Help - How hard is it to get into Uni

[Mistiek]

I have just been accepted into College to complete my level 3 Access to Health Course and now that its been approved and I am starting next week I need to start thingking about Which Uni I would like to apply to etc.

After going through a few of them I noticed that the demand for places is alot higher than the available places (Alot higher than I expected) and now I am really stressed I will not get a placement.

I will be applying next week to work as an HCA in a local hospital to help my application but can anyone give me any tips?

what are the English and Maths tests like and can anyone give me some advice on how to write a personal statement..... are there any ways I can prepare for this application process????? Help please....

Getting in now means the world to me as my DH has just walked out on me and our two young kids and getting in would be a whole fresh start for me!

Any advice would be great - thanks!!!!

Anyone?

I applied to study psychology at uni a few years ago. The only relevant qualification i had was an as level in psych, had 3 a levels t grade D from 7 years earlier, I applied to 6 unis, and got unconditional offers from 4. Life experience counts for alot, and if you can get a good reference that'll help too.

If you've done an access course, I'm sure it'll be fine, they always offer way more places than they have cos so many people drop out. (My psych course had 75 places, about 120 on first day, and 60 by end of first semester)

Good luck!!

Thanks so much - thismakes me fell better already.

I will be applying for and HCA positin at Chichester Hospital next week so I am hoping this will make my application stonger.

could you do an OU course?

I would call the admissions people and ask!

Ilovemydog: I am already doing my Access Course to Health at College in the evenings and then will hopfully be working as an HCA part time.

I completed my school in South Africa and completed my std 8 (I think the same as GCSE's) with good English and Maths grades.

I have worked for the last 12 years, had 2 children and my most current position was being an advisor for Nuffield Hospitals for cosmetic and bariatircs. So I am hoping all of this life expereince, work, plus the HCA position will be enough.

Do your college not help you with this? I would have thought any college offering access courses would usually have good links with one or two universities, and certainly be able to offer you lots of help with your applications. Worth finding out?

I think they do but I was a late intake so have not started yet.

I will start on Thuesday evening. I know when I did my assesment they did say that they start doing there applications for Uni in November. So I know I will get help from them.

Just want this so badly that I want to be as prepared as I can and get as much advise from peops who have gone through it all already.

msnetter's are brilliant at support

Unis are much more relaxed, in terms of entry requirements for mature students, than they are for 'traditional' students. I'm not highly intelligent, but I got into a very good uni with only 2 A Levels.

Sorry to hear about your DH walking out , but I think that uni could be the ideal fresh start. I know that sounds a little idealistic, but it sounds like you've got the ability to succeed.

Good luck

SubRosa: Thanks for you thoughts! Yes I have so much determination to see this through now as being married and having to both work to surcive meant I could not do this 4 years ago when I first looked into it. So Now 4 years on, 2 children later and DH walking out means I can get the help that is needed to follow through with my dreams. Determined to not let this get me down but to look upwards and onwards to a ver exciting new life!

You have all made me feel so much more relaxed thanks a mil!

Agree with SR, uni's are much more relaxed about qualifications with mature students as they are more likely to work hard and they are there because they want to be IYSWIM.

You can look at other personal statements on line to get an idea of how it should 'flow' or what to say, UCAS have a lot of info on their pages.

I did mine last year and managed to get onto a BSc degree having left my first degree after 2 years and with no science a-levels.

Is it Nursing you want to do?

Anyway, I have just started my Occupational Therapy degree (did my Nursing in Germany many years ago....and it wasn't a University degree)....and only applied to 1 University and got accepted...the only thing I had to do was do a little study skills course...that was it!

I suppose it depends on what you want to do...I do know of a fair few people on my course that have tried for years to get on, and got in by the skin of their teeth this time...I also know that midwifery is extremely difficult to get in....but adult nursing seems to be easier to get accepted for....not sure about mental health/lkearning disability and paediatric nursing...but think it might be slightly harder to get into that!

Do you still need help with your personal statement?

I am a bit late coming onto the thread...so, for all I know you are al sorted anyway....

btw...entry requirements are , as someone else said already, completely different for mature students....