UCAS statements

Ricochet J · 18 Sep 2006 at 17:42

How long do they have to be?
I'm basically working on mine early on so I can get it out of the way and send it as soon as possible when ready so I can concentrate on other aspects such as exams.

I've searched the net with no result on how they must be. If it's course specific, i'm planning on studying Architecture.

Thanks (before anyone panics it's not my final draft, i'm working on my first one!)

benjo plz. · 18 Sep 2006 at 17:43

There's a specific size for them, I used to have a template but I don't have a clue where it's gone...

SideWinder · 18 Sep 2006 at 17:43

Can't you just ask your head of 6th form...

badgermonkey · 18 Sep 2006 at 17:46

Register on UCAS website. It says on there exactly how lon git can be. In fact, i believe the guide was from ucas. It doesnt have to use ALL the space, however if you arent struggling to keep the words down to the maximum your life must suck and be dull and boring. Dont be afraid to pad it out with stuff that has nothing to do with your course (for example i mentioned my playing rugby, and having flown a plane, and worked with a charity etc). It all shows your keeness to get involved in life, and your willingness to contribute towards uni life.

Arsey · 18 Sep 2006 at 17:48

I think it is 47 lines of text on the UCAS website which is about 1 page of size 12 text. I was told that it should be 2/3 why you want the course and 1/3 about you and what you have done.

gam3r · 18 Sep 2006 at 18:09

I gotta do this and i dunno what to write or how to start it off

It's gotta be 47 lines...

badgermonkey · 18 Sep 2006 at 18:16

gam3r said:
I gotta do this and i dunno what to write or how to start it off It's gotta be 47 lines...

Lost mine otherwise id send you an example. But basically i started with -

I am applying to study course x as I have always had an avid interest in 'x'. Go on then to explain everything in your life to do with it, ie im doing computer games development. Therefore i mentioned how much i am interested in computers etc. I Passed briefly through having used and played on them since i was about 6. I then mentioned how this led to my interest in the development of games, and my brief forays into the world of programming etc.

Then i went on to say "I also think i would be a great assesst to university life." Spoke about how i am very social, my personality, who i am and stand for etc, always involved in clubs etc, some of the great experiences ive had from these (eg flying a light aircraft at the age of 13). I then spoke of my work with a particular charity, as ive raised several thousand pounds for them (true story... never lie, merely exagurate the truth a bit if need be).

Sum up with saying what it is you wish to do later in life, and that you feel this course will set you up very well etc.

Atari · 18 Sep 2006 at 21:28

47 lines sounds about right to me.

Oh, and make sure you start of with something interesting to make you stand out over the generic "i want to study at xx because xx". For example, when applying to do computer science, I used a quote by Bill Gates which was something like "Nobody will ever need more than 256k memory", which I later found out was an urban legend.

But hey, it got me in

badgermonkey · 19 Sep 2006 at 03:14

Atari said:
47 lines sounds about right to me.

Oh, and make sure you start of with something interesting to make you stand out over the generic "i want to study at xx because xx". For example, when applying to do computer science, I used a quote by Bill Gates which was something like "Nobody will ever need more than 256k memory", which I later found out was an urban legend.

But hey, it got me in

sO did what i posted

In fact one uni offered me 120 points to get in... i had that without even getting me A-levels!!! (Just AS!)

D.P. · 19 Sep 2006 at 10:13

Try and keep it as concise as possible, but include all important info.
Keep to a style which is quick and easy to read- bullet points are useful.

The people that read the statements have to read an awful lot of them, and they don't want to get bored by irrelevent details. Don't put rubbish like you played computer games or no how to use MSoffice if you're apply for CS, etc.

The exceptions are thing like vet and medicine where you have to explain your work experience and so will obviously have to write more.

When I applied you had a much smaller space you had to hand write in (this was only 6 years ago mind).You basically had 1/4 page you wrote in. Universities today aren't expecting any more

semi-pro waster · 19 Sep 2006 at 11:32

I can't remember whether mine had to be handwritten(like D.P. my application to uni was around 6 years ago) or whether I typed a separate sheet to attach. I did find a copy of one on my computer which seems to be around 30 lines long because there didn't seem to be that much I wanted to say at the time plus I think the recommendation from my teachers must have been fairly strong because I had no problems getting onto any of the course I applied for. I'd be more inclined to keep it short and to the point, unless you are on an English course they are unlikely to care that your prose is flowing.