Welcome to the Competitive Applications Information Evening. Please use the ipads (code: 1920) to visit university websites

Transcription

1 Welcome to the Competitive Applications Information Evening Please use the ipads (code: 1920) to visit university websites

2 Schedule 1. Why apply to more competitive universities 2. What the most competitive universities are looking for 3. Analysis of model Personal Statements 4. Analysis of/ideas for your own Personal Statement 5. To do list for summer holidays and autumn term

3 Cheney School Website This presentation will be made available on the school website under Sixth Form and then under University and Careers Guidance so please don t panic if you forget something or we go too quickly.

4 1. Why apply to more competitive universities

5 Principle Cheney s job is to provide you with the information to help you find the right individual pathway for you, not to push you in a particular direction.

6 UCAS Update University acceptance rate has increased by 4% in four years. The biggest rise has been for high achievers. 1 in 4 students has at least one Level 3 BTEC. Due to a birth rate blip, the number of 18 years olds is declining until Declining number of students taking A Levels

7 UCAS Update: so what? Students with reasonable A levels are in strong demand Fewer 18 (and 19) year olds available for universities to recruit Fewer 18 and 19 year olds have A levels Fewer 18 and 19 year olds have high grade A levels Universities are hungry for students with A levels Vocational qualifications also support progression, especially alongside A levels High level of offer-making from universities Willing to recruit heavily in Clearing and geared up for it

8 UCAS Update: so what? Students with reasonable A levels are in strong demand Apply to at least one aspirational university Choose one aspirational offer and one safe Visit both be happy with both Mindset for Insurance offer needs to change Mindset for Clearing and Adjustment needs to change

9 UCAS Resources for Parents UCAS has developed three very accessible 90 second videos on hot topics for parents: The UCAS process Open days Student finance Go to to view.

10 Support UCAS has a number of helpful features including BrowseAloud at the bottom of each page It can translate and/or read the UCAS pages in 78 different languages!

11 Do I apply differently to competitive universities? No you apply through UCAS in just the same way as other universities. TIP: Apply by the end of September for the best chance of success when applying to competitive universities.

12 Why apply to the most competitive universities? Competitive universities (often but not always in the Russell group of 24 research-intensive universities) provide you with the maximum intellectual challenge. You are more likely to be taught by people working at the cutting edge of their disciplines, from all over the world, as well as to have better funded libraries and labs. This intellectual foundation provides you with the best career opportunities.

13 What is the Russell Group? Formed in 1994 at a meeting in London An association of 24 major research intensive universities committed to maintaining the highest standards of research, education and knowledge transfer. The purpose of The Russell Group is to provide thought leadership and strategic direction for its members. Although only representing 12% of the higher education sector, the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise found that over 60% of the UK s very best ( world leading ) research took place in Russell Group universities.

14 Russell Group Quiz You have 4 minutes Don t panic it s just for fun! There is no test at the end No smartphones!

15 4 Universities are NOT Russell Group 4 Russell Group Universities are MISSING Birmingham Liverpool Bristol LSE (London School of Economics ) Cambridge Manchester Edinburgh Newcastle East Anglia Nottingham Exeter Oxford Glasgow Queen Mary Hull Queen's Belfast Imperial College London Southampton Keele UCL (University College London) King's College London Warwick Lancaster Which Leeds universities are not Russell Group and which are missing?

16 4 Universities are NOT Russell Group 4 Russell Group Universities are MISSING Birmingham Bristol Cambridge Cardiff Durham Edinburgh East Anglia Exeter Glasgow Hull Imperial College London Keele King's College London Lancaster Leeds Liverpool LSE (London School of Economics ) Manchester Newcastle Nottingham Oxford Queen Mary Queen's Belfast Sheffield Southampton UCL (University College London) Warwick York 1 in 4 Cheney students goes to a Russell Group university!

17 2. What the most competitive universities are looking for

18 What kind of grades do I need? A LEVELS English at Sheffield AAB Chemistry at Durham A*AA Oxford generally: AAA-A*AA Cambridge generally: A*AA Medicine courses: AAA BUT there are many other degree courses at Russell Group universities which require lower grades than this GCSES Good GCSEs are important and some courses will have specific requirements e.g. Medicine *

19 Top 30 Hardest Universities to get into in the UK Not Russell Group 2 Russell Group unis don t make it on this list * Source: The Complete University Guide

20 Application Statistics OXFORD: Highest success rate Classics 40.1% Chemistry 33.6% Theology & Oriental Studies 33.3% Modern Languages 31.8% Classics & Modern Languages 31.6% Cambridge: Highest success rate Classics 50.3% Music 48.3% Archaeology & Anthropology 45.1% Theology & Religious Studies 44.4% Anglo-Saxon, Norse & Celtic 41.4% Hardest to get into *

