracademic issues. I alsoenjoy taking toursaround the school for

prospective students, as well as delivering speeches at school events. The position has given me a

brilliantopportunitytogrowasapersonandadvancemycommunicationandleadershipskills,andIalso

feelveryproudtohavebeenselected.BeingchosenshowsthatIamwellrespectedbymembersofstaff

andrevealstheirbeliefthatIamhardworking,reliableanddedicated.

These personal qualities andmy calm and patient manner demonstrate that I amwell-suited to this

courseandfield. Ihaveastrongambitiontostudythisdegreetoextendmyexistingknowledgeofthe

diverseareasofphysiotherapy,tosuccessfullyrehabilitateindividuals.

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PersonalStatement:Example7

Ifindthelegalsystemcaptivating,butitwasmyparents'experienceofhavingtoattendacourt

hearingregardingmybrother'shealththatservedasthecatalystformydesiretostudylaw.The

processinspiredmetowishtobecomeanadvocate,asasolicitor,aftergainingalawdegree.Iam

eagertopushmypersonalboundariesandtheboundariesofmysubject.Recently,Iattendeda

lecturefromGhana'sChiefJustice.Twopointswereparticularlyfascinating:firstly,itisnothealthy

forthejudiciarytobeheavilyinfluencedbypolitics(thechangestothelawinEnglandregarding

Brexitarerelevanttothispoint);secondly,theadvancementofalessdevelopedcountrydepends

onimprovingthesocio-economicconditions,andthelawisthefoundationforsuchgrowth.

Certainly,Iagreewiththesentimentthatthelawis"dealingwiththehumancondition"-as

ProfessorEFisheraptlystatedatauniversitytutorialIattendedinJune,andthiscultivatesmy

passionforlaw.Despitetherebeingadifferencebetweenethicsandlaw,thelawisbasedonthe

moralvaluesofsociety.

WorkexperienceatGordonssolicitorsgrantedmetheopportunitytodraftaLastingPowersof

Attorneyandawill.Thelatterrequiredsortingoutthedeceased'staxesandshares;theimportance

ofprecisionincalculatingaclient'sestatebecameclearfromthiswork.Inow

understand,morefully,thatthelawisaprocess.AtEDCLord&CoItookdictations,amended

leasesandtrackedchanges.Specifically,Ienjoyedmakingasupplementalagreement,gaining

aninsightintohowprescribedclausesareimportantinregardtoliabilityinpropertyleases.Atboth

establishmentsIundertookproofreadingandadministrativetasks,makingmeincreasinglyfamiliar

withlegaldocumentationsuchasdeathcertificates,leases,andprobatedocuments.

Thelawisconstantlychanging,solisteningtoprogrammesliketheBBC's'LawinAction'educates

listenerstothewiderremitofthelawanditscomplexities.Inparticular,Ienjoyhowavarietyof

peopleareinterviewed-judgesaswellasvictims-inorderforadebatetobeestablished,allowinga

wideraudiencetoformanopinionfromtheevidenceavailable.From

listeningtoapodcastaboutthelawandacidattacksIrealisedthat,inregardtoacid,itishardto

prosecute.Forbiddingacidinpublicplacesisunreasonablebecausecleanersandjewellersusethe

productintheworkplace:thewiderramificationshavetobeconsideredbeforeanewlawis

implemented.Thispodcast'srelevancetorecentcasessparkedmydecisiontokeepuptodatewith

thelawviathenews.

Mywiderreadinghasincluded'LearningtheLaw'byGlanvilleWilliamsand'GreatDebatesin

CriminalLaw':thesehavegivenmeaninsightintoaspectsofthelawIwasnothithertofamiliarwith.

MychoiceofessaybasedsubjectsforA-levelhasallowedmetoperfecttheartofindependent

study,self-motivation,evaluatingargumentsandthinkingcritically,whilstChemistryhasfostered

logicalthinkingandproblemsolvingskills,whichwillbeinvaluablewhenstudyinglaw.

Ihaverealisedtheimportanceofbeingpartofasharedcommunitythroughmyfundraising

activitiesandbeingaseniorprefect.Ienjoyparticipatingindebateclub,discussingissues,digesting

differentinterpretations,andacceptingreasonedconclusions.Outsideschool,asHeadChorister,I

amrequiredtoshowleadershipanddisplayreasoninadversity.

Asachurchgoer,Ihaveafirmmoralstanding.Iappreciate,however,thatmoralitybasedon

churchdoctrinemaydiffertopoliticallaw.Apodcastabouthowbesttoheartheevidenceof

thoseunder18broughtacriticalawarenesstoamoraldilemma:youngpeopleoverthelegal

prosecutingageshouldbepunished,yetisthecriminalcourtorthefamilycourtthebest.Placeto

consideralltheevidencetoreachajudgement?Ifindthelawendlesslycaptivating,

whichiswhyIwishtostudyitatuniversity.

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PersonalStatement:Example8

Myinspirationforbecomingachildren'snursestemsfromwatchingmymotherandsisterinthesame

role.Ihavealwayslovedthethoughtofbeinganurseandcaringforpatients.Ibelievechildnursingwill

beanincrediblyrewardingcareerbutunderstandtherewillbechallengesanddemands.However,Iam

confidentthatIcanacquiretheskillsnecessarytoensurethatthemedicalneedsofthepatientaremet

andthepatientsandtheirfamiliesreceivethebestcare.

IstudiedChildDevelopmentatGCSE,whichconfirmedmyinterestincaringforchildrenasafuture

careerchoice.AspartofthecourseIstudiedatwo-year-oldgirlwithaCleftLipandPalateforsix

months.Thisinvolvednumerousvisitswiththechildandherfamily,whereIhadplannedactivities

specificallydesignedfortheageandstageofthechild.Oneactivityinvolvedmakingourownplay-dough,

whichthelittlegirlreallyenjoyed.Igottoknowherasabrave,confidentandexcitablelittlegirlwhomI

enjoyedspendingtimewith.IusedPIEStoevaluatewhetherherCleftLipandPalateaffectedher

development.InJuly2018,IcompletedaworkplacementatThamesValleyFertilityClinicwhereIgained

valuableclinicalexperience.TheclinicspecialisesinIVFandcomplexfertilitytreatment.OnmyfirstdayI

wasintheatrewiththedoctorobservinghimperformfascinatingproceduresonmenandwomen.

Ithoroughlyenjoyedit.Themanageralsoallowedmetositinonconsultations,nurseplanning,admin

workandalsotalkedmethroughphlebotomytrainingandbloodpressure.Ilearntinvaluableskills,

particularlytheimportanceofclientinteraction,especiallywithsomethingassensitiveasfertility.I

witnessedthedoctorsandnursesdiscusstreatmentsprofessionally,yetbereassuringandcomfortingto

clientswhoweresometimesverydistressed.Bothexperiencesdemonstratedtheimportanceofseveral

keyskillswhenworkingwithchildrenanddeliveringcare.Theseincludepatience,excellentlistening

skills,beingcompassionatewithoutbecomingemotionallyinvolvedandhavingthetenacitytoensure

tasksarecompleted.

IhaveexperienceofinteractingwithchildreninmyfamilyandthroughtheChildDevelopmentcourse.I

recognisetheimportanceofbeingabletocommunicatewellwithchildren,especiallyiftheyareunwell.

Poorlychildrenmaynotbeabletocommunicateverballysoanursemusthavetheskillstobeableto

interpretpatients'needs.ThroughtheChildDevelopmentcourse,whichincludedvisitsfrommidwives

andSCBUnurses,Igainedvaluableinsightsintothehighlevelofskillsthatwillberequiredofmeasa

children'snurse.

