St. Ciaran’s College,Ballygawley

Y14 Careers

Parental Information

CEIAG

YEAR 14 CAREERS EDUCATION – AN OVERVIEW

1 Update & Action Plan 1

2 Application to UCAS 4

3 Aptitude Tests 1

4 Mock Interview Preparation 2

TERM TWO

5 Alternatives to UCAS 1

6 Student Finance 3

7 UCAS Final Choices 1

TERM THREE

8 Understanding August 1

Arrangements

9 Student Accommodation 1

10 Alternative Post 18 Options

The purpose of Careers lessons are to help you to think about your long term future and ensuring that you make informed decisions when it comes to the next stage of your Careerjourney. It is important that you look at your personal skills and qualities and see how they might fit well in certain career pathways. Alongside this you need to look r e a l i s tic a l l y at your academic performance and research the courses that you might consider. IF YOU DON’T MAKE BOTH ASPIRATIONAL & REALISTIC CHOICES BASED ON YOUR ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE, IT MAY IMPACT NEGATIVELY ON YOUR FUTURE CAREER PATH!University places are getting increasingly more competitive and many highly competitive courses look at GCSE results, AS results and the Personal Statement. It is important thatyou aim to give the best you can in your preparation for the next stage of your Career journey in order to give yourself the best possible start.

Year 14 Careers Education

THE UCAS PROCESS FOR YEAR 13 INTO YEAR 14ALL YEAR 13 PUPILS HAVE ONE TIMETABLED CAREERS CLASS EVERY WEEK

RESULTING IN LIMITED PUPIL CONTACT TIME.

–

*DEADLINE:MONDAY

DESCRIPTION OF WORK TO BE COMPLETED AND SUBMITTEDTO TEACHER

FEB 23:02:15

UCAS FORM – an introduction to the UCAS processIndividual career guidance interviews ongoing

All letters/emails enquiring about work experience possibilitiesDEADLINE

02:03:15

UCAS FORM: personal statement preparationStage 2 of Work experience process: sending our school official letters,contact names, insurance forms;

09: 03:15UCAS FORM: personal statement preparationWED 11th MARCH (ALL Y13 – Workshop on Personal Statement.Preparation Assembly Hall)

16:03:15 UCAS Personal statement draft 1 to Learning Tutors

23:03:15All official Work experience school paperwork regarding confirmedplacements completedUCAS Personal statement draft 1 to Learning Tutors

AP

R

30:03:15

Work Experience Preparation: Health & Safety, Confidentiality, Travelarrangements, job focusInterview PreparationOngoing work on UCAS form

06:04:15Work Experience Preparation: Health & Safety, Confidentiality, Travelarrangements, job focusOngoing work on UCAS form

14:04:15 Amend draft 1 personal statement Ongoing work on UCAS form

20:04:15 EASTER HOLIDAYS

MAY 27:04:15Ensure that all practicalities regarding Work Experience has been completed.Send a reminder email/phone call to companies visiting at end of June

04:05:15AS PRACTICALS AND ORALS BEGINWorking on preliminary draft of UCAS form/personal statement

11:05:15

18:05:15Phase 1(Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science, Oxford, Cambridge)applicants UCAS draft form emailed to Mrs Curran

25:05:15

JUNE 01:06:15 Phase 2 applicants UCAS draft form emailed to Mrs Curran

08:06:15 Y13 Parent Meeting – Focusing on Higher Education (11 JUNE)

15:06:15Phase 1 applicants – UCAS workshop – Filling in the application form-11:30 Friday 19th June

22:06:15OFFICIAL SCHOOL WORK EXPERIENCE (24 & 25 JUNE) Email Work Experience evaluation report to Mrs Curran

29:06:15

A LEVEL RESULTS OUT THURSDAY 13th AUGUST

24:08:15 Official registration with UCAS and begin filling in the ‘live’ UCAS form(Parts 1-5 of the form)

MONDAY YEAR 14 BEGINSSEPT 01:09:15 Amend personal statement adding in paragraph about work experience

Phase 1 UCAS forms submitted; UKCAT exams completed7:09:15 University of Ulster Open Day (8

th Sept – ALL Y14 STUDENTS)

Queen’s University Open Day (10th Sept – ALL YEAR 14 STUDENTS)

14:09:15 Phase 2 personal statement final check and redrafting

21:09:15 Phase 2 finalise 5 courses – check entry requirements

OCT 28:09:15 Final course check; interview with Senior teacher writing reference

05:10:15 Final check on Personal Statements (to Miss Mallon)

12:10:15 Print off and check completed UCAS form (to Careers teacher)

19:10:15 Phase 2 UCAS forms submitted :Applications for Queen’s Scholar Nomination

26:10:15 BMAT exam

02:11:15 St Mary’s University Applications – Direct EntryFinal submission to St Mary’s University College; Interview workshop (TBC)

