Applying to University Booklet 2019 wcis_ATU_2019 | Page 10

APPLYING TO UNIVERSITY
RANKINGS GETTING TO KNOW
UNIVERSITIES
University rankings can be a useful means of
determining the status of a university but should
be approached with caution. The best-known
world rankings are provided by Quacquarelli
Symonds (QS), Times Higher Education and
US News and World report, whereas other
university rankings are country specific (e.g. in
the UK, those run by The Guardian and The
Times newspapers). Many of the organisations
provide rankings not just for universities as
a whole but also rankings which focus on
particular subject areas – allowing pupils to
see the subject strengths of each individual
institution. The ranking lists published by all of
these outlets are available online and links are
available on the school website. It is important for pupils to really get to know
the range of different universities open to them.
This should involve visiting the university itself
where possible, however, pupils must also ensure
that they make full use of the opportunities
available to them here at school. Many university
representatives visit the College throughout the
year, as well as other venues around Shanghai,
providing invaluable insights into the university
application process at their institution. These
opportunities are regularly advertised in the
school calendar and in communications to both
parents and pupils.
Ranking lists provide an informative if subjective
view of how specific universities match up
against one another. The results they produce
will vary widely because they use and deploy
criteria in different ways. For example, some
rankings may give a particular weight to the
quality of a university’s published research.
While this clearly has some indicative value in
terms of understanding the overall academic
standing of a university, how that relates to
the day-to-day experience an undergraduate
student might have is more difficult to assess.
While providing a useful ‘snapshot’, rankings
should not be used alone to assess a university’s
quality and suitability for any individual pupil.
In particular, pupils should consider the wider
reputation of the university as this is a firmer
‘guarantee’ that the degree they gain will
maintain its value. While reputation is harder
to quantify, it tends to be a more long-lasting
judgement about the worth of a university.
Looking at the formal and informal groups
that a university belongs to (e.g. The Russell
Group in the UK), and asking for an informed
opinion on university choices, in addition to
viewing university rankings, are good ways of
determining which universities offer the best
prospects.
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In addition, pupils and parents should make
maximum use of the school’s annual Global
University Fair in March. This event will provide
excellent access to a wide selection of university
representatives from a range of top institutions.
As well as representatives being available to
answer queries, a number of breakout sessions
will be run giving pupils’ and parents’ advice on a
number of admissions topics.
Meeting university representatives on a
personal level is particularly important for those
considering a US-style admissions pathway.
Pupils applying to these universities will need
the support of a representative to argue their
case before an admissions committee. For this
reason alone, it is vital that pupils attend sessions
and give the best possible impression when
these representatives visit the school. Attending
a meeting with a university representative
allows pupils and families to form a relationship
with a personal contact who can guide them
through the application process and advocate
for them if necessary. Meeting and interacting
positively with the university admissions faculty
is viewed as exhibiting ‘demonstrated interest’
and is considered favourably in the admissions
procedures of many universities.