How involved should parents be with their children's university application?
It’s the time of year when sixth formers are filling out their UCAS forms deciding which universities to apply for. Last year changes to the UCAS application process allowed a student to nominate someone to act on their behalf if they were away during the application process, for example on a gap year. UCAS recommends that person is a parent or guardian, who’s not allowed to complete the form but who would subsequently have authority to discuss the young person’s application with UCAS and make decisions on their behalf. It’s estimated that about one tenth of applicants have taken up this option and it’s led to critics saying it gives parents permission to meddle in their kids’ lives at a time when they should be making a bid for independence.
So how involved should parents be in choosing and applying for higher education? Is it legitimate to offer help and guidance, especially if you’re covering all or some of the cost of university, or is it the time when teenagers should be left to their own devices, to make their own mistakes, grow up and prepare themselves for the world of work? Dr Tim Westlake, Director of Student Recruitment & Admissions at the University of Manchester and Dr Suzanne Franks, Lecturer in Journalism at the University of Kent & author of "Get out of my life, but first take me and Alex into town: a parent’s guide to the new teenagers" join Jenni to discuss the issues.
UCAS
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