NOV

DEC

9:11:15

16:11:15

23:11:15

30:11:15

07:12:15

14:12:15

English/Welsh/Scottish Medical/Dental/Veterinary School Interviews beginY14 PTM (13th)Cambridge/Oxford Interview Preparation;Applications completed for Talented Athletes Scholarship

English/Welsh/Scottish Medical/Dental/Veterinary School Interviews(ongoing)Medicine/Dentistry/ Vet Science – Individual Interview Preparation English/Welsh/Scottish Medical/Dental /Veterinary School Interviews(ongoing)

Ongoing Interview Preparation;CAO Applications due; Deadline for LNAT registrationEnglish/Welsh/Scottish Medical/Dental/Veterinary School Interviews(ongoing)QUB Medical/Dental interviews begin (Dec-Feb)Mock Interview Evening (COMPULSORY FOR ALL Y14) (TBC)LNAT Workshop (TBC)English/Welsh/Scottish Medical/Dental/Veterinary School Interviews(ongoing)QUB Medical /Dental Interviews (ongoing)Art Foundation Applications to FE & HE Colleges (South WestCollege, CAFRE, Belfast Met)QUB Medical/Dental Interviews (ongoing)English/Welsh/Scottish Medical/Dental/Veterinary School Interviews(ongoing)Deadline for HPAT Ulster registrationQUB Medical/Dental Interviews (ongoing)

JAN 21:12:15 English/Welsh/Scottish Medical/Dental/Veterinary School Interviews

(ongoing)

A

11:01: 16

Deadline for LNAT completionStranmillis interviews beginEnglish/Welsh/Scottish Medical/Dental/Veterinary School Interviews(ongoing)Closing date for HPAT –Ireland registration

18:01: 16

HPAT Training Workshops (Ulster) Stranmillis interviews (ongoing)QUB Medical Interviews (ongoing)English/Welsh/Scottish Medical/Dental/Veterinary School Interviews(ongoing)

25:01: 16

HPAT TEST ULSTER HPAT Ireland trainingQUB Medical Interviews (ongoing)English/Welsh/Scottish Medical/Dental/Veterinary School Interviews(ongoing)

FEB

01:02: 16

Ongoing interviews (CHECK UCAS TRACK FOR INTERVIEWS)QUB Medical Interviews (ongoing)English/Welsh/Scottish Medical/Dental/Veterinary School Interviews(ongoing)

08:02: 16

Dealing with university offers/rejectionQUB Medical Interviews (ongoing)English/Welsh/Scottish Medical/Dental/Veterinary School Interviews(ongoing)St Mary’s University College Interviews & Writing Assessment

15:02: 16

UCAS Extra opensQUB Medical Interviews (ongoing)English/Welsh/Scottish Medical/Dental/Veterinary School Interviews(ongoing)St Mary’s University College Interviews & Writing Assessment

22:02: 16

Completion of all Student finance forms;HPAT Ireland ExamSocial Work - Additional essayCreative Writing – Additional Essay

MAR

01:03: 16SELB staff will be in to collect completed finance forms;

08:03: 16 Investigate sponsorship opportunities

15:03: 16Social Work InterviewsNursing Interviews (QUB) beginHPAT Ulster results

22:03: 16Research apprenticeship pathways (where appropriate)Social Work InterviewsNursing Interviews (QUB)

APR

29:03:16 Easter Holidays

05:04:16 Final UCAS decision made – choose firm and insurance courses.Reject other 3 courses

12:04: 16 University of Ulster – Art Degrees – Portfolio Interviews

19:04: 16 Final DEADLINE for responding to UCAS (End of April)

A2 RESULTS OUT 12th AUGUST (TBC)

KEY DATES IN THE CAREERS DEPARTMENT 2015 – 2016

UCAS PHASE ONE – School Deadline = Sept 21stUCAS PHASE TWO –School Deadline = October 19thST MARY’S TEACHER TRAINING Applications submitted by 16 NovemberCAO ApplicationsSubmitted by 7 DecemberMOCK INTERVIEW EVENINGDecember 2014 (TBC)

Ongoing Interview Practice

UNIVERSITY OPEN DAYS University of Ulster Jordanstown – Tues 8th

September Queen’s University – Thurs 10thth September

Last opportunity to visit Faculty Office and to ask some final questions

TERM ONE

TERM TWO

TERM THREE

CLOSING DATE TO REGISTER WITH HPAT ULSTER – Jan 6th

CLOSING DATE TO REGISTER WITH HPAT IRELAND – Jan 13th (TBC)SCHOOL MOCK EXAMS – January (TBC)HPAT ULSTER EXAM – February 1 (TBC) HPAT IRELAND EXAM – March 1 (TBC) APPLICATION TO FE COLLEGES – end ofFebSTUDENT FINANCE FORMS COMPLETED– March

Finalise Firm and Insurance Decisions – late Apr

YEAR 14 KEY DATESFOR COMPLETION OF APPLICATION TO 3rd LEVEL EDUCATION FOR 2015/2016 YEAR OF

ENTRY

2015/2016 WEEKLY UCAS DEADLINES

UCAS CHECK LIST PHASE 1 (Medicine / Dentistry / Vet Sc/ Oxbridge/CUKAS)

