APPLICATIONS 2016 – 2017 Parents Information

Why Higher Education? Why higher education

Increase potential earnings Better career prospects Benefit the wider community Social and cultural reasons More independence, self-confidence and responsibility Personal challenge Broadens interests and knowledge Better health It can be immense fun! Why Higher Education?

Key features of UCAS Your son or daughter can make up to five choices in one application. The 2016/17 applicant fee is: £13 for one choice £24 for up to five choices. Applications received by the key deadlines are given equal consideration. ‘Invisibility’ – universities cannot see where else students have applied.  UCAS received 593,720 applications In

The Journey

The applicant journey - overview

TIMELINE Weeks beginning 22 th & 29 th August – classroom sessions on making online applications

TIMELINE Weeks Beginning 5 th & 12 th September – classroom session on writing personal statements

TIMELINE 16th September – deadline for pupils to complete applications for: CUKAS Music and some other courses

TIMELINE 19th September – Guidance staff interview and write references for: CUKAS Music applicants

TIMELINE 23rd September – deadline for pupils to complete applications for: Oxford and Cambridge Medicine Veterinary Medicine Dentistry

TIMELINE 26th September – Staff interview and write references for applications for Oxford / Cambridge / Medicine / Veterinary / Dentistry - deadline for KHS to send applications to CUKAS for early applicants

TIMELINE 3 rd October – Pupils distribute reference sheets to their teachers for return to guidance staff by 28 th October

TIMELINE 15 th October - deadline for KHS to send applications to UCAS for Oxford / Cambridge / Medicine /Veterinary/ Dentistry

TIMELINE 4 th November – deadline for pupils to complete all other applications - Pupils should “pay and send” by this date

TIMELINE 7 th November – Staff begin interviewing and writing references for all other applications

TIMELINE 2 nd December – KHS deadline for all applications to be sent to UCAS

TIMELINE 15th January – UCAS deadline for receipt of applications

TIMELINE It is the responsibility of each applicant to ensure they know and meet their deadlines.

Sending The Application When the reference has been added to the application, it will be checked once more to ensure that everything is ‘OK’, then the application will be sent to UCAS. Once an application has been sent it is not possible to make any changes, other than applicants may add further course choices, up to the maximum of 5. UCAS will acknowledge receipt of applications, usually within a few days. Universities will contact applicants directly according to their own timescales.

Why do we submit applications well before the deadline? Some university schools/faculties will make early offers to outstanding candidates. MUST not advantaged or disadvantagedUniversities MUST wait until 15 th January to finalise offers, so applicants are not advantaged or disadvantaged so long as they meet this deadline. mayEarly application may mean an early offer.

Personal Statement Each pupil submits a draft to their Guidance Teacher. The Guidance Teacher gives feedback/advice and continues to support the pupil until the Personal Statement has been completed. Guidance staff will encourage and advise applicants, however it is important that it is written in applicants own language.Guidance staff will encourage and advise applicants, however it is important that it is written in applicants own language. Max. 4,000 characters, 47 lines Min. 1,000 characters No spelling/grammar check No formatting

Personal statement resources

Where to start … stand out Think about what makes them stand out in an exciting and positive way. enthusiasm evidence Show enthusiasm for the course they are applying for and list supporting evidence to back this up. relevant Extra curricular activities and relevant work experience. Skills Skills they can use on the course – leadership, communication, team work for example. ideas Encourage them to ask you for more ideas. time Allow plenty of time.

The Reference Interview Each pupil has an interview with the member of staff who will be writing their reference. This would normally last around minutes. This is the pupil’s chance to influence what the member of staff will say in the reference. Pupils are issued with a list of questions/ topics before the interview and are expected to do some preparation.

Interview Questions Why do you want to go to university? What do you hope to gain from university(apart from a degree)? What personal qualities do you think university will help you to develop? What experience have you gained, both within and outside school, to help you prepare for university? What/how will you contribute to university life? What activities/clubs might you get involved in? What steps have you taken to investigate your choice of course/university? What are your career ideas? What/how will you contribute to university life? What activities/clubs might you get involved in? What steps have you taken to investigate your choice of course/university? What are your career ideas?

The Reference Pupils give ‘request for information’ sheets to their current teachers and to one teacher of their choice from last year. These are completed and returned to Guidance staff. Staff interview pupils, write references and submit these to Mrs Brown for her approval. Once approved, the reference is added to the pupil’s application.

The Reference Staff use a variety of sources of information: Pupil comments/info from the interview Teacher comments and expected grades Personal knowledge of the pupil School records/reports/achievements etc. focus on the positiveAll references ‘focus on the positive.’

Further support Guidance staff continue to support pupils throughout the application process One example of this is the provision of Mock Interviews for those who apply for Teaching, Medicine, ‘Oxbridge’ etc.

Communication Once the application has been sent, universities communicate directly or through UCAS with applicants. Mainly by , but also by letter. TRACKStudents can follow the progress of their applications by using TRACK. DEADLINESApplicants must read all communication carefully as it will give instructions and important DEADLINES. When offers are made, applicants will be given a deadline to accept a FIRM and an INSURANCE choice. Applicants will be declined if they miss this deadline.

Unconditional Offers Some applicants may receive one or more “unconditional offers”. including expected gradesIt is important to remember that these offers are made on the basis of the application, including expected grades. Applicants are therefore expected to complete all courses in S6 regardless of unconditional offers.

Extra If your son or daughter does not get an offer from any of their choices they can use Extra. Students eligible for Extra: Used all five choices All choices unsuccessful, cancelled or offers declined No option for firm or insurance Universities have 21 days to respond Existing apply information used. Extra is open between February - July

Confirmation Exam results are published – many are passed electronically to universities by UCAS. Admissions staff check if the applicant has met the conditions of the offer. There are four possibilities: 1. If a student meets the conditions of their firm choice. It’s time to celebrate! 2. If a student doesn’t meet the conditions of their firm choice, but meets the conditions of their insurance choice (which should be lower), they will be placed at their insurance choice. It’s also time to celebrate! 3. If a student has not met the conditions of their firm or insurance choice (or no insurance), they will be entered into a process known as Clearing. 4. If a student meets and exceeds the conditions of their offer, they are eligible for Adjustment. This provides an opportunity for them to reconsider where and what to study whilst still holding their firm offer.

WHAT TO DO NOW RESEARCH COURSES RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES OPEN DAYS

SOURCES OF INFORMATION UCAS WEBSITE UNIVERSITY WEBSITES STUDENT GUIDES etc. CAREERS LIBRARY CAREERS COACH - RONA CAREERS NOTICEBOARDS & WEBSITE GUIDANCE TEACHERS SUBJECT TEACHERS FAMILY AND FRIENDS

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For entry requirements click on Scottish Qualifications Remember to check N4/5 requirements too! These may still be listed as GCSE or Standard Grades.

CUKAS

Choosing Courses

Open Days Open days

Other things to consider Work experience – professional bodies, charities or at events Finance – course fees, grants, travel and living costs Travel – to and from home Accommodation – uni halls or private residences? 48 Living away from home...

How can you support the application process? Don’t book holidays at key times e.g. results day Engage with the school – find out key contacts, use opportunities provided Support your son or daughter’s management of their application. carefullyMake sure they read everything they are sent carefully! Prepare them for living away from home: –Cost of living – paying bills –Independent living skills – cooking and washing. Comforting, proofreading, encouraging, testing, practicing etc Be there...Be there...

Find out more Don’t forget to download your parents guide at UCAS.com

Additional help UCAS Customer Experience Centre Monday to Friday, 08:30 – 18:00 (UK time)