KLB Higher Education Evening 2016 1 Reasons for dropping out 2 - - PDF document

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KLB Higher Education Evening 2016

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Reasons for dropping out

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Reasons to apply to university…..

• About 30% of 18 year olds were accepted into Higher

Education

• Head start/investment for the future in that it improves your

chances of getting a well-paid job

• Starting salaries and salary progression benefits
• Provides qualifications and transferable skills sought by many

employers (independence/social skills/self confidence/prioritise/meet deadlines/team building skills/form lifelong friendships/awareness of others)

• Could be essential for chosen profession
• Pursue a subject to your full academic potential and for the

love of the subject

• For the life experience

Don’t apply if…..

• Really no idea of course (career?)
• Everyone else is applying
• Financial – is this a valid reason?
• Not utilising your strengths
• Aspirations lie elsewhere
• I just always thought I would
• My friends are going and my brothers and sisters went to university
• I want to get away from home
• Don’t know what else can I do??
• Explore all options

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3 considerations…

• 1. Is university right for me?
• 2. Which course and where?
• 3. How do I make a successful application?

Aims of the evening…..

• Timeline
• Key points about the applications process
• How to choose courses and institutions
• Advice, recommended research and support

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HE Timeline

Y12 Term 3/4/5 Research, preparation and application planning UCAS Convention Y12 Term 6 Other options Open days, research and application process Personal statement session – Bristol University advice Gap year talk Introduction to the application form HE evening Campus open day (Birmingham) Summer Produce a long-list August AS results (review as necessary) Y13 Term 1 Shortlist Personal statement work On line application References written Early applicants completed (October 15th) Y13 Term 2 Finance presentation Interview practice School deadline Y13 Term 4 Deadlines for decisions from universities Y13 May Deadline for students’ decisions

The application process

• www.ucas.com
• All online through school
• UCAS Track
• Costs £14
• Make up to 5 selections (exceptions) eventually
• Invisibility of choices – no preference expressed

during the application

• One personal statement
• Conditional Firm and Conditional Insurance
• Gap year or Art Foundation

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HE provision in the UK

• 325 Universities / Colleges
• 40 000+ courses

Things to consider when making your choices

• Which course?
• Where?

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Choosing a course?

• Type of course

– First degree Single Honours (e.g. BA, BSc) – First degree Joint Honours – First degree Combined Honours – Sponsored degree (http://www.thescholarshiphub.org.uk/blog/sponsored- degrees-uk) – Higher apprenticeship and degree apprenticeships – Masters degree (e.g. MEng, MA) – Foundation degree (Fdg) – First degree sandwich – First degree modular – B.Ed – Art degree

Choosing a course?

• Type of course
• Content (what interests you now? Don’t just check Year 1.

Same name different course)

• Assessments (exams vs. continual assessment)
• Teaching styles (contact hours, tutorials, lectures)
• Research/opportunity to specialise
• Opportunity to go abroad
• Aspects covered – BA or BSc
• Fees, finance, bursaries and scholarships
• Future prospects and demand for graduates in your chosen

field

• Realistic entry requirements (decode the offer, cover a range
• f offers)

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Offers

• Unconditional

– For post-A level candidates – Occasionally, for candidates who have taken a separate entrance test – Occasionally, for outstanding candidates

• Conditional

– A-level grades

• Sometimes, grades in particular subjects
• May include general studies or may not

– Total points scores for A level

The UCAS tariff – has changed!

• Previously:
• A=120, B=100, C=80, D=60
• AS are awarded 50% of the A level grades (A=60)
• Now:
• Range has been reduced
• A level grades have the same relative values
• AS grades are now awarded 40% of the A level

grade (UCAS only!)

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Tariff offers

• 1/3 of courses have tariff offers
• Count the highest level of a qualification -

can’t combine AS and A level grades for one subject

• Check the detail:

– Can you include AS points (if dropped it)? – 120 points? BBB? ABC?

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Which institution? Where to go?

• City/rural/campus?
• Near to home?
• Halls of residence for first year students
• Accommodation – cost and proximity to lecture
• Transport needed
• Other facilities

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Now for the research….

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Judging the courses and institutions

KIS data

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And last but not least…

• The Heaps Guide

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Highly recommended….