21 Popular Universities *

22 Competitive Entry e.g Durham *

23 National 2015 Course Statistics Medicine 87,730 applications 8,560 places Law 128,580 applications 16,979 places Engineering 171,600 applications 28,650 places Computing 123,900 applications 23,540 places * 10:1 8:1 6:1 5:1

24 Apart from grades, what are the most competitive universities looking for? 1. Self motivation and commitment to the subjects 2. Evidence that you have done more than the syllabus demands 3. That you can think critically and independently 4. The ability to engage with ideas 5. Students who stick up for themselves stand out. What we are looking for is a student who can address issues in a logical fashion, reason from premises to conclusion. Even if a student is hesitant or shy, how well they think will still be evident. Professor Thomas Noe, Oxford *

25 Summary: What are the most competitive universities looking for? 1. Love of subject 2. Readiness to pursue it independently And the only way to get an interview or an offer is to SHOW your universities this in your Personal Statement *

26 3. Analysis of model Personal Statements

27 Writing about the Course: the Advice from UCAS At least two thirds of your personal statement should relate to the course. The personal statement will be seen by all your choices and could be used as the basis for an interview, so be prepared to answer questions on it. Remember, in most cases, this will be the only written work that the course tutor sees before making a decision *

28 Reasons for Unsuccessful Applications Your personal statement does not strongly support your desire to study your chosen degree. Your personal statement did not show sufficient understanding, relevance or knowledge about the course you are applying for. You failed to demonstrate sufficient knowledge and interest in the subject in your personal statement. There is a lot of competition for places on this course and your personal statement and experience was not as strong as other applicants this year. Application form (including personal statement, reference and predicted grades) does not evidence accurate understanding of or motivation for subject. *

29 How can you evidence love of subject? By providing specific examples rather than general claims By demonstrating that you can think like a chemist, linguist, historian, philosopher etc. *

30 Sample Personal Statements I think that the easiest way to demonstrate this is to look at extracts from a number of exemplar statements. As you read, try to keep this checklist in mind along with the 2 key ideas: 1. Do they show they love the subject? 2. Are they already showing independence in their study? Personal Statement Checklist: Strong reasons for choosing the Evidence, where appropriate, of subject? relevant recent work experience or Evidence to back up this choice? career plans? Links between A Levels and university Evidence of broader interests and course? experience? Evidence of readiness to read Concise, well-written and widely/pursue the subject grammatically correct? independently and beyond the course?

31 Sample Personal Statements Please read statements one and two, for Languages and comment on the green sheet. Which candidate do you think is better? How can both candidates improve? Personal Statement Checklist: Strong reasons for choosing the Evidence, where appropriate, of subject? relevant recent work experience or Evidence to back up this choice? career plans? Links between A Levels and university Evidence of broader interests and course? experience? Evidence of readiness to read Concise, well-written and widely/pursue the subject grammatically correct? independently and beyond the course?

32 French and Spanish Candidate One The description of visits to France and Spain in the second sentence is just a list what did you enjoy about the language and culture? What does the candidate actually like about Molière and Voltaire? Their biting humour or their criticism of established ideas? Did the candidate really re-found the Modern Languages society?

33 Spanish and Portuguese Candidate Two What was the masterclass about? Why was it so enjoyable? What does the candidate really love about foreign literature? Is there a particular novel or poem or author they enjoy? Is there a particular story they enjoyed in Le Monde or El Pais?

34 Sample Personal Statements Please read statements three and seven for Biochemistry and comment on the green sheet. Which candidate do you think is better? How can both candidates improve? Personal Statement Checklist: Strong reasons for choosing the Evidence, where appropriate, of subject? relevant recent work experience or Evidence to back up this choice? career plans? Links between A Levels and university Evidence of broader interests and course? experience? Evidence of readiness to read Concise, well-written and widely/pursue the subject grammatically correct? independently and beyond the course?

35 Sample Personal Statements Read statements four and five for History/English and comment on the green sheet. Which candidate do you think is better? How can both candidates improve? Personal Statement Checklist: Strong reasons for choosing the Evidence, where appropriate, of subject? relevant recent work experience or Evidence to back up this choice? career plans? Links between A Levels and university Evidence of broader interests and course? experience? Evidence of readiness to read Concise, well-written and widely/pursue the subject grammatically correct? independently and beyond the course?

36 4. Analysis of/ideas for your own Personal Statement

37 YOUR Personal Statement If you have a draft with you, consider the questions below. Does your Personal Statement provide: Strong reasons for choosing the subject? Evidence to back up this choice? Links between A Levels and university course? Evidence of readiness to read widely/pursue the subject independently and beyond the course? Evidence, where appropriate, of relevant recent work experience or career plans? Evidence of broader interests and experience? Concise, well-written and grammatically correct? No to any of these? How can you add this in? If you have not got a draft with you, how could you ensure your Personal Statement shows: Strong reasons for choosing the subject? Evidence to back up this choice? Links between A Levels and university course? Evidence of readiness to read widely/pursue the subject independently and beyond the course? Evidence, where appropriate, of relevant recent work experience or career plans? Evidence of broader interests and experience? Concise, well-written and grammatically correct? No to any of these? How can you add this in?

