UG admissions interviewing Will Smith

1. 2014 intake admission UG admissions interviewing Will Smith

2. Background (1) Recovering numbers after slump from 2002-2006 (-50%) University target for the department is 115 Home and 11 Overseas Increased from 88 Home in 2009

3. Background (3) The UK model: Apply via UCAS (5 choices) supplying “predicted grades” Interview (some universities) Receive offers (conditional or unconditional) Make firm and insurance choice (four possible states: CF, CI or UF, UI) August: results and confirmation Clearing

4. Background (4) By interview time, they have already applied (chosen York as one of five options) Assuming they perform acceptably at interview, we want them to put us as first (firm) choice “Conversion rate” = % that firmly accept our offer (recently 25-30%) Two goals at interview: Maintain high conversion rate Convince remaining 70-75% to pick York Interview is key part of conversion

5. Background (5) Competition is intense. Principle competitors: Cambridge Warwick Bristol Bath UCL Southampton Imperial

6. Background (6) Our advertised standard offer is AAA at A-level (including maths) or equivalent In practice, we take students with lower grades than this when results are released in August in order to meet our targets Government-defined threshold for “quality” student is ABB – in the present climate, we will not be rejecting students at this level Hence, we interview students with lower predictions than AAA (don’t be surprised to see BBB – adjust interview accordingly)

7. 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

8. 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

9. The shape of the visit day 11:15 Interactive information session 12:15 Lunch 12:45 Year in Industry presentation 13.00 Research presentation 13:20 Interview, campus/lab tour 15:30 Finish

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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 Videophone : reducing required bandwidth. Mobile robot : what does it need? If testing specific skills (eg. Maths), again this needs planning.

15. 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.

16. Subject-based questions There is a wiki for sharing interview questions here: http://www.cs.york.ac.uk/admit/wiki Please make use it (and add to it!)

17. 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

18. 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.

19. 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