Every year we have the privilege of working with hundreds of young people who face barriers to higher education. In a turbulent 2020, our application mentoring provided vital support as they prepared to take their next steps. Here are some of their stories.
Segen
“Even though we never actually spoke to one another in real life, I felt my mentor understood how I was feeling and what I was going through”
Segen found that working with OSCAR and her mentor made her feel much more on top of things, providing much-appreciated support in a difficult year.
Before I started working with my mentor on OSCAR, the personal statement often felt like the hardest part of the application. Using the OSCAR platform really helped me in that regard. It enabled me to pick out the most important skills and examples, which was something I did not get from other places that were advising me. The platform really made me think through what I had not thought to mention before and it makes sure you do not over-complicate or make writing the statement harder than it needs to be.
The most helpful part about the programme was working with my mentor. They really were the best mentor I could have asked for. Even if I wrote something that was not great, they never made me feel bad and they were always really encouraging. Being able to talk to someone who has been through a similar process was what made the programme unique; even though we never actually spoke to one another in real life, I felt the understood how I was feeling and what I was going through.
Inderpreet
“It is the persistent feedback which helps your drafts flow and get more concise.”
As the first in her family to go to university, Inderpreet hopes to share the knowledge gained from the Academic Apprenticeship to support her siblings with any applications in the future.
“As I’ve never written a CV, it was really the first time I have written something like this, and I was applying to Oxbridge. Its daunting — you are up against students who might have had more opportunities. My first statement was a lot of waffle, I wanted to say everything, but with the character limit, the reality is that you don’t have the space. Although I had a plan, it is different trying to translate that plan onto paper. When you are typing and writing, you just think the reader will comprehend it. Even though I had a first draft, it was still helpful to go back to the stages on OSCAR to see where I had meaningless phrases and content. Everyone else can give you tips, but a mentor gives constant feedback. It is the persistent feedback which helps your drafts flow and get more concise. It was genuinely really helpful!”
Michael
“It was less stressful knowing someone was working with me.”
Michael took part in the Academic Apprenticeship to get support whilst applying to Cambridge to study Natural Sciences.
“If I am honest, writing is not my strongest suit. I am very methodical and like doing things in order, so knew writing a personal statement for my application would be a bit difficult. My mentor was great and able to get me to say things concisely but with more detail. I remember I was writing about my EPQ and initially, thinking of the character limit, I just wrote down the names of the books. My mentor sent me links to extra materials to add, recent findings on Venus, so I was able to add my own evaluation of the books. A mentor reviewing your work can notice things you would not and having someone who is an expert in your subject means they know what to add and what a university is looking for. It was less stressful knowing someone was working with me.”
Averly
“I received help, support and feedback which transformed my statement to a higher standard.”
Averly joined the Academic Apprenticeship through support offered by The Sutton Trust, to get help and guidance throughout the process of applying to Biomedical Sciences.
“I was really engaged with the OSCAR platform, there were plenty of resources which urged me to enhance my knowledge of my course. I read articles and took an online course; OSCAR also includes modules about apprenticeships, interviews, and admissions tests. The best aspect of being part of the Academic Apprenticeship was receiving thorough and effective feedback from my mentor. My mentor answered questions relating to my course and their profession, as well as providing me with a lot of information regarding the depth and structure of my personal statement. Overall, I would highly recommend other students to consider getting involved. I received help, support and feedback which transformed my statement to a higher standard.”
Ngami
“I wish others in my year had this opportunity!”
Ngami wanted to be part of the Academic Apprenticeship to gain support and resources that her school could not provide.
“At my state sixth form we were directed to work on our personal statement with our form tutors. However, my teacher was not an expert in science. The best part about the Academic Apprenticeship programme is being paired up with a mentor from your chosen course, who knows what universities’ admission tutors are looking for in a personal statement. My e-mentor gave me weekly reviews on my drafts and advised me to read an article on the OSCAR recommended readings, to add as a paragraph. Thanks to my e-mentor, my final draft was focused on activities and readings relevant to my subject rather than unrelated extracurricular activities as my first draft was! The Academic Apprenticeship programme is helpful for other aspects of the application process, as well. My e-mentor shared with me his experience on a placement year and discussed pros and cons. I wish others in my year had this opportunity. I was in a very lucky position!”
Shannon
“The advice I was given was unparalleled.”
Shannon took part in the Academic Apprenticeship as part of her involvement in Allen & Overy’s Smart Start Work Experience.
“The advice I was given was unparalleled. Not just to talk about the statement, but I shared thoughts on how I was feeling about uni and what I was worried about, my mentor was so helpful. I had a lot of self-doubt, but from the feedback I was getting I realised I can do this. I had written about a Smart Start session with Citi Bank saying I looked at legal issues, but my mentor got me to be specific instead of being vague and elaborate on the skills used. It made my statement more coherent, with thought put into how it could sell me better. As a whole, the Academic Apprenticeship made me loads more confident in myself and my decisions. It is something I will always remember doing as it helped me with my journey to university.”
Priya
“I was shocked by the things I was saying that I didn’t need to say. I completely changed my draft after the programme.”
Whilst applying to study physics, Priya found support at school was focused on early applicants. Priya joined the Academic Apprenticeship after being offered a place through a UCL Summer School.
“I felt I really needed help with my personal statement. I had not had much work experience and I was worried I did not have the content. School had suggested a website that split a statement into three paragraphs, but it was not very detailed. OSCAR really helped with a sense of direction. I went through the stages and found the specific questions with examples useful. I was shocked by the things I was saying that I did not need to say, I completely changed my draft after the programme. It also opened my eyes, not just for what to write in a personal statement, but how disadvantaged people can be, when others who got to certain schools get this sort of support. But being on the Academic Apprenticeship showed me I can do it too!”
