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UG admissions interviewing – a guide to good practice

Connie Cullen & Nick Pears. UG admissions interviewing – a guide to good practice. Background (1) ‏. Recent applications history shows a decline. Background (2) ‏. Clear impact on entry qualification stats. Background (3) ‏. We have been in admissions clearing since 2004!

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UG admissions interviewing – a guide to good practice

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  1. Connie Cullen & Nick Pears UG admissions interviewing – a guide to good practice

  2. Background (1)‏ Recent applications history shows a decline

  3. Background (2)‏ Clear impact on entry qualification stats

  4. Background (3)‏ We have been in admissions clearing since 2004! This means that we have been accepting students with lower grades than our entry requirements (AAB) to reach quota target (88)‏ Knock on effect is more students fail 1st year, more drop out, generally bad for everyone.

  5. Background (4)‏ Partly due to global decline in CS applicants dotcom crash and the perceived job market CS teaching in schools What can we do to address this? Increase applicants (eg: cs4fn)‏ Increase take-up rate of our offers

  6. Why interview? Differentiation To help choose among equally good applicants To get additional evidence that could offset disappointing results in August Courtship To encourage applicants to attend a visit and to affiliate more strongly to York Guidance To review programme choice and confirm it

  7. Why train interviewers? Because it is best practice, according to SPA – Supporting Professionalism in Admissions programme QAA Code of Practice for Admissions To review legal rights and obligations To increase success (offer take-up) and repay investment of staff time

  8. Advance preparation Prepare questions and tasks so you have a choice Look at the UCAS forms for the day Sort out the room tidy, appropriately lit, chairs at diagonals if possible, clock visible to interviewer divert your phone, turn off your computer screen and silence any beep signals if tools required, make them available

  9. The shape of the visit day 11:15 Introduction & question gathering session. Parallel parents session. 12:00 Main staff-student panel for all. 12:40 Lunch break. 13.20 Short research presentation. 13:40 Interview, campus tour, lab tour cycle. Demonstrations: 3D face, robots. 15:45 Finish

  10. Conduct of the interview Keep to time Keep smiling Greet the student, introduce yourself Check name against interview report sheet Explain timing and structure of interview Ask questions, administer tasks Ask ‘Do you have any questions?’ Keep to time

  11. Interview topics The interview covers the following areas Settling-in question about interests or activities as signalled on UCAS form Discussion of current studies – use open-ended questions that allow elaboration Why York? Why X, where X is the subject or the course? Subject-based question or task

  12. Things to avoid - 1 Don’t ask questions or do things that could be seen as discriminatory No questions specifically for males or females No questions about child care No chat about unusual names or dress Don’t ask about other UCAS choices Don’t quote from the reference or cite predicted grades

  13. Things to avoid - 2 Don’t ask about a disability or about special needs If the student asks you about disability support, provide any information you can or refer them to others but make it clear that the discussion is not a factor in academic selection Don’t say anything that implies prejudice about the type of school the student attends Don’t do most of the talking yourself

  14. Subject-based questions Sorting / searching are good areas. They are accessible and can be adapted to suit the candidate's knowledge and ability. Choose an interesting and accessible aspect of your research. Needs prior thought. Examples (for nep)‏ Videophone : reducing required bandwidth. Mobile robot : what does it need? If testing specific skills (eg. Maths), again this needs planning.

  15. Subject-based questions Don’t assume any detailed specific knowledge in CS, when asking a technical problem. Observe reasoning, give help when needed, are they teachable? Try to finish on a high note – ask an easier question, if you have to. Don’t be afraid to ask a pure maths question, if the student appears weak in this area.

  16. Completing the paperwork Most interviewees will be made an offer The written report helps With the offer letter With feedback if requested In August, when near misses are looked at Remember - students can ask to see the interview report

  17. Sample written comments Although reserved, he came across as the strongest candidate of the day. Very clear in discussion of technical topics. He has programmed a 'countdown' solver. I am concerned at his lack of computing background – late interest arising from open day. Worth the risk. He does not really understand the meaning of CS.

  18. Feedback Over the years at York we’ve had Praise for Friendliness… so keep smiling Good organisation … so keep to time Complaints about Running late Interviews being too tough, too easy, not as promised, about disability Interviewers being lascivious, confused, rude, prejudiced

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