St Paul’s Catholic School Wednesday 22 nd September 2010 Kiersten Best and Jon Woodward Personal Statements and the UCAS process

Applications Process ‘Apply’ - Web-based application system Track system the central organisation that processes applications for full- time undergraduate courses at UK universities and colleges What is UCAS? Buzzword Students will need one of these from the school to log onto the ‘Apply’ system Given to you on UCAS conference day

Applications Process Registration If they wish to apply to University – they will need to register Course Choices They can enter their choices in any order they like. Apply will rearrange them in alphabetical order Education Enter qualifications they have completed and are currently taking Employment Chance to detail any work history they may have. PERSONAL STATEMENT Detail why they are applying for the course and why Universities should want them as a student. Sell themselves! Reference Usually written by the tutor. Here are some of the sections students will have to complete:

What is an admissions tutor looking for? Appropriate academic qualifications A good reference A very good personal statement

What makes a good personal statement? ‘ Enthusiasm, wider reading....personal.. ’ Dr Gail Ashton, admissions tutor, English, University of Manchester Careful research... individuals who understand and show motivation for the course of their choice ’ Dr Adrian Bell, admissions tutor, Engineering, University of Manchester An element of reflection and analysis really makes the difference to the application. It’s not what you’ve done but how you think about what you have done.’ Mike Haffey, Admissions Tutor, Business, Oxford Brookes University

A good starting point… Why does the course interest them? Research course details Make sure they understand jargon Remember Students can apply to more than one course Universities cannot see for what, or to where else students have applied

About the course/subject Show evidence of research What do they enjoy about the subject? Courses attended/field trips Why they want to study it in more depth? Mention career plans

Work Experience Tutors want to see reflection Part-time employment? Work experience? Analyse their duties Highlight transferable skills

Extra curricular activities Gap year plans Sports, hobbies, & interests Hurdles they have overcome Activities outside of school/college Positions of responsibility Volunteer work Evidence of self-motivation

General points DO DON’T …Plan it first…Start with ‘I’ve always wanted to study…’ …Sell themselves…Sound boastful …Be honest and sound natural…Try to be funny or controversial …Type in Word 12 pt, then cut & paste. Check spelling! …Use repetitive language …Proof read and get someone else to proof read …Leave it to the last minute

Timeline for 2011 UCAS applications Start researching courses Begin to write personal statement Finish UCAS form Oxford/Cambridge/ medicine deadline UCAS deadline Receive offers and choose 2 universities (Firm and insurance) Now Now onwards 15 th October th January January – Easter

Any questions?

What next?

Applying to HE – Timetable – 2011 entry Feb-August 10Open Days, HE Fairs, HE Research 1 SeptemberUCAS begins accepting applications 15 OctoberClosing date for Oxbridge & Medical 15 January 2011UCAS Applications official deadline March UCAS extra begins for eligible students End AprilDeadline deciding on Firm and Insurance Offers Mid AugustExam Results! Places confirmed/clearing starts End SeptemberHigher Education term begins

Decisions made by universities and colleges 1) Students may get an invitation... Universities and colleges might send students an invitation, which asks them to attend an interview or audition, or to provide a portfolio of work, an essay or other piece of work. Invitations can be sent for any course. If the university or college sends students an invitation, it will show in Track which they can use to accept or decline it, or request an alternative time or date.

2) Conditional offer A conditional offer means that the university or college will offer students a place if they meet certain conditions, which are usually based on their exams. Students may be asked to achieve specific Tariff points (e.g. 200 points from three A levels) or grades in named subjects (for example, B in chemistry, C in physics). They might need to get specific grades in the individual units that make up these subjects.Tariff points Students must meet the conditions of their offer by 31 August 2011, even if your offer is for deferred entry in 2012.

3) Unconditional offer An unconditional offer means that students have met all the academic requirements and the university or college is happy to accept them. The university or college will contact students if they need proof of your qualifications. They might have other requirements, like financial or medical conditions, that students need to meet before they can start the course.

Replying to your offers If students have received decisions from all of their choices and they have at least one offer, UCAS will them to let them know there has been a change to their application, and ask the student to look at Track.Track Students reply to each offer in one of the following ways: firm acceptance insurance acceptance decline.

Points to remember when replying to their offers… Try to attend open days or visits before they decide, but remember to reply by the deadline. If they are visiting a university or college after their reply date, please contact the university or college for advice.deadline Think carefully before they decide which offers to accept because once they accept an offer, including an insurance offer, they are committed to that course (or courses).

How to use Extra What is Extra? If they have applied through UCAS, used all five choices on their application and aren't holding any offers, they might be able to apply through Extra for another course. Extra lets students apply for courses with vacancies between the end of February and the end of June. In Extra, students apply for one course at a time using Track.Track Are they eligible? To use Extra they need to have: 1. already made five choices 2. received decisions from all these choices, and had no offers

How does it work? If students are eligible for Extra, a button will appear on their Track screen which they can use to apply for a course in Extra. Course Search will tell them which courses have vacancies - an 'x' will be displayed next to any available courses. Before they apply, try to contact the university or college to make sure that Universities can consider them.TrackCourse Search Choose a course and enter the details in Track. Their application will then be sent to the university or college. Choosing a course Research the courses before deciding which to apply for. If students applied for high-demand courses originally and were unsuccessful, they could consider related or alternative subjects. Their teachers or careers advisers, or the universities and colleges themselves, can provide useful guidance. What happens next? If students are offered a place, they can choose whether or not to accept it. If they accept an offer, they are committed to it, which means that they cannot apply anywhere else. Students will need to reply to their offer by the date shown in Track. If students decline an offer, or the university or college turns them down, they can apply for a different choice through Extra (time permitting). Their Extra button in Track will be reactivated. They can also apply for a different choice if they haven't received a decision from their Extra choice within 21 days of applying to them. If students don't get an offer in Extra, don't worry! They can apply through the Clearing process, which gives them another opportunity to apply for vacancies.Clearing

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