• Prospectuses (on line and in study library)
• Books in study library – Heaps is a must!
• www.prospects.ac.uk - where your subjects may take you
• http://university.which.co.uk/
• www.opendays.com
• http://www.whatuni.com/
• http://www.russellgroup.ac.uk/our-universities.aspx
• http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/universityeducation/
• http://www.theguardian.com/education/ng-

interactive/2016/may/23/university-league-tables-2017

• The Guardian also does subject tables
• http://www.russellgroup.ac.uk/our-universities.aspx
• www.prospects.ac.uk
• http://www.highfliers.co.uk/ Look for the graduate market document at the

bottom of the home page

• http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/careers/

Open days

• First hand experience
• Talk to staff and students
• Ask the right questions
• Do students get judged when they attend?
• Limit to 3 in term time
• Complete a form – teacher/parent signatures
• www.opendays.com
• Check if you need to book a place

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What are admissions tutors looking for?

• Academic potential

– Predicted grades match course requirements – Supported by well-argued personal statement – Supported by school reference

• Commitment to the subject

– Evident in personal statement – Supported by relevant experience and additional activities

• Right attitude to be successful

– Hard-working and conscientious – Good school record

• Well-rounded with evidence of extra-curricular and outside

interests

Elements in the selection process

• Predicted A2 grades and AS results

– Sometimes AS unit scores

• Subject combinations
• GCSE grades
• Well-written personal statement
• School reference
• Entrance test results if taken
• lnterview

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Opportunities that have been available to you since you started in the Sixth Form!

• Access to Bristol/Pathways to Law
• Primary school work
• Pre-school work
• Care home work
• Charity shop
• Miss John training
• School Council
• 6th Form committee
• Rotary interview
• Y8 literacy help
• Lesson help
• Y7 tutor group help
• Quiz team
• Charity events
• Prefect
• First Aid
• Stroud Council and local youth forum
• University subject days eg maths, law,

medicine, masterclass days

• Community Sports Leaders’ Award
• Sports
• Outdoor club
• Drive IQ
• World Challenge
• Helping at info/open evenings
• Ambassadors showing visitors round

school

• Film club
• Drama
• Music
• EPQ
• Summer schools (Headstart, Medsim)
• STEM activities
• Rotary Young Leaders Scheme
• Sixth Form debates
• Department trips and visits
• Work experience
• Future Learn courses
• TIC

A good personal statement

• “With so many applicants with top grades, the

personal statement is critical in the selection process.” Adele Ruston, Bristol University Admissions

• Strongly argues understanding of and interest in

chosen subject

– About two-thirds of statement, particularly for most competitive courses – Goes beyond mere content of A level courses

• Gives strong sense of interesting and well-rounded

person

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A good personal statement

• Is written in the right style

– Persuasive writing: points made and supported by examples – Not a curriculum vitae or mere list of achievements

• Is technically well written

– Points arranged and developed through helpful paragraphing – Sentences accurately demarcated and under control

• Is original – content and expression are fresh and engaging
• Sounds sincere and genuine, not contrived

– Avoid cliches – Avoid hyperbole

• Presents applicant in best possible light

Help with personal statement

• June: introduction to writing a good personal

statement from Bristol University tutor

• July: personal statement seminar for early

applicants

• September: presentation to whole year group
• n personal statements
• September: personal statement seminars for

all

• September: further session for parents
• One-to-one guidance

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The reference

• Comments on performance in academic subjects
• Particular emphasis on chosen subject
• Predicted grades:

– Based on AS results – One grade higher if special circumstances

• Contributions to wider life of the school
• Qualities of character and personality
• Only comments on what reflects well on applicant

Sources of help

• Head of 6th form; deputy head of 6th form; 6th

form tutors

• Higher education consultant

– Personal statements – References – Practice interviews – Based in 6th form office – Full-time until UCAS deadline, 15 January

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Studying abroad

• USA:

– Growing number of UK students choose US – 3500 HE institutions – Significant representation in world rankings – Common application system for some or apply direct; online applications; admission exam; essays – Fees and scholarships

• Europe:

– Currently funding all EU students as “home students” if they attend universities in EU countries. – This will change in light of last week’s vote – We will update as we know more

Next steps……

• Students must do their own research
• Draw up a long list
• “Are you who they want?”
• Personal statement
• More detail about predicted grades
• Finance – new system (Sept 2016 entry)
• Shortlist
• Online application

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Thank you!

T