2.  February – Talk from Tracy Ashwood, University of Herts. Is university for me?  March – UCAS Convention  April – Revision  May – Exams  June – HE Day  July – preparation in Cz/form time

3.  Lots of research! Open Days, Internet research, speaking to teachers and HE Tutors  You are about to be assigned an HE Tutor – they will be up in the Sixth Form block.  See Mrs Pickford if you need careers advice.  Start completing your UCAS Form  Start writing your Personal Statement

4.  July – continue researching courses and institutions, meet with your HE Tutor, write a first draft of your PS and hand to your HE tutor by the end of term.  August – Collect your results, start your UCAS application form (if you haven’t done so already), finalise your decisions.  September – hand in a final draft of your PS to your HE Tutor.

5.  Sept/Oct – Finalise your PS and your UCAS application form. You can make up to 5 choices. Paste your final PS into your UCAS application form.  Nov (or before) – Submit your UCAS application via the website and pay for your application. Hand a print out of your complete application to your HE Tutor  Within a week – Your HE will complete your reference and we will submit your application to UCAS.  Wait to hear!

6.  Some courses will require you to take an admissions test.  It is your responsibility to check whether this is relevant for you.  There is further information on the UCAS website and on the blog.

7.  October 7 th – Deadline for Oxbridge, Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary applications.  December 13 th – Everyone should have completed their application and sent it to UCAS, making sure their HE Tutor is aware.

8.  www.ucas.com  Search for courses  Apply  www.ucas.tv

9. RICK14

10.  You will need to keep a fairly open mind on your choices until results day  You will be given your predicted grades by your teachers in September. If you have not been given them in the first 2 weeks, ask them!  You can put a maximum of 5 choices on your application form.  When choosing the courses you wish to apply for, you should make sure that your predicted grades match the entry requirements

11.  The earlier you make your application, the more favourably it will be looked upon.  The universities you apply to do not see your other choices.

12.  You can now use ‘Track’ to keep a check on how your application is progressing.  Each university will decide whether to make an offer, decline the applicant or offer an interview.  Some universities will ask you to attend a post-offer open day.  You will probably receive conditional offers, based on your A Level results

13.  There are a number of costs involved that you need to be aware of.  There is the minor cost of the application fee - £23 for multiple choices or £12 for a single choice.  There are also more major considerations when it comes to tuition fees and living expenses.  There will be more information on this during the parents meeting this evening and in September.

14.  Once you have heard from all of your choices (or before if you have already made your mind up), you need to reply to each one.  You can choose one firm offer, one insurance offer (optional) and you must decline the others.  Your insurance offer should be lower than your firm offer.  You have to make these decisions in May or June.  Choose carefully – once you make your choices you are committed.

15.  Your A level results automatically get sent to UCAS. Your universities will know your results the day before you do.  It is possible that you will have a letter from your university on your doorstep before you have your results!

16.  Extra  Clearing  Adjustment

17.  www.rickysixth.wordpress.com www.rickysixth.wordpress.com  Keep a regular eye on the blog – I often post information and opportunities

18. Good Luck!