Ihaveworkedinretailfortwoyears,gaininganumberofusefulskillsincludingself-confidence,learning

andretaininginformationaboutmultipleproducts,dealingwithdifficultcustomersandtheimportance

ofbeingpartofateam.Theteamneedstocommunicatewellandbewellledandorganised.Ihavehad

tomanagesituationswhereconflicthasarisen,andnowfeelabletodealwiththisappropriately.

MyA-levelsubjectsareEnglishLiterature,GeographyandPsychology.StudyingEnglishhashelped

developmyanalyticalskillsandimprovedmyvocabulary.HumanGeography,inparticular,hasgivenme

awindowonmanyaspectsofhumanlifeincludingdiverseculturesandtheimpactofdeprivation.And

Psychologyhastaughtmewhyhumansbehaveandreactthewaywedo.Iwasalsoaschoolprefectand

participatedintheDoEawardscheme(ahugelyrewardingexperience).

Iamveryexcitedtobeginthiscourseanddevelopmyskillsfurtheronthejourneytobecomingacaring

andcompetentnurse.Iunderstandthatthisrolewillbechallenging,andattimeshardandupsetting,

howeverIfeeltherewillbemanyupliftingandhappymoments.IfeelthatIcandeveloptheskillsto

becomesomeonethatpatientsandtheirfamiliescantrustandrelyonintheirtimeofneed.

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APPLYINGTOUCASFOR2020

GENERALINSTRUCTIONSFORGETTINGSTARTED

Registration

o accesstheinternetsitewww.ucas.com,Applying

o clickonSigninatthetoprightofthepage(goto

studentsinthedropdownmenu)

o clickonUndergraduate

o select2020Apply

o clickonregister

o readtheinformationcarefullybeforeticking

theboxtoacceptthetermsandconditions.ClickNext

Nowcompleteallitemsmarked*givingaccuratedetails.Click,ifyouneedhelp.

o enteryourpersonaldetailsasrequested(clickNexteachtimetomoveon)

o un-tickanyboxesyouneedto–payattentiontocontactmethodsandhowyouwishto

bekeptinformedofyourapplication

o security:enterapassword

o youwillbeaskedtoselect,fromalist,answersto4securityquestions(egyourmother`s

maidenname)

o notedowntheuniqueusernamegeneratedforyou

ITISVITALTHATYOUMAKEANOTEOFYOURUSERNAMEANDPASSWORD.

GIVEACOPYTOYOURTUTOR.

YOUWILLNOTBEABLETOACCESSYOURACCOUNTONUCASIFYOUFORGETIT!

Username:.................................. Password:.........................................

Securityanswers:1................................ 2...........................................

3................................. 4...........................................

□ Select‘logonnow’tocontinuetheapplication

how to apply to UCAS

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□ AnswertheinitialUCASquestions:inresponseto‘Howareyouapplying?’Select–

‘throughmyschoolorcollege’

□ EntertheGMSbuzzword:gms2020

□ Onceithasconfirmedtheschool,youwillbeaskedtoselectyourtutorgroup

Welcome

Youwillbeaskedtoverifyyouremailaddress.Pleaseuseasuitableemailaddress(fora

professionalimage).Youcancontinuewithoutthis,butdoitatthispointifyoucanaccessyour

email.Youwillbegivenaverificationcodetoenterontoyourform.Ticksectionsoftheformsas

youcompletethem.RecordyourIDnumberhere:

Followtheseinstructionstocontinue.

The‘Apply’screenshowsyourprogressinallsectionsoftheform.Selectsectionsoftheform

fromthemenulocatedontheleftofthescreen.Usedropdownlistswherepossible.

Ifyouwishtoleavetheform,clickon‘logout’

PersonalDetails

Clickonthissectiontocontinuetocompletebasicinformationwhereverthereisan*

Youwillbeaskedtogive:

o acountryofbirthfromthedropdownmenu(UKisatthetop)

o anareaofpermanentresidence–selectacounty(egBuckinghamshire)

o aresidentialcategory–mostwillbe“A”(UKCitizen/EUNational)

o aStudentSupportFeeCode–usually02(studentfinancerequired).(05forhealth

relatedcourses)

o theULN–thisisthenumberonyourexaminationpaperwork

o studentsupportarrangements–usedropdownmenutoselectcounty

o detailsofdisability–entersomethingegnone

o detailslikeextratimerequiredinexams

Oncecompleted

o SelectSAVEandtickifsectioniscomplete.

AdditionalInformationRequired

o equality,ethnicoriginandnationalidentity

o activitiesundertakeninpreparationforhighereducation–tastercourses,summer

schoolsetc.thatyouhaveattended

o parentaleducation–thisisusedbythegovernmenttoensurethatpeoplefromall

backgroundsareencouragedtogointoHE.Ifyouarethefirstinyourfamily,youmaybe

entitledtomorefinancialhelp

o occupationalbackground–enteroneparentaloccupation

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Choices

Youhaveamaximumof5choices,butyoucanapplyforlessifyouwish.Thereisnoorderof

preference.

o Usedropdownmenustofindinstitutioncodes,coursecodes,campusetc.

o ClicktheintendedentrystartdateeitherSeptember2020,orifyouwanttodefer,

September2021

o Click‘yes’ifyouwillbelivingathome

o Pointofentry–leaveblank

Education

o Choose‘Addnewschool/college’andnameyoursecondaryschool.

o Enterqualificationscentreasbelowhonoursdegree.Centrenumber:52435

o Usethehelpboxestoselectcorrectqualification.

o SelectGCSEtoenteryourGCSEgrades(singlesubjectGCSEs).

o Remembertoputgradesinforallexamstaken,enterthecorrectexamboardforeach

subjectandsave.Askyoursubjectteachersifyouareunsure.

o IfyoudidDoubleScience,addqualificationstoGCSEDoubleAward.

o Markthissectionascomplete.

o Choose‘Addnewschool/college’enterthename:GreatMarlowSchool

o Addthequalificationsyettobegainedthere.

o Enterthemodule/unittitle(e.g.GGA3GeographicalSkills)andtheachievedgrade–this

mustbecompletedforallsubjects.

o AddinanyKeySkillsqualifications.

o Adddetailsofotherexaminationsinmusicordrama,forexample.

o Candidatesmustremembertoenterthenamesofsubjectsbeingstudiedandthedate.

Leavetheresultsas“pending”–NBunittitlesareneededforthissection.

o AddindetailsaboutAdditionalAdmissionTestsifyouaretakingLNAT,BMATorUKCAT

forinstance.

Employment

Enterdetailsofanypaidemployment–fullorpart-time.

PersonalStatement

CompleteyourPersonalStatementinWord(minimumfontsize12).“Apply”willonlyuseplain

typesothereisnopointinunderlining,usingboldoritalics.

Usethespell-checktoidentifyanyerrorsandaskyourtutor,HeadofSixthForm,ortheDeputy

HeadofSixthFormtocheckyourstatement.Saveitontheschooldrive,aswellasathome.

Youhaveamaximumof47lines.Clicksavewithin35minutesoryouwillloseyourwork!Once

youhavesavedityoucangobacktoyourapplicationatanytime.

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Copyandpastethefinishedstatementintoyour“Apply”form,butonlywhenyourtutoris

satisfiedwithitandtellsyoutodoso.