1st September Complete SECTIONS 1–5 of UCAS Application Final draft Personal Statement presented for checking Interview with Academic Referee – Miss Mallon (Have draft of Personal Statement with you)

10th September11th September

Attend University Open Days Consider the FIVE Course Options – based on UKCAT score

14th September All amendments to Personal Statement Completed / Course Choices and Universities Identified

14th September UCAS Form Completed/ Paste in Personal Statement Final discussion on Course Choices Completed Form printed for final checking by Mrs Curran

16th September Payment of UCAS Fee £23 Form submitted to UCAS

NO CHANGES TO ANY SECTION OF THE FORM ARE POSSIBLE AFTER THIS SUBMISSION

ADDITIONAL DATES FOR PHASE I APPLICANTS

UK Clinical Aptitude TestTest Centres Ballymena / Derry/

BelfastUKCAT TrainingTest to be completed by late Sept

BMAT Examination SchoolRegister by 15 October 2015Exam – 5 November 2015

LNAT Test Centres: Ballymena or Derry To be taken between September and December

Year 14 Careers Education

YE AR 14 KEY D ATESFOR COM PLETION OF APPLI C ATI O N TO 3 rd LEVEL EDUC ATI ON FOR 2016 YE AR OF ENTRY

2015/2016 WEEKLY UCAS DEADLINES

UCAS CHECK LIST PHASE 2

WEEK BEGINNING TARGET TO COMPLETE

8th & 10th September11th September

Attend University Open Days Consider the FIVE Course Options

18 September Complete SECTIONS 1-5 of UCAS Application (Use Yellow book & PPT to help). Further Research on Course Options / Sections 6-9 completed on UCAS Form. Interview with Academic Referee (Have draft of Personal Statement with you)

25 September

Draft Personal Statements Amendments to tutors. Interview with Academic Referee (Have draft of Personal Statement with you) Ongoing Course Research / Guidance Interviews with Mrs Curran Payment of UCAS Fee £23

1 October

Ongoing Course Research / Guidance Interviews with Mrs Curran Confirmation of Course Choices / Course Codes / University Codes checked and added to the

Form Re- Drafting of Personal Statements in preparation for final check by Mrs Curran

8 October Final check of all personal statements.

Returned forms to have any amendments completed.

19 October Final check of all sections of the UCAS Form completed. Forms finalised for submission to UCAS

NO CHANGES TO ANY SECTION OF THE FORM ARE POSSIBLE AFTER THIS SUBMISSION

UCAS REFERENCE SCHEDULE (PHASE 2 APPLICANTS)

1st-11th

September

Subject teachers & FormTutor to provide

references

14th-25th

September

Meeting betweenreferee &

students

Should have copy of FT& ST

comments

28th September – 9th

October

Referees writing &verifying the final

reference with student

12-16th

October

Final checks foraccuracy

Emailed to OfficeStaff

October19th

Year 14 Careers Education

UCAS form &reference

submitted to UCAS

Year 14 Careers Education

WHERE TO SOURCE CAREERS INFORMATION

All relevant information about Careers events or apprenticeship opportunities will beemailed to you at your C2K email address.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you regularly check this email account and that youclear your deleted messages.

Your form teachers and Head of Year also are emailed about any new opportunities

Every Monday a weekly Careers Bulletin will be emailed to you and your tutors. If absent orif your inbox is full, the bulletin can be found in the Year 14 Shared Careers Resources.

Careers activities and workshops will be ongoing. Please check the careers bulletinand school C2K email at regular intervals. These workshops will take place on a

Thursday at 1pm. There may be occasions, to accommodate guest speakers that the day willchange. Just check the Careers Bulletin.

YEAR 14 CAREERS EDUCATION –

IT’S PURPOSE & THE ROLE OF THE PARENT

The purpose of Careers lessons are to help students to start to think about their long termfuture. It is important that they look at their personal skills and qualities and see how they might fit well in certain career pathways. Alongside this they need to look realistically at their academic performance and research the courses that they might consider. IF THEY DON’T GET THEIR COURSE CHOICES RIGHT, IT MAY IMPACT NEGATIVELY ON THEIR FUTURE CAREER PATH!

University places are getting increasingly more competitive and many highly competitive courses look at GCSE and AS results. It is important that they aim to get as many high grades as possible in order to give themselves the best possible start. They should ensurethat they have fully investigated all courses that they are hoping to apply to.It is advisable to have a range of grades within the five course choices. Two could beaspirational, two in line with AS results and a fifth as a back-up plan.

As parents it is important to be up to date with what is happening throughout the year in theCareers Department. The copy of the Careers Timeline for the year allows you to see clearly the different stages that your child should be at on a week by week basis. Wewould recommend that you discuss with your child their career aspirations and be actively involved in their Career research. There may be the temptation to steer your child to a career that you view as aspirational but the Career market is rapidly changing with new lucrative and exciting opportunities coming along which may appear to be unfamiliar to you.Be open to looking outside the box as maybe a new career pathway is your child’s aspiration.

