Managing The UCAS Process

1
Managing The UCAS Process

• Steve Minney
• Student Recruitment Office

2
The UCAS Process

• UCAS is an imperfect system that produces very
  accurate results.
• Very few candidates exceed their predicted
  grades.
• The overwhelming majority are offered and
  ultimately gain the place they deserve. Sir
  Graham Davies, Chair of Delivery Partnership

3
The UCAS Reference

• 55 of all UCAS applications arrive in the 5
  weeks before January 15th.
• Students assume that once they have completed
  their element of the form that it is immediately
  in the hands of an admissions tutor. The vast
  majority of admissions tutors actually see
  printed versions.

4

Uses of Reference

• Selection vs Recruitment
• Reference is used to differentiate between strong
  candidates and to gather positive evidence
  concerning borderline candidates (particularly at
  confirmation).

5

Uses of Reference

• Selection vs Recruitment
• High Achievers will need a strong reference,
  their academic efforts alone are unlikely to be
  enough for the most selective courses.

6
Predicted Grades
Obviously crucial in generating an offer from
selecting courses. Movement towards transparency
Individual Learner Numbers, HEIs increasingly
likely to see AS performance. Changes to modular
A levels reduction in units per subject,
schools/colleges will possibly defer examination
of AS.
7
Predicted Grades

• Any discrepancy between prior and predicted
  performance should be fully explained by the
  referee.
• Objective comparison of applicants performance is
  helpful, eg, In the top 3 for Chemistry.
• A brief description of the candidates performance
  in each subject and any identifiable skills
  related to course of choice are essential.
• Any special circumstances that may have affected
  candidates performance should be clearly stated.

8
Description of School/College

• Brief Statement outlining general levels of
  achievement, progression, any specific
  information regarding curriculum or policy
  regards qualifications, eg, number of AS/A2
  attempted.
• Some HEIs seek students who are demonstrably high
  achievers in terms of their immediate peer group
  not necessarily those who achieve the highest
  grades nationally.

9
Academic Success Independent Learning

• The methods of study that get a student to their
  University of choice may not be enough to succeed
  once they arrive.

10
Academic Success Independent Learning

• Selecting Courses Seek
• The Capacity for Independent Learning.
• Intellectual Curiosity.
• Commitment to Subject.

11
Independent Learners

• Are Highly Motivated/Self Directed.
• Display flexibility, analytic ability and logical
  reasoning.
• Explore Potential.
• Are Good Time Managers.
• Have the ability to reflect on their learning and
  take action.
• Read around their subject.

12
Academic Success Independent Learning

• One of the hardest concepts for some students to
  grasp is that in many subjects there are no
  correct answers there are opinions. Being an
  independent learner means having a thirst for
  knowledge and a willingness to argue and debate.
• Evidence of these skills is crucial in obtaining
  a place on a selecting course.

13
Independent Learning

Description of extra curricular exploration of a
subject makes for a powerful recommendation. The
reference is used to describe future potential,
not just recent achievement. Sport/Culture/Volunt
ary work can all build a picture of a rounded
person and effective time manager.

14
Adjustment Period

• New facility for 2009 entry arises from work of
  Delivery Parternship
• Applicants must exceed original CF offer
• 5 calendar days from UF or 20th August (whichever
  is later)
• How many students will trade 18 months research
  for a new HEI?

15
Adjustment Period

• Applicant registers on Track
• Applicant contacts HEIs to find another place
• HEI checks conditions of their UF offer in
  web-link
• HEI must ensure applicant understands
  implications of changing courses
• HEI offers applicant a place
• Applicant accepts offer at one HEI
• HEI enters Adjustment Acceptance in web-link
• UCAS sends applicant Confirmation letter
• Applicant view acceptance on Track

16
HEI/Applicant Timeline
September Year 12 6th Form Induction February
Year 12 UCAS Introduction/Choices March July
Year 12 HE Conventions June/July Year 12
Personal Statement Workshop/Parents Summer Year
12 Student Ambassadors/Former
Pupils Spring/Summer Year 12 Open
Days September Year 13 Finance October Year 13
- Half Term Deadline
17
Managing a Successful Application

• Realism regarding candidates ability.
• Candidates Increasingly See References.
• Recognise that 1 reference that will be assessed
  by 5 admissions tutors.
• Provide Candidates/Parents with effective
  guidance pre-application.
• Relationships with HEIs/Feedback
• Appeals Process