Checking

o Clickon“ViewAll”.Thiswillpreviewallthedetailsenteredsofarineachsection.

o Onlysendtheapplicationtoyourreferee(yourtutor)whenyouaresureyouhave

thoroughlycheckedthatallsectionshavebeencompletedbyyou

DEADLINETOSUBMITTHEFORMTOYOURTUTORIS:

FRIDAY18THOCTOBER2019

o Printoutacopyoftheapplicationformandkeepitsafeforreference.

o Proceedtosendtheformtotherefereebypayingonlinebycredit/debitcard.Youwill

beaskedtoenterthecarddetails.Makesureyouhavepermissionifusingacard

belongingtoparents.£24for5choices,£18forasinglechoice.

Yourtutor(referee)willnowaddtheirreferenceandtheformwillbesenttoUCAS.

THISPROCESSMAYTAKEUPTO20WORKINGDAYS.

REMEMBER–THEEARLIERYOUCOMPLETETHEWHOLEPROCESS,

THEMORELIKELYYOUARETORECEIVEANOFFER

FINALDEADLINEforGMSstudentstocompleteprocess:

Friday13thDecember2019

(EXCEPTOXBRIDGE/MEDICALCANDIDATES13thSeptember2019)

Formoreinfo,gotowww.ucas.com/fillinginyourapplication

final deadlines

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apprenticeships

WhatisanApprenticeship?

Earnwhileyoulearn.FromEngineeringtoAccounting,CateringtoTeaching.

Anapprenticeship is a real job, consistingof a combinedpackageofwork

and study, which will enable you to complete a relevant professional

qualification whilst learning in the workplace. You’ll be employed by a

companyfromdayonewithaContractofEmployment:workingaminimum

of 30 hours a week, you will rights and responsibilities including paid

holiday.Allapprenticeshipslastminimumoftwelvemonths.

Typicallyyouwillhaveonedayaweekdedicatedtolearningandstudy.

Whatlevelsarethere?

Apprenticeshipsareavailableatintermediate,advanced,higheranddegreelevel:

Name Level Equivalenteducationallevel

Intermediate 2 5GCSEpassesatgradesA*toC

Advanced 3 2Alevelpasses

Higher 4,5,6and7 Foundationdegreeandabove

Degree 6and7 Bachelor’sormaster’sdegree

Therearenosetentryrequirements:thesevaryfromprogrammetoprogramme,dependingon

thesector,levelofprogrammeandtheoccupationalareas.Usuallyemployerswilllookingbea

combinationofacademicqualifications,skills,attributesandpersonalqualities,henceit’svery

importanttoresearchtheapprenticeshipyou’reinterestedintoseeexactlywhat’sneeded.

WhatapprenticeshipsaremostrelevantwhenIfinishSixthForm?

Currentlythereareapprenticeshipsofferedinover170industrieswith280differenttypes.

Aftersixthform,studentsaremostlikelytobesuitedtohigherordegreeapprenticeshipsbut

therearenorestrictionsshouldyoudecidetoapplyforanIntermediateorAdvanced

Apprenticeshipinanoccupationalfieldunrelatedtoyou’reA-levelorBTECstudies.

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Degreeapprenticeshipsareagrowingarea.BigcompanieslikeRollsRoyce,GlaxoSmithKline,

GoldmanSachsandBAESystemsofferdegreeapprenticeships,butyou’llalsofindsmaller

companiesofferingthem.

HowdoIknowifIamsuitedtotakingaHigherorDegreeApprenticeship?

WhilstApprenticeshipscanbeanattractivealternativetoHigherEducation,thereareanumber

ofthingstoconsiderattheresearchstage:

• Doyouclearlyhaveaparticularinterestintheareaofworkyou’reapplyingfor?Most

importantly,candemonstratethisfrompreviousexperience,whetheritbe

volunteering,workexperienceorcontributionsinschool?

• You’llbestartingachallengingjobandestablishingyourselfintheworkplace,whilst

commencingstudiesforaprofessionalqualificationordegree.

• Youwillbeexpectedtoachieveacademicallyandatwork,workingfull-timehours

withfewerholidaysthanfriendswhoareatuniversity.

• Lengthoftheprogramme;sometimesaHigherApprenticeshipcanleadontoaDegree

butthismaynotbeguaranteed.Doyouknowwhatyouarecommittingyourselfto?A

degreeprogrammewillusuallylastbetween3to6yearsstudy.

HowdoIgoaboutapplyingforApprenticeships?

Unlikeapplyingtouniversity,thereisnostreamlinedapplicationprocessorfixeddeadlinewhen

itcomestoApprenticeships,soyouneedtobepreparedtostartyourresearchearlyandinvest

considerabletime.Vacanciesappearthroughouttheyear,soitisworthregisteringforalertson

anumberofwebsites(wwwgov.uk/apply-apprenticeshipbeingthecoreone)tohearabout

vacanciesastheyappear.

Whatdoapprenticesgetpaid?

ANationalMinimumWageof£3.90perhourappliestoallapprenticesunder19yearsold,and

tothosewhoare19oroverinthefirstyearoftheapprenticeship.Inaddition,thereisatleast

20daysholidayayearalongwithbankholidays.Thebenefitofhavingtrainingisobvious–over

alifetimeapprenticeswithtrainingwillearnover£100,000morethanthosewithouttraining.

TopTipsforApplications

• Bigcompaniesmayoffer‘Insight’or‘Experience’daystotellyouabouttheircompany

cultureandsectorwhichareinvaluablepreparationpriortomakingajobapplication

• Asageneralrule,largercompaniesplanoneyearaheadandsowilleffectivelymirrorthe

UCAScyclei.e.initialcontactswillstarttobemadeinthesummerwithvacancies

appearingintheautumn,butthemajoritypopupfromJanuaryorFebruaryonwards.

• Smallerbusinessesmaystartrecruitingonlyamonthortwobeforethejobstarts,soif

youhopetostartworkinSeptember,youshouldstartlookingfromEasteronwards.Do

checkstartdatesclosely,tomakesureyou’llhavefinishedschool.

• Don’twaituntilthedeadlinetomakeanapplication,somecompaniesclosetheir

recruitmentprocessassoonastheyhavesufficientcandidates.

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WhatshouldIexpectfromtheSelectionprocess?

Thereareusuallyanumberofhurdlesorstagestogetthroughsothattheemployercanassess

whetheryouhavetherelevantskillsandqualitiestheyarelookingfor.Typically,youmayhave

tocompleteanapplicationform,onlinetests,perhapsaphoneoronlineinterview,beforebeing

invitedtoanAssessmentDay.Thiswillincludeindividualandgrouptasks,possiblypsychometric

testsanddefinitelyeitheraonetooneorpanelinterview.Smallerorganisationstendtohavea

lesscomplexandmorepersonalprocess.

Furtherhelp

Ifyouwouldliketogaininterviewskillspractiseordevelopagreaterunderstandingof

AssessmentDayspleasecontactMrsGillSouthonCareerGuidanceandInformationAdviser.

Usefulwebsites

www.gov/uk/apply-apprenticeship.co.uk

www.ratemyapprenticeship.co.uk

www.apprenticeshipguide.co.uk

www.notgoingtouni.co.uk

www.careersworld.co.uk/south-east/home

www.future-talent.com

ww.thebigchoice.com

Manyofthejobsearchwebsitesarealsoextremelyuseful.

Beawarethatmanyapprenticeshipschemesmayrequire

youtohavegoodpassesinGCSEMathsandEnglish.

Dependingonthesegrades,youmayormaynothaveto

takesomeliteracyandnumeracytests.