We have provided a copy of your child’s Personal Career Plan. This will help focus yourchild on what needs to be done in order to ensure that he/she is making informed careerdecisions.

The Personal Statement is a vital part of their university application. Please encourageyour child to take the time to prepare a strong Personal Statement that will give them astrong university application.

Please encourage your child to meet the administrative deadlines attached regarding theirUCAS application. Whilst the official UCAS deadline for Phase 2 applicants is January, wehave found that QUB starts making offers at the end of November. Early application ensures that we have enough time to prepare fully for Selection tests or interviews.

INDIVIDUAL CAREER GUIDANCEINTERVIEW

In Y14 there is not the opportunity to meet with all of you individually so if you wish to discuss something regarding your UCAS application, please email me to make an appointment. . As my free time is limited and there are so many of you, it is essential that you are flexible regarding this meeting. PLEASE MAKE A NOTE OF THE DATE AND TIME OF YOUR INTERVIEW. In order for this meeting to be effective, you should give mean indication in your email what your query is. This will form the basis of the interview. Possible alternative courses and information about how to strengthen your university application may be discussed. It is up to you whether you follow through on this advice.

YEAR 14 CAREERSRESOURCES

It is recommended that you create a folder in My Documents called CAREERS. In thisfolder you should keep all material relevant to your research.

CAREERS LUNCHTIMEWORKSHOPS

Throughout the year there will be a series of lunchtime workshops made available to you.Details of the guest speakers or the topic of the workshop can be found in the weekly

careers bulletin. If interested you must email Mrs Curran. It is important to sign the attendance register at these workshops.

PROFILE OF APPLICATIONS

All students in Year 14 have the opportunity to consider making applications to the fullcross section of institutions and organisations offering courses at Third Level Education.

1. U C A S ( U n i v e r s i t y a nd C o l le ges A dmi ss ions S y s tem) This organisation governs entry to all universities and colleges of higher education inthe UK. Students make an application to 5 courses in this system (they do not declare an order of preference).

Deadline dates:• Phase 1 Medicine/Dentistry/Veterinary Science/Oxford/Cambridge

W/c 16th September 2015• Phase 2 All other applications

W/c 19th October 2015

2. S t M a r y ’s Uni v e rs it y C o ll e ge , B e lfa s t Students may also apply to courses at St Mary’s University College Belfast – this isa separate application and not part of the UCAS system. Applicants must declare asubject preference. Students may apply for a maximum of 3 BEd courses and 3BA Liberal Arts courses. The order of subject preference is very important as thiswill be the preference which will determine a place in August, if successful.

Deadline date:• 13th November 2015.

3. C A O ( C e n t r a l A ppli ca tions Of f i ce ) This organisation governs entry to all universities and colleges in the South of Ireland. Students select 10 courses in order of preference. Pupils are encouragedto consider a range of Universities within this system.

Deadline date:• 4th Dec 2015.

4. N o rthern Ir e l a nd C o ll e ges of Fur t her a nd Higher E duc a tion These colleges offer a wide range of courses including Foundation Diplomas/Foundation Degrees, HNDs (Higher National Diplomas) and a small number of degree courses. The courses can offer very useful additional options for students who may be concerned about their ‘A2’ performance. Pupils can progress onto Degree Courseson successful completion of Foundation Diplomas / Foundation Degrees/ HND. (Belfast Metropolitan College has been a popular option).

5. Europe a n Uni v e r s iti e s Pupils may consider making an additional application to Universities across Europein particular Netherlands and Germany. Students are advised to use w w w .s tud yin eu ro pe . e u which will take them to links to all European Universities.

APTITUDETESTS

Introduction

Aptitude tests have become an increasing aspect of the selection process, and performance in these can determine if a pupil is invited for interview or given an offer.(Full details of each of the tests referred to below are available to collect).

1. B M A T – Biom e di c a l A p t i t u de T es t ( £44 ) For those applying for Medicine / Veterinary Science at Cambridge / Oxford / UCL /Royal Veterinary College / Imperial College London/Brighton and Sussex Medical School.

Date of test is 5 November 2015 - pupils sit this written test in St Ciaran’s.Results out on 26th November 2015

2. U K C A T- UK Cl i ni ca l A p t i t u de T es t ( £65 ) For those applying for Medicine/Dentistry at all universities pupils must havecompleted the test by 10 September to allow time to finalise selection oftheir universities, based on their UK CAT results. This is an online exam taken at aPearsons Test Centre.

All those sitting the UKCAT Test may have access to two days trainingdelivered by ‘Kaplan’ in Belfast.

3. H P A T - U L STER (£ 1 0 5 ) For those applying to University of Ulster for degree courses in Dietetics/Occupational Therapy/Physiotherapy/Podiatry/Diagnostic Radiography & Imaging / Radiography & Oncology / Speech and Language Therapy. Registration opens 1st October .7th January 2016 is the deadline for registering on line for this exam. This is a 3 hour written exam which will take place on 30th Ja nua r y 201 6 at Jordanstown, Coleraine or Magee Campuses.

