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Strathearn SchoolBelfast

U6 UCAS Information Evening

2014

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PROGRAMME FOR THE EVENING

Introduction Mr Manning&

Overview of UCAS Mrs Graham (VP & Careers Director) application process

UCAS online application process in Strathearn Ms Griffith (UCAS Co-ordinator)

Advice on Personal Mrs Hearst (Careers Adviser)Statements

Writing pupil references Mrs Graham&Conclusion Mr Manning

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AIMS OF U6 UCAS INFORMATION EVENING

To give parents an understanding of the

UCAS application process To help parents offer practical support

to their daughters To strengthen the home - school

partnership

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An Overview of the Application Process to

University through UCAS

[Universities & Colleges Admissions Service]

Mrs H Graham

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Preparation for HE applicationsInside school

• Careers classes• Guest speakers from

different areas of employment

• Personal statement guidance by subject

• University talks• Interview guidance• Mock Interview evening

(24 Nov)

Outside school• Personal research• Careers conventions• University open days• Summer schools• Taster courses for

school pupils at universities

• Work Experience• Oxbridge seminars

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Applying to HEIs through UCAS

• Online: www.ucas.com• Additional tests (BMAT, UKCAT,

HPAT, LNAT, HAT, ELAT, etc)• Oxbridge• Cost (see www.studentfinanceni.co.uk.)• Support in Strathearn

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Strathearn Careers Education, Advice, Information and Guidance

(CEAIG) teamCareers Director Mrs H Graham

Careers Adviser Mrs A Hearst

UCAS Co-ordinator Ms A Griffith (plus CAO and nursing

applications)

Oxbridge Adviser Dr J Pauley

U6 Careers Teachers Mrs Myers Mrs D Millar

Mrs McCracken Ms A Griffith

Mrs A Hearst

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After application is submitted to UCAS

Each university deals with

applications in its own way

Most pupils will hear by

March / April re offers /

rejections

Offers can be as grades,

tariff points or a

combination of both

If no offers, eligible for

UCAS Extra (from late Feb)

If holding offers, reply to

UCAS before deadlines

expire

Be prepared for rejection,

especially in high demand

courses

AL Results day:

13 August 2015 (provisional)

Clearing

University!

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The UCAS online application process in

Strathearn

Ms A Griffith

UCAS Co-ordinator

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Resources

• Website www.ucas.com

Website has useful information for parents as well

as pupils.

All girls have been emailed/issued with

• An annotated sample UCAS form.

• Guidelines on how to complete the UCAS form.

• Guidelines on writing an effective personal

statement.

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The Application Form

There are 8 sections

1. Personal details

2. Additional Information

3. Finance

4. Choices (max. of 5)

5. Education

6. Employment

7. Personal Statement

8. Reference

• Sections 1 to 7 are the students’ responsibility

• The 8th section, the reference, will be provided by the school

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Key dates for Strathearn U6 pupils

June 2014 Pupils e-mailed UCAS login details and guidance on how to complete application

Aug 20 2014 Early Applicants online application session

Aug 28 2014 UCAS Information Evening

Aug 28 2014 Pupils issued with annotated sample of an UCAS form

Aug 28 2014 U6 Careers classes begin

Sept 12 2014 QUB Open Day & MCB Careers Convention

Sept 16 2014 Early applicants [Oxbridge / Dentistry / Medicine & Veterinary Med / Science] submit completed UCAS application to careers teachers

Oct 10 2014 Non early applicants to have completed UCAS application signed off by careers teacher

Oct 15 2014 UCAS deadline for early applicants

Jan 15 2015 UCAS advisory closing date for UK pupils.

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U6 pupils’ responsibilities• Research universities and courses carefully.

• Attend all careers classes.

• Complete application by the deadlines set

• Check information included is accurate and own work.

• Complete the ‘pay and send section’

• Submit signed form and predicted grade

sheet to Mrs Wright in the school office.

• Check school email regularly

• Respond to any communication from UCAS in

a timely manner

• Meet all UCAS deadlines

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School InputEach pupil’s application form will be read by:• Careers Teacher (checks and signs off)• Reference writer (also checks)• UCAS Co-ordinator (checks again)• Principal (final check and approval) Application then sent electronically to UCAS

Any mistakes that are spotted will be pointed out to the student for her to correct (can slow down processing of application).

