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Three things UK university admissions officers value the most

Three things UK university admissions officers value the most The Indonesian government in the past few years has been increasing the number of scholarships for students wanting to pursue further study abroad. (Shutterstock/Edella)
Mark Zumbuhl (The Jakarta Post)
Oxford   ●   Fri, January 20, 2017 2017-01-20 10:21 2624 9b519824cb3263083aedb70a0bc0539e 3 News English-First,university,university-entrance-test Free

Here is some advice on what distinguishes the kind of student top universities really want to admit, written by Dr. Mark Zumbuhl, who worked in the undergraduate admissions office for several years and is currently the Head of University guidance at EF Academy Oxford.

In the UK, schools have been very busy lately, because Jan. 15 was the final deadline for applying to universities. Every year, I help dozens of students make those applications, helping them choose the best places to which they should apply, and giving advice so that their personal statement (the letter of motivation) really shows the university what the student can do. Some of our students are not familiar with the UK education system.

Here is my advice on what distinguishes the kind of student top universities really want to admit.

Study hard

In the UK and Europe, university admission is mainly on academic merit. So, to get a place at the best universities, you need to be studying a challenging qualification that is recognized internationally. Many students apply with the International Baccalaureate Diploma or A-Level. The higher-ranked the university is, the higher the grades they will ask for, so you need to work really hard to get the best grades possible if you want to get to the top places. In the UK, we don’t have a US-style general admissions tests like the SAT, so the final grades you get at high school are the most important single consideration in admissions.

Prove your passion

In the UK, students normally apply for a particular course of study (major) at university, and the admissions tutors are normally professors who teach that subject. So, it is important to choose something you are really interested in, and good at. Then you need to show your enthusiasm and skills in your application. For example, an admissions officer for Engineering who has two student applications with similar grades will admit the one who can show him that they are most interested in engineering.

How can you do that on the application? By talking about how your high school gave you skills relevant for the university course, by reading interesting articles or books outside the classroom that show how the subject is used in the real world, and, if possible, by doing an internship or some work experience that lets you get a real feel for the subject.

Take initiative

Finally, universities are really looking for students who can work independently. It is a very different environment to high school, where teachers are there to chase you for homework. Being able to take initiative, do your own research and organize things on your own is very important.

Getting work experience outside school is part of this, but organizing a sport or club in your school, arranging trips to visit interesting places, or even starting your own business all show a spark of leadership and creativity that universities really love. This is important in the UK, and even more so if you want to apply in the US.

Added bonus: Being an international student

UK universities love having international students as part of their student body. International students bring with them diverse perspectives and experiences that they can share with students from the UK in the seminar room and in social activities. Meeting and making friends with students from around the world means international students can go on into the world of work, whether back in their home country, the UK or somewhere else, with a network of useful contacts across the globe that will make for great opportunities in the future.

Finally, UK universities really want to develop a network of alumni in countries around the world, creating possibilities for future collaboration and projects. The best advertising for any university is a successful international student.

Do your research on what pathways are available – there are so many universities with thousands of degrees available. Make sure you pick appropriate subjects that will give you the knowledge for the university course. For example, math is essential if you want to study engineering or economics at top universities. Chemistry and biology will always be needed for medicine.

Don’t just take part in your school’s clubs, create something new. Get an internship if you can and keep a diary of your experiences so you can evaluate them in your application letter. Do an internet search for “university reading lists” on your subject to find some of the things their students need to read. Work hard, of course, so that you can get the best grades possible, take advantage of the opportunities you have outside the classroom – it makes you a more interesting student – and be a leader. Together, these actions will help you stand out.

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Dr. Mark Zumbuhl has a double first class honors degree from Cambridge University and an MPhil and PhD from Glasgow University. He has been a lecturer and researcher at the Universities of Glasgow, Manchester, Oxford and Trinity College Dublin. He also worked in the undergraduate admissions office at Oxford for several years. Mark is the Head of University guidance at EF Academy Oxford.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post.