4. H P A T – IREL A ND ( €120 ) For those applying for Medicine at NUI, Galway; RCSI; TCD; UCC and UCD throughthe CAO system. Applicants must register on-line by 5.15pm on 20 January 2016and must have their CAO number. The exam m a y be 2 7th Febru ar y 201 6 . Thetest is a 2½ hour paper based on problem solving and non verbal reasoning (similarto HPAT-ULSTER). Test centres will be located in Cork, Dublin, Galway, the North-West and the South-East - details are to be confirmed.

5. L N A T (£ 50 ) For those applying to Law at a number of Universities including Cambridge, Oxford,Durham, Glasgow, Bristol, Birmingham, Kings College London, Nottingham andUCL (not QUB or UU) two deadline dates exist - forCambridge and Oxford applicants it is 19th October 2015 and for all otherUniversities it is 19th January 2016 .

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT COURSE

THE OFFERSYSTEM

• Universities take into account a number of factors when considering whichstudents to make an offer to. These can include all or some of the followingdepending on the course:

1) GCSE profile of results.2) AS performance.3) The quality / content of the Personal Statement.4) The school reference which will include predicted ‘A2’ grades.5) Selection / aptitude test results.6) Essays7) Interview / presentation.

• Offers will be issued to pupils anytime between November and May.

• The offer received can be based on ‘A’ Level grades and/or UCAS points [UCAStariff information is included].

• It would be hoped that the pupils would receive offers for all FI V E oftheir courses but with competition for places increasing this may not always bethe case particularly in highly competitive courses i.e. Medicine / Dentistry /Veterinary Science/ Sports & Exercise Science/ Midwifery/ Nursing /Social Work/Allied Health Professions and Education.

• Students can hold all offers until early May when they select the T W O courseswhich they wish to keep, these are referred to as their FIRM andINSU R A N CE choices.

• On obtaining their ‘A2’ results in August if they match or exceed the grades fortheir FIRM choice they will automatically be placed there. If they miss thesegrades but obtain grades for their INSU R A N CE they will be placed there.

• Students who are unsuccessful in gaining a place on either their FIRM orINSUR AN CE courses will be eligible to enter the “Clearing System”.

• Students who do better than expected are eligible to enter “Adjustment” wherethey may negotiate with Universities to be considered alternative courses withtheir higher grades (This is very rarely successful).

UCAS TARIFF POINTS – GCE AND APPLIED GCE A LEVEL

UCAS TARIFF POINTS: GCE AND APPLIED GCE A LEVELGCE A2 GCE ASA* 140

A 120

B 100

C 80

D A 60B 50

E C 40D 30E 20

KEY SKILLSGrade Tariff points

Level 3 20

MUSIC EXAMINATIONS. Points shown are for the ABRSM, Guildhall, LCMM, Rock school and TrinityCollege London advanced level music examinations.Practical Theory Tariff pointsGrade 8 Grade 7 Grade 6 Grade 8 Grade 7 Grade 6Distinction 75Merit 70

Distinction 60Pass Merit 55

Distinction 45Pass Merit 40

Distinction 30Pass Merit 25

Pass Distinction 20Merit Distinction 15Pass Merit 10

Pass 5

SPEECH & DRAMA EXAMINATIONS*Tariff points

PCertLAM** Grade 8 Grade 7 Grade 6Distinction 90Merit 80

Distinction 65Pass Merit 60

Distinction 55Merit 50

Pass 45Distinction 40

Pass Merit 35Pass 20

*Points shown are for LAMDA, LCMM and Trinity Guildhall advanced level speech and drama examinations accredited by the NationalQualifications Framework. **Points for the LAMDA Level 3 Certificate in Speech and Drama: Performance Studies (PCertLAM) come into effect for entry to higher education from 2009.

PERSONAL CAREER ACTION PLAN

Where am Inow?

GCSE RESULTS AS RESULTS

What Career/course areas interest me?

What grades do I need to get to study What skills& qualitiesmight link well withmy choices?

What extra- curricularactivities might enhance my skills What do I need to do to keep my options open?

RECORD OF UCAS APPLICATIONS

ApplyUsername Apply Password

UCAS Track Number

INSTITUTION COURSECODE

COURSETITLE

TERMS OFOFFER

CF / CI

InterviewDates

SelectionTest Dates

AdditionalInformation

COMMUNICATING WITH UCAS OR UNIVERSITIES

Seeking clarification with universities

- Con ta ctin g UCAS

- Check Track regularly

- Contact UCAS. Have UCAS ID ready.

- Make a note of date and time you phoned.

- Ask for name of person speaking to you

- Write a summary of phone call

• Con ta ct un ive rsity d ire ctly

- Most departments will have contact details

- Have UCAS ID number ready and key questions to ask

- Make a note of date and time you phoned.

