How Rising Seniors Can Get Ahead on UK University Applications This Summer
Build a UK University Shortlist
Applicants to UK universities can apply to a maximum of five undergraduate courses.
The summer before senior year is a great time to start narrowing down your choices. Use this time to finalize your research and start identifying which courses and universities feel like the best fit for you.
Consider:
Course content and structure
Academic entry requirements
Application process
What it’s like to live and study in that location
Starting early will help you feel more confident when it’s time to make your final decisions.
Register your interest on UK University Websites
Use the same email address you’ll use for your UK university applications and sign up for updates from your chosen universities. On each university’s site, register your interest in the specific course you’re considering, subscribe to newsletters, and sign up for (and attend!) online information sessions and taster events.
Not only will you get valuable info to help you choose the right course at the right university for you, but you’ll also be showing genuine interest. While not every university tracks this, some—notably St Andrews—do, and may take it into account when making admissions decisions. It’s a small step that could give your application a quiet but meaningful boost.
Focus on Super-Curricular Activities (rather than extra-curriculars)
Super-curriculars relate to the independent learning you do beyond your regular schoolwork, to deepen your knowledge of the subject you want to study at university. These might include:
Reading academic books or articles
Listening to podcasts or watching lectures
Attending talks, seminars, or exhibitions
Completing online courses
Entering essay competitions
Doing research or independent projects
The summer before senior year is a great time to continue to explore your academic interests more deeply—and doing so will help you write a strong and compelling UK personal statement.
Check out:
👉Super-Curriculars That Impress UK Admissions
Or
👉Why Super-Curricular Activities Matter for UK University Applications
(Note: UK universities generally don’t place much weight on extracurricular activities. Being a team captain, organization president, or involved in lots of clubs won’t necessarily strengthen your application—unless these experiences clearly show transferable skills related to your chosen degree major(s).
What matters most is your commitment to your chosen academic course! This is where your super-curricular activities come in!)
UK Personal Statement Drafting
One of the advantages of applying to UK universities is that you only need to write one application essay—the UCAS Personal Statement—which is sent to all five of your university choices.
Because of this, your Personal Statement must:
Focus on your chosen subject, not a specific university
Be equally relevant to all five courses you’re applying for
Avoid mentioning any university by name (doing so can hurt your chances with the others)
The UK Personal Statement is completely different from a US college essay. Rather than telling your personal story, the focus should be on your academic interest in your future degree major(s).
The UK Personal Statement is your opportunity to:
Demonstrate your enthusiasm and motivation for your future degree course
Explain why you want to study it
Highlight relevant skills, experiences, and super-curricular activities that show your readiness to succeed in the course
From 2025 there is a new structure for the UCAS Personal Statement. It’s important to understand these changes so you can approach your writing effectively and meet the updated expectations.
👉 Check out Jo’s ‘UK Personal Statement: What’s Changing’ Guide
Admissions Test or Portfolio Prep
A small number of UK university courses require you to take an admissions test as part of the application process. Entrance tests are especially common for competitive subjects such as Medicine, Law, and Math, and at universities like Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, LSE, and Imperial College London.
If you haven’t already, it’s important to check now whether any of your chosen universities or degree course requires an entrance test, as some have registration deadlines in the summer or early fall.
You can find resources online to help you prepare for these admissions test or you could work with a specialized tutor (contact Jo for more information).
Take a look at my updated UK University Admissions Tests post for more information.
Other UK courses such as fine art, stage management and architecture may require a portfolio so now is the time to research and complete these requirements.
About Jo Clark
Jo Clark is the founder of Overseas College Counseling, based in New York City. She specializes in providing expert, friendly, and personalized guidance to U.S. students and families navigating the application process to universities in the UK and Europe. With years of experience and a deep knowledge of international admissions, Jo helps students find their best-fit university, understand entry requirements, and submit standout applications—making the journey as smooth, stress-free, and successful as possible.