Karla Fitzhugh - Insiders Guide to Applying to University

KARLA FITZHUGH

2ND EDITION

Insiders Guide to Applying to University

Author: Karla Fitzhugh

This second edition is published in 2011 by Trotman Publishing an imprint of Crimson Publishing, Westminster House, Kew Road, Richmond, Surrey TW9 2ND

Trotman Publishing 2011

Epub edition 2011ISBN: 978-1-84455-297-9

The author has asserted her moral right to be identified as the author of this book.

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this ebook on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of Crimson Publishing ebooks.

Epub file created by RefineCatch Ltd, Bungay

K arla Fitzhugh is an author and journalist who has written extensively on higher education choice. Karla is the author of The Virgin University Survival Guide and has written for a number of education publications for young people, including UCASs YouCan magazine, as well as a wide variety of newspapers, including the Guardian and Independent.

M uch love and thanks go to Doug for his help and support during the writing of this second edition of the book.

Im also grateful to the staff at Trotman and all the interviewees whove contributed so much to the Insiders Guide.

T he writing of this second edition of the Insiders Guide to Applying to University coincides with record-high numbers of people applying to get into higher education, a challenging employment market for graduates and uncertainty over fees and funding.

Going to university has always offered the opportunity to study interesting subjects at a higher level and enjoy the experience of university life, and it has become even more popular for a variety of reasons. Its been heavily promoted as an ideal for young people by successive governments, and in tough economic times many courses appear to offer ways in to secure, and sometimes lucrative, careers. Mature students recently applied in record numbers too, most hoping to better their personal prospects after time spent in the workforce.

In the meantime, universities have been banned from taking on more students than their allocated quotas, and cuts are being felt throughout the higher education system, so demand has outstripped supply. This year around 700,000 applicants competed for fewer than 500,000 full-time undergraduate places.

If youre thinking about applying to university or college this year or next, theres never been a better time to equip yourself with insider advice and tips. Start early, research and prepare well, and youll be able to give yourself the best possible chance in this competitive arena.

I ts wise to invest plenty of effort and allow time for careful consideration at the start of the application process. Not only will it help you pick the right course, it can also dramatically increase your chances of making a successful application. Even if you already have a clear idea of the course youd like to take, or the career path youd like to follow, plenty of research and reflection is needed to give your communications with universities and colleges the edge.

The financial burden of gaining a higher education qualification has increased greatly in the last few years, and it may continue to rise dramatically. Consequently, the cost and quality of a degree and the employment prospects for its graduates have gained far greater importance on the list of prospective students priorities. While funding and debt are both undoubtedly a large part of the equation for a great number of people, its also good to enjoy what, and hopefully where, youre studying as well. Being generally happy with your choice can improve your chances of gaining higher grades, and it also reduces your chances of dropping out.

There are many lists and tables available that claim to tell you what the best courses and universities are. These may be useful sometimes as part of gaining a broader overview, but should be taken with a pinch of salt on their own as the figures can be out of date or weighted according to criteria that arent important to everyone. The best course for you is the one that youre most interested in, for your own personal reasons, and the only person who can decide that is you preferably with plenty of accurate information in front of you.

In a nutshell, successful undergraduates are committed and genuinely interested in their subject. Openness to new ideas, trying out new things and socialising are also good. This doesnt mean you should join every society going; knowing yourself is really important. Be prepared to manage your own time and undertake a large proportion of self-directed study.

FRASER SHADWELL, CONNEXIONS PERSONAL ADVISER

In the past, the main motivations for going to university or college have been twofold: both to gain qualifications and to enjoy the entire university experience. Increasingly, applicants have come to look two steps ahead focusing upon employment levels for graduates, job security, earning potential and career trajectories. It is being seen more in terms of a financial investment, as well as an investment of time and effort. More and more candidates are looking for value for money.

Higher education is a big commitment and can be hard work at times, taking you out of your comfort zone, but this can be rewarding in a variety of ways. Financial prospects for graduates tend to be better than prospects for non-graduates: people with degrees tend to earn more over their working lives and are significantly less likely to be unemployed for any length of time. Certain careers also demand specific degrees or postgraduate qualifications before you can work in them.

But its important to look at more than the money issues when searching for a course. Studying for a degree or diploma is an opportunity to explore an interesting subject in depth, to make the most of your natural talents and to challenge yourself intellectually. It allows you to push yourself and develop new skills, expand your horizons, increase your self-confidence, meet diverse and interesting people and expand your social life.

If youre certain that you want to go into higher education, the biggest decisions will be what to study, where to study it, how to fund yourself, and what youd like to do after you graduate. This process can be quite complicated and time consuming, and sometimes its difficult to know where to begin. Its easiest to break it down into smaller parts so you dont feel overwhelmed. Start by making a rough timetable for tackling each task, and create a progress file so you know where you are. Youll also be able to refer back to the file for reminders and pointers if you have moments where you get a bit lost or stuck.

Try breaking your tasks up using the headings below.