- Ask for name of person speaking to you

- Write a summary of phone call

- E ma il t h e d e p a rt m en t

- Save copy of email noting when sent

- Send a copy of the email sent to both your school and personal email account

- If don't get a reply or if you get an automated response, phone to see if theyreceived it.

- If asked to send additional information or attachments, ring to confirm that they havebeen received

- Note the name and time you phoned

- Write a summary of phone call

- Keep a communication log of all communications

UCAS PREPARATION

COURSE RESEARCH

This is completed throughout Y13 & the start of Y14 both in the Careers Education classand in the student’s own time. It is important that they check for specific subject entry requirements, specific grade requirements, is there a selection test, does the university provide guidance to help with the application process? Time is set aside to guide them through the navigation of the key websites.PERSONAL STATEMENT

SKILLS AND QUALITIES

Having completed your job research you can see that most jobs require certain skills and qualities such as good communication skills and the ability to work as part of a team. It is very important to be aware that you have these skills and that you may have to work on improving them. Quite often students don’t think that they have many skills but in the nextactivity you will see that many school based activities allow you to begin to develop theseskills.

Popular skills that University Admissions Officers want

A roundup of several surveys suggests skills that employers/university admissions officersoften admire. The following list is representative but not comprehensive:

• Effective communication: Employers seek candidates who can listen to instructions and act on those instructions with minimal guidance. They want employees who speak,write, and listen effectively, organise their thoughts logically, and explain everything clearly.

• Computer and technical literacy: Almost all jobs now require an understanding,ranging from basic to advanced, of computer software, word processing, e-mail, spreadsheets, and Internet navigation.

• Problem-solving/Creativity: Employers always want people who can get them out ofa pickle. Problem-solving ability can aid you with making transactions, processing data,formulating a vision, and reaching a resolution. Employers need the assurance that youcan conquer job challenges by thinking critically and creatively.

• Interpersonal abilities: Relationship-building and relationship-management are high priorities with many employers. These skills confirm that a candidate can relate well toothers, both co-workers and customers.

• Teamwork skills: The ability to work well with others while pursuing a common goal isa long-running favourite of employers. But so is the ability to work with minor supervision.

• Diversity sensitivity: In today’s world, cultural sensitivity and ability to build rapportwith others in a multicultural environment is highly valued by employers.

• Planning and organising: Workplace life requires prioritizing and organizing information. Employers value people who, metaphorically, dig a well before they’rethirsty.

• Leadership and management: Leadership consists of a strong sense of self, confidence, and a comprehensive knowledge of company goals. These are qualitiesthat motivate and inspire, providing a solid foundation for teamwork.

Employers continue to look for assurances that you can in some way either make moneyfor them or save money for them. Skills useful in saving money are universally desired, including by the non-profit organisations.

Personal qualities that University Admissions Tutors want

Here are some personal qualities that employers typically rate highly:

• Adaptability and flexibility: Nearly half of employers in a recent survey gave a highrating to “openness to new ideas and concepts.” They also like candidates who can work independently or as part of a team, changing gears when required, whether multitasking or adapting working hours and locale.

• Professionalism and work ethic: Employers seek productive workers with positivework ethics who stick with challenges until they meet them.

• Positive attitude and energy: The last to be picked and promoted are candidates whoshow gloomy outlooks and emotional immaturity. Exhibit a sunny outlook andenergetic, organised behavior.

• With many graduates struggling to find work, it's wise to ask the question, ‘What areemployers are looking for in a candidate?' Unfortunately, a university degree may well be insufficient. It is skills and experiences that can make you a desiredapplicant and supplement your qualifications. What skills, then, are needed? How can you develop them? How can you demonstrate that you have those skills to youremployer?

PERSONAL STATEMENT

Your Personal Statement is so important in the selection process. It is the on l y part of the UCAS form where you have a certain amount of freedom to tell Admissions Tutors what kind of person you are. It is a test of your communication skills – SPG and your ability to express information and ideas clearly.

One of the most important points to get across is that you have carefully considered your choices and that you have chosen a course that truly engages you. Do NOT repeat anything which is already recorded in your UCAS form e.g. AS/GCSE results. DO NOT COPY from the internet or anyone else’s personal statement - (UCAS use “Copycatch” tocheck for plagiarism). Anything that you can write that shows you as an intelligent, well rounded person who would be an asset to a university or college has a place on your personal statement but make sure it is defini t e l y r e l e v a n t .

What are Admissions Tutors looking for?First and foremost it is things you have done in a nd out of school which show passion for the course.

Below are some questions which may help you with the writing of the PersonalStatement. Please also refer to the websites listed in this book.

PARAGRAPH 1:

Your passion for your courses? Admissions Tutors want to see that you have thenecessary interest in your subject/course/degree.

What was the “personal trigger” that got you interested in this course? A uniquepersonal experience will bring life to your personal statement.

