Skill Covered

Planning and Editing

Trained by subject/university specialists

High % of our students receive Oxbridge interviews

Alignment with university expectations

The process begins with mapping out all aspects of the student's profile. This includes:

  • Reading
  • Competitions related to subject choice
  • Internships or research projects
  • Any written research papers or IPQs
  • Knowledge of latest research from magazines
  • Any other research done

From this point, the guidance provided will assist the student in crafting refined reflections on their academic accomplishments, aligning with the expectations of esteemed UK universities.

Lastly, a specific period of 2-3 hours will be set aside for creating and revising the document. This will continue until the content is well-balanced and written in excellent academic English until it is ready to submit.

When should I take the course?

May – August

How many hours?

Typical Student Booking: 10-20 hours in conjunction with Subject Exploration

Course Outline

Lesson 1

Mindmapping

We will spend 2 hours mindmapping the student’s academic profile, and making links between the different parts, giving a structure for their Personal Statement.

Lesson 2-3

Content

The focus then shifts towards cultivating profound insights into the student's academic accomplishments. Through guided
reflection, the student will develop a collection of well-crafted reflections. The enhancement process also encompasses all
essential components of a Medicine application, encompassing topics like medical ethics, scientific dimensions, the National
Health Service (NHS), medical research, and crucial soft skills. This approach aligns with the expectations of leading UK
universities.

Lesson 4-6

Drafting and Redrafting

The final phase will encompass structuring the Personal Statement around three areas of profound expertise. Between sessions,
supplementary reading and research tasks will be assigned to facilitate comprehensive development in these designated
subjects. Subsequently, 2-3 hours will be dedicated to drafting and refining the document. This iterative process will persist
until the content strikes an ideal balance and is articulated in impeccable academic English.

Other Related Courses

Health Science Admissions Programme

Minimum Hours: 11
Ascent Prep extends our support beyond medical shadowing experiences. We offer Industry Exposure (Shadowing) for students interested in allied health professions, such as Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Physiotherapy, and Optometry etc. We understand that gaining acceptance into university programs for these fields goes beyond just shadowing; it involves crafting compelling personal statements and performing well in interviews.

Work Shadowing

Shadowing (i.e observing) a medic and/or another healthcare professional holds paramount importance when applying to medical school in the UK. It provides direct insight into healthcare, helping students understand routines and patient care intricacies. This experience showcases commitment, genuine interest, and a practical understanding of the medical environment. Moreover, it aids applicants in formulating informed motivations for pursuing medicine and articulating their dedication in their personal statement and interview.

Interview Training

Minimum Hours: 6
The student will learn how to approach MMI/Panel interviews.

Knowledge Building

Minimum Hours: 10
Subject Exploration emphasises the importance of going beyond the standard school curriculum to acquire specialised knowledge that distinguishes students. This is achieved by delving deeply into subjects related to their chosen field, guided by our tutors. Students engage with essential readings, articles, and academic theories to gain a comprehensive understanding. They participate in advanced discussions, enhance critical thinking, and prepare for challenging interview questions. This knowledge empowers them to create exceptional personal statements, showcasing passion and curiosity, and demonstrating qualities like self-motivation and dedication.

University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) Preparation Course

Minimum Hours: 15
Our curriculum covers all the essential areas students need to excel in the UCAT exam. Start with an introduction to the test format and take a mock diagnostic test to gauge their current level. Dive deep into UCAT Abstract Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning, and Verbal Reasoning, building the skills and strategies necessary to tackle each section with confidence. Practice makes perfect, so we provide ample opportunities for past paper practice, allowing them to familiarise themselves with the exam structure and refine their timing.

Individual lessons or Forming a group

Contact us to book a lesson! Students of similar ability are welcome to join us as a group and enjoy a moderate price!

Ready to Hear Success Stories? See Why Ascent Prep is a Student Favourite!

Find out what our customers say ...
Jessie C.
Desire Subject Physiotherapy
Programme Medicine and Allied Health Professions Admissions Preparation Course
Hours Attended 20

From a young age, Jessie was passionate about sports, especially football and competitive jump roping. An injury during a jump roping competition that required physical therapy piqued her interest in the profession. Jessie chose Biology and Chemistry as her subjects, and her predicted DSE scores met the entry requirements. However, she had doubts about her suitability due to her petite stature and introverted nature, fearing these could be obstacles to becoming a physical therapist. Despite Jessie's excellent grades, her father was also concerned about her career choice, worrying that Jessie was blindly following a trend without truly considering her interests and abilities, as choosing this field would mean committing to a career as a physical therapist.

Our education consultant recommended the shadowing program by Ascent Prep, the only official preparation program recognized by AEAS, offering students clinical internship experiences and professional mentorship. Seeing it as an opportunity to resolve her doubts and increase her chances of being admitted to higher-ranking universities, her father enrolled her in the program.

