WELCOME TO PRESTWICK ACADEMY

UCAS PRESENTATION FOR 2014 ENTRY

WHAT IS IMPORTANT AT THIS TIME OF INCREASED COMPETITION?

Preparation Research Relevant work

experience/work shadowing/voluntary work

Visit institutions/HE conventions/Open Days

Personal Statement/Reference

Understand selection process

Be realistic Alternatives

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER – University Open Days

- Universities begin processing applications 2nd SEPTEMBER 2013 - UCAS Higher Education Convention 25th SEPTEMBER 2013 - Parents’ Information Evening 26th SEPTEMBER 2013- Assembly to launch the UCAS process 1st OCTOBER 2013 - School deadline for all Medical, Dental,

Veterinary and Oxbridge applications to Guidance (including final personal statement)

11th OCTOBER 2013 - UCAS deadline for all Medical, Dental, Veterinary and Oxbridge Applications

11th DECEMBER 2013 - School deadline for pupils to have completed UCAS forms to Guidance (including final personal statement)

18th DECEMBER 2013 – All applications sent to UCAS 24th MARCH 2014 – Deadline for some Art & Design courses

UCAS – SOME KEY POINTS Applications completed online at www.ucas.com

http://www.ucas.com/

Pupils start application mid September. Application allows for 5 choices. Cost £23 (more than one choice) paid by

credit/debit card PSE, Guidance Interviews, University Speakers,

Open Days, Career Interviews and Careers Exhibitions facilitate choice.

Next Event – Careers Adviser Presentation, Mon 30th Sept

FURTHER INFORMATION

UCAS website www.ucas.com UCAS Apply and Track

yougofurther.co.uk – the UCAS student network

Facebook – www.facebook.com/ucasonline

Twitter – www.twitter.com/ucas_online

UCAStv – www.ucas.tv/ - video guides - channels for different audiences e.g. advisers

YouTube - www.youtube.com/ucasonline

Careers Database - www.planitplus.net/

Skills Development Scotland-www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/

SAAS - www.saas.gov.uk Prospects - www.prospects.co.uk

ANY QUESTIONS?

THE APPLICANT JOURNEY

1. Applicant researches where to study2. Registers online with UCAS Apply3. Completes form and processes payment4. Academic reference added by school/college5. School/college sends form electronically to

UCAS6. UCAS processes form and forwards to chosen

HEIs7. HEIs submit decisions (offer or unsuccessful)8. Applicant views decisions on Track9. Applicant replies to offers on Track

(Firm/Insurance)10. HEIs confirm places when results are released

THE APPLICATION PROCESS Application form has 6 main sections:-

PERSONAL DETAILS COURSE CHOICES - 5 choices EDUCATION - qualifications EMPLOYMENT - part time work PERSONAL STATEMENT – very important

SCHOOL REFERENCE – completed by Guidance Teacher and checked by SMT

- very important

A GOOD PERSONAL STATEMENT

SHOULD INCLUDE:

A reason for choosing the course

Any background interest Any relevant experience Career aspirations Work experience – skills

developed Interests & hobbies Achievements Positions of responsibility Any other relevant

information

EVIDENCE OF:

Independent study skills Self-awareness Motivation, maturity and

commitment An understanding of the

course Good numeracy and

literacy Essay writing research

skills Time management skills Enthusiasm to go beyond

the syllabus

PERSONAL STATEMENT –POINTS TO REMEMBER

Thoroughly prepare Take your time Multiple re-drafts Use a Word document Use a Spell Checker No humour Sell yourself Let others read it –Guidance,

parents, older siblings 4000 characters including

spaces 47 lines of text UCAS use Similarity

Detection Software!

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT ? Completed form sent to Guidance Teacher Payment made at home - £23 Reference written including information on

predicted grades, attendance, late coming and S6 experience

Form checked and submitted to UCAS UCAS sends form simultaneously to all choices HEIs consider applications. Applicant may

need to: Attend an interview Send a portfolio of work Sit an admissions test

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT ? Admission tutors can make

one of three decisions:

Conditional Offer Unconditional Offer Unsuccessful

Applicants then keep a maximum of two offers:

Firm Insurance

Conditional Offers:

Can be expressed in: UCAS Tariff points e.g. 305 points Grades e.g. AAAB at Higher A combination of both e.g. 305 points including a B in H Maths

If no offers received.... UCAS Extra or Clearing in August