38 Helpful YouTube Video dkjy Detailed guidance from UCL on how to write a Personal Statement. There are may other videos available on YouTube have a look and let me know what you find useful.

39 Helpful Radio Programmes My Life on Paper n - How to write a Personal Statement

40 5. To do list for summer holidays and autumn term

41 1. Make sure you are applying to a range of universities We normally recommend one or two aspirational, one or two solid and one or two safe choices at least one from each. You may wish to apply early, put down your two aspirational choices, and then add your subsequent choices later when you have got offers (or not) from the first two.

42 2. Complete the basics for your UCAS application Detailed guidance on how to fill out the UCAS form can be found on the UCAS website and in the booklet which you can access using the QR code on the back of your handout or via the Cheney website.

43 3. Write a plan to ensure your application is ready by the deadline Please note: Results day 18 August: students should open their results at school so that we can offer advice immediately. UCAS deadline 17 October: students will move tutor groups after this date into subject-specific groups.

44 Date Event Follow up action Wednesday 16 th March Year Twelve visit to UCAS Convention at Brunel University Attend this and other Open Days in the late summer Monday 21 st March, Periods One to Three Monday 27 th June to Thursday 30 th June Monday 4 th /Tuesday 5 th July to Friday 8 th July Thursday 18 th August Friday 16 th September Monday 17 th October UCAS day in school writing draft Personal Statements UCAS Predictor and End of Year Exams (for reformed subjects) Work Experience Week Results Day UCAS early applicants (Oxbridge, Medicine etc.) school deadline Cheney final deadline for all UCAS applications Fill in UCAS form during Progress Leader time after summer half term Complete work experience and writing of Personal Statement Get supervisor to send feedback to Progress Leader Talk to teachers on the day if you can Submit UCAS form as early as possible and by the relevant deadline at the very latest Students move tutor groups UCAS support after this date becomes much more difficult.

45 4. Supracurricular get reading! Enrich the subject you wish to study at university by engaging in activities to broaden and deepen your knowledge and to persuade university selectors of your commitment. If the subject you want to study is not one of your current courses e.g. Engineering for example, the same applies. Engage in activities to show that you have made a substantial effort to find out about the subject and that you have a genuine commitment to it.

46 4. Supracurricular get reading! Textbooks quickly get out of date and have a narrow focus. Google topics you are studying and about other areas of the subject that interest you. Get a breadth of understanding beyond the set stuff you have to know for the exam Use the Wider Reading and Discovery Lists, on the Cheney website or ask your teachers for suggested reading lists Read subject magazines and journals to keep in touch with the latest developments.

47 The Oxford University Press (OUP) series of books Very Short Introductions give an excellent background to the major academic subjects

48 4. Supracurricular get reading! Trinity College Cambridge Suggested Reading by Subject

49 4. Supracurricular get reading! University College Oxford has its own Super-Curricular Website: Staircase 12

50 4. Supracurricular get reading!

51 4. Supracurricular get researching! Cambridge Research News Website: uk/research

52 4. Supracurricular get researching! Use Cambridge HE+ Website to find our about the Latest Research

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54 Links to Key Websites

55 Explore New Topics

56 4. Supracurricular get listening! Radio 4 Archive has some GREAT programmes to listen to: BBC Programme Archive rchive/collections.shtml

57 4. Supracurricular get listening! Podcasts!

58 4. Supracurricular get listening!

59 4. Supracurricular get listening! itunes U is a learning resource offering free educational content that users can download from the itunes Store straight to their computer or mobile devices. itunes U has new research and lectures by academics from all the top universities in the UK and abroad It also features specially commissioned topical pieces in which academic experts contextualise events, for example, the re-launch of the Large Hadron Collider and the 40th anniversary of the Internet. It has a more limited website which can be accessed on PCs and Android devices

60 4. Supracurricular get watching!

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63 4. Supracurricular get watching! Use TV and Radio Catch Up Archives

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66 4. Supracurricular get watching!

67 5. Work Experience Organise work experience for the summer Ask your work experience supervisor to write to you or your tutor Your tutor can then include a quote from them this packs a lot of punch with universities!

68 To Do List Write your to do list for the summer Set a date for completion for each task to help you stay on track Set a reminder on your phone so that it alerts you?

69 H-E-L-P The Sixth Form team will be in school on results day We are running a Sixth Form surgery on Friday 26 August. If you would like to book an appointment to see us post-results, we will put a link in with results and on the Sixth Form blog: us: sixthform@cheney.oxon.sch.uk dgi@cheney.oxon.sch.uk hdy@cheney.oxon.sch.uk