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OtherCareerOpportunitiesIfyouarecertainthatyoudonotwanttoapplytoHEthrough

UCAS, then this sectionwill help you think aboutwhat sort of

jobyoumaywishtoapplyfor.

Don’tforgetthatmanyofthewebsitesatthefrontofthisbookletarealsoveryuseful.

ThoseapplyingthroughUCASmayalsofindthissectionuseful.

l CV–whatisit,writingit

l Personalinformationandskills

l Whattoinclude

l Matchingyourdatatothejob

l ExampleCVs

l Interviewtechniques

UsefulJobSearchWebsites

www.connexions-direct.com/jobs4u-jobdatabase:jobs,payandentryroutes

www.kudos.cascaid.co.uk–completeyourownjobsearchprofile

www.neuvoo.co.uk

www.e4s.co.uk(employmentforstudents)part-timejobvacancies

www.alec.co.uk–usefultipsonwritingCVs,jobapplicationsandattendinginterviews

www.apprenticeships.org.uk/-apprenticeshipinformation

www.monster.co.uk–UKwidejobsearchsite–searchbyregionandjobtitle

Hundredsofwebsiteshavespecificcareersinformationandjob

vacancies.Hereareafewthatsomestudentshavefounduseful.

www.cityjobs.com–usefuljobhuntingsitecoveringaccountancy,banking&finance,IT,

insurance,media,marketingandlegalprofessions

www.allthetopbananas.com-jobsearchanduploadyourCVforfree

www.enginuity.org.uk–excellentsite,introducingawiderangeofengineeringcareers

www.ttctraining.co.uk–theTravelTrainingCompanywebsiteforthoseinterestedin‘Traveland

Tourism’

www.cw360.com–computerweekly,anon-linemagazinewithITvacancies

www.nhscareers.nhs.uk–careersinformationandjobvacanciesintheNHS

www.skillset.org–creativemediaindustry–explainsthecompetitionforjobs,thevarious

jobs & cvs

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industrysectors,skillsshortageareasandwebsitestoconsult

www.uksport.gov.uk–excellentjobvacancyinformationwithintheInsideUKSportpage

www.need2know.co.uk/wprk-comprehensivesitewithcareerorjobadvice,interview/CVhelp,

self-employment

www.princes-trust.org.uk–employmenthelpforyoungpeople

www.redgoldfish.co.uk–excellentsitecoveringwiderangeofjobsandcareeradvice,CVs

www.jobsite.co.uk-SendyourCVtorecruitmentagencies

www.myjobsearch.com-jobsearchengine

PleaselettheSixthFormTeamknowifyoudiscoveranyotherusefulwebsites.

WhenapplyingforajobyouwillberequiredtosendinaCVand/or

coveringletter.

FollowthesesimpletipstoensurethatyourCVstandsoutfromalltheotherapplicants.

Top5CVTips

YourCVisyourpersonalbrochure,givingyouachancetoshowoffalltheattributesthatmake

youtheperfectchoiceforemployers.Thesetipsinformyouofthekeythingsyouneedto

considertoensureyourCVshowsyouinthebestlight.

1.Showwhatmakesyouunique.

Foreveryjobyouapplyforyoucouldbeupagainsthundredsofothercandidates.Itis

importanttoensureyourCVstandsout.Employersdon'tjustbuyskills;theybuysolutions,so

researchtheplaceofferingemployment.Perhaps,showhowcanyoumakethecompanymoney

orhowcanyousolvetheproblemsthattheyhave.

2.Chooseaclearlayout.

Employersspendaround20to30secondsscanningaCVsoitneedstoremainclutter-freeand

easytoread.Thelastthingarecruiterwantstodoishuntfortheinformationthattheyare

lookingfor,sodon'thideitamongstanarrayofelaborategraphics.

3.TailoryourCVtoyouraudience.

Itmaysoundlikeatimeconsumingprocess,butmaketheefforttotailoryourCVtosuitthe

requirementsofeachparticularjobthatyouapplyfor:itcangreatlyincreaseyourchancesof

securinganinterview.

writing a good cv

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4.KeeptheCVerrorfree.

It'sdeceptivelyeasytomakemistakesonyourCVandexceptionallydifficulttorepairthe

damageonceanemployerhasit.Aswellascheckingyourspellingandgrammar,makesure

youremploymentdatesmatchupandthatyou'veprovidedtherightphonenumberandemail

address.

5.KeepyourCVup-to-date.

WhenyouputtogetheraCVitisoftendifficulttoremembertheprojectsyouhavebeen

involvedinandtheachievementsyouhavemade.Toavoidmissingimportantpiecesof

information,revisityourCVeverymonthaddinganythingofimportance,andcuttingoutany

informationthatisnolongerrequired.

WhattoincludeonaCV

Thereisnosetformat.HowyoupresentyourCVisuptoyou.However,youshouldinclude,at

theveryleast,thefollowing:

• yourname

• youraddress

• yourphonenumber

• youremailaddress(ifyouhaveone)

• yourcareerhistory

Putyourmostrecentjobfirstandincludedates.Employerswillbemoreinterestedinwhatyou

havedonerecently.Don’tleaveanygapbetweenoccupations,becauseemployerswillwantto

knowwhatyoudidduringthoseperiods.

Ifyoudon’thavemuchworkexperience,youcouldincludetemporary,holiday,part-timeor

voluntaryjobs.Ifyou’vehadmanydifferentjobs,emphasisetheskillsandexperienceyouhave

acquired,forexample,dealingwithcustomersorcommunicationskills.

Youdon'tneedtoincludeyourdateofbirth.

Lawsonagediscriminationmeanthatyoudonotneedtoputyourdateofbirth,oryourage,on

yourCV.

dos

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Thefollowinggivesideasaboutwhattoinclude:

PersonalprofileThisisashortstatementatthebeginningofyourCVtosellyourself,toshowofftheskills,

experienceandpersonalqualitiesyouhave.Youcouldincludepositivewordssuchas

‘competent’,‘adaptable’,and‘conscientious’.

Tailorthestatementtotherequirementsofthejobbeingappliedfor.Makeitcleartothe

employerthatyou’retherightpersonforthejob.

AchievementsEnsureyouwriteabouttheachievementsofyourpreviousjobs;whatyoudidwellandhowthe

skillsacquiredarerelevanttothejobyouareapplyingfor.

QualificationsandtrainingIncludeanyqualificationsandtrainingacquiredfromprevious

jobs(forexample,traininginhealthandsafetyora

certificateinfoodhygiene).Putthemostrecentfirst,and

includethequalificationsyouachievedatschoolorcollege.

InterestsThesecansupportyourapplicationifyourhobbiesandleisureactivitieshighlight

responsibilitiesandskillsthatarerelevanttothejobyou’reapplyingfor.Perhaps,youhave

organisedactivitiesforacluborsociety.Perhaps,youhavedevelopedleadershipskillsor

teamworkskillsfrombeingakeymemberoftheorganisation.

OtherinformationItisanindividual’schoicewhethertoincludeextrainformation.Itishelpfultodosoifthereare

gapsinyourCV.Ifyouhadacareerbreakbecauseyouwerecaringforchildrenorelderly

relatives,makethisapositiveexperience.Thinkabouttheskillsyouacquired.Ifthejobyou're

applyingforisdifferentfromwhatyou'vedoneinthepast,explainwhyyou'reinterestedinthe

newtypeofwork.

