Transcript Slide 1

Strathearn School
Belfast
U6 UCAS Information
Evening
2013
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PROGRAMME FOR THE
EVENING
Introduction
&
Overview of UCAS
application process
UCAS online application
process in Strathearn
Mrs Graham (VP & Careers Director)
Ms Griffith (UCAS Co-ordinator)
Advice on Personal
Statements
Mrs Hearst (Careers Adviser)
Writing pupil references
&
Conclusion
Mrs Graham
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AIMS OF U6 UCAS
INFORMATION EVENING
 To give parents an understanding of the
UCAS application process
 To help parents offer practical support
to their daughters
 To strengthen the home - school
partnership
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An Overview of the
Application Process to
University through UCAS
[Universities & Colleges
Admissions Service]
Mrs H Graham
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Preparation for HE applications
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Inside school
Careers classes
Guest speakers from
different areas of
employment
Personal statement
guidance by subject
University talks
Interview guidance
Mock Interview evening
(25 Nov)
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Outside school
Personal research
Careers conventions
University open days
Summer schools
Taster courses for
school pupils at
universities
Work Experience
Oxbridge seminars
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Applying to HEIs through
UCAS
• Online: www.ucas.com
• Additional tests (BMAT, UKCAT,
HPAT, LNAT, HAT, ELAT, etc)
• Oxbridge
• Cost (see www.studentfinanceni.co.uk.)
• Support in Strathearn
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Strathearn Careers Education, Advice,
Information and Guidance
(CEAIG) team
Careers Director
Mrs H Graham
Careers Adviser
Mrs A Hearst
UCAS Co-ordinator
Ms A Griffith
(plus CAO and nursing
applications)
Oxbridge Adviser
Dr J Pauley
U6 Careers Teachers Miss M Grier
Mr A Anderson
Mrs D Millar
Ms A Griffith
Mrs A Hearst
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After application is submitted to UCAS
 Each university deals with
applications in its own way
 Most pupils will hear by
March / April re offers /
rejections
 Offers can be as grades,
tariff points or a combination
of both
 If no offers, eligible for
UCAS Extra (from late Feb)
 If holding offers, reply to
UCAS before deadlines
expire
 Be prepared for rejection,
especially in high demand
courses
 AL Results day:
14 August 2014 (provisional)
 Clearing
 University!
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The UCAS online
application process in
Strathearn
Ms A Griffith
UCAS Co-ordinator
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Resources
•
Website
www.ucas.com
Website has useful information for parents as well
as pupils.
All girls have been emailed/issued with
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An annotated sample UCAS form.
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Guidelines on how to complete the UCAS form.
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Guidelines on writing an effective personal
statement.
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The Application Form
There are 8 sections
1. Personal details
2. Additional Information
3. Finance
4. Choices (max. of 5)
5. Education
6. Employment
7. Personal Statement
8. Reference
• Sections 1 to 7 are the
students’ responsibility
• The 8th section, the
reference, will be
provided by the school
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Key dates for Strathearn U6 pupils
June
2013
Aug 21
Aug 29
Sept 3
Sept 3
Sept 13
Sept 17
2013
2013
2013
2013
2013
2013
Oct 11
2013
Oct 15
2013
Pupils e-mailed UCAS login details and guidance on how
to complete application
Early Applicants online application session
UCAS Information Evening
Pupils issued with annotated sample of an UCAS form
U6 Careers classes begin
QUB Open Day & MCB Careers Convention
Early applicants [Oxbridge / Dentistry / Medicine &
Veterinary Med / Science] submit completed UCAS
application to careers teachers
Non early applicants to have completed UCAS
application signed off by careers teacher
UCAS deadline for early applicants
Jan 15
2014
UCAS advisory closing date for UK pupils.
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U6 pupils’ responsibilities
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Research universities and courses carefully.
Attend all careers classes.
Complete application by the deadlines set
Check information included is accurate and own work.
Complete the ‘pay and send section’
Submit signed form and predicted grade
sheet to Mrs Wright in the school office.
• Check school email regularly
• Respond to any communication from UCAS in
a timely manner
• Meet all UCAS deadlines
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School Input
Each pupil’s application form will be read by:
• Careers Teacher (checks and signs off)
• Reference writer (also checks)
• UCAS Co-ordinator (checks again)
• Principal (final check and approval)
Application then sent electronically to UCAS
Any mistakes that are spotted will be pointed out to the student for her to correct
(can slow down processing of application).
