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Applying to University and the UCAS process . FOR SIXTH FORMERS AT x SCHOOL KATE AMIS MANAGER, THE GEOGRAPHY AMBASSADOR PROJECT, RGS - IBG. Starting point. Which comes first -the course or the university?. Course criteria. Grades required Physical or human?
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Applying to University and the UCAS process FOR SIXTH FORMERS AT x SCHOOL KATE AMIS MANAGER, THE GEOGRAPHY AMBASSADOR PROJECT, RGS - IBG
Starting point • Which comes first -the course or the university?
Course criteria • Grades required • Physical or human? • BSc or BA • Teaching or research university? • Joint honours combinations • 2nd and 3rd year choices, specialisms and combinations • Assessment method • Fieldwork options and costs • Level of support , size of classes etc • Employability record
University criteria • Status, reputation and history • Location – inner city , city campus or rural campus • Live home or away? • Accessibility • Distance from home and comfort zones • Cost of living • Term time job opportunities
Where do I get my info from? • UCAS website www.ucas.ac.uk • Entry Profiles • ‘Study Geography’ pages of the RGS website • Web based prospectus • Hard copy prospectus • League table style guide books • Visits- open days and talking to students
Your UCAS application Your course choices and personal details Your past results Your predicted grades and reference from school Your personal statement
Personal statement – style • You can enter up to 4,000 characters (this includes spaces) or 47 lines of text (this includes blank lines). • No jokes • No exclamation marks • No references to ‘I have always wanted to study this since I was given a globe at the age of three ......’ • No lists • Go easy on the hobbies unless they evidence something eg commitment, time management etc
Personal statement – subject specific • Why you have chosen the course and the reasons why that subject area interests you. • Evidence that you understand what is required to study the course. • How your current or previous studies relate to the course that you have chosen. • Any activities that demonstrate your interest in the course. • Why you want to go to university or college.
Personal statement- general • Details of jobs, placements, work experience or voluntary work, particularly if it's relevant to your chosen course • Positions of responsibility that you hold/have held both in and out of school, eg form prefect or representative for a local charity. • Attributes that make you interesting, special or unique. • Whether you have any future plans of how you want to use the knowledge and experience that you gain.
Personal statement- the bottom line • If you were an admissions tutor what would you want to read? • Who would you want on your course? • How would you be sure they were the right candidate?
UCAS offers • Firm • Insurance • Decline • UF only - You have firmly accepted an unconditional offer as 1st choice. You cannot have an insurance choice. • CF only - You have firmly accepted a conditional offer. • CF + CI - You have firmly accepted one conditional offer and accepted another conditional offer as an insurance. • CF + UI - You have firmly accepted a conditional offer and accepted an unconditional offer as an insurance
Plan of action Key dates: • Research period = now till end October • Application period = September 15th – January 15th • Offers = November through to March 31st • UCAS extra = from February • Acceptances = Usually by March 31st • Clearing = 20th August – 21st September
Contact Kate Amis k.amis@rgs.org