How Can You Work With Your Teachers?
OK, let's start with a little introduction, the majority of this is adapted from some advice given by Dr Hibbert to History teachers around the UK. Before we go any further it is important to note two key things:
Without further ado, here are some key things to think about when applying for university.
Mr F
Getting Advice
Teachers are unlikely to have detailed knowledge about History courses in all universities but they can at least give you some guidelines to consider, and they can encourage you to be properly ambitious from an independent standpoint. Equally, they will help you not to waste applications on institutions where you will not meet the entry criteria! Self awareness is key here, sometimes that means getting an independent view.
Self Awareness
Historically, some students have found it difficult to be realistic about their grades. Make sure you don't fall into the trap of Mr Micawber and think that ‘something will turn up’ when you resit, or take the next module. You need to be grounded and realistic about your applications, ambition is good if there is something to back it up. You need to look at your GCSE and AS results and consider what your eventual results are most likely to be. It is no use pleading your teachers for a higher predicted grade unless there was some major reason why you did not achieve this in the past. The sad truth is that this has led too often to disappointment on results day. It is also worth bearing in mind that offers for higher education tend to be on a supply and demand basis and those institutions asking for higher grades may not necessarily be better than those with lower entry requirements.
Insurance Choices
Along with the aspects of self awareness, it is vital that you make a good insurance choice. Think about worst case scenarios. If you have been hovering between As and Bs in some subjects then only applying for AAB universities will be an issue, make sure you have an ABB or even BBB university option just in case. Equally you need to give your insurance offer careful consideration as you may need to make a quick decision on results day as to whether you want to accept a place there or not.
Choosing Subjects
The Russell group identifies what it calls facilitating subjects. History is one of eight ‘facilitating’ subjects, together with maths and further maths, physics, chemistry, biology, languages, geography and English. These are the subjects which will keep options open and which are ‘preferred’. It is worth bearing these in mind when deciding which subjects to continue to A2. LSE has a list of ‘non-preferred’ subjects. Such subjects would normally only be considered if taken with two traditional subjects. There is more information here. It may be too late to address your choice of subjects once you are about to embark on your A2 year, but you can at least check with institutions about whether you are likely to be considered a serious candidate with your profile of GCSE results, AS results and subjects that you have. You also need to check ‘hidden’ requirements, such as the number of A*s you have at GCSE (this used to be a big issue at Durham who demanded 5+) or the need for A*s in a particular subject. It can be difficult to ascertain these, but it is worth asking the question.
- Your teachers want you to be ambitious and end up in an institution where you will thrive and be happy.
- Your teachers also have a vast amount of experience of working with Sixth Formers and will sometimes ask you to consider being realistic about your choices for future study. Whilst you might not always agree with this advice, it will always have your best interests at the centre.
Without further ado, here are some key things to think about when applying for university.
Mr F
Getting Advice
Teachers are unlikely to have detailed knowledge about History courses in all universities but they can at least give you some guidelines to consider, and they can encourage you to be properly ambitious from an independent standpoint. Equally, they will help you not to waste applications on institutions where you will not meet the entry criteria! Self awareness is key here, sometimes that means getting an independent view.
Self Awareness
Historically, some students have found it difficult to be realistic about their grades. Make sure you don't fall into the trap of Mr Micawber and think that ‘something will turn up’ when you resit, or take the next module. You need to be grounded and realistic about your applications, ambition is good if there is something to back it up. You need to look at your GCSE and AS results and consider what your eventual results are most likely to be. It is no use pleading your teachers for a higher predicted grade unless there was some major reason why you did not achieve this in the past. The sad truth is that this has led too often to disappointment on results day. It is also worth bearing in mind that offers for higher education tend to be on a supply and demand basis and those institutions asking for higher grades may not necessarily be better than those with lower entry requirements.
Insurance Choices
Along with the aspects of self awareness, it is vital that you make a good insurance choice. Think about worst case scenarios. If you have been hovering between As and Bs in some subjects then only applying for AAB universities will be an issue, make sure you have an ABB or even BBB university option just in case. Equally you need to give your insurance offer careful consideration as you may need to make a quick decision on results day as to whether you want to accept a place there or not.
Choosing Subjects
The Russell group identifies what it calls facilitating subjects. History is one of eight ‘facilitating’ subjects, together with maths and further maths, physics, chemistry, biology, languages, geography and English. These are the subjects which will keep options open and which are ‘preferred’. It is worth bearing these in mind when deciding which subjects to continue to A2. LSE has a list of ‘non-preferred’ subjects. Such subjects would normally only be considered if taken with two traditional subjects. There is more information here. It may be too late to address your choice of subjects once you are about to embark on your A2 year, but you can at least check with institutions about whether you are likely to be considered a serious candidate with your profile of GCSE results, AS results and subjects that you have. You also need to check ‘hidden’ requirements, such as the number of A*s you have at GCSE (this used to be a big issue at Durham who demanded 5+) or the need for A*s in a particular subject. It can be difficult to ascertain these, but it is worth asking the question.