This is an old and famous Latin injunction; it translates as "Seize the Day" not bad advice.

For more advice (though not in Latin) why not visit: http://www.connexions-direct.com/index.cfm?pid=7

DECISIONS AFTER THE SIXTH FORM.

 

If previous career choices in Years 9 and 11 have appeared complex, the choice after the Sixth Form is infinitely more so and possibly more important. The most obvious choice is between employment or Higher Education.

 

Choosing employment leaves the questions:

Which job?

Who is likely to offer employment?

What form does the training take?

Where can the job lead to?

 

Choosing Higher Education leaves the questions:

 Which University, College of Higher Education,

 Art College?

 Vocational or academic course?

 Sandwich course (thick or thin)?

 Sponsorship?

 Distance from home?

Year off before HE

 Financial Implications

 

As Sixth Form students you should be well equipped to come through what is essentially a process of research and analysis in order to make a choice.  You need to decide:

 

1.    What do you want out of life in the short and long term?

2.    What are your own interests and abilities?

3.    What are the appropriate career opportunities?

 

Some of you may already have a very clear idea of the decision, though a double check now might well be valuable. Others might need to start on any of the three above areas and begin a really systematic study of the way ahead. Your decision is very important and deserves plenty of time and effort.  Always seek help if you are unsure.

 

Early in the Upper Sixth if you have decided to enter HE you must make university or college applications. The later you leave this, the less are your chances of achieving your goals.

This decision will quite probably be influenced by a career aim so now is the time, if you've not done so already, to start an investigation.

 

YOUR DECISION AFTER THE SIXTH FORM

 

If you have a clear/determined career choice in mind this will to a large extent decide your HE needs, although there are still probably options to be discussed with parents, tutors and careers advisers. Alternatively, you might be well advised to start with the basics, assessing your own intellectual and social skills along with your interests. This should help you identify favoured career possibilities and rule out others.

 

If you have decided to look for employment, by early in the Upper Sixth you should be in a position to apply to specific firms, so a lot of work needs doing NOW in consultation with a form tutor, careers staff and parents, making full use of the school's careers library.

 

Action is required of you, whatever your plans. You are expected to do some hard thinking and talking about yourself with parents, tutors and careers staff and you must put into full swing your information gathering process - information from:-

 

Firms (opportunities, sponsorships, closing dates)

Professional bodies (on entry requirements)

University/College (prospectuses)

Compendia (of degree courses/requirements, etc.)

Open days

Taster Courses

 

By the end of the summer holidays you should be in a position to go over final details of applications (which universities, which courses, etc.).

Remember, the school's deadline for UCAS applications is before the October half term.

 

Oxford & Cambridge, applications to Medicine, Veterinary Science and Dentistry have a 15 October UCAS deadline.  We need two weeks to process them.  You may also need to take additional exams.  Check prospectuses and see the exams officer at school for entry details.

 

Remember the need for:

 

1.    Maximum honesty in assessing your personality.

2.    Realism in assessing your abilities.

3.    Total thoroughness in gathering information.

4.    Maximum consultation, although in the end you must decide.

 

 

H E: THE BASICS.

 

You need to decide:

 

1.    Why do I want to go on to Higher Education?

A career in mind? Check what it involves, use the careers library, talk with careers staff and your tutor, get an interview with somebody involved in that career or do some work experience. ASK QUESTIONS.

 

No career in mind? Talk to careers staff and your tutor. What about Career Quest? Drifting into HE without a career in mind only postpones your decision about a career. This may not be to your advantage.

 

2.    What Subject?

 

There are masses courses to choose from and the number is constantly increasing! The main sources of information are:-

 

(a)    UCAS Course Search at www.ucas.com

(b)    Compendium of University Entry Requirements (The Big Book)

(c)   Degree Course Offers by Heap

 

These are available for REFERENCE ONLY in X58.

 

In addition “Which Degree” and University Prospectuses will give you more information about courses.

 

3.    What kind of Course?

Full-time, sandwich, length, single-subject, joint or combined subjects?

 

4.    What kind of qualification?

       What level of study?

*    Degree? Two A level/Vocational A level minimum, but usually A LOT higher.

*    HND? One A level/Vocational A level. Can lead on to a degree course after one or two years.

 

5.    Am I qualified to apply?

Have I got enough good GCSE passes in the right subjects? Remember - some universities ask for Grade C+ in English and/or Maths - check prospectus.

Am I being realistic about my A level/Vocational A level results? Remember that Year 12 Exam results are taken into account when deciding on UCAS estimates of potential and these grades will go on your reference!

 

6.    What kind of University or College do I wish to go to?

Size, Campus based, City based, Modem, Traditional

 

7.    Check the prospectus and attend Open Days

Each institution has a prospectus and additional course information. Write or 'phone or e-mail to the institution that you are interested in. There are copies in X58 FOR REFERENCE ONLY. Remember though that they are 'selling' the institution and courses. UCAS publish a list of Open Days and taster courses, booklets are available in Careers Office for reference. Also check posters and watch out for notices about open days.

 

8.    What are my chances?

Very popular courses will be less likely to give you an offer and will demand high grades. A high offer is an indicator of supply and demand, NOT difficulty of course!

“Degree Course Offers” by Brian Heap will give some ideas on this.

This is for reference only.

 

9.    Sponsorship

See the Sponsorship and Student finance information in the careers library. Consider a 'Year in Industry' scheme before university which may lead to sponsorship.

 

10.    What else to look for?

Organisation of studies - exams, assessment, modular options, choices, etc.

 

Social aspects - accommodation, facilities, sport, medical and welfare services, etc. Refer to 'Which University' Guide.

 

Alternative Prospectuses are usually available from the Students' Union of the relevant institution giving a students eye view. Some of these are available in X58.

 

AIM

 

To get most of your research and Open Day visits done by the end of the summer term. You will not have the opportunity to do these in The Upper Sixth before completing your UCAS application form.

 

To have ready at the beginning of September:- 5 UCAS choices and a personal

statement.