News

Taking the Next Step: University Preparation Update

The first half of Michaelmas is traditionally one of the busiest periods in the University Preparation calendar, with an array of activities including trips, talks and presentations from a variety of organisations, in-class support, along with expert one-to-one guidance provided by our excellent tutors and the whole of the Sixth form team. This is to enable the Year 13 students to make a flying start with their university applications and support the Medicine and Oxbridge candidates applying for the early UCAS equal consideration deadline.

This year, well over half of the group submitted their applications for the early entry deadline, and many are already beginning to receive offers to join courses at some of the most competitive Universities in the UK. 

As this part of the process is underway and with the rest of the Year 13’s fully engaged in the task of completing their applications, we are now beginning to provide information and additional support to help students think ahead and prepare for interviews, offers and ultimately, university life. This term, some of the many activities have included:

• Personal statement workshop with Iwan Hopkin from Cardiff University
• Talk on student life and applying to research intensive universities with Dr Karl Devincenzi from the University of Exeter
• Individual UCAS Application support provided during UP sessions by expert staff with access to UCAS, Morrisby and Xello guidance platforms
• Tutor support for Personal statements and references, along with general university advice 
• University admissions test support, including help, guidance and mock tests
• Practise interviews and coaching for competitive course applications 

In addition, last week our new Year 12 students were able to get a feel for the incredible opportunities available, as they begin to search for their dream course or future life option, with an excellent University and Careers Exhibition at Ashton Gate, Bristol. Visiting this event is an important element of our UP programme and many students were able to ask questions and network, meet other students and gather information to help them decide what the best option will be for them in the future, prior to beginning the application process and drafting their personal statements in the Lent and Summer terms. With nearly 100 Universities attending along with a range of other organisations and sectors represented, including the uniformed services, there was a real buzz of enthusiasm as they started to explore opportunities and shape their futures and we’re looking forward to supporting them further on this journey.

When we return from our break, we have another series of talks and activities planned for Year 13, as well as further support for students undertaking University interviews in collaboration with our FutureSmart colleagues, along with the tuition we have provided this term for university entrance examinations such as TMUA, ESAT, TARA and LNAT. In addition, on Saturday, 14^th November we are running our annual mock Multiple Mini Interview and Medical Panel event for our Healthcare Applicants, and over the next few weeks we will also be encouraging our remaining Year 13 University applicants to make sure they are now finishing off their applications, completing their Personal Statements and talking to their tutors about their Academic References, since our internal deadline is the 30^th November.

We also look forward to an exciting and inspiring Aspire To … Creative Arts and Media careers event to look forward to for Years 10-13 on Tuesday 17^th November. To attend, from your Firefly homepage, please click the Parents Booking 'Quick Link' and select your child’s name. The booking closes at 10:30 on Tuesday 10^th November.