Showing posts with label University. Show all posts
Showing posts with label University. Show all posts
No comparison!
Compare these two extracts from a Personal Statement:
"EC's included things like being in the cricket team, playing for local tennis club and done some karting in my junior years."
and
"Ec included:
a. setting up a company whilst studying for my AS levels. The company produced manuals for use in the delivery of Economics, Sociology, Business Studies and Psychology. I was one of the Directors of the company and was solely responsible for organising a team of writers (including teachers from outside the school) to write the manuals. I also wrote two of the manuals myself...
b. Whilst studying for my AS levels I designed mock examinations and marking schemes for the subjects I was studying. These schemes were then sold to the publisher ####### who even now sells them to schools.
c. During the half term of ###I (and two other students) ran a revision course. Pupils were charged to attend and all the fees went to charity.
d. In the summer of 2009 I trained to be an EFL teacher (English as a Foreign Language). I also gained some first hand experience in teaching EFL by working for ###### for free.
e. As ####### was not offered as a subject at my school I organised a study group. I planned the work schedule, the books and the study plan. Each week one of the 'members' would 'teach' a particular topic. We also liaised with other students worldwide.
f. In January 2009 (after I had finished my AS exams, having completed the entire AS course in 3 months) I used the spare time to do voluntary work for #### This entailed.....
g. English is my second language. To improve my versatility I advertised in www.dailyinformation.co.uk as a Russian teacher swopping Russian for ######## This means I am fluent in two languages and have a working knowledge of########
h. I have achieved an IELTS score of 7.5. In part this was helped because I am an active member of Oxford Reading/Writing/Speaking club> I also regularly make podcasts on Economics topics for my blog. I know from site statistics that visitors from such countries as ############# listen.
The second candidate demonstrates initiative, organisational skills, a willingness to make decisions, resourcefulness and versatility.
An original thinker.
The first candidate is merely a member of various teams.
Plus entering competitions such as this would help. I have posted many times on here about essays - here is another example
In 2008 a student of mine at Bellerbys got into Warwick. This is after a one year FOUNDATION course. Very unusual. To help his application (on my suggestion) he wrote an extended essay on whether or not an investor should invest in Bellerbys if it was a public company. That, and outstanding references, impressed Warwick.
Read and enter this
and this
THIS won a prize!
Now if a student wrote about using blogs for learning.....
Of course someone might say it's arrogant to inlude a whole essay in with the UCAS form. What we're looking for is something that tips the balance, makes you different but is also relevant to the course. What can be lost by including the essay IF it adds to the form? Maybe too much information - better of course to have had the essay published - if not in the UK, in Russia...
Another criticism might be:
"the aim of the PS - show interest in the subject\area, which he or she applied for. show that he did more than just AS/A2 also mentioning books on your subject area would be great, especially if you presenting and analysing some ideas from it. talking about achivements is great, but not enough. especially for Oxbridge"
The suggestions above are all about achievement not just for SELF but involving others. Not climbing a mountain but LEADING a climb; not just being in a company but ORGANISING something; not just self-study but ORGANISING self-study for others. Showing you are a team player but also a leader, a unique individual who mixes in well, has energy and organisation, empathy and altruism (voluntary work). Already, being a foreign student you have an advantage.
Plus of course you should read widely and be aware of comments:
"I have heard it said also that other universities discriminate against Oxbridge candidates – they’re less likely to give you an offer, or will make you a high one (like AAB) to force you to pick them or Oxford. Technically I don’t think they should do this, but it does seem to happen – certainly in my case although I got to Oxford I had only three offers (out of a possible six) through UCAS"
Read the rest of the reviews and comments
And, as I have said before (but unfortunately ignored) producing something like this (with Chinese and Russian versions) would a) earn money and b) show initiative.
Buying something like this would clearly help - and you get free Economics notes. Why not download the FREE Indstrial Economics chapter (43 pges) - it's A2 but I am certain you will understand it...
"EC's included things like being in the cricket team, playing for local tennis club and done some karting in my junior years."
and
"Ec included:
a. setting up a company whilst studying for my AS levels. The company produced manuals for use in the delivery of Economics, Sociology, Business Studies and Psychology. I was one of the Directors of the company and was solely responsible for organising a team of writers (including teachers from outside the school) to write the manuals. I also wrote two of the manuals myself...
b. Whilst studying for my AS levels I designed mock examinations and marking schemes for the subjects I was studying. These schemes were then sold to the publisher ####### who even now sells them to schools.
c. During the half term of ###I (and two other students) ran a revision course. Pupils were charged to attend and all the fees went to charity.
d. In the summer of 2009 I trained to be an EFL teacher (English as a Foreign Language). I also gained some first hand experience in teaching EFL by working for ###### for free.
e. As ####### was not offered as a subject at my school I organised a study group. I planned the work schedule, the books and the study plan. Each week one of the 'members' would 'teach' a particular topic. We also liaised with other students worldwide.
f. In January 2009 (after I had finished my AS exams, having completed the entire AS course in 3 months) I used the spare time to do voluntary work for #### This entailed.....
g. English is my second language. To improve my versatility I advertised in www.dailyinformation.co.uk as a Russian teacher swopping Russian for ######## This means I am fluent in two languages and have a working knowledge of########
h. I have achieved an IELTS score of 7.5. In part this was helped because I am an active member of Oxford Reading/Writing/Speaking club> I also regularly make podcasts on Economics topics for my blog. I know from site statistics that visitors from such countries as ############# listen.
