# Application for Application (University year abroad)

A LEVEL RESULTS
Business (A)
Computing (A)
General Studies (B)
Law (B)

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS
AQA Counselling Skills
CACDP British Sign Language – Level 1

GNVQ ICT

DEGREE RESULTS TO DATE
Constitutional A (65%)
Constitutional B (65%)
Contract A (55%)
Contract B (55%)
Tort A (55%)
Tort B (55%)
Understanding Law (66%)

## WORK EXPERIENCE

Job as a bar attendant in a hotel restaurant at home since 2005, working part-time prior to university; now in the holidays.

Since 2002 I have been running a non-profit website, the Folk Directory, dedicated to promoting live folk and acoustic music in the UK. The site has recently received a grant from the Arts Council of England.

In the summer holidays I spent two weeks shadowing a Judge at Birmingham Crown Court, getting an inside look at the criminal law. The experience was fantastic; reassuring me that I am committed to a career at the bar. I was invited to return in the future.

In October I completed a legal briefing for the Activist Legal Project, a small NGO providing legal advice and workshops for activists. My research was into civil liberties and freedom of expression on university campuses in England.

Most recently I have undertaken to offer victim support as part of Nottingham Student Community Action. This will give me a chance to work within the criminal justice system and hopefully put my counselling skills to good use.

## FUNDING THE YEAR ABROAD

Based on guide in Texas file, with updated fees & exchange rate: about £? for the year

Standard loan: £3280
Standard grant: £2765
Tuition fee loan: £3000
Summer job: Max: £4000; Likely: £3000
Overdraft: £1,600
Total: £13,645

I have also considered other sources of finance, such as the possibility of an LEA grant, scholarship or the possibility of taking part in Camp America, or a similar scheme, prior to starting the year.

INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR INTERESTS
Music: playing guitar, mandolin, keyboard, singing, songwriting; member of songwriting soc Martial arts: Karate (world champion in my division) & Capoeira Web design & programming; digital imaging
Activism: General Secretary of the Nottingham Student Peace Movement and President of the Vegetarian & Vegan Society; web designer for both societies Currently taking part in the Hobson’s Global Management Challenge and setting up a student allotment on campus

## DETAILS OF TRAVEL UNDERTAKEN

School cruise in secondary school – Visited Greece, Egypt, Cyprus, Syria, Turkey Travelled to Austria by coach in 2006; skiing with friends
Took a holiday with a friend in the Canary Islands prior to starting university Travelled extensively around the UK alone in the holidays in order to promote the Folk Directory I am presently planning to hitchhike around Europe at Christmas

## EXAMPLE OF ABILITY TO COPE IN UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES

The most recent demonstration of my ability to cope occurred upon starting university. I had budgeted and applied for my loan well in advance, however, the student loans company made an administrative error which meant I did not receive my loan until mid-November. When I did receive it, the amount was half what I expected and, due to the error, my bursary from Nottingham was also delayed. As I had budgeted for the year, this presented me with a great problem.

I considered my options and how I might sustain myself while the SLC resolved the issues. I rewrote my budget, allowing myself less money for certain ‘non-essentials’. I spoke to an advisor at my bank to ensure that I would not be charged if I exceeded my overdraft and I consulted my hall who allowed me to pay some of my accommodation fee, paying the balance later. I spoke to the University’s financial support team, both about the bursary and about access to emergency funds if I should need them; knowing that I had ‘backup’ sources of finances if needed gave me peace of mind. I managed to stick to the new budget and kept within my overdraft limit. As I couldn’t recover the deficit from the SLC, I worked extra hours over the holidays in order to make up for it.

EXPLAIN WHAT YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR GREATEST ATTRIBUTE
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## WHY YOU SHOULD BE SELECTED FOR YOUR PREFERRED DEGREE PROGRAM

The University of Texas at Austin consistently ranks amongst the world’s top universities and is widely respected. As a student dedicated to a career at the bar I need to stand out to succeed and studying at UT would help me accomplish this.

I want to attend UT to take advantage of their excellent academic facilities. It has recently undergone refurbishment, offering a state of the art teaching environment. UT offers a number of modules which would add depth and focus to my degree. I am particularly attracted to American Constitutional Law having found Comparative Civil Liberties very enjoyable. I would enjoy taking more unusual modules such capital punishment law. I prefer interactive learning, a teaching method favoured by UT, for instance their use of the Socratic Method, and I feel that this would allow me to excel.

I was a semi-finalist in our first year mooting competition and am currently taking part in this year’s competition. UT has two working court rooms which provide a true to life mooting experience. Attorneys act as judges for internal competitions and train the team for interscholastic moots. I savour the prospect of improving my advocacy skills.

UT runs an on-the-job training program. In particular, I would be enthusiastic to work on the cases of death row prisoners or Guantanamo Bay detainees. This would be a fantastic chance to gain first-hand experience of human rights law, in which I hope to practice. UT also has a human rights law centre and an Animal Legal Defence society, both of which I would be eager to participate in.

Austin is a progressive, cosmopolitan city, creative in nature, providing a vast array of social and activist opportunities. I would delight in living in the ‘live music capital of the world’ and as a vegan I would be at home in one of the most vegan-friendly cities in America. UT boasts many martial arts clubs, gyms and a dedicated practice room in which I can continue to train.

Austin, both as a university and a city, is perfectly suited to my career aspirations, personality and interests, and I would wholeheartedly seize this great opportunity.