UCAS Apply 2014-15

What is it?

• UCAS Apply is a web-based system for students to apply to university.

• All students are given login details and they fill in personal and academic information, as well as giving university and course choices. A personal

statement of about 4000 characters is also written.

• The school also writes a reference for every student and gives predicted grades for any taught course.

What does the process look like?

• • It begins now, if not sooner, with students beginning to draft personal statements. This is the part of the process that takes the longest time to perfect.

Once students are given their login details, they will also be told a “buzzword” which will link them to our institution in the system. We can then view their application and provide our part of the application.

What does the process look like?

• • Entering information does not have to be done in one go. It can be saved, added to and amended at any point up to the student clicking “Pay and Send”.

Once the application has been paid for, it is NOT sent to UCAS directly. This merely tells us the student is happy with the application and we can now look at quality control, and add references and predicted grades.

Quality control • The application is now checked by – Form tutors – Heads of year – Members of the Senior Leadership Team for factual accuracy and completeness.

The School’s Role • • Teachers are currently writing subject references for all Lower 6 th students. The form tutors will collate these into a coherent and complete reference. These will also be checked by the leadership team.

Each department will also give predicted grades for any taught course the student is studying in the Upper 6 th year.

Predicted Grades • • • These are generally based on AS results and the teachers’ professional opinion on how they feel the student will cope with more challenging A2 material.

They can be higher or lower than AS grades.

Universities monitor how closely schools predictions match actual results, so there is no point in inflating grades. It is actually counter productive for all involved.

FAQs • What if my son/daughter is not sure about what they want to study?

FAQs • What can we do to support our children?

FAQs • What if my child is not sure they want to go to university?

FAQs • What if my child wants to take a gap year?

FAQs • How much does it cost to apply, and why is there a cost?

• • This year, it cost £12 for one course, £23 for two to five courses.

Late fees do apply if deadlines are not met.

FAQs • When are the deadlines for applications?

– The applications will start in mid-September – School deadlines are earlier than dates advertised on the UCAS website to allow for quality control.