The second candidate demonstrates initiative, organisational skills, a willingness to make decisions, resourcefulness and versatility.
An original thinker.
The first candidate is merely a member of various teams.
Plus entering competitions such as this would help. I have posted many times on here about essays - here is another example
In 2008 a student of mine at Bellerbys got into Warwick. This is after a one year FOUNDATION course. Very unusual. To help his application (on my suggestion) he wrote an extended essay on whether or not an investor should invest in Bellerbys if it was a public company. That, and outstanding references, impressed Warwick.
Read and enter this
and this
THIS won a prize!
Now if a student wrote about using blogs for learning.....
Of course someone might say it's arrogant to inlude a whole essay in with the UCAS form. What we're looking for is something that tips the balance, makes you different but is also relevant to the course. What can be lost by including the essay IF it adds to the form? Maybe too much information - better of course to have had the essay published - if not in the UK, in Russia...
Another criticism might be:
"the aim of the PS - show interest in the subject\area, which he or she applied for. show that he did more than just AS/A2 also mentioning books on your subject area would be great, especially if you presenting and analysing some ideas from it. talking about achivements is great, but not enough. especially for Oxbridge"
The suggestions above are all about achievement not just for SELF but involving others. Not climbing a mountain but LEADING a climb; not just being in a company but ORGANISING something; not just self-study but ORGANISING self-study for others. Showing you are a team player but also a leader, a unique individual who mixes in well, has energy and organisation, empathy and altruism (voluntary work). Already, being a foreign student you have an advantage.
Plus of course you should read widely and be aware of comments:
"I have heard it said also that other universities discriminate against Oxbridge candidates – they’re less likely to give you an offer, or will make you a high one (like AAB) to force you to pick them or Oxford. Technically I don’t think they should do this, but it does seem to happen – certainly in my case although I got to Oxford I had only three offers (out of a possible six) through UCAS"
Read the rest of the reviews and comments
And, as I have said before (but unfortunately ignored) producing something like this (with Chinese and Russian versions) would a) earn money and b) show initiative.
Buying something like this would clearly help - and you get free Economics notes. Why not download the FREE Indstrial Economics chapter (43 pges) - it's A2 but I am certain you will understand it...
I told you to check Universities!!!
This is from Warwick to Sairan:
"Maths and Further Maths are considered as the same subject, and should ideally only be offered as two of four A2’s. Where this is not the case the course selector can choose to make a higher three A offer in order to compensate. Selectors are also concerned where an applicant is offering both Economics and Business Studies as two of three A levels, due to the overlap in course content. We are not normally able to accept A Levels such as Critical Thinking, and again, this may result in a higher offer where no other subject is offered. General Studies is always excluded. All other subjects are considered but this is in light of the subject mix requirements. Specific subjects can be excluded at the Course Selector's discretion."
"Maths and Further Maths are considered as the same subject, and should ideally only be offered as two of four A2’s. Where this is not the case the course selector can choose to make a higher three A offer in order to compensate. Selectors are also concerned where an applicant is offering both Economics and Business Studies as two of three A levels, due to the overlap in course content. We are not normally able to accept A Levels such as Critical Thinking, and again, this may result in a higher offer where no other subject is offered. General Studies is always excluded. All other subjects are considered but this is in light of the subject mix requirements. Specific subjects can be excluded at the Course Selector's discretion."
Universities
There have been some blog posts recently (Anastasia, Aidana, Mary) about Universities and their entrance requirements. We will be using tutorial group time for UCAS but also you should.....
look at University guides that allow you to compare universities:
http://education.guardian.co.uk/universityguide2008/
http://extras.timesonline.co.uk/stug/universityguide.php
Two other very useful websites are :-
- www.ukcoursefinder.com To register for the questionnaire is a simple task, and the website has other useful links.
- also : www.Prospectusuk.com This is recommended by UCAS and enables students to request a prospectus from 10 universities. On entering the site students must go to the top of the page to register The system is very, very new and some universities are not yet logged into it, but it is still possible to register interest anyway and it will get to them.
Next Thursday we will all travel up to London for the day. We will visit a Higher Education Fair where lots of universities will be represented. We also hope to arrange a visit to one of London's universities during the day We will hire a bus to travel. (No charge to students.)
look at University guides that allow you to compare universities:
http://education.guardian.co.uk/universityguide2008/
http://extras.timesonline.co.uk/stug/universityguide.php
Two other very useful websites are :-
- www.ukcoursefinder.com
- also : www.Prospectusuk.com
Next Thursday we will all travel up to London for the day. We will visit a Higher Education Fair where lots of universities will be represented. We also hope to arrange a visit to one of London's universities during the day We will hire a bus to travel. (No charge to students.)
