9 UNITE STUDENTS | APPLICANT INDEX REPORT | 2023 A note on confidence Some of the measures used in the Index relate to applicants’ self-rated confidence in their abilities and their prospects at university and beyond. Self-confidence is generally considered a positive trait, linked to wellbeing and self-efficacy, however it is possible for applicants to be over-confident about their academic readiness or their life-skills. Our 2017 report “Reality Check” highlighted some of the misconceptions that applicants hold about life at university. This highlights once again the importance of good quality guidance and preparation for all applicants. Done well, this should not negatively affect confidence but rather ensure that the confidence is well founded. Notes on demographic categories around gender and sexuality Demographic data about gender identity and sexuality was collected via two distinct questions, one of which was “Do you consider yourself to be trans?”. Responses from the group that answered “Yes” to this question are categorised as Trans in the report. The other question asked applicants how they think about themselves, with a list of different sexualities including “in another way”. Those who selected any other option apart from “heterosexual” or “prefer not to say” have been categorised as LGB+ within the report. Where there are significant differences in response to a survey question for both LGB+ and Trans applicants, they are categorised as LGBTQ+.