During the shadowing process, she gained in-depth knowledge of a physical therapist's daily duties, including assessing patients, developing treatment plans, and guiding patients through rehabilitation exercises. Though challenging, she found the work meaningful. Throughout this period, Jessie had the opportunity to ask many questions, particularly about her concerns. After completing the shadowing program, her determination to become a physical therapist was strengthened.

When preparing her personal statement, Jessie tried writing it herself but felt it lacked persuasiveness. With her tutor's guidance, she realized many areas needed improvement. The tutor helped her reorganize her experiences volunteering in physical therapy, highlighting her passion and dedication to the field. During interview training, she learned how to showcase her strengths and effectively answer the interviewer's questions. For example, Ascent Prep tutors taught students how to answer common situational questions, such as:

  • What do you think are the basic professional ethics for a physical therapist?
  • How do you view the relationship between physical therapists and their patients?
  • How would you handle conflicts of interest with patients?

Ascent Prep tutors prepared students for these ethical questions and situational challenges to test their problem-solving abilities, such as:

  • How would you deal with a patient unwilling to cooperate with treatment?
  • How would you respond to an emergency during treatment?
  • How do you collaborate with other healthcare professionals?

Ultimately, with Ascent Prep's assistance, Jessie was accepted into the Physical Therapy program at Hong Kong Polytechnic University and also received offers from the University of Nottingham, University of Birmingham, Brunel University, and the University of Salford in the UK. Among these options, she chose the University of Birmingham and was awarded a scholarship for her outstanding performance.

This journey highlights the value of Ascent Prep, offering practical clinical experiences and professional guidance, enabling students to not only improve academically but also to find their direction in their future career paths.

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Sophie F.
Desire Subject Architecture
Programme Portfolio Guidance
Hours Attended 10

Sophie is a high school student from Hong Kong who has been passionate about architecture since she was young. She excelled academically and actively participated in various architecture-related activities, such as architectural model competitions and visits. However, as the time for further education approached, Sophie began to feel somewhat lost, due to her very high standards for herself. She knew that to gain admission into architecture programs at prestigious universities like Cambridge or UCL, she needed not only excellent academic grades but also well-rounded abilities and creativity.

By chance, Sophie attended a lecture by Ascent Prep, where the instructors shared their experiences in helping students gain admission to top universities. Ascent Prep introduced her to a mentor who was studying architecture at Cambridge. The mentorship and classes were designed to help students develop a deeper understanding of the subject matter and encouraged Sophie to think critically about the core of architectural studies, enriching her personal statement with diverse elements. In these classes, Sophie learned about architectural history, theory, and design. Her tutor explained complex concepts in an engaging way, making it easy for Sophie to understand.

For instance, during a mock interview, Sophie encountered a challenging question: "What do you think are the professional ethics of an architect?" She had never considered this question before, but with her tutor's guidance, she was able to articulate a well-thought-out answer, boosting her confidence for the actual interview.

The art portfolio is a critical component of university applications, and Sophie's tutor helped her create a portfolio that was both deep and creative. The tutor meticulously guided her through the selection and arrangement of her works, covering her academic research, practical experience, and personal interests. Under the tutor's guidance, Sophie revised her portfolio multiple times, resulting in an impressive collection of work.

Sophie's efforts were rewarded when she was accepted into the Architecture program at the University of Cambridge. Her portfolio showcased her unique understanding of architecture, including a sustainable design proposal that received high praise from her tutor. Moreover, Sophie performed excellently in her university interviews, demonstrating her academic abilities and personal charm.

Sophie's success story is a testament to the effectiveness of the Ascent Prep program, which is dedicated to helping students realize their potential and achieve success in their educational pursuits.

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Andy M.
Desire Subject AEAS
Programme Official AEAS Test Preparation Course
Hours Attended 30

Andy attended a local Hong Kong secondary school. Despite having average grades at school, he has always been afraid of English, to the point of hesitating to speak it. Andy is a typical slow starter; when under pressure, he easily feels overwhelmed. This became even more evident after he took the AEAS test unprepared, resulting in scores far below expectations. The AEAS report recommended Andy to undertake an English course for 20-30 weeks, and the substantial cost of attending a 30-week language course in Australia, including tuition, accommodation, and student insurance, caused considerable concern for his parents. Not only were they considering the dual factors of time and finances, but they also hoped that Andy could have more opportunities to apply to his desired schools. That's when they found us, the only official preparatory course institution recognized by AEAS. In the 1-on-1 courses at Ascent Prep, students receive meticulous instruction from teachers and consultants, improving their English skills and gradually overcoming their fear of English. To the parents' surprise, the child performed excellently in the AEAS test. By achieving good results in Hong Kong, the AEAS report reduced the required language class from 30 weeks to just 4 weeks before entering mainstream schools in Australia. This not only saved money but also allowed the child to integrate into the Australian mainstream education system sooner.

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