Applying to Higher Education

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Applying to Higher Education From Application to
Offer Emma Thomas Student Access Officer,
Royal Agricultural College emma.thomas_at_rac.ac.uk
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Introducing the Application Process
Its easiest to talk about the Application
Process as a three-phase procedure
Phase 3
Phase 2
Phase 1

• Aims
• To explore what happens during these phases
• To look at roles and responsibilities of the
  student, their
• College/school and the HEIs
• To provide tips and hints for a positive outcome

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Planning, information, research and ideas

• Phase 1 Information (and lots of research!)
• Research and information on courses, subjects
  careers
• - UCAS online entry profiles
• - The UCAS Big Guide (can order from UCAS site)
• - University websites and prospectuses
• - Careers information School /College,
  Connexions
• - Work experience
• - Friends / relatives / teachers - its good to
  talk!
• - Subjects enjoyed / interested in / do well in
  (and drawing
• out of those subjects transferable skills and
  qualities)
• Visits to universities - Open Days, Summer
  Schools and
• Taster Days, etc. are extremely valuable
• Considering progression routes is important
  completing a
• personal action plan or future goals sheet
  might be useful
• in thinking about prior experience and
  qualities, current
• situation, and what is needed to reach the
  desired target

Choices!
Choices!
Choices!
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Making decisions - and a commitment!
A HUGE DECISION! Not only next three years of
students life, but informs
delivers career and job prospects

• A daunting prospect!
• Explore needs and ambitions
• Gather all possibilities and explore pros and
  cons
• Decisions must be informed, realistic and based
  on
• interest, aspirations and fulfillment of
  student needs
• Five spaces available on UCAS application form -
  
• use to order choices (different entry
  requirements)
• - use them all!
• If decisions alter, changes can be made or extra
  
• choices added in February by contacting UCAS
• Extra

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The Application Form
Apply on-line at www.ucas.co.uk
Registration Personal details Additional
information Choices Education Employment Personal
statement Reference Declaration Send your
application
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Over to the HEIs (phase 2)
Information
HEIs receive electronic data from UCAS
Application into student databases. Downloaded
directly from UCAS. This is first information
HEI receives on student applicant, attaching
importance to quality of application - must make
good first impression! Students can track their
application during this time on www.ucas.co.uk
under the Track Progress tab Students may
receive contact if HEIs need additional
information / clarification
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Application Assessment and Interviews
Application Form

• Immediate evaluation of writing skills
• Simple, direct and straight to the point
• Answered all questions?
• Realistic application in terms of predicted
  grades / points score?
• A good personal statement?
• Experience relating to degree subject - is the
  interest there?
• Has student provided an academic referee?
• Checked and proof-read? Any silly mistakes?

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Application Assessment and Interviews
The interview 5 Hot Tips

1. Be prepared! (practice Qs, research, etc.)
2. Arrive before time know who to ask for!
3. Dress, body language communication
4. Know your subject
5. Know your goals

• Preparatory questionswarn them!
• Is the student suited to the course?
• Does the student have required qualifications
  and qualities?
• Is the student conscientious, hardworking and
  unlikely to drop out?
• Will the student cope with the demands of the
  course?
• Can the student work under pressure?
• Will the student be able to adjust to their new
  environment?
• What are their communication skills like?
• Are they dedicated to this course and have
  researched it well?
• Do they have a genuine interest in the subject
  / career progression?

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Offers
Provisional Conditional Unconditional Decline
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The last word is with our students! (phase three)
ACCEPT OR DECLINE OFFERS MADE BY HEIs
RECEIVE RESULTS IN AUGUST
INFORM HEIs AND MAKE FINAL ARRANGEMENTS
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Questions, answers, discussion?
emma.thomas_at_rac.ac.uk