What should I be doing right now to have a competitive application for engineering?

I am a year 12 student studying maths, further maths, physics and politics and looking to study mechanical engineering at uni. I currently have no work experience though I am applying to local engineering consultants. I am also applying to volunteer at my local steam engine railway which I think would be good for my application and also looking for a part time job. I am currently reading Engineering: A Beginner's Guide from the Cambridge reading list. Outside of school I have done taekwondo for over 2 years. I did the Senior Maths Challenge a while ago however I only got a bronze award and I am signed up to do the British Physics Olympiad. I am also in my engineering society at school although I don't have a very active role (just show up and don't help organize or anything)
So at the moment I don't exactly have much for my application so any guidance on what I should start doing immediately or perhaps during the year 12 summer would be greatly appreciated. My current aspirational uni choices would be UCL, Imperial, Cambridge and Sheffield. Thanks for any advice

Hi! I'm currently in year 13 and have been offered a space for general engineering at Sheffield, Durham, Wawrick, York and Exeter. I think the main things universities are looking for is not only work experience, which you seem to have a few of, but also what you have gained from it and how it may have helped in your every day thinking and subjects. I think it would be best to keep looking for more work experience placements or engineering summer schools. I think in total I did 8 however not all were super in depth in my personal statement. However, you will definitley benifit from having more to talk about. I also did online MOOCs back in year 10 and taught myself a bit of Java Script during lockdown. Showing that you have gone beyond the school curriculum exaggerates the point of you being passionate about what you want to study. I also created a few projects during my GCSE Engineering and DT lessons/exams and outside of school as well, so I included that. Finally, don't be scared to drift away from talking about engineering. Including taekwondo as an extracurricular activity you do is perfect and any competitions won or levels progressed shows commitment and dedication. I hope this helps for now and don't be afraid to ask more questions!

Focus on your grades, as that's what universities are looking at to determine whether you are sufficiently qualified and able to complete the course. Books on the Cambridge reading list will be useful, but won't make up for missing the required grades. Almost everything else adds little, if anything, to your application.

Hi! I'm currently in year 13 and have been offered a space for general engineering at Sheffield, Durham, Wawrick, York and Exeter. I think the main things universities are looking for is not only work experience, which you seem to have a few of, but also what you have gained from it and how it may have helped in your every day thinking and subjects. I think it would be best to keep looking for more work experience placements or engineering summer schools. I think in total I did 8 however not all were super in depth in my personal statement. However, you will definitley benifit from having more to talk about. I also did online MOOCs back in year 10 and taught myself a bit of Java Script during lockdown. Showing that you have gone beyond the school curriculum exaggerates the point of you being passionate about what you want to study. I also created a few projects during my GCSE Engineering and DT lessons/exams and outside of school as well, so I included that. Finally, don't be scared to drift away from talking about engineering. Including taekwondo as an extracurricular activity you do is perfect and any competitions won or levels progressed shows commitment and dedication. I hope this helps for now and don't be afraid to ask more questions!

I am a year 12 student studying maths, further maths, physics and politics and looking to study mechanical engineering at uni. I currently have no work experience though I am applying to local engineering consultants. I am also applying to volunteer at my local steam engine railway which I think would be good for my application and also looking for a part time job. I am currently reading Engineering: A Beginner's Guide from the Cambridge reading list. Outside of school I have done taekwondo for over 2 years. I did the Senior Maths Challenge a while ago however I only got a bronze award and I am signed up to do the British Physics Olympiad. I am also in my engineering society at school although I don't have a very active role (just show up and don't help organize or anything)
So at the moment I don't exactly have much for my application so any guidance on what I should start doing immediately or perhaps during the year 12 summer would be greatly appreciated. My current aspirational uni choices would be UCL, Imperial, Cambridge and Sheffield. Thanks for any advice

hii! im in a similar position as you, congrats on york!! im applying there as well, what were your predicted if thats okay to ask 🙂 mines 87% and im not sure if its enough lol

Hi! I'm currently in year 13 and have been offered a space for general engineering at Sheffield, Durham, Wawrick, York and Exeter. I think the main things universities are looking for is not only work experience, which you seem to have a few of, but also what you have gained from it and how it may have helped in your every day thinking and subjects. I think it would be best to keep looking for more work experience placements or engineering summer schools. I think in total I did 8 however not all were super in depth in my personal statement. However, you will definitley benifit from having more to talk about. I also did online MOOCs back in year 10 and taught myself a bit of Java Script during lockdown. Showing that you have gone beyond the school curriculum exaggerates the point of you being passionate about what you want to study. I also created a few projects during my GCSE Engineering and DT lessons/exams and outside of school as well, so I included that. Finally, don't be scared to drift away from talking about engineering. Including taekwondo as an extracurricular activity you do is perfect and any competitions won or levels progressed shows commitment and dedication. I hope this helps for now and don't be afraid to ask more questions!

I am a year 12 student studying maths, further maths, physics and politics and looking to study mechanical engineering at uni. I currently have no work experience though I am applying to local engineering consultants. I am also applying to volunteer at my local steam engine railway which I think would be good for my application and also looking for a part time job. I am currently reading Engineering: A Beginner's Guide from the Cambridge reading list. Outside of school I have done taekwondo for over 2 years. I did the Senior Maths Challenge a while ago however I only got a bronze award and I am signed up to do the British Physics Olympiad. I am also in my engineering society at school although I don't have a very active role (just show up and don't help organize or anything)
So at the moment I don't exactly have much for my application so any guidance on what I should start doing immediately or perhaps during the year 12 summer would be greatly appreciated. My current aspirational uni choices would be UCL, Imperial, Cambridge and Sheffield. Thanks for any advice