How to write a college or university application
University application guidance
Writing a university or college application is, in principle, the same as writing a job application: You have to understand the selection criteria and then give evidence of how you meet those.
Choosing the right examples and providing enough detail are vital.
How to write a university or college application
Each institution will have its own criteria, but there are a lot of similarities between them. Especially in UK undergraduate applications which are managed by UCAS.
For Masters courses, they want to see some previous relevant study and/or experience, a genuine interest in the subject, and a capacity to succeed.
At PhD level, they need to see evidence of independent thinking and working and the potential to contribute something new to a specific field. And an approach that will achieve this, with suitable research methods.
Key factors in a successful university or college application
Here is my guide to success when applying to universities or colleges:
- If you are currently studying, make use of the careers service and application support available at your current institution.
- Assess the information provided by the college/university. Make a list of the things they say they are looking for.
- Think about what you have done to match each of the criteria. This could be in current or previous study, work experience, or in your own time.
- Write persuasively and confidently including the examples that you identified.
- Start your ‘Personal Statement’ powerfully. Avoid cliches and gimmicks. Any ‘clever’ intro to get noticed has likely been tried before and could be risky. Find an authentic unique way to begin your statement.
- Check that you have included all your evidence and no filler.
- Your first draft will likely exceed the word count. Don’t worry about this. Just edit it carefully, avoiding repetition and long-winded language. You may have to merge some points.
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