ReferencesItisbesttohavetwoormorepeoplewhocanprovideaworkorpersonalreference.Ideally,one

shouldbeyourmostrecentemployer.Ifyouhavenotworkedforawhileitcouldbesomeone

whohasknownyouforalongtime.Itshouldbesomeonewhocancommentonyourqualities

inrelationtothejob.Youshouldaskthepersontoagreetothisbeforehand.

AskafriendorrelativetoreadthroughyourCV,tomakesureit'saccurateandshowsoffthe

skillsyouhaveinapositiveway.

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WhatdorecruitersdislikeseeingonaCV?

TheInternethaschangedthefocusofajobsearchandjustbecauseyourCVlooksniceon

paper,itdoesn'tmeanit'sniceonacomputer.

WithstacksofCVsarrivinginhiringmanagers'inboxeseverydaythey,veryquickly,growto

loathsomeofthethingstheysee.Ifyoudon'twantyourCVtobediscarded,takeheedto

avoidthefollowing:

• Spellingerrorsandpoorgrammar–itisimportanttowritecorrectly:youlosesomuch

whenitiswrong.Checkeveryword,thendoublecheckit.Beforeyousenditoff,check

itagain.ReadyourCVoutloudtouncoveranygrammaticaldiscrepancies.

• Tooduty-oriented-ifyoufindyourselfcopyingthejobdescriptionintoyourCV,youare

missingthepoint.Recruitersalreadyknowwhatthejobis;yourCVshouldhighlightwhat

you'veachievedandwhatyoucanoffertothejobbeingadvertised.

• Inaccuratedates-recruitersneedtoknowwhereyouworkedandwhen,becausethey

wanttounderstandyourworkinghistory;theyusethedatestorunbackgroundchecks.

Missingdates,especiallyforlongperiodsoftime,couldsenduparedflag.Include

specificrangesinmonthsandyearsforeveryposition.Ifyouhavegaps,explainthemin

theCVorinanaccompanyingcoverletter.

• Inaccuratecontactinformation–aCViscreatedforonereason,togetaresponse.How

cansomeonecontactyouifthephonenumberismissingadigitoryouremailaddressis

incorrect?Recruiterswillnotlookyouup;they'llmoveontothenextcandidate.

• Poorformatting-differenttypefacesandboxesmaylookniceonpaper,butasyourCV

goesthroughvariousemailformatsandITpackages,itcangetdistorted.Ifyouwant

everyonetoseeyourCVinthesameformat,keepitinplaintext.

• Longparagraphs-employersgenerallydon'thavethetimetoreadthem.Focusonthe

skillsandaccomplishmentsthatdirectlyapplytothejobyouareapplyingfor.Use

snappybulletpointsbecauseeverywordcounts.Avoiddwellingonthespecificsofeach

job;insteadhighlightspecificpointsthatwillhelptherecruitertoselectyoufor

interview.

• Unqualifiedcandidates-youmaywantthejob,butifyoudonotshowyouhavethe

skillsandexperiencerequired,recruiterswillfeelyouarewastingtheirtime.Ifyouthink

youhavetheskillsandexpertiserequired,makesureyoumakeitobviousbydrawing

attentiontohowyourqualificationsmatchkeypointsinthejobdescriptionandwrite

thematthetopofthedocument.

don’ts

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Informationunrelatedtothejob-recruitersspendlimitedtimeoneachCV,therefore,

itisimportantnottodistractthemwithdetailsofage,height,weightandinterests

unlesstheyaredirectlyrelatedtotheworkbeingappliedfor.Spendtimemakingalink

betweenwhatarecruiterneedsandwhatyoubringtothetable.Thehobbiesand

interestssectionisvalid,butdon'tletitdominate.

ThelengthofaCV

Youarenotwritinganautobiography.ItisaCurriculumVitaeandit’s

meanttobeanoverview!Aone-pageCV,ifitisfeasible,is

recommended.Somerecruitmentagencies,especiallyhead-hunters,

mayinsistonaone-pageCV.

Failingthat,twopagesareentirelyacceptable.Incertaincircumstances,itmaybeacceptable

foraCVtoruntothreepages,forexample,amedicalCVwouldneedtodocumentmultiple

qualificationsandexperiencesoshowacademicandclinicalexperience.

Somebelievethataone-pageCVisworthlessthantwo-pages,butthisisdefinitelynottrue.Itis

muchbettertohaveagood,strongone-pageCVthantwo-pagesthatarepaddedoutwith

unnecessaryinformation.Aimtoexcludeirrelevantinformation,whichmaydetractthereader

fromother,moreimportant,points.

OftenaCV,whichhasbeenspreadoutovertwopagescan,withalittlecarefultweaking,be

madetofitontoonepage–andthistendstohavegreaterimpact.Itis,ofcourse,importantnot

toforceaCVunnecessarilyontoonepagewhentwopageswouldbebetterbuta1½pageCV

tendstolookincompleteandweak.

Summary:ifafinishedCVislongerthantwopagesitisimportanttokeepworkingonituntilit

hasbeenreducedittothestandardtwopages.Theonlyexceptiontothisruleisthespecialcase

outlinedabove.

IftheCVrequirestobeshortenedconsider:

• removingsomeofthelessimportantpointsyou’vemade

• findingwaystocommunicatethesamepointsmoreconcisely

• ruthlesslyeliminatingallunnecessarywordsandphrases

• axingnon-essentialsections,forexampleyourObjectives

• placingyourinterestsandactivitiesunderOtherDetails

• changingthedesignandpagelayouttocreatemorespace

• editing,rewriting,polishingandperfectinguntilitfits

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Regardlessofthelength,domakesurethatallthemostimportantinformationisconveyedon

thefirstpageor,foraone-pageCV,inthetophalfofthepage:sadly,toomanyrecruiterssimply

donotbothertolookanyfurther.

Informationtobeincludedinacoverletter

Inthedayswhenallapplicationsweresentbypost,thecoverletterwasthefirstchanceyou

hadto‘wow'aprospectiveemployer.Now,theprocessislargelyelectronicbased,butnothing

hasreallychanged.

Whetheryou'reemailingyourapplicationorsubmittingitthroughajobsearchwebaccount,

youhavethechancetowriteafewchoicewordsthatwillenticeyourreadertotakeadetailed

lookthroughyourCV.

Atthebeginning…

Addressyourreader–ifyouknowtheirnamealwaysput“DearMrBloggs”ratherthan“Dear

Joe”asover-familiarityatthisearlystagemightsuggestanunprofessionalattitude.

Thefirstsentenceshouldclearlystateyourintentiontoapplyforthejob.Recruitersareoften

coveringmanyvacanciesatonetimeandmaybeconfusedastowhichapplicantisapplyingfor

whichjob.Includeanyreferencenumbersprovidedtomakethetaskeasyforthem.

Referencehowyouraptitudewillenableyoutodothejobsuccessfully.Butremember,your

coverletterisnotyourautobiography–themainbulkofyourexperienceandabilitiesshouldbe

listedonyourCV.Thefocusofacoverletteristohighlighthowyoumeetanemployer'sneeds:

avoidtheperceptionofbeingself-important.

Fromtheadvertisement,pickthemainresponsibilitytherecruiterislookingforintheroleand

giveanexampleofhowandwhyyouarethepersonforthejob.“Myexperienceofmanaging

NetworkSupportEngineerswillhelptoensurethesmoothrunningofyourcomputersystemsto

improvetheefficiencyandeffectivenessofyourbusiness.”Thisisanexampleofaskillthatcan

betransferredtoanewrole.

