KLB Higher Education Evening 2018 1 Reasons to apply to - - PDF document

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KLB Higher Education Evening 2018

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Reasons to apply to university…..

• 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
• 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

• thers)
• Head start/investment for the future in that it improves your chances of

getting a well-paid job

• Starting salaries and salary progression benefits

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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Reasons for dropping out 3 considerations…

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

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Aims of the evening…..

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

HE Timeline

Y12 Term 3/4/5 Research, preparation and application planning UCAS Convention Y12 Term 6 Exam Week 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 Strengthen application 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

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The application process

• www.ucas.com
• All online through school
• UCAS Track
• Costs about £23
• 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

HE provision in the UK

• 325 Universities / Colleges
• 40 000+ courses

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Things to consider when making your choices

• Which course?
• Where?

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

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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)

Predicted grades

• Look at Year 12 results – “overall subject grade”
• We want to be realistic and positive
• If B, predicted grade likely to be B; could be an A
• If D, predicted grade likely to be D; could be a C
• For 1+ grade higher, we need to be convinced…
• “Over-predicting grades can be counter-productive because

many universities and colleges are likely to monitor the accuracy of schools’ and colleges’ predictions” (UCAS)

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Offers

• Conditional

– A level grades

• Sometimes, grades in particular subjects

– Total points scores for A level (new tariff 2016)

• Unconditional

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

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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Recommended research….

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Judging the courses and institutions

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And last but not least…

• The Heaps Guide

Highly recommended….

• Prospectuses on line
• 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/
• 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/

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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 A level grades
• Subject choices
• 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
• Sign Language
• School Council
• 6th Form committee
• Rotary interview
• Lesson help
• Book group
• Newsletter
• Quiz team
• Charity events
• Prefect
• First Aid
• Stroud Council
• Local youth forum
• University subject days eg maths, law,

medicine, masterclass days

• Community Sports Leaders’ Award
• Sports
• Duke of Edinburgh Award
• 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
• Department trips and visits
• Work experience
• Future Learn courses
• TIC
• TEFL

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 clichés – 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 on 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
• 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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Next steps……

• Students must do their own research
• “Are you who they want?”
• Personal statement
• More detail about predicted grades
• Finance
• Shortlist
• Online application
• Chat about options

Thank you!