The Admissions Process Made Easy

1. Newent Community School and Sixth Form UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) Information for students 2014 - 15 The Admissions Process Made Easy

2. Timeline • Timeline • 1st September Applications can be submitted to UCAS • Friday September 19th School Deadline for Oxbridge, Veterinary, Medicine and Dentistry applications. • 15th October 2014UCAS deadline for Oxbridge, Veterinary, Medicine and Dentistry Applications. • 15th January 2015UCAS deadline, includes most Art courses but check individual establishments. • Late February 2015 Applications for student finance go live online. • March 2015 Those who do not hold offers can apply through EXTRA • 23rd March 2015UCAS Deadline for Art and Design Applications not using the 15th January deadline. • 13th August 2015 A2 and AS results. Clearing vacancies published • Late September last date for clearing applications. .

4. Applying to UCAS Students apply online at www.ucas.co.uk Before applying you should • RESEARCH • CHECK ENTRY REQUIREMENTS (including admissions tests) • BEGIN TO DRAFT A PERSONAL STATEMENT • ASK SUBJECT TEACHERS FOR SUBJECT REFERENCES • ASK FOR HELP IF NECESSARY *5 Choices except Medicine / Dentistry / Veterinary which are 4 choices *Oxford or Cambridge

5. Admissions Tests Students applying for some courses are required to sit an admissions test as part of the application process. You will need to check whether your chosen course requires a test. BMAT (Biomedical Admissions test) for entry to Medical and veterinary Schools. (www.bmat.org.uk) UKCAT (UK Clinical Aptitude Test) for medical and and dental degree courses (www.ukcat.ac.uk) HAT (History Aptitude Test) Oxford University LNAT (National Admissions Test for Law) (www.lnat.ac.uk) ELAT (English Literature Admissions Test) ) Oxford University. IOT (Institutions own tests)

6. It’s a big decision… make sure you make the right choice!

7. http://www.ucas.com/how-it-all-works/undergraduate/filling-your-applicationhttp://www.ucas.com/how-it-all-works/undergraduate/filling-your-application Every applicant has five sections to complete: • Personal details • Choices • Education • Employment • Personal Statement A member of staff at school, usually your tutor will then complete a reference Fees £23.00 for up to 5 applications, £12.00 for an application to a single institute

8. Applying through UCAS…Research Which Universities? Distance from home Location – Campus or Town University/Department Reputation What academic, social and recreational requirements Which Courses? What do youwant to do? Subject Course Content and Facilities Methods of Teaching / Assessment No two courses are exactly the same! Career Implications Flexibility

9. Range of Resources… Guides galore e.g. Getting In Getting On, Trotman/ Heap, Virgin Alternative Guide, Times & Guardian Guides. Social networking Lots of internet resources..... www.ucas.co.uk www.unistats.com

10. Entry Profiles • Provide clear, up to date information about undergraduate courses • Facilitate fully informed choices • Same course title – different experience • The qualities/skills needed to for particular courses

11. Unistats- Student Opinionwww.unistats.comYou can use Unistats to find out what previous students thought about the course, as well as to learn about the likely costs and the kind of jobs or further study which students who completed the course went on to do.

12. Experiential Research Obtain a real ‘feel’ for the university, subject, course, career: UCAS events Open Days Taster Courses Subject specific events Summer Schools Schools/college liaison

13. Admissions Tutors look for:- • GCSE results • Other academic and vocational attainment • Predicted grades • Personal statement • Reference • Admissions tests • Piece of written work • Portfolio • Interview • Audition * Admission tutors do not know which other universities an applicant has applied to.

14. Personal Statement “The Personal Statement is your chance to sell and differentiate yourself…to influence the Admission Tutors and explain your motivations” “Personal statements are like a paper based Interview” The same principles apply… • First impressions count! • Take care about the appearance & presentation • Keep to the point • You want to impress the interviewer

15. What next? • Acknowledgement Letter • List of choices • Password and details of ‘Track’ An admissions tutor may make one of three decisions: • Unconditional offer (U) • Conditional offer (C) • Unsuccessful (R) or A place on a different course • Deferred entry A maximum of two offers may be held after final decision has been received Choice of three reply options: • Firm acceptance - • Insurance acceptance • Decline Final Decision Letter

16. UCAS Extra • ‘Second bite of the Cherry’ • Extra operates from late Feb, to early July. Courses which have vacancies in Extra are listed duringthis period at www.ucas.com • Eligible Applicants: • No offers made • All offers declined • Student Driven: • Available courses listed • Self-referral • Application sent to relevant University

17. Results DayResults! 14th August 2014 Things go well… • Absolute commitment? • Universities must confirm offers • You can change your mind…but • Things don’t go so well… • CF may still confirm the offer • Insurance offer • Clearing

18. The Adjustment Process • If your results are better than the conditions of your firm choice • 5 Day Adjustment Period • Look at available courses and contact University • Receive new offer or stick with firm choice

19. Clearing Matches available applicants to vacancies Find a course & University UCAS website The Guardian The Daily Mirror (regional listings) Contact the University Send the University your Clearing Entry Form (CEF) University makes the offer

20. You’re aStudent! Congratulation and Good Luck