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Economics at University: Boosting your Application
13th February 2012
For the majority of university admissions tutors, their main concern is your intellectual / academic potential, commitment, curiosity and passion for your chosen subject disciplines compared with other students applying for a course. One admissions tutor said: “we look for intellectual curiosity and a wide-ranging view of the subject, i.e. not just focused on the UK.” Good advice, show awareness of the big changes happening in the world!
Focusing your UCAS statement
Your UCAS personal statement should be at least 80% about commitment to a subject and must demonstrate evidence of having gone well beyond the syllabus, with a commitment to independent study.
Enrichment and Extension Activities in your Subjects
Here is some advice on improving the quality of your application – assuming that you have the grades
* Independent enrichment reading
* Try to read articles from a quality newspaper every day. This will give you breadth of awareness and it will undoubtedly improve your written work in your final papers. Your UCAS form is stronger if you include evidence of diverse reading with personal thoughts and reflections on how this reading has enriched your understanding of a subject.
* Develop your own personal learning network using blogs and twitter – for example by following and engaging in discussions with subject experts
* Websites such as Project Syndicate are superb
* Watch TED talks and talks from the Royal Society of Arts and the London School of Economics
* Read up on critical thinking / thinking skills and practice past papers where universities set critical thinkin entrance papers e.g. Oxford for PPE and Economics and Management
Get involved in school societies and make contact with visiting speakers – follow them on Twitter or draw on some of their most recent articles and books – this is a great way to immerse yourself in a subject
Enter essay competitions such as the one organized by the Royal Economic Society RES Essay competition for 2012 – details here
Get involved with summer schools that give you fresh insights into subjects you want to take further. Check to see which UK and US universities are organizing summer schools and apply early!
Challenge the conventional wisdom in the classroom – try to question what is being taught, take issue with your teachers and explore different arguments – don’t take a back seat, don’t be a passive student – it will help you in interviews and later on in university seminars and improve your self-confidence
Explore areas of the subject beyond the syllabus such as game theory and behavioural economics
Explore opportunities for work experiences with different organizations and people - the more diverse the experience – the better. Working for a charity, with a local newspaper or new business start-up is more valuable than a week sat with boring people in an investment banking office or a firm of accountants!
Travel and seek to understand more about the social – economic – political and historical background of the countries that you are visiting. Read up about them, perhaps contributing to school-based magazines or other student publications. Blog about your experiences and your views.
Attend outside lectures and other events – look for lectures made available to the general public at your local universities or academic organizations: In London for example:
Geoff Riley
Geoff Riley FRSA has been teaching Economics for over thirty years. He has over twenty years experience as Head of Economics at leading schools. He writes extensively and is a contributor and presenter on CPD conferences in the UK and overseas.