You've spent weeks, if not months researching universities, found your perfect course and then spent hours crafting the very best personal statement in order to bag a place on it.
You wouldn't want to be disappointed after all that hard work – especially if what stopped you getting a place was something as silly as a couple of typos.
So, before you send off your application, take one final look over it with our handy checklist to help...
Is it on time?
OK, this seems obvious, but it's something you ought to check. The deadline for submitting your university application for 2025 entry is 29 January 2025. Make sure you submit your application before then!
Is it readable?
Before you start analysing the content of your application, check that it’s laid out nicely. Sounds shallow, but appearance can make a difference here. For example, splitting it into good sized paragraphs, each one containing an explored topic, can really make a difference.
Big blocks of text can be annoying to read, but as UCAS applications annoyingly don’t allow indents, you need to leave a line space, which uses your 47 length allowance. However, having three or four well-structured paragraphs which flow well makes your application look and feel more organised.
Did you research the course?
Before sending off your application it’s crucial that you’ve done the necessary research. After all, there’s no point pretending you’re really passionate about the course if you can’t provide supporting evidence.
The admissions tutors will be impressed with your statement if you show that you haven’t just skimmed over the course title without ingesting relevant information.
Have you included academic and extra-curricular experience?
Your completed application should have a balanced ratio of academic interests and extra-curricular expertise. The balance, as recommended by UCAS, is 25% to extracurricular and 75% to academic.
However, this is flexible; and dependent on you personally, and the course you are applying for. So if you haven’t done much outside of your college work then focus on academia, placing emphasis on your interests.
Are you showcasing yourself enough?
Before clicking that dreaded “send” button, make sure your application conveys the best version of you possible.
Underselling yourself won’t benefit either you or the admissions team, although this doesn’t mean you should over exaggerate what you have to offer either. So sit down and rack your brain for relevant achievements that will make the university welcome you with open arms.
Were you honest?
Be honest with yourself when you’re checking through the application and think; do you have evidence to back up every claim? There’s a difference between using clear, concise language to sell yourself and outright lying.
And as tempting as it may be to tell some little white lies, don’t! Guaranteed they’ll come up if you're interviewed and make for a very awkward situation.
Be your true self when writing your application. Avoid following rigid guidelines and writing in a way that doesn’t suit you. To make sure this isn’t the case, proofread your statement aloud to test how the words feel when you say them. If it sounds odd, reword it.
Did you show enthusiasm?
When reading your application, does it stun you into submission with the enthusiasm you have shown? There’s no need to sound over the top, but if you really ARE passionate about a course, you need to make that clear. Why is this something you absolutely have to get into? Let the admissions board know!
WHAT, HOW, and WHY
It’s easy to include the "what’s" on an application, (what you have to offer the course, what it has to offer you and what you hope to achieve with it.) but your pre-sending checklist should include the how and why of each what. This essentially means showing, not just telling.
Tell them why you are applying – your ambitions and what interests you about the subject, course providers and higher education
And don't just tell them what makes you suitable – any relevant skills, experience or achievements gained from education, work or other activities - but why and how? How did that experience give you the skills and knowledge that made you better prepared for this university course? Be specific with examples that support what you’re saying.
Are all your details correct?
A purely obvious one, but your financial, educational and extra-curricular information needs to be correct. Don’t rush through it in favour of the statement, because sloppy errors could be annoying and could even lead your application straight into the waste paper bin.
Are you happy with your Final 5?
Go back to the beginning and read through the courses you have chosen. Are you happy with the university, the location, the module content? If you aren’t, have another browse. There would be nothing worse than missing your perfect choice.
Has it been proof read?
This point has already been mentioned but I’m repeating myself to highlight its importance.
Take your application to your A-level tutor, friend or family member, to act as a fresh pair of eyes to unpick your application. Typos look lazy and can annoy admissions tutors, because they are easily avoidable. So read each sentence carefully.
Once you’ve got through this checklist and are happy that you’ve ticked everything off, it’s time to hit send.
Good luck!
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