s5/6 ucas information evening. jonathan graham depute head teacher head of fifth and sixth year
TRANSCRIPT
SHAWLANDS ACADEMYS5/6 UCAS Information Evening
SHAWLANDS ACADEMY
Jonathan GrahamDepute Head TeacherHead of Fifth and Sixth Year
PROGRAMME
Introductions and Welcome
An Introduction to Higher Education
Student Finance and Funding
Questions
UCAS Support at Shawlands Academy
Questions
UK UNIVERSITIES
Competition for places at UK universities is intense
UCAS applications have increased 10% in the last 3 years alone
Increase observed across the ‘prestige’ spectrum
In each of the last 2 years, 30% of applicants did not attain a place
UNIVERSITY PLACES
UCAS APPLICATIONS 2009 - 2011
2009 2010 2011
Applican
ts
633,592 697,351 700,161
Accepted 477,277 487,329 429,030
Unplaced 156,315 210,022 208,131
%
Accepted
75.3 69.9 70.3
SUPPORT AT SHAWLANDS ACADEMY
Register with UCAS
Choosing courses & universities
Entering Qualifications
Personal statement
School reference
Next….
KEY PERSONNEL
Mr J. Graham Depute Head Teacher S5/6
Mr I. McNair PTPC for Lochinch HouseOverall responsibility for UCAS
Ms A. Warden PTPC for Shawhill House
Mrs R. Smith PTPC for Knowehead House
Mrs R. Ahmad PTPC for Tantallon House
Mr S. Alexander PTPC for Whitecart House
Mr A. Din PTPC for Moss-side House
UCAS DEADLINES
Oxford/Cambridge/Medics/Vets/Dentists
15th October 2012
All other courses and institutions 15th January 2013
UCAS DEADLINES - CAUTION
Start early – SOME courses make decisions as soon as they have the application.
This year will be very competitive as places have been cut!
REGISTERING WITH UCAS
Must be done on line
Complete for most candidates
Will be complete for remainder by
early next week
WHAT ARE ADMISSIONS TUTORS LOOKING FOR? Independent learning skills Motivation and commitment A realistic understanding of what the
course entails Good numeracy and literacy Essay writing and research skills Time management skills Enthusiasm to learn and to go beyond
the syllabus Potential for success on the chosen
course
WHAT EVIDENCE DO ADMISSIONS TUTORS USE?
Standard grade and Intermediate results Higher results Other academic and vocational attainment Predicted grades Personal Statement Reference Admissions tests Piece of written work Portfolio Interview Audition
CHOOSING COURSES
Choose up to Five
Fees - £11 for one choice
- £21. 00 for 2 - 5 choices
Ambition vs Realism
Back-up choice
CHOOSING COURSES
Only 4 choices permitted for Medicine/ Veterinary Medicine and Dentistry courses
Other choices will not prejudice applications
5th Choice often Biomedical
CHOOSING COURSES – ADMISSIONS TESTS?
Applying for Medicine / Dentistry / Veterinary Medicine / Law / Oxbridge? LNAT by 15 January 2013 UKCAT by 15 October 2012 BMAT on 7 November 2012 Oxbridge Tests:
History Aptitude Test (HAT) Modern & Medieval Languages Test (MML) Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) Sixth Term Examination Papers (STEP)
Costs and Registration
CHOOSING COURSES Research and reflection
UCAS website www.ucas.com
University / College Websites and Prospectus
Guidance Teachers
Careers Advisor
Planitplus.net (learning zone)
Stamford Test
PLANIT PLUS
CHOOSING COURSES
Think about... Your qualifications Your projected performance this year Your interests What do you enjoy in school/outside List your possible careers Discuss Options Does your potential career choice
require any specific qualifications?
STILL CAN’T DECIDE
Dae sumthin!
CHOOSING INSTITUTION
Home or Away?
Costs?
Where can I do my chosen course?
Reputation of University?
Make an informed choice
ENTERING QUALIFICATIONS
Get them right
Please check
Then check again
Then check once more
Do not mix up Int 2 A’s for Higher A’s
Ensure the year of presentation is
correct
PERSONAL STATEMENT
4000 characters, including spaces
1 Personal statement to cover all choices
Invisibility of choices
Must be personal – UCAS now uses software to detect plagiarism
PERSONAL STATEMENT Hit them hard with why you’re interested in
the course Outline any background interest in that
area Show enthusiasm Let them know what you’ve learned from
your work shadowing / community service / academic studies
Show your commitment to study and voluntary work
Possibly outline your career aspirations Include your achievements Spelling, punctuation and grammar must
be perfect
PERSONAL STATEMENT Thorough preparation
Re-drafting (often multiple)
Submission to PTPC by deadlines
Consult UCAS website –useful advice
UCAStv guide: “Writing an Effective Personal Statement”
Parental / Family Support and input
SCHOOL REFERENCE
Prepared by PT Pastoral Care
PTPC staff issue report form to current and past teachers
Consider reliability, timekeeping, attendance, ability to meet deadlines
Make predictions based on current subject estimates
UNIVERSITIES WISH TO SEE
Clarification on why candidate is actually applying for their course
Predicted grades on the current course
Potential to succeed on the course
Any transferable skills demonstrated and how this was done
Any exceptional circumstances
HOW CAN PARENTS HELP?
Encourage candidate to do full research
Encourage Open Day visits – within reason
Keep young people on-track throughout the year with homework etc
Help achieve a balance between study, paid work and play
Check that deadlines are being met!
OUR DEADLINES
1st Draft of Personal Statement Thursday 20th September
Subsequent drafts of Personal Statement As agreed with PTPC
Applications completed and sent to UCAS Monday 3rd December
AND THEN......
Interviews? Offers Accepting
Firm Insurance
UCAS Extra Applying for funding Results Clearing
UCAS EXTRA
Open between the end of February and early July.
Can apply for any course with vacancies. Apply for one course at a time. Eligible? To use Extra you need to have:
already made five choices received decisions from all these choices, and either had no offers or declined all the offers you
have received. If you decline your offers and add an Extra
choice, you will not be able to accept any of your original choices later.
NEED TO DISCUSS? 0141 582 0210
Mr J. Graham
Mr I. McNair [email protected]
Ms A. Warden
Mrs R. Smith [email protected]
Mrs R. Ahmad
Mr S. Alexander
Mr A. Din [email protected]
