Competitive Universities and Degree Courses Information Evening

Introducing 6th Form G&T programme

What are competitive universities and degree courses?

What are the institutions looking for?

The Oxbridge selection process

The Bullers Wood support programme

Bullers Wood Sixth Form Gifted and Talented Philosophy

• Identify suitable students

• Raise awareness of opportunities for high achievers

• Encourage students to be aspirational and aim high

• Challenge misconceptions about Oxford and Cambridge

• Provide assistance to allow students to maximise their potential in terms of their Higher Education future

• Provide as much individual attention as possible

Bullers Wood KS5 Gifted and Talented Philosophy

“……I just wanted to say thank you for everything; for your support with Oxbridge - I never thought two years ago this would be my

future, I hadn't even considered Oxford when I started Bullers. I'd just like to say, thank you so much for opening doors for me.”

(Stephanie Back, 2010-12, currently reading Spanish at St Anne’s College, Oxford)

Key School Focal points• Mr Weeks

Co-ordinator for Competitive University Applications

Head of Year 13

• Mrs Mitchell

Head of Year 12

• Ms Bellis

Director 6th Form

• Ms van Teutem

Assistant Head Teacher (i/c Gifted and Talented)

Bullers Wood Oxbridge & Russell / 1994 Group History

Oxbridge• 2008: 2 offers• 2009: 1 offer• 2010: 2 offers• 2011: 0 offers• 2012: 3 offers• 2013: 2 offers

Other Top Institutions• 2012: 56 offers for Russell /1994 Group• 2013: 60 offers for Russell / 1994 Group

(and students often attend top institutions after Art Foundation)

MedicineEvery year, 1 or 2 students gain places on Medicine

(and related) degree courses

What are Russell Group universities?

“The Russell Group represents 24 leading UK universities

which are committed to maintaining the very best research, an outstanding

teaching and learning experience and unrivalled links

with business and the public sector.”

What is the 1994 group?

Established in 1994, the Group brings together twelve internationally renowned, research-

intensive universities. The Group provides a central vehicle to help members promote their common

interests in higher education, respond

efficiently to key policy issues, and share best methods and practice.

Best in the country for Creative Writing, and

more….

A Level Advice – make right choice!.

Medicine related courses

• Medicine

• Veterinary Science

• Dentistry

What are ‘Top Universities’ seeking?

Cambridge (Murray Edwards College) Admissions Tutor:

“Students need to be excited by intellectual complexity and uncertainty. This is key and arguably more important than exam results”

Advice to students:• Academic ability and potential• Motivation and independence of mind• Enthusiasm and commitment

What are ‘Top Universities’ seeking?

Oxford Admissions department:

“your subject becomes your hobby”

Suitability for tutorial system:– Ability in and passion for their subject– Enquiring / questioning mindset– Analytical / logical thinking style– Proven track record at GCSE– Self motivated & reads outside the classroom

(Not about personality type / confidence and not looking for ‘all-rounders’)

Oxbridge Selection process

1. GCSE– Average applicant to Oxford has 6.2 A*s (Classics 7.81 to Computer science 4.43)

“if GCSEs poor, but AS results show promise…..” , “continual improvement”

Oxbridge Selection process2. AS level grades

– The Cambridge ‘supplementary application questionnaire’ (inc. UMS scores)

3. A2 predicted grades

Oxbridge Selection process4. UCAS Personal statement

– Super-curricular activities– (Extra-curricular activities)– Work experience– Associated skills– ENTHUSIASM

5. UCAS reference

6. Aptitude / assessment tests for most subjects

7. Written work

8. Interviews (minimum 2)

Oxbridge Interviews

• Cambridge and Oxford interviews similar• Other Russell Group universities also conduct interviews.• Approx 3 candidates per place interviewed at Oxford (more at

Cam)• Structured but informal based upon tutorial / supervision approach• Questions become more challenging (but not ‘trick questions’)• Questions based on resource prompt and involve problem solving• In interviews must demonstrate:

– enthusiasm, genuine interest, clarity of thought, analytical ability, intellectual flexibility, evidence of wider reading

A2 Entrance Requirements for ‘Top Universities’

• Oxford– AAA for some Humanities or Social Science courses– A*AA for most Science based subjects– A*A*A for most Mathematics courses

• Cambridge– Standard Offer of A*AA– “Some flexibility”

• Russell Group / 1994 Group– Depends on institution / course but can be A*A*A

• Medicine– Minimum AAA (Often A*AA)

Identification of ‘Potential’

Here, students identified and tracked on basis of:

• Analysis of GCSE results, Bullers Wood A Level targets• Dialogue with Heads of Department and subject teachers

(November of Year 12)• Self selection and subsequent discussion with teachers• Evidence of INDEPENDENT LEARNERS (eg EPQ)

The group of students is fluid. Students opt out and others opt in (September in Year 13) due to student review of their future or unexpected AS results.