A mismatch between predicted grades and course requirements will be discussed with the student.

From signing off to sending an application to UCAS can take several weeks.Aim: to have all applications sent to UCAS by early December (providing school deadlines are met)

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Parental InputPlease discuss your daughter’s choices with her and check that she has:• An appropriate email address• Included all extra-curricular activities • Stated exam results / extra-curricular activities & achievements accurately• Access to a credit / debit card to pay: £12 for 1 choice, £23 for 2 or more choices.We welcome any support you can offer your daughter.

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The Personal Statement

Mrs A Hearst

Careers Adviser

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Aim

The ‘Dos’ and ‘Don’ts’

of

Personal Statements

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Why is a personal statement important?

• Fierce competition for university places• Most applicants will have impressive academic achievements and high predicted grades• Most applicants will have strong references

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What is the personal statement?

• The one section of the UCAS application where

the applicant has the chance to sell him/herself

• May be one of the most important pieces of prose

students will ever write

• 4000 characters long (including spaces)

• 47 lines of text

• Needs to be the applicant’s own work

• ‘Why should I be given a place at ** to study**’

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Admissions tutors want evidence of

• Commitment & motivation

• Passion for the course

• Sound understanding of what the course entails

• Reading around the subject

• Independent study skills

• Self-awareness

• Clear thought

• Good written & research skills

• Time management skills

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Personal statement content:some ideas to include

● Why have you chosen the course(s) listed?

• What interests you about your chosen subject area? Personal

trigger?

• Reading around the subject, lectures, visits, professional open

days

• Any paid or voluntary jobs or work experience placements

and what you have learnt from them

• Any skills gained e.g., communication/IT/decision making/team

work & how these would benefit you in your degree

• A Level subjects – how they tie in with and complement your

application

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Personal statement content (contd.)

• Responsibilities in school & what you have learnt from them

• Social, sports or leisure activities and how you benefit from

them

• Future career plans, if known

• If deferred entry, why and what you plan to do in the interim

• Why a university should choose you from thousands of other

applicants?

• Conclude by reiterating interest in the course & stating

hopes for the future

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‘Dos’• Ensure you provide relevant

information

• Structure your personal

statement coherently

(paragraphs)

• Check spelling, punctuation

& grammar (get others to

read drafts)

• Link current & future studies

• Write an original personal

statement

• Show passion for the course

applied for

• Make every line count

• ‘So what?’ ‘Necklace test’

• Check university websites for

specific guidance on what

their admissions department

is looking for in a personal

statement

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'Don’ts’

• Start every sentence with ‘I’

• Be verbose, waffle or

exaggerate

• Write in text language or

jargon

• Appear arrogant

• Refer to particular

universities

- it may disadvantage you

from others

• Copy other people’s personal statements

• Lie – evidence may be

required

• Refer to controversial religious or political issues

• Be negative or repetitive

• Be someone you are not – it has to be personal

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And finally ● Start early – do not leave to the last minute

● Draft and redraft until it is just right

● Parents – please be involved

● Considerable help available in school

● Everyone will have slightly different advice

● Applicants must be happy with their personal

statement – it has got to reflect them

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Frequently asked questions

• Can I apply for different subjects at university?

Yes - but not recommended for high demand courses. Need a clear paragraph on why you wish to study each different subject area.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I structure my personal statement?

Use paragraphs, but bullet points and headings are also acceptable

Should I use all the space?

Yes – but do not fill it with unnecessary words or irrelevant information

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UCAS APPLICATIONS

PUPIL REFERENCES

Mrs H Graham

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Strathearn’s Pupil Reference Writing Team

2 V Ps2 Associate Senior Teachers

U6 Form TutorsHead of 6th Form

UCAS Co-ordinatorDr Pauley (Oxbridge)

All checked and approved by Principal

Reference writers use information from:AS and AL subject teachers

Teachers-in-charge of extra-curricular activitiesTeachers-in-charge of Positions of Responsibility

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Content of References Is positive but realistic

Avoids negative statements

Includes information on:

• Academic standard reached to date and future potential• Contribution to the school• Personal skills and qualities (organisation, leadership, oral and written communication, ability to show initiative, sense of responsibility, commitment, etc.)• Potential to succeed at chosen course at university

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Concluding remarks

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