A mismatch between predicted grades and course requirements will be
discussed with the student.
From signing off to sending an application to UCAS can take several weeks.
Aim: to have all applications sent to UCAS by early December (providing
school deadlines are met)
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Parental Input
Please discuss your daughter’s choices with her
and check that she has:
• An appropriate email address
• Included all extra-curricular activities
• Stated exam results / extra-curricular
activities & achievements accurately
• Access to a credit / debit card to pay:
£12 for 1 choice, £23 for 2 or more choices.
We welcome any support you can offer your
daughter.
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The Personal Statement
Mrs A Hearst
Careers Adviser
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Aim
The ‘Dos’
and ‘Don’ts’
of
Personal Statements
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What is the personal
statement?
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The one section of the UCAS application where
the applicant has the chance to sell him/herself
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May be one of the most important pieces of prose
students will ever write
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4000 characters long (including spaces)
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47 lines of text
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Needs to be the applicant’s own work
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‘Why should I be given a place at ** to study**’
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Admissions tutors want
evidence of
• Commitment & motivation
• Passion for the course
• Sound understanding of what the course entails
• Reading around the subject
• Independent study skills
• Self-awareness
• Clear thought
• Good written & research skills
• Time management skills
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Personal statement content:
some ideas to include
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Why have you chosen the course(s) listed?
What interests you about your chosen subject area? Personal
trigger?
Reading around the subject, lectures, visits, professional open
days
Any paid or voluntary jobs or work experience placements
and what you have learnt from them
Any skills gained e.g., communication/IT/decision making/team
work & how these would benefit you in your degree
A Level subjects – how they tie in with and complement your
application
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Personal statement
content (contd.)
• Responsibilities in school & what you have learnt from them
• Social, sports or leisure activities and how you benefit from
them
• Future career plans, if known
• If deferred entry, why and what you plan to do in the interim
• Why a university should choose you from thousands of other
applicants?
• Conclude by reiterating interest in the course & stating
hopes for the future
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‘Dos’
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Ensure you provide relevant
information
Structure your personal
statement coherently
(paragraphs)
Check spelling, punctuation
& grammar (get others to
read drafts)
Link current & future studies
Write an original personal
statement
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Show passion for the course
applied for
Make every line count
‘So what?’ ‘Necklace test’
Check university websites for
specific guidance on what
their admissions department
is looking for in a personal
statement
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'Don’ts’
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Start every sentence with ‘I’
Be verbose, waffle or
exaggerate
Write in text language or
jargon
Appear arrogant
Refer to particular
universities
- it may disadvantage you
from others
• Copy other people’s
personal statements
• Lie – evidence may be
required
• Refer to controversial
religious or political issues
• Be negative or repetitive
• Be someone you are not – it
has to be personal
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And finally
● Start early – do not leave to the last minute
● Draft and redraft until it is just right
● Parents – please be involved
● Considerable help available in school
● Everyone will have slightly different advice
● Applicants must be happy with their personal
statement – it has got to reflect them
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Frequently asked questions
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Can I apply for different subjects at
university?
Yes - but not recommended for high
demand courses. Need a clear paragraph
on why you wish to study each different
subject area.
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Frequently asked questions

How do I structure my personal
statement?
Use paragraphs, but bullet points and
headings are also acceptable
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Should I use all the space?
Yes – but do not fill it with unnecessary
words or irrelevant information
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UCAS APPLICATIONS
PUPIL REFERENCES
Mrs H Graham
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Strathearn’s
Pupil Reference Writing Team
2 V Ps
2 Associate Senior Teachers
U6 Form Tutors
Head of 6th Form
UCAS Co-ordinator
Dr Pauley (Oxbridge)
All checked and approved by Principal
Reference writers use information from:
AS and AL subject teachers
Teachers-in-charge of extra-curricular activities
Teachers-in-charge of Positions of Responsibility
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Content of References
Is positive but realistic
Avoids negative statements
Includes information on:
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Academic standard reached to date and future
potential
Contribution to the school
Personal skills and qualities (organisation,
leadership, oral and written communication, ability
to show initiative, sense of responsibility,
commitment, etc.)
Potential to succeed at chosen course at university
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Concluding remarks
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