Keen to impress Oxbridge with your UCAS statement, but worried about
rambling on too much? Producing a factual yet lively account of the academic
journey you have undertaken so far and wish to continue on is one of
the most challenging tasks ever encountered by most sixth formers. So, here is how do so within the word limit you have.
1. Don't repeat yourself. Once
you’ve said that you found helping pensioners expand their computer skills as part of a holiday scheme really
inspiring, you don’t need to add that you acquired valuable team-working
skill and like working with people. However, mentioning that this has taught
you something course related, be it about psychology or programming quirks, can
be worthwhile.
2.
Do say what drew you to the course. Was it a lesson, a book, a school research
project, an excursion, a talk or some TV programme? How are you trying to
find out more? Is there a science book, poetry collection or article on the
latest stone age finds you have particularly enjoyed and can explain why? What you want to show here is that you
are capable of intellectual activity beyond or independent of what you're
doing for school.
3.
Don’t list everything you have done. Just mentioning six different
extra-curricular activities is pointless. You just want to show that you are
organised enough to do a couple of challenging things alongside your studies. Have
they taught you any skills useful for your course? Do they suggest
particular strengths or character traits? Also, are there any prizes
you have won or disadvantages overcome?
4.
Avoid space-filling generalisations such as “politics is a truly fascinating
subject”. Just tell the reader what fascinates you personally about it. By briefly
mentioning personal concerns or life experiences you may become more
convincing, as well as more memorable.
5 Don't focus on your degree subject in terms of your future career. Far too many
Oxbridge applicants write that they chose Economics because they are
"hoping for a career in finance”. What admissions tutors want to know is
which course-related financial, social or mathematical problems are of interest
to you and how you are already exploring them.
6.
Write in clear, non overly long sentences, using correct subject terms. As
strong writing skills are prized by most admissions tutors, it's alright,
though, to mention a well received essay or research report (which the school
may subsequently be asked to send in).
7. Don’t try to solve your space
problem by copying a UCAS statement found online: Admissions tutors now
have the software to identify plagiarism. Asking a well-educated relative or family friend to write your statement
for you is not a good idea either: any admissions tutor can
tell the writings of a middle-aged graduate from those of a sixth former. Also,
the type of student Oxbridge seeks has considerably changed over the years!
8. Now re-read, and re-read again, and not just for
spelling errors. Have you said too much about the future you are
aiming for, but too little about what you bring to the course? Are your
extra-curriculars taking up more space than your academic interests? Did you correctly name any book or article mentioned and its author? Most importantly, don't leave checking
all this to the last moment, as the result could be not just typos but a
muddled narrative or fatal omissions.
Still unsure how to
make a strong, memorable application? For more detailed
and course-specific advice about how to become the kind of applicant both Oxford and Cambridge seek, read the detailed
advice in OXBRIDGE ENTRANCE: THE REAL RULES.
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