WatchthelengthTwoshortparagraphsmaybeallthat’sneededtosellyourself.Youshouldtobeaspunchyas

possible,asyourreaderwillprobablybeaverybusypersonwithlimitedtimetotrawlthrougha

longletter.Conciseandcompellingisthewayforward.

Youmaywanttoincludea‘nextstep'foryourreader,suchas“ToseehowIcouldtakeyour

marketingtothenextlevel,lookatmyCVtoseetheachievementsIhavehadduringmytime

withABCWidgets.”ThisclearlypointstheemployertothepartofyourCVyouthinkwill

persuadethemtogiveyouthejob.

Ifyou'reapplyingtoanumberofsimilarpositions,thechancesareyou'retweakingoneletter

andusingitformultipleopenings.That'sfine,aslongasyouarecustomisingeachone.Don't

forgettoupdatethecompany,jobandcontactinformation-ifMr.JonesisaddressedasMrs.

Smith,yourapplicationwillgostraightintothebin.

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Besuretoincludeyourcontactdetailssotheycancontactyouwhentheyneedto.This

informationshouldalsobeonyourCV,butthere'snoharmdoublingup.

Othercoveringletteradvice

Length

Acoveringlettershould,ideally,benolongerthanonesideofA4.

Format

Yourlettershouldbelaidoutusingabusinessformat–ifyou’renotsurehowtodothis,takea

lookatthelast“official”letteryoureceived!Lettersthatarealignedtotheleft-handmarginand

withopenpunctuationareeasytoputtogetherbutthisisnottheonlywaytodoit.Using

indentsandfullpunctuationcanlookeffectivetoo.

Typed

Mostrecruiterspreferaclear,well-typedletter.However,thelettercouldbehand-writtenif

yourhandwritingisveryclearandlegible.

Spelling

Ifyouaretypingacoveringletter,makesureyousetthecomputertotheEnglishspell-checker.

Askafriendtoreadthelettertomakesurewhatyouhavewrittenmakessense.

Paper

CoveringlettersareusuallyphotocopiedsoitisbesttouseA4paper.DonotstapletheCVto

thebackoftheletter–useanewpaperclipinstead.Usethesametypeofpaperforyour

coveringletterasyourCV–itlooksmoreprofessional.

Dear…?

Ideally,thelettershouldbeaddressedtoapersonratherthan“Sir/Madam”.Ifyouonlyknow

theperson’sjobtitle,calltheofficeandaskfortheirfullname–theymaybeimpressedthat

youtookthetroubletofindout!

IfyoubeingwithDearMrSmith,endwithYourssincerely,

IfyoubeingwithDearSir/Madam,endwithYoursfaithfully,

Don’tforgettotelltheemployer:

• whoyouare

• whatyouareapplyingforandwhereyousawitadvertised

• whyyouwantthejobandwhyyouareattractedtotheorganisation

• howyourqualificationsandexperiencemakeyousuitable

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StartandEnd

Somepeoplestrugglewhenitcomestotherightwordstostartandfinishacoveringletter.

Whatisimportantisthatyousoundpolite,interestedandenthusiastic.

Youcouldstartwithanyofthefollowinglines:

• Iamwritingwithregardto…

• Pleasefindenclosed…

• Havingrecentlyattended…

Thewayyoufinishyourletterislikeawrittenhandshake.Youneedtobepositiveandexpress

thehopethatyouwillbegiventheopportunitytomeettherecipient.

• Thankingyouinanticipation…

• Ilookforwardtohearingfromyou…

• Ifyourequireanyfurtherinformation,donothesitatetocontactme.

• Ilookforwardtomeetingyoutodiscussmyskillsandthepostinmoredetail.

• Ibelievethatmyexperiencetodatehasallowedmetodevelopmyskillstoalevelthat

wouldmeetthedemandsofthisposition.

UsefulCVWebsites

www.cvtemplate.co.uk

www.reed.co.uki–CVbuilder

www.monster.co.uk–CVadviceandconstruction

www.gov.uk

www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv-seeexampleCVs

www.mycvbuilder.com

www.prospects.ac.uk

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HAYSRECRUITMENTAGENCY

A CV is the first thing that a potential employer sees that gives them an indication as to

whetheryoumaybesuitablefortheirvacancy.Itwilldeterminewhethertheywishtoseeyou

foraninterview.Itisadocumentthatyouwillneedtokeepuptodateandrefertooveryour

entireworkinglife,whichcouldbeover50years!

Mostpeopletendnottolikewritingaboutthemselves.Somepeoplefinditdifficultto“sell”

themselvesinprint,whileothersgotheotherwayandaretemptedtooversellthemselves,in

doingsoruntheriskofbeingcaughtoutattheinterviewwiththeirlies/bendingofthetruth!

Usethefollowingtipsasaguide:

• usegoodqualitywhitepaperwithaplaintypeface–forgetitalicsanddecorative

fonts

• donotdemonstrateyourgraphicsskillsbyaddinganornateborderoranyother

graphics

• trytokeepyourCVtonomorethan2pages

CVstructure:

• Putyournamerightatthetopofthefrontpage,withyourcontactdetailsdirectly

underneath.

• ThestructureoftheCVshouldbeclearandeasytounderstand.

• Educationhistory,academicachievements,workexperience(paidorvoluntary)should

belistedwiththemostrecentfirst.

• Leaveyourhobbiesandinterestsuntillast–highlightyourachievementsegTeam

Captain.

• Finally,listaminimumoftworefereeswithcontactdetails.

cv advice

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Howdoemployersinterprettheinformationyougivethem?

Activityundertaken Whatdoesthisdemonstrate?

Assistingfamilymembers(disabled,elderly)

Lookingafteryoungerchildrenfor

family/friends

Thatyoucanbegivenvariouslevelsof

responsibility,youarereliableand

trustworthy

SportsandLeisure

Demonstratesyourabilitytoworkasateam

orasanindividual.Thatyouarecompetitive,

abletothinkonyourfeet,fitandhealthy

Voluntarywork/mentoring,meetingand

greeting,showingvisitorsaroundtheschool

Demonstratesthatyouarepreparedtogive

yourowntimetohelpothersinordertogain

experienceandskills

100%attendance

Demonstratesthatyouarepunctual,

reliable,healthyandthatyouareunlikelyto

havetimeoffworkduetoillness

Remember…

ACVisforlife–yoursisuniquetoyou:

• PersonaliseyourCVtothejobthatyouareapplyingfor–makeitrelevant.

• Askfriends,relativesorteacherstoproofreadyourCV–attentiontodetailisvitaland

asecondpairofeyesalwaysseesthingsdifferently.

• TrytohavenodategapsinyourCV–youwillbequestionedonthemattheinterview.

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TASK

Andrew’sWorkExperiencePlacement

IundertookaworkexperienceplacementatHaysEducationinBirminghambetween2ndand13

th

July2019.HaysEducationisalargerecruitmentcompanywhospecialiseinplacingteachersin

schoolsforanythingfrom1day’ssupplycovertopermanentjobs.Mymaintaskswere:

answeringthephones;printingandmailingoutinformationtoschools;usingthecomputer

systemtofindaddressesandschooldetails;photocopying;tea-making;sendingoutreference

requests;typingCVs;scanningdocumentssuchaspassportsontothecomputersystem;and

welcomingvisitors.Ialsoexperiencedsittinginonaninterview,whichwasvaluableexperience

asIwasabletopickupinterviewtips.Theconsultantaskedmetotakenotesandwecompared

ourideasattheend.

Task:condensetheaboveinformationinto5bulletpointsorless.