Raise Awareness• Assemblies / presentations / meetings

• Alumnus talk

• Higher Education evening at Bullers Wood

• Oxbridge information evening at ‘linked’ local school

• Regular one to one discussions regarding College and course choice with 6th form team

• Participation in events provided by external agencies……

Raise AwarenessAnnual• Oxford and Cambridge conference (Epsom, 2013)• Summer Schools (Sutton Trust and UNIQ)• London University Taster Days• Pathways to Success Conference

Adhoc events• PiXL conferences• Subject specific study days at either Oxford or

Cambridge (eg Cambridge Genetics Master Class)

Written Application preparation

• External advice:– PiXL Conference– Epsom conference– Summer schools– Personal statement workshop provided by the “Life

Skills Company”

• Internal UCAS supervision:– Initial draft with form tutors– Regular meetings with Mr Weeks to perfect the

personal statement

Assessment Test Advice

• Experienced teachers assist• Practice Tests provided• Specialist BMAT / UKCAT assistance• Booked through school (eg LNAT) or taken at

time of interview

Interview Preparation• Discussion workshops

– Developing the confidence to impress academically via verbal communication

• Provide advice– Demonstrate ability to think critically– Demonstrate deep understanding beyond AS level (students should ensure

that AS material is revised well)

• Practice:– Training given by Mansfield College Admissions Co-ordinator– Training / Mock interviews with Admissions Tutor from Imperial College– ‘Swaps’ with Townley Grammar– Senior Leadership interviews at Bullers Wood– Subject specific interviews at Bullers Wood– Pay for extra language tuition– Parental assistance…..

Medicine preparation

• Specialist subject teacher assistance– Application advice– Statement advice– Interview advice– BMAT and UKCAT advice

• External speakers arranged by Science and 6 th Form– UCL Head of Neurology– Work experience guidance– BMAT and UKCAT advice

• Work experience advice (internally)

Bullers Wood Sixth Form competitive university support programme 2012-14(Approximate timeline for the programme for the current Year 12, as illustration)

Year 12

Nov: - Identification of potential

Feb: - Increase awareness (Alumnus talk, Oxbridge conference)

- Summer school applications

March: - Higher Education and Careers evening at Bullers Wood

July: - (Pathways to Success Conference - Murray Edwards, Cambridge, in 2011,2012)

- “Discussion workshops”

- Departments and college open days

- UCAS personal statement workshop, Discussion about preparation over the summer

Year 13

Sep: - Interview assistance from Imperial College Admissions Manager

- UCAS personal statement assistance

- Subject specific preparation led by subject teachers

Oct: - General interview preparation given by Bullers Wood

- Mock interviews (SLT, Imperial College Tutor, subject specialists)

Nov: - Assessments, Submission of written work for Oxbridge, Mock interviews

Dec: - Oxbridge interviews, Collation of feedback about the interview and student preparation

How can parents help?

• Encourage completion of “super-curricular” activities

• Listen to talks about academic issues• Conduct practice interviews• Offer mock interviews for other students

(Act as chauffeur for open days etc)

Preparation for my Geography Application

• Subscription to Journal of Meteorology, Journal of Climatology, National Geographic

• Independent visits to Oxford University

• Membership of Royal Geographical Society

• Extra reading and essays on meteorology

• Arranged mock interviews with family friends

• WORKED HARD

(No Assessment prior to interview or at interview, in my day….)

Students’ Advice to Students

Chantal Miller – hoping to read Medicine

Agnes Turay – hoping to read Modern Foreign Languages

What should students be doing NOW!!

Year 10:• Participate in any additional school activities• Arrange trips to university cities. Is it for you?• Work hard for your linear GCSEs

Year 11:• Maximise your GCSE results in core subjects (EBACC) through hard work• Choose the appropriate A Level choices• Seriously consider your degree / institution choice (but not fixed!!)

Year 12:• Do the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) – Friday, 29th November• Decide on your degree / institution choice(s)• Do the extra reading, join societies, complete extra work• Attend various Taster Courses, Summer schools, conferences etc• SHOW PASSION

What should students be doing NOW!!

GET THE BEST GRADES POSSIBLE!

ANY QUESTIONS?