Let's talk aboutâ¦ - Oxcentric

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Let’s talk about… Interviews for higher education Institutions and departments vary in their policies over whether they interview or not. Some: • do not interview at all • see the majority of applicants • ask you to attend for interview when competition for places is high • interview to make sure you are the right type of person, e.g. for medicine or teaching • interview when all applicants are predicted to have similar high grades, so the interview will be the deciding factor in who is offered a place. At some institutions interviews are part of the open day. You need to be aware that there are two types of university open day; open days available to anyone, and open days specifically for those students who have been, or are likely to be, offered a conditional place. Attending the latter type of open day is important – it gives you the opportunity to view facilities and find out about all aspects of the course from tutors and existing students. Institutions generally have more than one open day, so if you miss one, there may be another you can attend. Preparation • It’s a good idea to keep up-to-date with topical issues in your subject area, e.g. keep articles from quality newspapers and reread them before an interview. Items relating to medical ethics, politics, education, social and legal issues regularly appear in the press. Also look at some professional journals that cover your study area or intended profession. Local public libraries may keep a selection of these. • Read through the prospectus thoroughly. Check if there is a departmental prospectus. Research additional information on the university website. • Make sure you read through a copy of your UCAS application – in particular, your personal statement. • Prepare anything you need to take with you e.g. art portfolio, coursework or essays. • Plan your journey – allow plenty of time to get there. • Decide what you are going to wear – you need to be smart and presentable, but also comfortable. The interview • Interviews can last from five minutes to over an hour. You may be interviewed by just one person, or a panel of perhaps two or three people. • The interview may also include a group exercise or discussion. Alternatively you may be asked to complete a practical test, exam or submit pieces of writing. You will be told in advance what format your interview will take. For example, if you apply for a journalism course you may have to take a general knowledge test or write a short essay. Remember • Interviews are two-way – it’s also an opportunity for you to find out if the course and institution meet your needs. • Interviewers appreciate that you may be nervous. Don’t be scared to ask them to repeat a question or re-phrase it if you don’t understand. • Avoid one-word responses. Try to give constructive answers but be careful not to waffle. • You may be asked why you have chosen your course. Prepare an answer for this prior to the interview. • Be prepared to talk about the things you have included in your personal statement. • Some interviewers will ask you about your interests and activities outside of sixth form/college. Questions you may be asked… • Why have you chosen this subject? • Why do you want to come to this university/college? • What are your views on…(a topical or controversial issue related to your chosen subject)? • Have you any experience to back up your subject choice? For some courses work experience may be essential – check this when you apply. • What do you hope to do at the end of the course? You might like to ask… • How is the course assessed – course work, continuous assessment, exams? • How is the course taught – how many lectures, seminars and/or tutorials? • What industry links does the department have? • What have previous graduates of this course gone on to do? But remember – don’t ask questions about things that have been well covered in the prospectus or in a talk given during the open day – otherwise it will give the impression that you haven’t read the information or didn’t listen. Top Tip! • Talk to friends and other students who have already had university interviews. • Get a teacher, relative or adviser to give you a mock interview. • See Heap 2012: University Degree Course Offers (Trotman) for ideas about the types of questions you might be asked. • Also see University Interviews Guide book and CDROM (JFS School) which may be available in your school or college. 16 got a question? Then email us at M askconnexions@oxfordshire.gov.uk
UCAS Extra, Clearing and Adjustment Extra This operates from 24 February to the end of June. If by this stage you aren’t holding any offers from your chosen universities and have no outstanding decisions, then Extra enables you to make further applications (one at a time) so you don’t have to wait until Clearing to find a place. You can find out where there are still vacancies by visiting the Course Search section of the UCAS website. If you are eligible to participate in Extra, a special button will appear on your Track screen. You apply for vacancies through Track but talking to universities and colleges direct to check they can consider you is always a good idea before applying. Clearing If, after you have received your results in August, you are without a place, you can apply for any remaining vacancies through Clearing. If you are already in the UCAS system you will be notified automatically about Clearing. Maximising your chances of success through Clearing • You will need to make some important decisions very quickly so make use of the advice available at your school or college. • Most vacancies are filled within the first few days so don’t delay! • You will need to be calm and methodical despite it being a stressful time. Lots of people will be trying to contact universities and colleges so be persistent and patient. • Don’t rush into a decision without carefully researching the course and the location. If possible, go along and have a look around before making a final decision. • Telephone the course admissions tutor and be ready to talk about your application. Remember to have your UCAS personal ID number with you. • Show your interest and enthusiasm for the course. Adjustment If, when the exam results are announced, you find you have met and exceeded the conditional firm offer you are holding, Adjustment gives you the opportunity, if you wish, to make a new application while at the same time protecting the original firm choice offer. • Once the firm choice institution confirms your offer as unconditional, you have up to five calendar days to secure an Adjustment place. • You need to contact institutions direct to check if they have vacancies and also register for Adjustment with UCAS Track. • If you don’t find an alternative place then your original firm choice will stand. • If you obtain an alternative place, you will become ‘unconditional firm’ with the new institution. The new institution is responsible for confirming that you have met and exceeded your conditional firm offer and are eligible for Adjustment. • Applicants with insurance or original unconditional offers are not eligible to participate in the Adjustment process. • You can contact lots of institutions to look for vacancies but you are allowed to make only one formal Adjustment transaction. Top Tip! • Course vacancies are advertised in many places. The best ones to check are the UCAS website M www.ucas.com and the Daily Telegraph newspaper. • Universities and colleges advertise new and under-subscribed courses on their websites and in newspapers. • Make sure you are around at results time and for a couple of weeks afterwards in case you need to go through Clearing or Adjustment. for careers info go to M www.connexionsoxfordshire.com, then click on eCLIPS 17
Page 1 and 2: 2011-2012 Let's talk about… Choic
Page 3 and 4: Thinking about higher education? Ch
Page 5 and 6: How are the courses structured? Sin
Page 7 and 8: HISTORY • American Studies • An
Page 9 and 10: Studying abroad Studying or working
Page 11 and 12: ✓ Applications calendar YEAR ONE
Page 13 and 14: The UCAS Tariff POINTS GCE AS / AS
Page 15 and 16: Information for students with disab
Page 17: Completing your personal statement
Page 21 and 22: • NHS Student Bursaries Many heal
Page 23 and 24: Taking a gap year More young people
Page 25 and 26: What next after university? The Wha
Page 27 and 28: Student finance • The Complete Un
Page 29 and 30: Student finance M www.direct.gov.uk
Page 31 and 32: MONEY 16 - 19 Bursary Fund (help if

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Let's talk aboutâ¦ - Oxcentric