BISHOP JUSTUS Church of England School UCAS Information

BISHOP JUSTUS Church of England School UCAS Information Evening 27 th April 2017 ‘There is no short cut to achievement. Life requires thorough preparation – veneer isn’t worth anything’ George Washington Carver (US scientist) THROUGH FAITH AND LEARNING

Aims of evening BISHOP JUSTUS Church of England School 1. To raise key issues each student needs to consider 2. To explain how the university application process will work 3. To advise students on how to make a successful application THROUGH FAITH AND LEARNING

Key People: • • • BISHOP JUSTUS Church of England School Miss Arscott Ms Linton Mrs Pemble Mr Carter Mrs Myles – UCAS Coordinator – Post 16 Learning Director – 6 th Form Administrator – AHT 6 th Form – Deputy Post 16 Learning Director • 6 th Form tutors THROUGH FAITH AND LEARNING

Things to think about: - BISHOP JUSTUS Church of England School Is university right for me? Which university? Which course? How do I produce a good application? THROUGH FAITH AND LEARNING

BISHOP JUSTUS Is university right for me? Church of England School 1. Not necessarily 2. But statistically, it may well be! 69% of comprehensive school 6 th form students go on to university 3. WHY? - Your subject – other interests – financial rewards 4. But make the right choice for you! (7% of students drop out) THROUGH FAITH AND LEARNING

How do I apply? – Which university? BISHOP JUSTUS Church of England School • Work out your own priorities • Research loads – university websites, general guides such as www. push. co. uk, prospectuses • Go and visit! • 37, 000 undergraduate courses at over 370 providers in the UK! THROUGH FAITH AND LEARNING • http: //www. youtube. com/watch? feature=player_embedde d&v=9 XZBBq 3 r 9 x. Y

BISHOP JUSTUS Church of England School How do I apply? Which course? -1. Study what you are passionate about! 2. Work out what that is – use www. ucas. com/students/coursesearch, other website, prospectuses 3. Think about future careers, but don’t worry too much 4. You can’t really apply for different subjects in different places – joint honours is fine 5. If in doubt, stay general THROUGH FAITH AND LEARNING

How do I apply? – offers & grades BISHOP JUSTUS Church of England School • You apply to five universities • Offers are made on the basis of exam results • The school has to submit predicted grades • You are allowed to accept 2 offers – firm and insurance • Therefore it is essential that you choose appropriate universities at the application THROUGH FAITH AND LEARNING stage

BISHOP JUSTUS Church of England School The process – NB applications are online – access from June • April – June – get the best exam results possible • June – get and make the most of work shadowing • June-July – back in school – UCAS day -first draft of statement completed (so they need to know what course by then!) and all personal details put on UCAS website • Summer – keep working on statement • Early September – predicted grades and adjustment • End of September – deadline for competitive courses • End of October – deadline for other courses THROUGH FAITH AND LEARNING

BISHOP JUSTUS How do I apply? – ‘the dreaded personal statement’ Church of England School • Why you want to do the course (45%) 1 or 2 paragraphs. • Current A Levels/BTECs – why you chose them and the skills they are giving you that will help you be good at this course (30%) 1 or 2 paragraphs. • Why you will be a good student for the university to have – extra-curricular activities, work experience (25%) 2 paragraphs • Conclusion – 1 or 2 sentences THROUGH FAITH AND LEARNING

Advice and experiences BISHOP JUSTUS of current year 13 students: Church of England School • What A levels/BTECs do you study? • What course have you chosen at university? • Why did you chose that course? • How did you decide on where to study? • What help did you get with the process of application? • What advice would you give about the THROUGH FAITH AND LEARNING applications process?

BISHOP JUSTUS Personal statement continued Church of England School • You need evidence for everything you say • When talking about your experience, you explain what skills it shows or has given you • You mustn’t plagiarise • You must be interesting! • Your spelling and grammar must be flawless • The best way to start writing it, is to start THROUGH FAITH AND LEARNING writing it…

BISHOP JUSTUS Advice from former students: - current 3 rd year university Church of England School • “Remember to think about what Universities are looking for in personal statements. So many students drop out half way through their degree, making them look bad. The key is to convince them you're more dedicated to your subject than that. " THROUGH FAITH AND LEARNING

BISHOP JUSTUS Advice from former students – recent graduate Church of England School • “I wish I had known how important it was to do extra curricular activities to add to your cover letter to make you stand out from the crowd. • It think it is really important to have a look around the universities that you are considering applying to first taking in to account the distance and costs of travel. • But most importantly - make the course the number one priority, I would advise reading in depth about the units that you are studying and how you are assessed. This can help you decide if the course is best suited to you and can affect how much you enjoy it. ” THROUGH FAITH AND LEARNING

BISHOP JUSTUS What to do now: Church of England School • Get your son/daughter to show you what they have done on unifrog • 6 th July – UCAS Day • Read UCAS booklet Jane Marshall, Admissions Tutor, Imperial College, and early personal statement work) http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=5 j. Q 3 MJgd THROUGH FAITH AND LEARNING k. JY

In conclusion…BISHOP JUSTUS Church of England School • • Choose appropriate universities Work with your tutor/the 6 th form team Make sure you have relevant experience Prepare, prepare! Questions… THROUGH FAITH AND LEARNING