Transcript UCAS APPLICATIONS

APPLICATIONS
2014 – 2015
Parents
Information
Why Higher Education?
• Increase potential earnings*
• Better career prospects
• Benefit the wider community
• Social and cultural reasons
• More independence, self-confidence and responsibility
• Personal challenge
• Broadens interests and knowledge
• Better health
• It can be immense fun!
*Source: Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP, 2006, in
Universities UK, Research Report, The Economic
Benefits of a Degree
Key features of the UCAS scheme
• Your son or daughter can make up to
five choices in one application.
• The 2014 applicant fee is:
• £12 for one choice
• £23 for up to five choices.
• Applications received by the key
deadlines are given equal
consideration.
• ‘Invisibility’ – universities cannot see
where else students have applied.
In 2012...
 UCAS received 653,637
applications
 464,910 were accepted
The
Journey
The UCAS Journey
The applicant journey - overview
The applicant journey - overview
1
▪ Researches where and what to study – up to 5 choices
2
▪ Registers online with UCAS Apply
3
▪ Completes all sections of form inc personal statement
4
▪ Reference added by school
5
▪ School sends form electronically to UCAS
6
▪ UCAS processes form and forwards to chosen HEIs
7
▪ HEIs submit decisions
8
▪ Applicant views decisions on Track
9
▪ Applicant replies to offers on Track
10
▪ HEIs confirm places when results are released
TIMELINE
• 26 August
– classroom sessions on:
a) making online applications
TIMELINE
• 3 September
– classroom sessions on:
a) writing Personal Statements
TIMELINE
• 10th September
– deadline for pupils to complete applications for:
CUKAS Music and some other CUKAS courses
(check your course!)
TIMELINE
• 17th September
– Guidance staff interview and write references for:
early CUKAS applicants
- deadline for pupils to complete applications for:
Oxford and Cambridge
Medicine, Veterinary Medicine
Dentistry
TIMELINE
• 24th September
– Staff interview and write references for:
medical/Oxford/Cambridge applicants
- deadline for KHS to send applications to CUKAS
for early applicants
TIMELINE
• 1st October
– Pupils distribute reference sheets to their teachers
for return to guidance staff by 29th October
TIMELINE
• 8th October
– deadline for pupils to complete all other
applications
- deadline for KHS to send applications to UCAS
for medical/Oxford/Cambridge applicants
TIMELINE
• 15th October
- deadline for KHS to send applications to UCAS
for medical/Oxford/Cambridge applicants
TIMELINE
• 29th October
– Staff begin
interviewing and
writing references
TIMELINE
• 26th November
– KHS deadline for all applications to be
sent to UCAS
TIMELINE
• 15th January
– UCAS deadline for receipt of
applications
TIMELINE
It is the responsibility of
each applicant to ensure
they know and meet
their deadlines.
The Application (1)
• Each pupil attends a classroom session on how to
complete the online application.
• He/she then completes the application in his/her own
time.
• Each pupil attends a classroom session on how to
write a Personal Statement.
• He/she then completes the Personal Statement in
his/her own time, although some time will be available
in Personal Support.
The Application (2)
• When the application is complete, the applicant pays
the fee (electronically by card) and then sends the
application to their Guidance Teacher.
• The Guidance Teacher then checks the application
and returns it to the applicant if there are any
errors. The applicant will be informed with details of
action to be taken.
• This process can be repeated as required.
The Application (3)
• When the reference has been added to the
application, it will be checked once more to ensure
that everything is ‘OK’, then the application will be
sent to UCAS.
• Once an application has been sent it is not possible to
make any changes, other than applicants may add
further course choices, up to the maximum of 5.
The Application (4)
• Applications are sent as soon as they have been
completed.
• Pupils are informed when their applications have been
sent.
• UCAS will acknowledge receipt of applications, usually
within a few days.
• Universities will contact applicants directly according
to their own timescales.
Why do we submit applications
well before the deadline?
• Some university schools/faculties will make early
offers to outstanding candidates.
• Universities MUST wait until 15th January to finalise
offers, so applicants are not advantaged or
disadvantaged so long as they meet this deadline.
• Early application may mean an early offer.
Personal Statement
• Each pupil submits a draft to their Guidance Teacher.
• The Guidance Teacher gives feedback/advice and
continues to support the pupil until the Personal
Statement has been completed.
• Guidance staff will encourage and advise applicants,
however it is important that it is written in applicants
own language.
