Ucas application as a mature student

[lazarusb]

I am planning to apply to University in the next couple of months. I am 39, married with 3 children. Can anyone give me some guidance as to what I should include and exclude in my personal statement please? I just want to create the right impression, I am so desperate to go! Thank you in advance :)

I was in your exact position five years ago, but am struggling to remember what I included in my personal statement.

From (hazy) memory :

What you have been doing since leaving education (particularly any relevant study or activities).

Use any relevant skills and experience to emphasise why you are suited to the course.

Talk about why you want to return to education, why you are interested in this particular course and try to demonstrate that you understand the requirements.

I applied to five universities and received unconditional offers from all of them. I don't know what you want to study, but my experience was that they are all falling over themselves to attract committed mature students so you have every chance of success.

Good luck!

Oh - I have just remembered that I drafted my personal statement and then asked a friend to have a look at it (he was used to reading applications for his sixth form students).

His main piece of advice was that I wasn't selling myself enough - a bit too self deprecating and honest. He reworded it so that it said essentially the same thing but in a much more positive way.

I don't know if any of that makes sense...

What course are you planning on applying for?

Unis are generally looking to find applicants with commitment to study or the chosen field- this can be demonstrated with previous experience.

I have got a place on a Social Work degree- my access course and voluntary work showed commitment and my previous work experience demostrated some of the skills required for course.

I would like to study Law and have spent the last 8 months doing a Level 1 OU Introduction to Law course which will give me 60 points upon completion (I have discussed this with the relevant universities already), so hope that gives me a good starting point! I am also a school governor, Chair of the Policy committee and have studied Law at A level in the past.