UCAS checklist: for parents
UCAS checklist: for parents We’ve recently been discussing with your child the process of applying to higher education courses through the completion of an online UCAS application. We will help them through this journey, which begins now and won’t finish until after they receive their final results. You may already know all about the Universities & Colleges Admissions Service, but just in case this is all new to you, use this handy checklist to stay on top of the process:
Application deadlines
15 October
Oxford & Cambridge universities Medicine / Dentistry / Veterinary courses
15 January
Main deadline for all other courses
24 March
Selected Art & Design courses
Now – October / November The ‘UCAS Apply form 2014’ goes live around the middle of June. Get your child to register online and start the application process: www.ucas.com/apply Encourage an enormous amount of research – see the box on the next page Inspire, trick, chivvy or outright force them to create a first draft of their personal statement – this is a brief written section of the form, all about why they should be offered a place to study the courses they have chosen Act as a sounding board for them to edit, edit, edit, that vital personal statement, until you can answer positively to the following questions: o From just their personal statement is it obvious what course they want to pursue? o When you read it, does it sound as if they’re excited and enthusiastic about furthering their study? o Have they used their most relevant experiences to show they are prepared to start studying their chosen courses? o Is it completely free of spelling, grammar and punctuation errors?
2014 Entry
UCAS checklist: for parents Questions to ask your child to encourage them to research Course questions:
Which of your current subjects do you most enjoy?
Which of your current subjects are you best at?
What degree courses can you do in that area?
What career would you like in the future?
What grades would you need to study that course?
Have you used the course search on www.ucas.com – there are almost 40,000 courses you can study in the UK
Institution questions:
How far is it from home?
What are the facilities like – sports / labs / libraries / clubs?
What is the nightlife like?
How good is the accommodation?
Would you prefer a campus or not?
What is the reputation / position in the league tables?
Final pointers This is their application – you should guide them using all the experience and knowledge you have whilst allowing them to make the best decisions they can for themselves Sign up for the free parents newsletter on the UCAS website www.ucas.com/parents Be continually encouraging and suportive – especially if things don’t always go to plan. It will mean more to them then they will ever tell you
2014 Entry
Application deadlines
15 October
Oxford & Cambridge universities Medicine / Dentistry / Veterinary courses
15 January
Main deadline for all other courses
24 March
Selected Art & Design courses
Now – October / November The ‘UCAS Apply form 2014’ goes live around the middle of June. Get your child to register online and start the application process: www.ucas.com/apply Encourage an enormous amount of research – see the box on the next page Inspire, trick, chivvy or outright force them to create a first draft of their personal statement – this is a brief written section of the form, all about why they should be offered a place to study the courses they have chosen Act as a sounding board for them to edit, edit, edit, that vital personal statement, until you can answer positively to the following questions: o From just their personal statement is it obvious what course they want to pursue? o When you read it, does it sound as if they’re excited and enthusiastic about furthering their study? o Have they used their most relevant experiences to show they are prepared to start studying their chosen courses? o Is it completely free of spelling, grammar and punctuation errors?
2014 Entry
UCAS checklist: for parents Questions to ask your child to encourage them to research Course questions:
Which of your current subjects do you most enjoy?
Which of your current subjects are you best at?
What degree courses can you do in that area?
What career would you like in the future?
What grades would you need to study that course?
Have you used the course search on www.ucas.com – there are almost 40,000 courses you can study in the UK
Institution questions:
How far is it from home?
What are the facilities like – sports / labs / libraries / clubs?
What is the nightlife like?
How good is the accommodation?
Would you prefer a campus or not?
What is the reputation / position in the league tables?
Final pointers This is their application – you should guide them using all the experience and knowledge you have whilst allowing them to make the best decisions they can for themselves Sign up for the free parents newsletter on the UCAS website www.ucas.com/parents Be continually encouraging and suportive – especially if things don’t always go to plan. It will mean more to them then they will ever tell you
2014 Entry
