Top Tips For UCAS – Dominic Curtis
As I am sure you have all noticed, this is actually my first article of the year, despite being four and a half weeks into the term. Now, whilst I apologise for depriving you all of my hilarious witticisms, I do actually have a reason, and, unfortunately, most of you will have to face it too one day. ‘What is this reason?’ I hear you cry. Never one to disappoint my readers, although it pains me to write these four letters, I will tell you the answer: UCAS. Fear not, however, as by beginning to read this article you have already started on the path to an easier UCAS experience than you could ever hope for. So, without further ado, here are my top tips to get you through UCAS as quickly as possible.
1. Start thinking about it now.
The earlier you start thinking about your application, the easier it will be. If you start researching courses and universities now, this will not pain you later on when you have spent a month writing your personal statement and are desperate to see the back of your application, only to realise that you have no idea where to study. This experience will bring you to tears.
2. Read around the subject.
I’m sure you’ve all heard your teachers tell you that you cannot succeed in your A levels without doing extra reading. More importantly, this reading will give you something to write about on your personal statement to show you have genuine interest in your subject, and will hopefully be an enjoyable way to add to your education too.
3. Do the extras straight away.
As soon as you have your UCAS account set up, get all of the extra bits done straightaway. There is no point in delaying the process, as it will make life way harder later on if you do. Also, the information they ask for is, on the whole, quite basic, and you should know most of it off the top of your head anyway.
4. Use the summer.
Over the summer before Year 13, write the first draft of your personal statement. If you can come back with a good starting point for your teachers to help you with, then you will get your application done so much quicker than if you only start writing it when you get back to school. Even if you aren’t entirely sure what to write, just get something down about your interest in the subject and what makes you a suitable candidate. Once you have this block of writing, your teachers will be able to help polish it into a good personal statement, but until they have something to work with, you’re on your own.
5. Do not overcomplicate matters unnecessarily.
When you are looking to teachers for help with your personal statement, do not speak to more than two teachers about it. Go to your tutor, and go to someone that teaches the subject you want to study. If you go to more people than this, they will all be editing eachother’s edits, and the whole process will be drawn out more than it already is.
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