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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 = alane@stbarts.co.uk
mailto:alane@stbarts.co.ukmailto:alane@stbarts.co.uk7/28/2019 AJL Options at 18 Early Entrants v3
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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.
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