Getting on at A2 Wednesday 3 October 2012

Start the year as you mean to go on Talk to subject staff and agree any retake AS modules and when they are going to take them (Deadline 12 October) Talk to subject staff and agree any retake AS modules and when they are going to take them (Deadline 12 October) Plan the year ahead Plan the year ahead Sort out regular work slots using your free time effectively Sort out regular work slots using your free time effectively Read around class topics – be ahead of the game!!!! Read around class topics – be ahead of the game!!!! Extended Project completion. Extended Project completion.

UPGRADE: Year 13 Support with retakes/timed work Improve time management Overcome barriers to learning

Post 18 Pathways University Employment Apprenticeship Gap year

UCAS Decision time – apply for 2013/apply deferred entry 2014/ no application Decision time – apply for 2013/apply deferred entry 2014/ no application We can help – but students HAVE to research and make their own decisions We can help – but students HAVE to research and make their own decisions

Factors to Consider Which University? Which University? Which subject? Which subject? Which course? Which course? Entrance requirements and how competitive Entrance requirements and how competitive Funding Funding Be realistic! Be realistic! Although practical considerations can make a big difference to your university years, you ’ re going away to study, and ultimately the content of the course should be your guiding principle, no matter how long the bar at Manchester is! Unistats.com

Dates Completed applications to UCAS by Oct 15 th for Oxford/Cambridge/Medicine/Vet/Dentistry Completed applications to UCAS by Oct 15 th for Oxford/Cambridge/Medicine/Vet/Dentistry Post 16 centre would like all other Ucas applications to be completed and sent to tutors for references and checking by October half term. Post 16 centre would like all other Ucas applications to be completed and sent to tutors for references and checking by October half term. UCAS deadline is Jan 15 th – too late for competitive courses UCAS deadline is Jan 15 th – too late for competitive courses

The UCAS Process Early Autumn term Apply for 5 realistic choices of university/course Students will have their predicted grades as well as their AS grades Late Autumn/Spring term Conditional offers Rejection Early Summer term Decision to keep 2 offers – a contractual obligation Firm Acceptance Insurance Acceptance

Personal statements

1. Why this course? Use the first section of your statement to say: - Why you want to do this course - What you think the course is about - What options within it interest you

2. Relevant experience in this field IF you have done anything directly relevant discuss it next: - architecture, engineering, medicine, nursing, teaching - explain what you gained from this experience and how it has strengthened your view that this is the right field for you - give specific examples of what you did and what you learned from your experience

3. Why I’m academically suited to this course In other words, discuss your current A level courses: - if you already do the subject – what you have enjoyed so far and why - if it’s new to you, which of your current subjects have helped you develop the necessary SKILLS - if it’s an arts/humanities subject – what have you read that’s relevant, beyond the A level spec? - if it’s maths/science/engineering/business – what recent articles have you read? What controversies/news article have interested you?

4. The rest of your life… By now you will only have about ¼ of your statement space left Start with your achievements Describe leadership and team working experiences – talk about YOUR role Say what skills you have developed in your part time employment Mention your interests/hobbies

Get advice about your statement Make a draft Make a draft Share with tutor Share with tutor Redraft Redraft Share with teachers/ parents Share with teachers/ parents Agree final version Agree final version

Completing your Application Students work with tutors to complete application and finalise personal statement Students work with tutors to complete application and finalise personal statement Make sure the fee code is 02,… Bristol. Make sure the fee code is 02,… Bristol. Make AS subjects are separate from A2 Make AS subjects are separate from A2 Make sure resits are entered as pending Make sure resits are entered as pending Payment is by card only - £23 (2 – 5 choices); £12 (1 choice) Payment is by card only - £23 (2 – 5 choices); £12 (1 choice) Submit form Submit form

Reference Tutor compiles the reference, using subject staff comments and predicted grades. Tutor compiles the reference, using subject staff comments and predicted grades. They will start the reference with an explanation of North Bristol Post 16 Centre and previous school. They will start the reference with an explanation of North Bristol Post 16 Centre and previous school. The end of the reference will include some comments about time at the centre and activities students have been involved in. The end of the reference will include some comments about time at the centre and activities students have been involved in. Student should inform tutor if there is something important that they wish to be included in your reference. Student should inform tutor if there is something important that they wish to be included in your reference.

What happens after we have sent your form off Student will get confirmation that UCAS has received their form and will be sending it off to your university choices. Keep ID number safe. Student will get confirmation that UCAS has received their form and will be sending it off to your university choices. Keep ID number safe. Get a folder/file together to keep all paperwork from UCAS and Universities Get a folder/file together to keep all paperwork from UCAS and Universities Record tracker details Record tracker details

Offers/rejections By end of March/ April student will have received either offers or rejections By end of March/ April student will have received either offers or rejections At this point students will be asked to select one firm offer as a first choice and a second (Lower offer) as an insurance offer At this point students will be asked to select one firm offer as a first choice and a second (Lower offer) as an insurance offer

Results day August 15 th Please be in Bristol on this day Please be in Bristol on this day

Be successful Work hard Work hard Plan time effectively / job/ social life/ school work Plan time effectively / job/ social life/ school work Plan future Plan future Apply to UCAS Apply to UCAS Gap year – plan Gap year – plan If they don’t want to apply to uni, work on an excellent CV for future job opportunities If they don’t want to apply to uni, work on an excellent CV for future job opportunities Use tutor, post 16 team, teachers, parents Use tutor, post 16 team, teachers, parents

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