HOW DO STUDENTS PREPARE AN APPLICATION FOR A PLACE IN HIGHER-EDUCATION

Sources of help used by students when preparing an application for a p lace in higher education using the UCAS procedure were investigated, i ncluding how they may use Records of Achievement (RoAs). 178 sixth-for m students at three mixed comprehensives and one independent girls' sc hool were surveyed. In general, students consulted a good range of sou rces of help in preparing their application. Where a specialist career s adviser was available, this service was viewed very favourably. Howe ver, regard for the usefulness of RoAs was mixed. The major implicatio ns for those involved in student guidance with sixth-formers are discu ssed.