KLB Higher Education Evening 2017 · Personal statement work On line application References written...
Transcript of KLB Higher Education Evening 2017 · Personal statement work On line application References written...
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KLB Higher Education Evening 2017
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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 planningUCAS Convention
Y12 Term 6 Other optionsOpen days, research and application processPersonal statement session – Bristol University adviceGap year talkIntroduction to the application formHE eveningCampus open day (Birmingham)
Summer Produce a long-list
August AS results (review as necessary)
Y13 Term 1 ShortlistPersonal statement workOn line applicationReferences writtenEarly applicants completed (October 15th)
Y13 Term 2 Finance presentationInterview practiceSchool 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 £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
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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 of offers)
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Offers
• Conditional – A-level grades
• Sometimes, grades in particular subjects• May include general studies or may not
– Total points scores for A level
• Unconditional– For post-A level candidates– Occasionally, for candidates who have taken a separate
entrance test – Occasionally, for outstanding candidates
The UCAS tariff – changed last year
• Now:
o Range has been reduced
o A level grades have the same relative values
o 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• 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/• https://www.theguardian.com/education/ng-
interactive/2017/may/16/university-league-tables-2018• 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 A level grades and AS results– Sometimes AS unit scores
• 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• Y8 literacy help • Lesson help• Book group• 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 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:– 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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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• Shortlist• Online application
Thank you!
T