UG admissions interviewing – a guide to good practiceConnie Cullen & Nick Pears

Background (1)

Recent applications history shows a decline

CS applications by year

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Background (2)

Clear impact on entry qualification stats

Entry qualifications (1=AAA, 6=BCC)

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Background (3)

We have been in admissions clearing since 2004!

This means that we have been accepting students with lower grades than our entry requirements (AAB) to reach quota target (88)

Knock on effect is more students fail 1st year, more drop out, generally bad for everyone.

Background (4)

Partly due to global decline in CS applicants dotcom crash and the perceived job market CS teaching in schools

What can we do to address this? Increase applicants (eg: cs4fn) Increase take-up rate of our offers

Why interview?

Differentiation To help choose among equally good

applicants To get additional evidence that could offset

disappointing results in August Courtship

To encourage applicants to attend a visit and to affiliate more strongly to York

Guidance To review programme choice and confirm it

Why train interviewers?

Because it is best practice, according to SPA – Supporting Professionalism in

Admissions programme QAA Code of Practice for Admissions

To review legal rights and obligations To increase success (offer take-up) and

repay investment of staff time

Advance preparation

Prepare questions and tasks so you have a choice

Look at the UCAS forms for the day Sort out the room

tidy, appropriately lit, chairs at diagonals if possible, clock visible to interviewer

divert your phone, turn off your computer screen and silence any beep signals

if tools required, make them available

The shape of the visit day

11:15 Introduction & question gathering session. Parallel parents session.

12:00 Main staff-student panel for all. 12:40 Lunch break. 13.20 Short research presentation. 13:40 Interview, campus tour, lab tour

cycle. Demonstrations: 3D face, robots. 15:45 Finish

Conduct of the interview

Keep to time Keep smiling Greet the student, introduce yourself Check name against interview report sheet Explain timing and structure of interview Ask questions, administer tasks Ask ‘Do you have any questions?’ Keep to time

Interview topics

The interview covers the following areas Settling-in question about interests or

activities as signalled on UCAS form Discussion of current studies – use open-

ended questions that allow elaboration Why York? Why X, where X is the subject or the

course? Subject-based question or task

Things to avoid - 1

Don’t ask questions or do things that could be seen as discriminatory

No questions specifically for males or females

No questions about child care No chat about unusual names or dress

Don’t ask about other UCAS choices Don’t quote from the reference or cite

predicted grades

Things to avoid - 2

Don’t ask about a disability or about special needs

If the student asks you about disability support, provide any information you can or refer them to others but make it clear that the discussion is not a factor in academic selection

Don’t say anything that implies prejudice about the type of school the student attends

Don’t do most of the talking yourself

Subject-based questions

Sorting / searching are good areas. They are accessible and can be adapted to suit the candidate's knowledge and ability.

Choose an interesting and accessible aspect of your research. Needs prior thought. Examples (for nep) Videophone : reducing required bandwidth. Mobile robot : what does it need?

If testing specific skills (eg. Maths), again this needs planning.

Subject-based questions

Don’t assume any detailed specific knowledge in CS, when asking a technical problem. Observe reasoning, give help when needed, are they teachable?

Try to finish on a high note – ask an easier question, if you have to.

Don’t be afraid to ask a pure maths question, if the student appears weak in this area.

Completing the paperwork

Most interviewees will be made an offer The written report helps

With the offer letter With feedback if requested In August, when near misses are looked at

Remember - students can ask to see the interview report

Sample written comments

Although reserved, he came across as the strongest candidate of the day.

Very clear in discussion of technical topics. He has programmed a 'countdown' solver. I am concerned at his lack of computing

background – late interest arising from open day. Worth the risk.

He does not really understand the meaning of CS.

Feedback

Over the years at York we’ve had Praise for

Friendliness… so keep smiling Good organisation … so keep to time

Complaints about Running late Interviews being too tough, too easy, not as

promised, about disability Interviewers being lascivious, confused,

rude, prejudiced