Welcome to the Higher Education Parents’ Evening 2018

HE Event 1 (Wednesday 13th June) Registrations in computer rooms: getting used to the UCAS search tool The “Big Picture” Supportive resources Factors influencing choice of courses Registering with UCAS Starting to compare courses

Also… The Google Classroom – accessible from home or school The Briefing Guidance on registering with UCAS Will gradually build up Last year’s model Researching the options: range of courses, range of universities. Demo Google Classroom here; show last year’s pages to illustrate material that will build up

Components of the UCAS process Search Apply Track The Personal Statement (PS): HE Event 2 (Tuesday 3rd July) will concentrate on preparation for this most important element of the application. Students find the PS challenging: especially the “academic skills” section: most important (e.g. Durham University reckon 80% of the PS should focus on academic skills)

How can parents help? Visits and Open Days Supercurricular opportunities including “Taster Days” and residential events. Encourage students to widen their horizons: range of courses at a range of universities. Check they are keeping on track with their application and not letting it linger: summer really is a good time to get things done. They can apply from 1st September onwards. Universities do start to make offers as soon as applications are received. Demo UCAS Taster Days database

Personal Statement Students may find it tough in the beginning Make it stand out from the crowd www.ucas.com/planyourstatement (Tool) www.ucas.com/personalstatement (Video)

Helping with the Personal Statement Encourage them to… Think about what makes them interesting Write down a whole load of words List work experience/additional activities Use LORIC tasks Think about relatable skills Ask for ideas and feedback

Pulling it all together... There are four key parts… A punchy opening Supporting middle section A little about themselves A closing statement

A good personal statement... should be relevant and focused uses clear, plain English avoids cliches is original is redrafted multiple times

UCAS Top 10 Opening Lines... The ten most common opening lines used in personal statements during the 2015 UCAS application cycle were: 1. From a young age I have (always) been [interested in/fascinated by]… [1,779] 2. For as long as I can remember I have… [1,451] 3. I am applying for this course because… [1,370] 4. I have always been interested in… [927] 5. Throughout my life I have always enjoyed… [310] 6. Reflecting on my educational experiences… [257] 7. Nursing is a very challenging and demanding [career/profession/course]… [211] 8. Academically, I have always been… [168] 9. I have always wanted to pursue a career in… [160] 10. I have always been passionate about… [160]

Your role Supportive yet critical Talk about experiences Grammar and punctuation Reminder of strengths Avoid the highjack!

The stages of the UCAS process Filling in the form The “PS” – support for it: one tutor/teacher at a time (beware the scattergun approach) Checking the application form: can be returned to applicant. Pay and send The school reference (runs concurrently with the above) To UCAS From UCAS to the universities

How the school reference is arrived at All teachers, the Form Head and the applicant contribute through Google Docs At final “pay and send” we commit to 10 working days to complete reference, so long as school deadlines have been met. Referee (HoSF, HoY, FH, senior member of staff) compiles the reference Reference “signed off” by HoS, HoY. Shown to student for “accurate and fair”. School referee is Mr Jackson. Demo the reference document?

Decisions ………. decisions Once the application form is received by the university, a decision will be made by them about whether to make an offer of a place or not. Some courses interview or audition or require a portfolio; some courses require extra tests. The student should know these things before an application is made. Usually, the offer is conditional: in other words the student will have to achieve a certain set of results to gain the place. Conditional offers are expressed as grades offers or points offers, and sometimes a combination. An EPQ can result in a lowered offer and be rolled into a points total. The UCAS Tariff.

Decisions ………. decisions Once the student has had a response from each of his/her 5 (or fewer) choices, then the student must decide which offers to hold as Firm and Insurance. The deadline for this is early May, though it can of course be done earlier. A word about unconditional offers. Places confirmed on A level results day (15th August 2019).

Any questions? We are happy to take questions now, or afterwards. Please feel free to phone/email if further help is needed.