New Event at LSE: China after the Olympics
China After the Olympics
Date: Tuesday 2 December 2008
Time: 6.30-8pm
Venue: Old Theatre, Old Building
Speakers: Professor Chris Hughes, Professor Athar Hussain, Martin Jacques, Professor Chen Jian, Mark Leonard
Chair: Professor Arne Westad
Whether we think sport and politics should or should not be mixed, it is clear that in the case of the Beijing Olympics the two have never been more closely intertwined. But how has the Olympics impacted on China? Has it improved or worsened China's image in the world? And how will it effect its future relations with the West?
Chris Hughes is the senior lecturer in the Department of International Relations at LSE. Athar Hussain is director of the Asia Research Centre. Martin Jacques is a visiting research fellow in the Asia Research Centre, LSE. Chen Jian is the Philippe Roman Chair in History and International Affairs at LSE. Mark Leonard is the executive director of the European Council on Foreign Relations.
This event is free and open to all with no ticket required. Entry is on a first come, first served basis. For more information, email events@lse.ac.uk or phone 020 7955 6043.
As before if anyone wants to go then they must pass a series of tasks.
Tasks
1. Show their interest by putting their name here. This must be done by TUESDAY.
I will then seek permission to take people. If succesful then there will be further tasks in relation to previous events at LSE.
Podcasts, Transcripts and Webcasts
Your chance to read event transcripts, listen to podcasts and watch videos of past events at LSE
Information about upcoming webcasts on LSE Live
Challenge - and help - for all serious students.
If you are 'reasonably' sure you know which University and which course you want to go to/on then visit the University site and find out the Admissions requirements and any subject combinations prohibited.
This will help you focus on your January exams.
Post your responses in your blog under the heading 'University Requirements'.
You should ask a lot of questions here and here
I cannot help you if you will not help yourselves....
Also do some research and then do more research and more research and even more research and then reassure yourselves that only working your hardest AND also attending other activities - starting companies, attending evening classes, playing sports, doing community work - will all help you achieve your ultimate aim.
This will help you focus on your January exams.
Post your responses in your blog under the heading 'University Requirements'.
You should ask a lot of questions here and here
I cannot help you if you will not help yourselves....
Also do some research and then do more research and more research and even more research and then reassure yourselves that only working your hardest AND also attending other activities - starting companies, attending evening classes, playing sports, doing community work - will all help you achieve your ultimate aim.
Scholarships to European Business School
This is all described here:
Scholarships
Scholarships
EBS London International Scholarship
To celebrate the international spirit of EBS London, we offer scholarship prizes for our BA (Hons) International Business and BA (Hons) International Events Management degree courses.
For details about the competition, please download EBSL Scholarships 2008/09 Entry information (pdf), or contact the Admissions Office at the address below:
Admissions Office
European Business School London
Regent's College
Regent's Park, Inner Circle
London NW1 4NS
UK
Tel. +44 (0)207 487 7730
Email: ebsl@regents.ac.uk
More aptitude tests
http://www.shldirect.com (SHL) Examples of verbal, numerical and diagrammatic tests plus practice tests and feedback.
http://www.morrisby.com (Morrisby) Contains advice and nine pages of sample abstract, verbal, numerical, perceptual, shape and mechanical test questions. Access practice tests via "test takers guide", "tests for selection".
http://www.psychometrics-uk.com/bapt.html (Berger Aptitude for Programming Test (B-APT)) Three sample questions from this test, which assesses your aptitude for learning computer programming languages.
http://www.ex.ac.uk/cimt/puzzles/puzzindx.htm (Exeter University) Countless puzzles on which to practise your numerical reasoning skills – answers provided.
http://www.mensa.org.uk (Mensa) Not aptitude tests as such, but the pages might get you used to thinking quickly in test situations.
http://www.wcn.co.uk (World Careers Network) Advice and links to other test sites.
http://www.morrisby.com (Morrisby) Contains advice and nine pages of sample abstract, verbal, numerical, perceptual, shape and mechanical test questions. Access practice tests via "test takers guide", "tests for selection".
http://www.psychometrics-uk.com/bapt.html (Berger Aptitude for Programming Test (B-APT)) Three sample questions from this test, which assesses your aptitude for learning computer programming languages.
http://www.ex.ac.uk/cimt/puzzles/puzzindx.htm (Exeter University) Countless puzzles on which to practise your numerical reasoning skills – answers provided.
http://www.mensa.org.uk (Mensa) Not aptitude tests as such, but the pages might get you used to thinking quickly in test situations.
http://www.wcn.co.uk (World Careers Network) Advice and links to other test sites.
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