•

•

•

•

•

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CurriculumVitae–ExamplefromHays

Name: ThomasJones

Address:

21NewStreet

Leicester

LE24NL

Phoneno: 01162487977/07878248777

Emailaddress: Thomas.jones@aol.com

Keyskills:

Communication: Experienceofdealingwithpeopleonthe

telephone.

Goodatwritingreportsandessays.Abilityto

followinstructionsfromteachers.

Applicationofanumber: Goodatdoingcalculations.Receivedanaward

formathsinYear11.

InformationTechnology: Wonanawardfordesigningalogoonthe

computerforschoolyearbook.

Improvingownlearning: Abilitytosetlearningtargetsandcomplete

tasks.Havealreadyplannedrevision

timetablesforexamperiods.

Workingwithothers: Liketobeinvolvedwithgroupprojectwork

andenjoytakingtheinitiativetoorganisethe

team.TookpartinYoungEnterpriseScheme.

Playcompetitivefootball.

Problemsolving: Alwayscompletecourseworktodeadlinesand

enjoyresearchinginformation.

AcademicHistory:

College/School

GreatMarlowSchool

Qualifications

10GCSEs–includingMaths&

English

Alevels–Maths,ICT,Lawetc.

Date

August2018

TobecompletedAugust

2020

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Professional/WorkExperienceHistory:

Date: Dreamsplc–AdministrationAssistant

July2019(2weeksworkexperience)

• Workinginanofficeenvironment

• Answeringtelephonecalls

• Datainput

• Faxingandfiling

September2017-present JohnLewisplc–SalesAssistant

• Greetingcustomers

• Tillmanagement

• Dealingwithlargesumsofmoney

• Customerservice

Achievements&Awards:

100%attendancethroughoutYears7,8,10,11&12.

DukeofEdinburghBronzeAward–June2018

NationalRowingChampionshipfinalists2019

Hobbies/Interests:

InmysparetimeIplayfootballforalocalteamforwhichIamcurrentlyteamcaptain.We

playcompetitivegameseverySaturdayandtraintwiceaweek.Ialsoenjoytravellingand

spendingtimewithmyfamily.

References:

MrOHollyman

HeadofSixthForm

GreatMarlowSchool

BobmoreLane

Marlow,Bucks,

SL71JE

Tel:01628483752

Email:ohollyman@gms.bucks.sch.uk

Asecondreferencecouldbeoneofthe

following:formtutor,subjectteacher,

deputyheadofsixthform

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Matchingyourdatatothejob

BeforeyoustartwritingyourCV,youneedtomatchyourskills,qualificationsandexperiences

totheactualjobyouaretargeting.Jotdownthekeyfeaturesofthejobyouareapplyingforand

trytomatchthosetoyourmostrelevantqualificationsandexperiences.Askyourtutortocheck

yournotes.

Thejob–whattheywant You–whatyoucanoffer

Qualificationsneeded

Qualificationsyouhave

Skillsneeded

Yourmatchingskillsandhow,whenand

whereyouachievedthem

Experienceneeded

Matchingexperienceandhowyouachievedit

Personalqualitiesneeded

Yourpersonalqualities

Other–age,location,physicalrequirements

Otherwaysinwhichyoumatch

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interviews

Ifyouarefortunateenoughtobecalledforaninterviewitiscrucialthatyouarewell-

prepared.

***Thecriticalfirstfiveminutes!***

Manyapplicantsforjobsofallkindsarerejectedinthefirstfiveminutesofinterview.Thisis

whenpotentialemployersformtheirfirstopinionsofyou.

Yourwrittenapplicationwill,presumably,havefittedtherequirementsoftheorganisation

becauseyouhavebeenofferedaninterview.Next,theemployermeetsyou;heorshewill

assessyourphysicalappearance,speechandbehaviour,tocompletethepicture.

Itiscrucial,therefore,thatyouunderstandthatassoonasyouwalkthroughthedoor,youare

beingjudgedbyeveryone,fromthereceptionistyouhavefirstcontactwith,tothoseinvolvedin

theinterview.Thereshouldbenothinginyourappearanceorbehaviourtocause

disappointment.Thebestinitialapproachistosmile.

Othertips:

• Makesureyouaredressedappropriately,preferablyinsuitattire.

• Donotarrivesmellingofsmoke.

• Movetoshakehandswithpeopleuponbeingintroducedtothem.

• Donotsitdownuntilinvitedtodoso.

• Situprightwithyourhandsrestingonyourknees.

• Donotarrivechewinggum.

Obtaininginformation

Theinterviewisheldtogiveandobtaininformation:itisatwo-sidedopportunity.Oneofthe

mainobjectives,foryou,istoobtaininformationregardingthejobandtheorganisationitself.

Youwillprobablybeinvitedtoaskquestionsattheendoftheinterview.Neveracceptajob

untilyouaresatisfiedthatitistheoneyouwant.

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good luck!

InterviewChecklist

Beforetheinterview:

• checkthetime,dateandtravelarrangements/timetables

• researchthecompany

• readbackthroughyourCVandcoveringletter

• rehearsequestionsandanswerswithfamilyorfriends

• planwhatyouaregoingtowear

• thinkpositivelyaboutwhythejobappealstoyou

Attheinterview:

ü Shakehandsfirmlyandconfidentlyandengageusingeyecontact.

ü Waittobeinvitedtositdown.

ü Adoptarelaxedbutformalposture.

ü Answerquestionsconfidently,clearlyandhonestly.

ü Askforclarificationifyoudonotunderstandaquestion.

ü Beenthusiasticaboutthejobandthecompany.

ü Maintainaprofessionalimagethroughout.

DONOT:

û belate!

û swearorsmoke

û beoverfamiliaroroverconfident

û criticiseyourlastemployer

û interrupttheinterviewer

Aftertheinterview:

• Writedownthequestionsyouwereaskedincasetheycomeupinfutureinterviews.

• Reviewtheanswersyougave,ifyoucanrememberthem!

• Ifyoudonothearbackfromtheemployer,telephoneaskingforfeedback.

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SomestudentsapplyforUCASbutrequestadeferredentry.ThismeanstheUCASapplication

formisfilledinthisyear,studentsreceiveoffers,buttheplaceisnottakenupuntil

September2020.Astudentoptingforthishastobesurethisistheirpreferredstartdate

becauseitcannotbebroughtforwardtoSeptember2020.

Somestudentschoosetotakeagapyearinordertoreflectonthebenefitsofeachofthe

choicesavailable:employment,furthereducationoruniversity.Shouldastudentoptfor

universityanapplicationtoUCASisrequired.Thiscanbeachievedindividually,throughan

employer,orthroughschool.Ifthelattercourseisthechosenone,itisimportanttocontact

aformerA2tutorand/ortheHeadofSixthFormtoalertthemtothefactthatanapplication

isgoingtobesubmitted.Astudentchoosingthisrouteislikelytoreceiveunconditional

offers,astheywillalreadyhavetheirA-levelgrades‘inthebag’.

Studentsintendingtotakeagapyearmustensuretheyspendtimedoingsomething

beneficial.Theimportanceofthisismadeclear:nouniversity,orpotentialemployer,willbe

interestedinsomeonewhohassimplydonenothingforayear.

Studentsintendingtotravelshouldresearchtheplacestobevisited.Findoutallthatyou

canfromtravelagentsandcompanies.Manyorganisationsofferarangeofactivitiesabroad,

butcheckthemoutthoroughlytoensuretheyarereputable:itisimportanttobuyaquality

experience.

