1. WHAT DO OPPORTUNITY PROVIDERS DO AFTER THEY GET YOUR APPLICATION?

2. APPLICATIONS COULD BE HANDLED BY…  A central team who process every application for one university or employer  One person who processes applications for their course or department amongst everything else they do  Different courses within a university or different jobs with the same employer could be handled in different ways.

3. POSSIBLE APPROACHES  Invite you to visit straight away for an open event before making a decision based on your application  Invite you to visit and include an interview (formal or informal) before making a decision on your application (usual for apprenticeships and some uni courses)  Offer you a conditional place and invite you to visit before you make a decision (usual for many uni courses)  Go through every aspect of your application in detail selecting against certain criteria before deciding who to interview (usual for jobs and vocational courses)

4. WHATEVER THEY DO You should be able to find some information on their website or sent with the application details about what to expect next. Don’t worry, it often takes time to get a reply.

5. WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?  Make sure you read any information you are sent and keep copies in a safe place  If you are invited to an interview or open day, make sure you go or reply if you are unable to go. ( Not going and not replying can be seen as you withdrawing your application)  Be professional in any correspondence you enter into with the opportunity provider – everything you do creates an impression.  If you know you might be getting an interview then plan and prepare well in advance because you may be invited at short notice.  Make sure you have put into place requirements for doing extra tests eg BMAT. LNAT etc (details on your course entry on UCAS if required)

6. What about reports like this?

7. DON’T BE DISHEARTENED BY REPORTS LIKE THIS!  Yes, some university courses mainly look at grades initially  Yes, the same course at different universities may look for a different emphasis in Personal Statements BUT  For the most competitive courses and vocational courses good personal statements are always crucial  For any course, students may be borderline on grades at application or results day. The personal statement can be crucial to getting a place  Having a good personal statement can only help you!

8. WHAT HELP WILL I GET FROM NOW ONWARDS? In Tutorial  Early November – 2 weeks on interviews  January – 2 sessions on Budgeting and HE finance ( where relevant)  March – 1 session on what you should be doing now for apprenticeships/ jobs/uni Careers Blog Keep checking for visitors, job opportunities and events related to your areas of interest Careers Appointments / drop-ins Book as needed eg mock interviews, if things don’t seem to be working out as expected etc. If in doubt – ask!