What is it that motivates you personally to study this course? What are your career aspirations? Why would going to university help you achieve what you want to do? Focus on specific areas of interest/ which aspect of the course are you

particularly looking forward to studying in more detail? Why? - tie it in with your workexperience if you can.

PARAGRAPH 2:

Why did you choose your A levels? Which aspects of your A levels did you particularly enjoy studying? Have any of your A levels given you an opportunity to develop your interest in the

courses you have applied for? How did they help you decide on a course to apply to?

How does your A levels relate to the course you are applying to? Think about the skills you are learning in your A levels which will be relevant to your

courses? B e s p e c ific .

PARAGRAPH 3:

What else have you been doing in school to develop your interest in these courses? Relevant work experience? What exactly did you observe? Participate in? What did

you like best? Why? What did you learn from it? It is very important to show whyyour experiences are relevant to your course. It is not enough to state that you havecompleted a placement in a solicitors/accountants/??? if you are applying to study law/accountancy/??? – you must be specific - why have these experiences encouraged you to apply for law/accountancy/whatever you are applying for.

Extra-curricular activities you have undertaken in pursuit of a greater understandingof your chosen career/degree subject?

Why does this activity make you more suitable to this course? Be specific. ( e.g. if you did work experience in a school, you will have picked up excellent communication skills –interacting with staff and pupil, teamwork, meeting deadlines,etc. – i.e. “double up on transferable skills”)

PARAGRAPH 4:

Give an account of non-academic achievements either in or out of school and yourinterests and hobbies

Include those not necessarily related to your course Be se l ec ti v e if you have a lot of achievements Give the admissions tutor a glimpse of the kind of person you are outside the

classroom What skills have you developed through these interests, hobbies, part time job etc.

(e.g. communication; commitment; time management; teamwork; initiative; public speaking; sense of responsibility; adaptability; organisation; etc?)

PARAGRAPH 5 – SUMMARY/CONCLUSION

Finish your personal statement with a one or two line summary of why you want togo to university and study these courses and why you deserve to be offered a place.

E.g. “I am mature, confident and self-motivated all qualities that I believe are critical to a successful university experience. I relish the opportunity to study ??? to degreelevel and hopefully beyond.”

BE SPECIFIC AND RELEVANT IN ALL THAT YOU WRITE!!!DO NOT COPY.

PERSONAL STATEMENT CHECKLIST

Content more or less in this order- some variations may be necessary.

Ha v e y o u in c lud e d the f o l l o w ing? Yes / No

1.Introduction - Explained why you are applying for the courses you have chosen.( May be a link to A level subjects/ Work Experience )

2.Explained why you are suitable for the course

3.Linked courses to your A Level Subjects ( Wherepossible)

4.Refered to any Awards for GCSE results ( Subject placing/ Overall)

5. Additional achievements eg Duke of Edinburgh Award Millennium Volunteers Scheme, Young Enterprise. Peregrini Project, etc ( Explain )

6. Prefect Duties ( Explain the job)

7. Extracurricular( Sport, Drama, Music, Dance etc)

8. SEP Courses.

9. School trips / visits which might be linked to your A levelSubjects.

10.School Work Experience – Where / Describe theexperience / What did you learn from it

11.Outside school activities – Sport / Volunteer groups etc.12. Part Time job ( if space allows)

13 Conclusion – Aims for the future / What you hope to gain/ contribute to Third level

CAREER PLANNING & JOB RESEARCH

In order to get the most up to date and relevant information, it is important that you useyour class time wisely in order to carry out meaningful research.The following websites are very good:

FURTHER EDUCATION (ACCESS TO UNIVERSITY WITH BTEC LEVEL 3)

w w w . ca fr e . a c. u k

www.swc.ac.uk

www.be lf a stme t.a c.u k

HIGHER EDUCATION

w w w . u c a s.c o m

w w w . u lst e r.ac. u k

w w w . q ub . a c. u k

www.s tmar ys -belfast . a c.u k/

www.cao .ie

SOURCING COURSES OR JOBS – focus on skills and qualities

h t tp : / / w w w . n idi r e ct . g o v. u k/c a r e e rs (A to Z of careers)

w w w . heapon l i ne . c o . u k (The school's access code is)

w w w . pa t h f i n de r l i v e .c o . u k

LOOKING AT WHAT JOBS INVOLVE

www.p rospe cts.a c.u k

Using these resources, fill in the following tables based on your findings:

CAO

• You have ten choices.

• They must be in rank order.

• There is no personal statement.

• It goes purely on academic results.

• You are not made an offer.

• You hear from CAO once your results are out in August

P o i n t s f o r C AO App lica t i o ns (Sou t h e r n Un i ve r si t ie s )

A2 Points AS Points

A* 150

A 135 A 65

B 120 B 60

C 100 C 50

D 75 D 35

E 40 E 20

From 2012 for a 4 year period, 25 additional points will be awarded for a grade E or betterin Mathematics at A2 level. This will apply to only ONE mathematics subject of Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Pure Maths where that subject is one of the four subjects being counted for points purposes. NB Mathematics and Pure Mathematics cannot be counted separately for points purposes.