Studentsshouldcheckthattheiroptionofworkortraveloffersaqualificationattheend

oftheexperience;thiswill‘lookgood’onaCV,aswellasofferingproofthattheactivity

wasundertaken.

Somestudentsopttovolunteer,thatwaytheyhelppeople

whoreallyneedsupport,helpandguidance.

taking a gap year

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WhyChooseaGapYear?

Agapyearenablesastudenttoexperiencelife.

Takingtimeouttovolunteeroverseasprovidesarareopportunitytodosomethingcompletely

different.Itisaspringboardfordiscoveringyourselfandtheworld.Itmightevenhelpyouplan

foryourfuture,openingyourmindtonewpossibilities.

Agapyearenablesastudenttohaveanadventure.

Goingonavolunteerplacementisarealchallenge.Youwillliveandworkinadifferentculture,

andexperiencelifefromanotherperspectiveinawaythatatouristnevercan.Youwillhave

timetotravel,butyourvolunteerworkcomesfirst.

Agapyearenablesastudenttomakenewfriends.

Youareguaranteedtomeetlike-mindedpeopleonaplacement.Somewillbefellow

volunteers;somewillbecolleagues,studentsormembersofthecommunity.Manywillbecome

friendsforlife.

Agapyearenablesastudenttopractisealanguage.

Thebestwaytoimproveyourforeignlanguageskillsistospendtimeinaforeigncountry.

Volunteeringabroadisanidealwaytoimproveanylanguageskillyoumayalreadyhave,or

evenlearnanewone.Youneverknowwhentheymaycomeinhandy!

Agapyearenablesastudenttoexperienceanotherculture.

Whensimplytravellingbetweencountriesyourarelyhavetimetolearnaboutdifferentwaysof

life.Byspendingseveralmonthslivingandworkingoverseas,youcanreallyexperienceand

immerseyourselfinthecultureofyourchosencountry.Manyvolunteersfeelhomesickfor

theirplacementcountry,ontheirreturnhome.It’scalledReverseCultureShockandprovesjust

howfullytheywereimmersedintheirnewcountrywhilevolunteering.

AgapyearenablesastudenttoenhancetheirCV.

Gettingintouniversityorfindinganewjobcansometimesbehardwork.Havingavolunteer

placementonyourCVcanmakeallthedifference,particularlywhenyoucanexplaintheimpact

thatyourvolunteeringhadonyourownpersonaldevelopment,aswellasthebenefitsyou

broughttoyourhostcommunity.

o Ifyouarereallyseriousabouttakingagapyear,pleasetalktoyourtutor,andmost

importantly–yourparents!

o Belowaresomeusefulwebsitestostarttheprocess.

www.gap-year.com–informationonworkandtravelopportunities

www.gogapyear.com–ForeignandCommonwealthOfficeadvice

www.realgap.co.uk–workandvolunteerworldwide

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lifeenhancinglife

timeexperie

nces

www.frontier.ac.uk–worldwideconservationprojects

www.thinkpacific.com–marineconservationorcommunityprojects

www.statravel.co.uk–worldwideopportunitiesforworkandtravel-branchesareavailableall

overLondonandinReading,shouldyouwishtovisitthemforanadvisorychat

www.igapyear.com–various

www.campsinternational.com–gapyearopportunitiesfor18-25yearolds

www.lattitude.org.uk–aninternationalyouthdevelopmentcharityofferingvolunteeringand

gapyearplacementsforunder25s

www.yearoutgroup.org-givesgapyearinformation:providersofhighqualityyear-out

programmesarelisted

www.gapadvice.org-offerscomprehensive,independentinformationabouthavingagapyear

THEREARESOMANYCOMPANIES–FARTOOMANYTOLIST!

YOUDOTHERESEARCHIFTHISISREALLY

WHATYOUHAVEYOURHEARTSETON.

rewarding 59

622

WhatdatedoIhavetoapplyby?

15thJanuary2020(withtheexceptionofOxford,Cambridge,medicine,dentistry,veterinary

scienceandlawcoursesrequiringLNAT–15thOctober2019).

IsUCAStheonlyapplicationroute?Usually,yes.However,ArtFoundationdegreesareappliedforseparatelywithaportfoliosubmittedtotheinstitutionyouwishtoattend.Some

coursesalsorequireextratestswhichyouwillneedtoorganiseyourself.LNAT–Law,MCAT–

Medicine.

HowdoIchoosethebestuniversity/courseforme?

GoontoUCASanddoacoursesearch.Considercoursecontent,entryrequirements,location

andvisittheuniversity!

What’sthebuzzword?

GMS2020.

What’sthefeecode?

02.

Howmuchdoesitcosttoapply?

£24for5choices,£18forasinglechoice.

WhyshouldIapplyfor5choices,insteadofone?

Thisallowsyouawiderrangeofchoice.With5choicesyoucanapplyforacouplewithhigher

grades,andperhapssomerequiringslightlylowergrades.Thisallowsaspirationalchoices,along

withoptionsshouldyounotperformaswellasyouwouldhope.

Whatdoesdefermean?

Whenyouareacceptedontoacourse,butwishtostartitayearlater.Yourplaceissecure.You

mayonlydothisonce.Becertainwiththiswhenyouapply,asyouwillnotbeabletochange

yourmind!

Whatdoesjointhonoursmean?

Youwillbestudying2differentsubjectsi.e.LawwithFrench.

frequently asked

questions

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CanIwritemorethanonepersonalstatementifI’mapplyingfortwodifferent

subjects/courses?

No.Youshouldavoidapplyingfortotallydifferentcourses,asyoumayonlysubmitonefinal

versionofyourpersonalyourpersonalstatement.

Whocompletesmyreference?

Yourformtutor,withsomecollatedreferencesfromyoursubjectteachers.Theywilladd

informationaboutyourcharacter,attendanceetc.

Whodecidesmypredictedgrades?

Yoursubjectteachers.ThesewillbebasedonyourperformancethroughoutYear12andwill

alwaysbea‘bestcasescenario’grade.

WhatifmypredictedgradesaretoolowforthecoursesIwanttoapplyfor?

Youshouldberealisticaboutyourcoursechoices.Youwillknowthecurrentgradesyour

teachershavesaidyouareworkingatandshouldselectcourseswhichmatchthese.Wewillbe

positivebutnotover-inflatethesepredictedgrades.

Whatifallofmychoicesrejectme?

Seeamemberofthe6thFormTeam–youcangothroughUCASExtraorUCASClearing.Allis

notlost!

WhatdoIdoonceIhaveheardbackfromall5ofmyuniversities?

Youwillneedtoconsidertheirofferscarefully,andcheckthattheycorrespondwithyour

progressgrades.BytheendofMay(thesoonerthebetter),youwillneedtologbackintoyour

UCASandselectyourFirmChoice(theoneyoureallywanttogoto)andyourInsuranceChoice

(theoneyouwillgotoifyoudon’tgetthegradesfortheFirmChoice).Itwouldbewiseforyour

InsuranceChoicetohavelowergraderequirements,wherepossible.

WhatdoesRussellGroupmean?

Thisisagroupofthetop24universitiesinthecountry.Theyareoftenrenownedfortheir

world-classresearchinaparticularfield.Graderequirementsfortheseuniversitiesmayoften

behigherandplacescompetitive.

Whydosomeuniversitiesaskforgradesandsomeaskforpoints?

Theuniversitiesdecidethemselveswhichtheyaskfor,butthemoretraditionaluniversities,

suchasthoseintheRussellGroup,willtypicallyaskforgradesonly.

DoIgetfreesandwichesifIdoasandwichdegree?;)

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