UCAS Similarity Detection
By Gary Keung
(Admissions Consultant at The Edge Learning Center)
Beginning, crafting, and refining a 4000 characters personal statement is no easy task, and some students would find it helpful to look at successful samples (there are even books for it) for inspiration and help. Nevertheless, plagiarism is a big no-no, as Richard Emborg, the Director of Durham University Student Recruitment & Admissions puts it:
“It can help to have someone else to look over your statement, to provide another opinion, and to look for anything you may have missed, but don’t lose your uniqueness by allowing others to write the statement for you or by copying what others have written. UCAS run similarity detection checks and report to universities if any similarities between personal statements are identified, which could result in an offer not being made.”
The UCAS similarity detection report is run through a system called Copycatch. A system that not only does it highlights identical sentences, but also flags paraphrased sentences of the submitted personal statement. When an application has similarities confirmed, UCAS will notify both the applicant and the applicant’s course providers by email, and the applicant cannot revise or replace the personal statement.
Therefore, it is in the student’s best interest to craft a genuine personal statement of their own, and we are here to help.
About The Edge
Established in 2008, The Edge Learning Center has grown into a premier one-stop provider of educational services for Grade 7 through Grade 12, targeting students who intend to pursue overseas education. Our three departments – Academic Tutoring, Test Preparation, and Admissions Consulting – offer a broad range of educational services spanning from SAT and IB Test Prep to colleges and boarding schools application counseling. The Edge Learning Center operates in multiple regions including Hong Kong, China, and Vietnam.
