Top 3 things to consider when applying for university (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Top 3 things to consider when applying for university

3:49pm Sunday 30th May 2010 in YOUR Richmond News

Careers Advisors at colleges and sixth forms up and down the country have begun the slow and steady nag about course research and the dreaded Personal Statement. It’s a daunting task so, with that in mind, here are my top tips for getting to the right university for YOU.

1. Choose the right course!

Yes, we’re all sick of hearing it but read the course descriptions online or in prospectuses. Bear in mind that some universities have course leaflets, so if the description on the course page (online or paper) seems very short and undetailed, then dig a bit deeper because there is probably one to download or order from somewhere else.

2. University

Now, the Times league tables are all well and good but they don’t tell you anything about the environment you’ll be living in for anything between 3 to 7 years. Have a look on Push.co.uk – the ruthlessly independent university guide – that allows you to create your own “league table” where the website matches refreshingly honest descriptions of student life at various universities with the options you pick from their online questionnaire. It has over 200 questions but you can answer as many or as few as you like.

3. Be realistic

Not to be cynical, but it’s a waste of time applying to Oxbridge if you’re heart (and/or your grades) aren’t in it, just in the same way you shouldn’t be pressured into a Medicine degree if your true passion is art. If you truly want to go to a top university, then when all is said and done you’re going to have to put the work in. If you know that revising for a few hours a day the week before an exam worth 50% of your grade will in reality earn you a C and the course you’ve set your heart on has entry requirements of AAA well then… you do the maths.

Last but not least, GOOD LUCK!