Sandwell Academy 6.1 University Information Evening

Overview of the Evening  Programme  Parent Booklet

Applying to University  Where ?  What ?  When ?

Two stage process  Stages: 1.Research – 2.Self presentation (i.e. your UCAS application form)  Internal Closing date for application forms Friday before October half term.  UCAS Closing date 15 January 2015

UK higher education – key facts  372 UCAS providers  37,000 courses At the heart of connecting people to higher education

The provision of higher education in the UK ▪Applicants in 2013 ▪Acceptances in , ,940 (Source: UCAS end of cycle report 11/12 released December 2012)

Online research – where to go for useful information ▪UCAS website ▪UCAS Course Search and Entry Profiles ▪UCAS books  University websites  UCAS connect ▪Unistats ▪Which? University

At the heart of connecting people to higher education UCAS Search tool ▪ Search for Maths courses in North West for 2014 for someone who normally lives in England ▪ 13 providers listed (104 courses) ▪ Can view info on HEI & explore courses offered by each one ▪ Can view all courses ▪ Can view locations ▪ Further filters

At the heart of connecting people to higher education Search tool – subject clusters

Entry Profiles ▪Details presented within Course Search ▪Around 90% of courses have an Entry Profile ▪Provide clear, up to date information ▪Help you to make fully informed choices ▪Same course title – different experience ▪Bursary and scholarship information

At the heart of connecting people to higher education Which? University ▪ Launched 2012 ▪ Free to use ▪ Developed in association with NUS ▪ Input from experts in careers and HE ▪ NSS ▪ KIS ▪ HE leavers destinations ▪ HECSU graduate employment analysis ▪ HESA student record uk ▪ Search tool - may not cover all UCAS HEPs (284) & courses (<31,000) ▪ Some well managed data: ▫ % applicants who have received offers and grades achieved on entry ▫ League tables data ▫ Extra-curricular strengths of HEIs ▫ Student views on accommodation, facilities, costs

At the heart of connecting people to higher education Prospects ( ) May 2014 slide 17

Visit, visit, visit..... ‘

2015 Apply

UCAS - key dates 1 September 15 October 15 January 24 March 30 June First day for receipt of applications Medicine, Veterinary and Dentistry Oxford or Cambridge ‘On time’ applications Remaining Art & Design Courses Applications after this date held for Clearing

Key features of the UCAS scheme  Application is online  1 Choice - £ Choices - £23  Maximum of 5 choices  Some choice restrictions:  Medicine, Veterinary, Dentistry – max 4  Oxford or Cambridge  Simultaneous consideration  ‘Invisibility ’

Key facts about the UCAS scheme  Some subject restrictions:  Medicine, Veterinary, Dentistry – max 4 choices  Aptitude tests –  Medicine/Veterinary =  Medicine/Dentistry =  Law =

Personal Statement

Your personal statement  What’s special about the personal statement?  It’s the only part of the application where you have the opportunity to bring yourself to life  If done well, provides a 360º snapshot of you as the applicant  Must be honest and written in your own words (not lifted off the internet!)

Your personal statement – What’s it for ?  Supports and amplifies your academic achievement.  Opportunity to explain more about your current studies (e.g. if you are taking Statistics as a unit of AS Maths)  May replace or supplement an interview (keep a copy!)

Your personal statement  What should go into it?  Evidence to tell HE selector what you’re like i.e. your personal characteristics and transferable skills:  Committed and motivated  Self reliant and well organised  Interest in and aptitude for subject  Good team worker etc  Evidence of relevant non qualification attainment:  Interests, hobbies, sports  Voluntary / work experience etc

Activity Benefit Course Activity Benefit Course What you’ve done What skills it has given you How these relate to your course Personal Statement ABC Guide Good Better Best  Structured, clear, concise, precise  Avoid waffle, slang and inappropriate language  Check GRAMMAR and SPELLING GRAMMAR SPELLING

Your personal statement  How should it be written?  Reflective and insightful  What you’ve done  What you’ve learned from it  Why this is relevant to your chosen course / career  You can enter up to 4,000 characters (this includes spaces) or 47 lines of text (this includes blank lines ).

Example format for a personal statement Opening Section Provide insightful reasons for choosing the subject Demonstrate commitment to the subject Middle Section Opportunity for the writer to identify themselves as a reflective and mature individual with appropriate skills, knowledge and attitudes Final Section Needs to be ‘punchy’ and leave the reader with a firm impression of a strong desire to study the subject chosen

Common opening sentences 1.I am currently studying a BTEC National Diploma in.. 2.From a young age I have always been interested in.. 3.From an early age I have always been interested in.. 4.Nursing is a very challenging and demanding career.. 5.For as long as I can remember I have been fascinated with... 6.“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only”... 7.Nursing is a profession I have always looked upon with... 8.For as long as I can remember I have been interested in... 9.I am an International Academy student and have been studying since. 10.Academically, I have always been a very determined and

New Vocabulary  Extra  UCAS Tariff points  Clearing  Deferred Entry/Gap Year

Decision making by institutions  An admissions tutor may initially make one of three decisions:  Unconditional offer  Conditional offer  Unsuccessful  Or recommend:  A place on an alternative course

Track  Enables you to follow the progress of your application (24/7, access via password)  Quickest way to find out about new offers  You can reply to offers online

Applicant replies to offers  Once the final decision has been received, a maximum of two offers may be held  Applicants have a choice of three reply options:  Firm acceptance  Insurance acceptance  Decline the offer

Academy Website – Careers Software  Fast Tomato (SAWB)  E-Clips (password 4705jan07)  Higher Ideas (Start Menu)  Stamford test – UCAS website

Next Steps  Register on the UCAS website and create an account with me on Friday 18 July 2014  HE Week 14 – 18 July 2014  1 st Draft Personal Statement  Students given time to visit open day – need a release form from me.

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Contact details  Parents if you have any questions or wish to meet with me, please telephone me at the Academy or  Students my door is always open.