Using British spelling/other terms on UK grad school uni applications

I'm just wondering if it's a good idea to use British spelling and British terms (such as primary school for elementary school, for example) like in my personal statement and the resume I'll be attaching. Or should I just keep it all as is in my American spelling?

Whenever I spelled things American during my first year of uni here, I got told off for misspelling and haven't done it ever since then. So I would suggest using British spelling.

I don't know. It's a bit strange referring to things in America with terms Americans don't use. It's your personal statement. I don't think it is going to matter if you use American terms and spellings for your own experience in the US. I din't bother to use British English spelling in mine and I was accepted into both programs I applied to.

As to using specific spellings once you are here you need to take your cue from your department. I was told that as long as my spelling was consistant throughout my work it didn't matter. YMMV as GibbyGab's experience shows. Of course, it is easy enough to switch the dictionary over in MS Word and let it do all the hard work for you.

Of course, it is easy enough to switch the dictionary over in MS Word and let it do all the hard work for you.

Haha, that's what I did.


I like British spelling better. It's prettier with all it's extra O's and stuff 

Good to know! With this potential move at hand I think I've come to the decision that with the exception of school or work, I'll still hold on to my American spelling. Might as well get a start on it now.

I teach pre-sessional courses for foreign students preparing for masters degrees in the UK, and I always tell my students that either British or American is OK as long as they're consistent.  The same should apply to you.  Some professors may grumble, but they are not allowed to mark you down for it.

For your personal statement, American spelling should be fine. When you get to university, just ask your tutors for what they would prefer. In my years of uni, I've only had one (European) tutor actually care whereas all my other (British) tutors didn't care.

Using British spelling if it's for school or work doesn't bother me at all, I can adapt easily. Maybe I should have made a different topic for this bit, but I'm super nervous about applying... I know that most UK schools give special consideration to international students but I'm still worried. I received a 2.9 in my undergrad so not great but not terrible. I was doing very well until, during my toughest semester, I made the mistake of coming home each weekend to work (3 hours round trip). By the time I finally woke up and realized I had too much on my plate, it was too late. I got three Ds (two were D+s, for what it's worth) a B and an A. Nevertheless, it was a huge lesson learned. I was even told by an advisor at the school I graduated from that if I were to apply to US grad schools for the program I'm after (speech pathology and audiology aka speech therapy in UK terms), I'd need to retake those three classes or else I probably wouldn't be accepted. Besides the three Ds, all my other grades are As, Bs, and two C+s.

Anyways, I'm applying to two PG Diploma courses in speech therapy. They won't get me qualified as a speech therapist, but it's more of a further education/experience route. It's kind of a long story as to why I didn't apply for a master's program just yet leading to qualification in speech therapy, but no biggie.

I have been in contact with the university departments, though. One advisor said that a 3.0 is required for international entry, though they also take into account things like work experience, recommendation letters, personal statement, etc. Because of that, she said she was unable to tell me if/if not I'll get accepted based on my 2.9.

My question is: should I make note in my personal statement of why I did poorly that one semester? And also make note that school is my top priority right now because I strongly feel that speech therapy is the right career path for me (that's not just BS, it's true!). Sorry for my rant 

I wouldn't even discuss the bad semester in your personal statement. One key to life is to never draw attention to the bad things! The whole point is to talk about your strengths! 

If they were to ask you about it, then discuss it, but leave it out of your personal statement.

Oh okay. I thought that maybe I should explain myself, but I'll leave that out.

One key to life is to never draw attention to the bad things! The whole point is to talk about your strengths! 

Yes!

Of course, it is easy enough to switch the dictionary over in MS Word and let it do all the hard work for you.

I switched to the UK dictionary in MS Word at the very start of writing up my thesis (some 30,000 words), but somehow some words still ended up American-style. I didn't receive any complaints from my examiners, and it was some lab-mates who pointed it out... but I guess more American spellings are being adopted/accepted as ok spellings in the UK.

Good luck with your applications, Karlee!