Applying to University 2016 rhscareers

1. UCAS (UK Universities) 2. CAO (Irish Universities) 3. European Universities 4. American Universities

* Check entry profiles and be realistic about obtaining offers and required grades. * Be prepared to study the courses. * Be prepared to go to the university. * Have a theme. Step 1 - Choose up to 5 courses Choice restrictions – Max of 4 for Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary. Oxford OR Cambridge UCAS

1 st choice 2 nd choice 3 rd choice 4 th choice 5 th choice Step 2 – Student registers with ‘Apply’ and completes on-line application Referee 20 th October

1 st choice 2 nd choice 3 rd choice 4 th choice 5 th choice Step 3 – School adds reference and sends completed application to UCAS UCAS 15 th January

Step 4 – UCAS sends application to Universities and waits for offers which it then sends to applicant 1 st offer 2 nd offer 3 rd offer 4 th offer 5 th offer

3. Conditional Offer may be expressed in – [a] UCAS Tariff points eg 320 points [b] Grades eg ABB [c] Combination eg 320 points including an. A in Chemistry 1.Unsuccessful 2. Unconditional Offer Offers may be -

Applicant can make one of three replies – F – Firm Acceptance (1 st choice) I – Insurance Acceptance (lower offer) D – Decline Only 1 firm and 1 insurance offer may be held Step 5 – Applicant replies to offers

If an applicant has no offers… UCAS ‘Extra’ may be used from February to July but applicants can only apply to one course.

Firm Acceptance (1 st choice) Step 6 – Results published (August) and offers confirmed by UCAS

Firm Acceptance (1 st choice) Insurance Acceptance (lower offer)

UCAS Clearing

How Parents can help with the UCAS Application Process (1) Spend time discussing both course and university choices. (2) Check all sections of completed application. form before it is sent to referee. (3) Discuss what should be included in your child’s ‘Personal Statement’ and ask to proof read it.

CAO (Irish Unis)  Up to 10 degree and 10 diploma choices  No personal statement or school report  Strictly order of preference  No conditional offers  Selection by order of preference and results in August  Further Information will be given to pupils in November 2015

European Universities  Courses taught in English  Greatly reduced (and even zero) tuition fees  American Universities Careers Dept supports all applications by providing the detailed ‘School Report’ and references required.