1. Giving your students the competitive edge

2. Cardiff University / Durham University / University of Edinburgh
University of Birmingham / University of Bristol / University of Cambridge
Cardiff University / Durham University / University of Edinburgh
University of Exeter / University of Glasgow / Imperial College London
King’s College London / University of Leeds / University of Liverpool
London School of Economics and Political Science / University of Manchester
Newcastle University / University of Nottingham / University of Oxford
Queen Mary University of London / Queen’s University Belfast
University of Sheffield / University of Southampton / University College London University of Warwick / University of York

3. Today’s session Part 1 – how do students get the competitive edge?
Appropriate subject choice at KS4 and KS5
Applying for the right course at university
Nail that personal statement!
Supporting with the UCAS reference
Part 2 – Using Advancing Access to support your students

4. Appropriate subject choice
Overriding principle for all subject choice – students should choose subjects which they’re interested in and enjoy
Key Stage 4 subject choice
Vocational choices can get students to where they want to be quicker and can improve engagement sometimes, but balance this against ruling other options out
The Government has been pushing “EBacc” subjects for a good reason – they keep options open
For high achieving students, KS4 is a great opportunity to explore their academic interests

5. Appropriate subject choice
Key Stage 5 subject choice
A Levels still by far the most common route in to the most competitive courses
Three A Levels or four?
The EPQ could be taken in to consideration. Even if it isn’t, it can be mentioned in the personal statement and can be a springboard for super-curricular activity
Choice of facilitating subjects correlates with entry to competitive courses
Some students might mistakenly believe a particular subject choice will give them an advantage (e.g. A Level Law)
Many selective universities will accept vocational qualifications but often look at the finer details. Avoid having all eggs in one basket

6. Appropriate degree choice
The applications and admissions process is about matching the right people and the right courses. A student who doesn’t make an appropriate choice of course immediately gives themselves a disadvantage
Common reasons degree choices go wrong:
Course not researched thoroughly enough
Student could be braver (in choosing subject not studied at A Level, not directly related to A Level choices, not career related)
Student sells themselves short
Student lured in with unconditional offer
Parental pressure
Rule of thumb:
Student has made the right choice if the thought of the personal statement, extra reading, super-curricular activity, work experience etc. doesn’t feel like a chore

7. The personal statement
This didn’t ought to feel like a big struggle for the student if they’re applying for the right course. This doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be taken very seriously!
Extra-curricular (unlike super-curricular) activities may not give students an advantage for the most competitive courses
Being original is a necessary but not sufficient condition
The very best personal statements include: - Details of wider reading which has taken place with accompanying critical reflection on what has been read - Details of work experience for competitive vocational courses such as medicine, with critical reflection. The very best candidates are able to tie their reading and work experience together neatly

8. The all-important “research paragraph”
Students should prioritise quality and not quantity when it comes to extra reading
There is not time for a summary of the whole subject – students can spend a lot of time focussing on something niche, that’s what academics do (this also increases the likelihood of originality)
Good students go on an intellectual journal and the admissions tutor can see how one piece of wider reading has prompted the student to move on to something else

9. Some good uses of the teacher reference
Corroborating what the student has covered in the personal statement
Providing contextual information about the school or college
Making the student look as wonderful as possible (whilst knowing in the back of your mind that every other referee is doing the same thing!)

11. Any questions? Get in touch with us: enquiries@advancingaccess.ac.uk
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