Points for discussion

2. In England, university entrance is based on the results of A-level exams, but there are a number of steps which many of the pupils go through in the two years before university. Here are some of the main ones. How many of them are also necessary in your country?

a) Visit the careers office at school.

b) Discuss their choice of universities with their teacher or headteacher.

c) Send off for prospectuses from various universities (brochures which describe the university and its courses).

d) Visit the universities they are interested in (go to ' open days').

e) Apply to universities by filling in a form listing five choices.

f) Take school exams: the results are used to predict A-level results, and are recorded on university applications.

3. Read the following extract, published in a newspaper, from the diary of a 'lower-sixth' student (a student in the first of her two years of study leading up too the A-level exams). In what order did she take the steps above?

February

Mum still nagging me to write to universities, but I haven't quite got round to it.

March

Have finally sent off for some prospectuses – and actually found them quite interesting. Have spent several lunchtimes in the careers room.

May

Plodding on with four A-levels as well as all other activities. Went to an open day at Bristol and am thinking much more seriously about university.

June

The month lower-sixths dread: time for the exams on A-level predictions for university are based. I survive and I'm pleased with my marks. Maybe they will make my parents realize that I do have the balance between work and other activities right.

July

Been to more open days, and my attention has been focused a lot more on university. I have to sort out my application immediately after the summer holidays. Had an interview with the headmistress to discuss Oxford. The good news is that she says I could hardly be a stronger candidate. The bad news is, I really don't know whether I want to go to Oxford after all.

September

This is it, the upper-sixth. I've finally made a decision about Oxford – I really don't want to go there. I do want to go to Exeter. I've given up my Saturday job, and I've made a resolution to get down to some serious study. A-levels are closer than we think.

4. Is applying for university easy or stressful in your country? How did it seem to be for the writer of the diary?

5. Optional: Write some entries for your diary on one of these:

Exam week at school or college.

Making career plans.

A typical week at school or university.

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