UCAS was founded in 1993 and since then, it’s been a big step in many students’ lives. It provides a gateway to world renowned institutions, diverse cultural experiences and a pathway to unique academic and career opportunities. However, for decades, students, overwhelmed by the application process, have made simple mistakes time and time again jeopardising their chances of an offer. Without further ado, let’s dive into ten mistakes on a university application for you to avoid so you can get those offers that you deserve!
1. Not checking the entry requirements
Each university and course has its own unique academic requirements. This could be a subject specific grade, like an A* in maths for an engineering course, a specific entrance exam grade or even if they accept your qualifications (e.g., T-Levels). It’s easy to overlook these details, especially when researching dozens of universities with roughly similar requirements that you’d potentially love to go to. Make sure to individually review entry requirements and reach out to the admissions department if you have any questions.
2. Not revising for any admissions tests
Many courses, such as those at Oxbridge or medical or dental courses require admissions tests. Admissions tests are important as they can show your academic and personal aptitude to a course in ways grades or your personal statement may not show. Scoring well for an admissions test can help you stand out in an otherwise crowded application pool, so it is
important to remember to sign up and start preparing early.
3. Presenting an unbalanced application
One of the easiest mistakes on a university application to make is focusing too much on grades. Universities want to select students that they believe will thrive within their chosen courses of study. Grades matter, but personal suitability and commitment to the subject can set you apart from other equally academically qualified candidates. After all, university is very independent, and you must keep yourself motivated. You can show this through activities such as attending lectures, extra reading or work experience.
4. Not looking at the course content properly
Selecting the right course for you isn’t just about choosing a subject you enjoy and would like to delve into further as different universities, for the same course, may have wildly different content; for example, some psychology degrees will focus more on clinical work whereas others may focus on research. There are also other considerations to make when choosing the specific course of the subject you want to study, for example BSc vs BA, integrated masters or years in industry or abroad. Make sure to check course websites and check their course aligns with your interests.
5. Making impractical university choices
Applying to top-tier universities can be exciting but you should be pragmatic about it. Consider applying to a range of universities with varied entry requirements and difficulties to keep your options open. If you apply to too many competitive universities, it can leave you high and dry if you miss your grades or fail to get offers. You may not get full choice in clearing to pick backup options you may otherwise have gotten into. Having one or two ‘safety’ choices will provide peace of mind and help ensure you get an offer no matter what.
6. Avoiding open days
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Most people spend at least 3 years at university so it’s essential to visit and make sure you’re comfortable there. Open days provide a chance to experience the university first-hand beyond what’s shown online or in brochures. You can decide whether you’d like to live in the area as well as explore facilities, accommodation and interact with students and faculty. Personally, going to open days caused me to radically change my choices and I’m so glad I did as it led me to live in an area I love now.
Check out our complete guide to university open days for more info!
7. Forgetting to proofread your application
It sounds obvious but spelling and grammar mistakes on a personal statement can make an applicant sound unsuitable for higher education as it insinuates a lack of commitment to the course. However, a well-polished personal statement shows you’re thorough and committed. Avoid mistakes on a university application by making sure to ask someone to proofread your personal statement, as each fresh set of eyes can catch mistakes that everyone else may have missed. Also, you can run it through Grammarly to triple-check.
8. Using cliches in your personal statement
Using phrases like “I have wanted to be [career] since I was a child” or “I have always been passionate about” can make your personal statement seem impersonal, bland and unmemorable. Avoid cliches and try to write in a way that truly reflects your journey instead of writing what seems impressive. For example, instead of writing “I have always wanted to be an
engineer”, you could say “After attending a talk by… about…, I was fascinated by…”. Demonstrating your qualities in a personal way using unique phrasing will make your application stand out and seem more authentic.
Here are some good tips on what to include in your personal statement.
9. Not reflecting on lessons learned
It’s always great to mention super-curricular activities in your application to show your personal suitability for the course, however admissions officers are often more interested in what you learnt from them. Reflect on how these experiences, what you learnt and how it affected you, skills you gained or developed or changed your outlook on the course you’re pursuing. Showing introspection and growth are integral as a university student.
10. Missing the deadline!
UCAS has a policy that all applications before the deadline must be considered equally but universities are allowed to discriminate if your application is submitted past the deadline. Remember that Oxbridge and Medical, Dental and Veterinary Science courses all have an October deadline in contrast to the January deadline for all other courses. Therefore, it is so important to meet all deadlines and approach your application early, rather than later. Give yourself plenty of time to draft without unnecessary stress. Set reminders for each deadline such as the application itself, personal statement reviews and any other additional tests you may need to take.
Pressing submit on your UCAS application is a big step for many students, it’s the first step on a thrilling, transformative journey. However, just like any important venture, it’s important to put your best foot forward and that means careful planning, attention to detail and a bit of strategy. Avoiding these ten common mistakes on a university application can make a significant difference, allowing universities to see an application which truly reflects your capability to
succeed on your chosen course.
Good luck and remember to (try to) enjoy the process!
Once you’ve got some offers read this article to make sure you know all about student finance and what happens if you make a mistake when applying for your student loan.
