ajl options at 18 early entrants v3

7/28/2019 AJL Options at 18 Early Entrants v3

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Early entrants

Personal statements

Extended project qualification

Options at 18


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What is the Extended Project

Qualification?

Half an A level, graded A* to E

A project title, research, written up (usually) as a

6000 word dissertation (but other possibilities are

available)

Here at St Barts, it isnt taught it is self led, with

support from an assigned member of staff

Many hours of work around 30 over the

summer

Edexcel Extended Project Qualification level 3


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What kind of titles? What is evil and are we free to choose? What were the causes of the Punic Wars?

Was the USA justified in dropping the atomicbomb on Hiroshima in 1945?

Are dogs more intelligent than wolves?

Why do people become anorexic?

Should unsustainable activities be accounted forin GDP?

Portrait and personality - make a series of 2D or

3D images that are based on the theme ofportraiture.

Illustration - make illustrations for either a poemor a childrens story of your choice.

Why is there no vaccine for malaria?


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Valued by universities

Valued by universities stretch and challenge tostudents; show what you can do. Not usually part

of offers.

Something that will make you stand out from the

crowd, that you can include on your UCAS form,

talk about in interview.

Universities know that those who complete the

EP will come to university having had the

opportunity to develop the academic and thinking

skills they are looking for.


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Valued by employers

The kind of skills that you will develop in the EPQwill be those that are valued not only experience

of working independently and presenting but also

the self-discipline to see something through to its

conclusion.


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Valued by students In your other subjects, you are following a

syllabus set by other people who think they knowwhat you should study. The EPQ is an opportunityfor you to stretch yourself and carve out some

time to think about, read about, write about atopic that interests you.

You will also have the real benefit of havingregular, one to one mentoring from a teacher whowants to help you make progress in your skills.

If you are motivated, this is a qualification thatcan help bridge the gap between school anduniversity / the world of work, and help give youan advantage in a competitive world.


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Who needs to apply by 15OCTOBER?All applicants for courses at Oxford or CambridgeAll applicants forMEDICINE, DENTISTRYandVET SCIENCE/ MEDICINE,regardless of the

institution.

Some music courses. There is a range of support for earlyentrants available at St Barts.

Support for personal statement drafting Interview practice (Downe House/StBarts) with feedback Mrs Lane / other members of staff


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Do you want to apply to

Oxbridge?

Oxbridge is different in terms of style ofteaching and the experience of university

education

You may already be convinced that you want to

make an early entry, or you may be currently

undecided

Course choice is by far the most important factor


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Oxbridge isnt...

More expensive (in fact it can be relatively cheap)

Impossible to get in (although it is extremely

competitive offers usually around A*AA)

Only for the rich and well-connected


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Oxford or Cambridge? Its mainly about COURSE choiceAfter that, one of the key differences is AS versus

GCSE grades. Cambridge focus VERY heavily onAS results especially UMS.

Cambridge - fewer tests prior to the interview;Oxford, more so. 80-90% of applicants will be interviewed.

Top 3% of the ability range potential and

achievement. AS average over 90%. Mean AS average across Cambridge 94-96%.

No minimum A* but most applicants achieved A*inmost of their GCSEs.


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HOW TO APPLY This is all done through the UCAS onlinesystem. At the initial application stage there are

no extra forms to complete now for Oxford or

Cambridge.

You can make up to 5 choices, including eitherOxford orCambridge.

If you are applying to any institutions forMedicine/ Dentistry/ Vet Science, you have 4

choices, though you could add another course

e.g. Biomedical Science.


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1. OTHER TESTS:to sit in school

Some of the tests that you may need to sit foryour particular course choice can be done in

school. These are

BMAT HAT ELAT Thinking Skills


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2. OTHER TESTS:to sit at other centres

Some tests have to be taken at either Reading orBasingstoke these are based at Driving Theory

Test Centres

The main tests that work in this way are:

UKCAT LNAT


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REGISTERING to takeADDITIONAL TESTS Inform the schools Exams Office, ASAP.

Check on the very useful websites that all these

tests provide to see what is involved, when

applications open/ close etc.


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What are these tests for? In some cases you will need to enter yourscores

from these tests on yourUCAS form

In other cases you may not find out, either later or

ever, about how you fared.

These tests are crucial; they do act as afiltering system and it is clear that they doimpact significantly on your chances of success.

Please note these are generic tests i.e.skills-based, not knowledge-based.


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OTHER TESTS:at university

Oxford or Cambridge may ask you to sit somekind of test when you go up there for interview.

The style of these will vary. They may be written

or some kind of text may provide a starting point

for discussion. The Oxford and Cambridge websites are

very helpful in the detail they offer. They should

set out all the details you need.


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OTHER TESTS:written work from school

You may be asked to provide written work thatyou have done at school. There may be certainkinds of work required. It is highly unlikely that itwill be a completely new special piece of work.

They usually like to see teachers annotation onthis too.

Again check the requirements and make sure thatthis is sent before the date asked for usuallymid-November. You will also need to downloada cover sheet that authenticates the work you aresending.

Never send the originals of your work and makesure that you go to interview with copies of

anything you have sent.


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COURSE CHOICES What subject(s) do you want to apply for? Is this a subject you are/ are not taking at A

Level?

Are you qualified/ will be qualified for the courseyou like check the small print

Do you want to study the same course at allyour university choices?


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OXFORD and CAMBRIDGECOLLEGE CHOICES You may have a particular college that you want

to apply to.

The school may have links with a particular

college because it has sent a number of students

to it.

You can make an OPEN application wherethe university will decide for you. There are no

disadvantages in opting for this system.


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SOME OTHER POINTS.

Do you need to get some (further) workexperience? References from your teachers make sure

you tell them of your plans for Higher Education

courses.

Ensure your teachers know you are an early entry

candidate to avoid any delay in processing your

application/ references next term.

Mrs Lanes email = [email protected]
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Questions for now

Have you decided on your course or do you needmore time and research?

Have you set up work experience for the

summer?

Do you have a plan for further / wider reading?

Look at the wider reading list for the

undergraduate courses

Have you told your subject teachers about yourapplication?


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PERSONAL STATEMENTS Very important as a way to sell yourself

Take a long time to complete to the best standard

Enthusiasm/ passion for your chosen coursemust dominate

Academic excellence is highly prized; thepersonal statement should demonstrate your love

of learning, your extra reading/studying around

the A Level curriculum etc (70/30 split) If you are applying for more than one course, this

can take careful drafting


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A relevant, well-written personal

statement.....

Shows your enthusiasm

Demonstrates your VALUE as a potential student

Explains any issues with the application


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Practical ideas

Use positive words like achieved, developed,commitment, energy....

Short, simple sentences in plain English not

contrived, verbose or grandiose

Personal touch if possible but avoid humour

Focus on skills and use evidence

Be honest! You will be caught out


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Dont....

I enjoy the theatre and used to go a couple oftimes a year. (drama)

I am a keen reader and am committed to the

study of human behaviour through TV soaps.

(literature)

I have led a full life over the last 18 years and it is

a tradition I intend to continue.

I describe myself in the two following words TOODIN!!!!! the ancient Viking war cry.

I enjoy socialising with my friends.

My interest in medicine stems from watching

Casualty.


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What to do now Start as soon as possible on this Make lists/ jot down ideas

Think about planning for five paragraphs like an

essay

Keep coming back to your draft to add, reshape,

reflect on what you want to say.

ajl options at 18 early entrants v3

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