The Admissions Process: Supporting your students A fireside chat by: Mark Fisher: Admissions Tutor – Business and Management

Proposed content Propose not to cover: Propose to cover: The role of admissions The role of the admissions tutor Tips for references Tips for personal statements What happens if they don’t get the grades ? Propose not to cover: UCAS processes UCAS timelines

The role of admissions > 90% of applications dealt with by central admissions team Work under agreement with relevant school Only send marginal or unusual cases to admissions tutors Handle nearly all email traffic with applicant THEY ARE THE PRIMARY GATE KEEPER

The role of admissions tutors Decisions on marginal or unusual applications Focus on academic history, reference & personal statements Can flex offer for exceptional circumstances (need evidence) or recognised social disadvantage If unsure can set an essay assignment or arrange physical, skype or telephone interview Admission tutor will have final decision on these applications WORTH APPLICANTS ATTENDING OPEN DAYS/APPLICANT VISIT DAYS AND TRACKING DOWN ADMISSION TUTORS WE MAY HAVE DIFFERENT WAYS OF MAKING THE DECISION

The role of admissions tutors Agree standard grade offers Decisions on marginal or unusual applications Focus on academic history, reference & personal statements Can flex offer for exceptional circumstances (need evidence) or recognised social disadvantage If unsure can set an essay assignment or arrange physical, skype or telephone interview Admission tutor will have final decision on these applications WORTH APPLICANTS ATTENDING OPEN DAYS/APPLICANT VISIT DAYS AND TRACKING DOWN ADMISSION TUTORS – WE MAY HAVE DIFFERENT WAYS OF MAKING THE DECISION

Tips for references Emphasise the positives – but don’t over do it Academics are use to seeking evidence to support an argument Keep down the conjecture Keep it concise Make your title sound relevant Get the right student

Tips for personal statements Emphasise the positives – but don’t over do it Academics are use to seeking evidence to support an argument Keep down the conjecture Keep it concise Get the right subject Demonstrate some research For business some idea of how the degree will help your career Avoid the X factor approach

What happens if they don’t get the grades? It’s not the end of the story We get A-Level results before schools/students, admission tutors review marginal misses Unless there is a significant capacity issue on the course, usually accept many who miss by 1 grade Miss by 2 grades or more – foundation offer (if above CCC) Otherwise clearing

Contact: mark.r.fisher@sussex.ac.uk Thank you Contact: mark.r.fisher@sussex.ac.uk