TRINITY COLLEGE APPLICATIONS:

GCSE/Advanced GCE (A-level)

To be considered for admission to the University you must:

Present six subjects at grade C or above on GCSE or Advanced Subsidiary GCE (AS) papers. Two of these subjects must be at grade C or above on Advanced GCE (A-level)papers.

The six subjects above must include:

• A pass in English.AND

• A pass in mathematics and a pass in a language other than EnglishOR

• A pass in Latin and a pass in a subject other than a language.

Advanced GCE (A-level) scoring system for exams taken from 2011 to 2015

A*AS

– 150A2

A 65 135^B 60 120C 50 100D 35 75E 20 40

DCUSCHOLARSHIPS

The McAleese Scholarships will make study at DCU more accessible for Northern Ireland students. For entry 2016, there will be up to forty scholarships available to DCUapplicants with a permanent home address in Northern Ireland.

Applicants must meet DCU minimum entry requirements and specific programme entry requirements as outlined on the DCU website, h t t p : / /ww w 4 . d c u .i e / r e g ist r y / en tr y .s h t m l . The scholarships are based on presentation of three A-levels, with a minimum requirement of 2 ‘A’ and 1 ‘B’ grades. The required personal statement will be used in theevent of ties on point scoring.

To be eligible, applicants must have applied through the Central Applications Office. Inaddition, students must submit McAleese Scholarships for Northern Ireland Students –Application Form, directly to DCU by 5pm on 27th May 2016. Pleasesee h t tp : / / w w w . d c u .i e / sit e s/ d e f au l t/ f i l e s/re g istr y /McAl ee s e % 20 Sc h o larship% 2 0 f o r % 2 0 Nor t h e rn% 2 0 Irela n d % 2 0 St u den ts % 20 % 27 1 4 - % 2 7 15 . pd f

AP PRE NTI CES HIPS :

Apprenticeships are becoming an increasingly popular and cost effective way to access

key professions. They offer on the job training and allow people to work their way up

through the company rather than incurring large debts with student loans. Many big

financial, engineering, hospitality companies and companies within the food industry

offer apprenticeship programmes. They can be found on the companies’ websites or

through the nijobfinders website. Higher Apprenticeships are a very attractive option to

many post 16 students. They are a means of earning money with a big firm, learning on

the job, getting lots of practical experience as well as a means to offsetting huge

student debt. It is a new way of thinking about higher education. It is worth giving it

some thought but be aware that there is great competition for these apprenticeships

and they are not limited to school leavers – graduates and people in jobs looking for a

change of career can also apply. Opportunities will be emailed to all students as and

when they arrive.

If interested, see Mrs Curran for guidance on how to prepare effectively.

TERMINOLOGY

UCAS The organisation that coordinates and administers applications to all UK universities

CUKAS A branch of UCAS that specialises in applications to certain music and drama conservatoires.Applications are made earlier than the standard UCAS application and often require an audition.Students need to check the specific application deadline for each conservatoire.

PHAS E O N E APP LIC AN T S This is the name given to Y14 students who are applying to the very competitive courses ofMedicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine, Oxford or Cambridge. Their applications have tosubmitted very early in September to UCAS so Phase One applicants must be committed andwilling to work on their application at the end of Year 13 and over the summer holidays.

A L L I E D HEA L T H T HE R AP I E S This is the term given to Occupational Therapy, Speech & Language Therapy, Physiotherapy,Podiatry, Dietetics, Radiotherapy, and Radiography.

PERS O NA L S T A T E M E N T This is a very important part of the UCAS form. Students have 4,000 characters (including spaces)in which to convince University Admission Tutors that they deserve a place on their chosen course.A student can apply to 5 courses through UCAS but they only write one Personal Statement.Detailed support & guidance is provided throughout Y13 & Y14 to help with the PersonalStatement. Many universities also provide detailed guidance on their own website.

CAO This is the organisation that coordinates and manages applications to Universities and Institutes ofTechnology in the South of Ireland. There is no Personal Statement but the courses must be inrank order. Decisions are made purely on academic results.

F U R T HE R EDUCA T I O N This refers to Regional Technical Colleges such as NRC, SWRC or CAFRE. These colleges oftenoffer an alternative pathway to university through BTEC Level 3 Extended Diplomas or FoundationDegrees

H IG HE R EDUCA TI O N This refers to universities.

UNDER G RADUA T E This is the level of entry for a Y14 student who hopes to go to University.

B . E ng Bachelor of Engineering. This degree normally lasts three years.

M . E ng Master of Engineering. This is the next level of a degree up from a Bachelor. Most MastersDegrees last two years though it is possible to apply to a Master’s degree on some courses. Entryrequirements are higher. These accelerated degrees last four years.

EN T R Y RE Q U I RE M E N T S Specific grade or subjects required by the University to be considered for certain courses. Otheradditional entry requirements may be required. Check the individual course requirements.