The Interview
• Each pupil has an interview with the member of staff
who will be writing their reference. This would
normally last around 30 minutes.
• This is the pupil’s chance to influence what the
member of staff will say in the reference.
• Pupils are issued with a list of questions/ topics
before the interview and are expected to do some
preparation.
Interview Questions
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Why do you want to go to university?
What do you hope to gain from university(apart from a degree)?
What personal qualities do you think university will help you to develop?
What experience have you gained, both within and outside school, to
help you prepare for university?
What/how will you contribute to university life?
What activities/clubs might you get involved in?
What steps have you taken to investigate your choice of
course/university?
What are your career ideas?
What/how will you contribute to university life?
What activities/clubs might you get involved in?
What steps have you taken to investigate your choice of
course/university?
What are your career ideas?
The Reference (1)
• Pupils give ‘request for information’ sheets to their
current teachers and to one teacher of their choice
from last year. These are completed and returned to
Guidance staff.
• Staff interview pupils, write references and submit
these to Mr Keatings for his approval.
• Once approved, the reference is added to the pupil’s
application.
The Reference (2)
Staff use a variety of sources of information:
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Pupil comments/info from the interview
Teacher comments and expected grades
Personal knowledge of the pupil
School records/reports/achievements etc.
All references ‘focus on the positive.’
Further support
• Guidance staff continue to support pupils throughout
the application process
• One example of this is the provision of Mock
Interviews for those who apply for Teaching,
Medicine, ‘Oxbridge’ etc.
Communication
• Once the application has been sent, universities
communicate directly or through UCAS with
applicants. Mainly by email, but also by letter.
• Students can follow the progress of their applications
by using TRACK.
• Applicants must read all communication carefully as it
will give instructions and important DEADLINES.
• When offers are made, applicants will be given a
deadline to accept a FIRM and an INSURANCE
choice. Applicants will be declined if they miss this
deadline.
Unconditional Offers
• Some applicants may receive one or more
“unconditional offers”.
• It is important to remember that these offers are
made on the basis of the application, including
expected grades.
• Applicants are therefore expected to complete all
courses in S6 regardless of unconditional offers.
Extra
If your son or daughter does not get an
offer from any of their choices they can
use Extra.
• Students eligible for Extra:
• Used all five choices
• All choices unsuccessful, cancelled or offers
declined
• No option for firm or insurance
• Universities have 21 days to respond
• Existing apply information used.
Extra is
open
between
February July
Confirmation
•
Exam results are published – many are passed electronically to universities by
UCAS.
•
Admissions staff check if the applicant has met the conditions of the offer. There
are four possibilities:
1. If a student meets the conditions of
their firm choice. It’s time to
celebrate!
2. If a student doesn’t meet the conditions of
their firm choice, but meets the conditions of
their insurance choice (which should be
lower), they will be placed at their insurance
choice. It’s also time to celebrate!
3. If a student has not met the
conditions of their firm or insurance
choice (or no insurance), they will be
entered into a process known as
Clearing.
4. If a student meets and exceeds the conditions
of their offer, they are eligible for Adjustment.
This provides an opportunity for them to
reconsider where and what to study whilst still
holding their firm offer.
WHAT TO DO NOW
• RESEARCH COURSES
• RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES
• OPEN DAYS
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
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UCAS WEBSITE
UNIVERSITY WEBSITES
STUDENT GUIDES etc.
CAREERS LIBRARY
CAREERS ADVISER - GILLIAN
CAREERS NOTICEBOARDS & WEBSITE
GUIDANCE TEACHERS
SUBJECT TEACHERS
http.ucas.com
Use the filter tool to narrow
your search
Click on
Scottish
Qualifications
Remember to
check
Standard Grade
or
National 4/5
requirements
too.
CUKAS
Book as an individual
Other things to consider
• Work experience – professional
bodies, charities or at events
• Finance – course fees, grants,
travel and living costs
• Travel – to and from home
Living away
from home...
• Accommodation – uni halls or
private residences?
48
How can you support the application process?
• Don’t book holidays at key times e.g. results day
• Engage with the school – find out key contacts, use opportunities
provided
• Support your son or daughter’s management of their application.
• Make sure they read everything they are sent carefully!
• Prepare them for living away from home:
– Cost of living – paying bills
– Independent living skills – cooking and washing.
• Be there...
Comforting, proofreading,
encouraging, testing, practicing etc
Find out more
Don’t forget to pick up your
parents guide on the way out!!