2.4 Applying for a University

I. Read the following text and name each stage of the described university admission procedure. Applying for a University Place

Keith and Mary are expected by their school to pass their A-level exams and so qualify to go to university. But entrance is not automatic. They have to apply for a place. They need help from their teachers to decide what to study, and how to fill in the application form.

Applications are made to the Universities Central Council for Admissions – known as UCCA.

Keith and Mary will be advised by their teachers, by a specially appointed tutor or by a career councellor at their school.

Keith has received his UCCA form. He fills in his first choice of university – and then adds four more, in case he is not accepted by the first. He also has to give details of all his interests and activities; for example, he plays the trumpet in the school orchestra and enjoys games, particularly cricket. These details could be very important when he is being selected for interview. His headmaster writes a detailed report about him, which goes with the form back to UCCA, to be fed into the computer. If a university is interested in his application he will probably be called to an interview even before he has taken his A-level exams. Oxford and Cambridge colleges may ask him to do their own written exams before considering him for an interview. One university may require higher A-levels grades than another; the requirement depends on the particular department of the university.

II. Find in the text the English equivalents for the following Russian phrases.

Сдать экзамены повышенного уровня, получить право на поступление в университет, поступление (в университет), подать заявление, заполнить бланк о приеме, консультант по вопросам профориентации, университет, в который кто-либо предпочитает поступить, отбирать кандидатов для собеседования, подробный отчет (об успеваемости), занести в компьютер, вызвать на собеседование, сдавать письменный экзамен, отделение.

III. Speak about strengths and weaknesses of the British university admission system.

IV. What can you remember about the first examination you ever took? What was it? Was it easy for you to get in to the University? What exams did you have to take? What are your feelings about the examination procedure you were to pass?

V. Read about Sir Winston Churchill’s experience at examinations at Harrow, one of the most famous English public schools.

My First Examination

I had scarcely passed my twelfth birthday when I entered the inhospitable regions of examinations, through which for the next seven years I was destined to journey. These examinations were a great trial to me. The subjects which were dearest to the examiners were almost invariably those I fancied least. I would have liked to have been examined in history, poetry and writing essays. The examiners, on the other hand, were partial to Latin and mathematics. And their will prevailed. Moreover, the questions which they asked on both these subjects were almost invariably those to which I was unable to suggest a satisfactory answer. I should have liked to be asked to say what I knew. They always tried to ask what I did not know. When I would have willingly displayed my knowledge, they sought to expose my ignorance. This sort of treatment had only one result: I did not do well in examinations.

This was especially true of my Entrance examination to Harrow. The Headmaster, Mr. Welldon, however, took a broad-minded view of my Latin prose: he showed discernment in judging my general ability. This was the more remarkable, because I was found unable to answer a single question in the Latin paper. I wrote my name at the top of the page. I wrote down the number of the question ‘I’. After much reflection I put a bracket round it thus “(I)”. But thereafter I could not think of anything connected with it that was either relevant or true. Incidentally there arrived from nowhere several smudges. I gazed for two whole hours at this sad spectacle: and then merciful ushers collected my piece of foolscap with all the others and carried it up to the Headmaster’s table. It was from these slender indications of scholarship that Mr. Welldon drew the conclusion that I was worthy to pass into Harrow. It is very much to his credit. It showed that he was a man capable of looking beneath the surface of things: a man not dependent upon paper manifestations. I have always had the greatest regard for him.