The Admissions Process Made EasyThe Admissions Process Made Easy

Newent Community School and Sixth Form

UCAS(Universities and Colleges Admissions Service)

Information for parents

2015-16

Timeline Timeline  1st September Applications can be submitted to UCAS

 Friday September 19th School Deadline for Oxbridge, Veterinary, Medicine and Dentistry applications.

 15th October 2015 UCAS deadline for Oxbridge, Veterinary, Medicine and Dentistry Applications.

Friday December 4th – School deadline for UCAS applications.

 15th January 2016 UCAS deadline, includes most Art courses but check individual establishments.

 Late February 2016 Applications for student finance go live online.

 March 2016 Those who do not hold offers can apply through EXTRA

 23rd March 2016 UCAS Deadline for Art and Design Applications not using the 15th January deadline.

 18th August 2016 A2 and AS results. Clearing vacancies published

 Late September last date for clearing applications.

Applying to UCAS

Students apply online at Students apply online at www.ucas.co.uk

Before applyingBefore applying they should they should

RESEARCHRESEARCH CHECK ENTRY REQUIREMENTS (including admissions tests)CHECK ENTRY REQUIREMENTS (including admissions tests) BEGIN TO DRAFT A PERSONAL STATEMENTBEGIN TO DRAFT A PERSONAL STATEMENT ASK SUBJECT TEACHERS FOR SUBJECT REFERENCESASK SUBJECT TEACHERS FOR SUBJECT REFERENCES ASK FOR HELP IF NECESSARYASK FOR HELP IF NECESSARY

*5 Choices except Medicine / Dentistry / Veterinary which are 4 choices*5 Choices except Medicine / Dentistry / Veterinary which are 4 choices*Oxford *Oxford oror Cambridge Cambridge

It’s a big decision… we aim to make sure they make the right choice!

http://www.ucas.com/how-it-all-works/undergraduate/filling-your-http://www.ucas.com/how-it-all-works/undergraduate/filling-your-applicationapplication

Every applicant has five sections to complete:Every applicant has five sections to complete:

Personal detailsPersonal details ChoicesChoices EducationEducation EmploymentEmployment Personal StatementPersonal Statement

A member of staff at school, usually their tutor, will then complete a A member of staff at school, usually their tutor, will then complete a reference.reference.

Fees £23.00 for up to 5 applications, £12.00 for an application to a single instituteFees £23.00 for up to 5 applications, £12.00 for an application to a single institute

Applying through UCAS…Research

There are many things to consider when students choose their University course

Which University?

They should consider:-

Distance from homeLocation – Campus or TownUniversity/Department ReputationWhat academic, social and recreational requirements

Which Course?What do they want to do?Subject Course Content and FacilitiesMethods of Teaching / Assessment No two courses are exactly the same!Career ImplicationsFlexibility

Admissions TestsStudents applying for some courses are required to sit an admissions test as part of the application process. Students will need to check whether their 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 UniversityLNAT (National Admissions Test for Law) (www.lnat.ac.uk)ELAT (English Literature Admissions Test) ) Oxford UniversityIOT (Institutions own tests)

We have a range of resources to help students make the right decision…

Guides Galore:

e.g. Getting In Getting On, Trotman/Heap, Virgin Alternative Guide, Times &

Guardian.

They should also use:

Social networkingInternet resources.....

www.unistats.comwww.unistats.comwww.ucas.comwww.ucas.com

Push Independent Guide to UniversitiesPush Independent Guide to Universities

• 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

Unistats - Student OpinionUnistats - Student Opinion

www.unistats.comwww.unistats.com

Students can use Unistats to find out what previous students thought Students 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 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 jobs or further study which students who completed the course went on to

do. do.

Experiential ResearchStudents need to obtain a real ‘feel’ for the university,

subject, course, career.

UCAS events Open Days Taster Courses

Subject specific events Summer Schools Schools/college liaison

Admissions Tutors look for:-Admissions Tutors look for:- GCSE resultsGCSE results Other academic and vocational attainmentOther academic and vocational attainment Predicted gradesPredicted grades Personal statementPersonal statement ReferenceReference Admissions testsAdmissions tests Piece of written workPiece of written work PortfolioPortfolio InterviewInterview AuditionAudition

* Admission tutors do not know which other universities an * Admission tutors do not know which other universities an applicant has applied to.applicant has applied to.

Personal StatementPersonal Statement

“The Personal Statement is a students’ chance to sell and differentiate themselves…to influence the Admission Tutors and explain their motivations”

“Personal statements are like a paper based Interview”

The same principles apply… First impressions count! Appearance & presentation is important Keep to the point Impress the interviewer

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

UCAS Extra

‘Second bite of the Cherry’

Extra operates from late Feb, to early July. Courses which have vacancies in Extra are listed during this 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

Results Day

Results! 18Results! 18thth August 2016 August 2016

Things go well…

Absolute commitment? Universities must confirm offers Students can change their mind but will then have to go

through clearing and start the process again in terms of applying for accommodation etc.

Things don’t go so well… CF may still confirm the offer Insurance offer Clearing

The Adjustment Process

If results are better than the conditions of their firm choice

5 Day Adjustment Period Look at available courses and contact

University Receive new offer or stick with firm choice

Clearing

Matches available applicants to vacancies

Students will need to find a course & University using the UCAS website and /or The Independent

Contact the University

Send the University the Clearing Entry Form (CEF)

University makes the offer

Your child is now a University Student!Congratulations and Good Luck to you all!