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Original poster

Y13 son told to cut hair for University interviews......thoughts???

87 replies

NotanOtter · 21/09/2009 20:37

Because I was [shocked]

even more so that ds thought it quite justified and said he was going to even though he loves his hair

Will put pic on profile!

OP posts:
ByTheSea · 21/09/2009 21:41

I love his hair. I think it's ridiculous that he shouldn't be able to have his hair however he wants it at his age and that a decent interviewer can't look beyond it. You would think that anyone familiar with university-aged people wouldn't blink at any hairstyle.

ThixotropicOobleck · 21/09/2009 21:40

rofl at 'tutors not being able to see his face when he bends over a piece of paper'

I'd be VERY gratified if, just ONE academic year, I could get through giving my lectures without having to throw a dongle at someone's Daily Mail. Someone's slightly floppy fringe - just so long as he's prepared to open his mouth from behind - is not going to worry me in the slightest.

And all the geeks nerds scientists in this university do indeed look like Partridge or that guy from the Fast Show who blows things up.

Lilymaid · 21/09/2009 21:36

I would be surprised that any university interviewer would discriminate against boys with long hair, though I suppose there's a tiny possibility that some interviewers might have a slightly negative view at first sight (but they probably had long hair when they were your DS's age). An interviewer would be far more interested in what he had to say at an interview. The only problem re long hair is that he'd need to tie it back for practicals.

Original poster
NotanOtter · 21/09/2009 21:27

he has been told to cut it for school before

not allowed to touch the collar

OP posts:
Original poster
NotanOtter · 21/09/2009 21:26

they said 'if (he) bends down over a piece of paper the tutors will not be able to see his face'

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ReducedToThis · 21/09/2009 21:25

To be honest I think the short hair will be the different.... most young men have that haircut your son has. Unless they are public school boys in which case they aren't allowed.

thepumpkineater · 21/09/2009 21:22

I wouldn't have thought he needs to cut his hair at all!!! Can't believe any admissions tutors would care what the student' hair looks like, they're interested in their intellect not their looks. Ridiculous. It's not the X factor....

ravenAK · 21/09/2009 21:21

Good grief, his hair is fine.

Probably not a good idea to turn up to interview in a Cradle of Filth t-shirt, but to suggest, in 2009, that there's a problem with a bloke having slightly longish hair? Ridiculous.

Original poster
NotanOtter · 21/09/2009 21:21

thanks reduced to this....

ds looks so much lovelier with it long

good job i am not on an interview panel i could not help but love the 'different' ones'

OP posts:
janeite · 21/09/2009 21:21

Nooooooooooooooo - don't let him cut it! It's lovely and I really don't think it likely to affect his chances in any way at all. He wants to be a student, not a high court judge!

ReducedToThis · 21/09/2009 21:18

S W E D E S here by the way.

My DS1 is the same age and has masses of unruly curls which he has cut off whenever the second master reminds him it's time for a haircut. He is going for Medicine and intends to attend the interviews with short, neat haircut and trousers and jacket but not suit. I asked him if he was aiming for an Alan Partridge Sports Casual look and he just said: "Hmmm".

Penthesileia · 21/09/2009 21:15

FWIW, schools have a lot of really weird ideas about what they think university interviewers care about. Eg. getting students to stress how much extra-curricular stuff they do, or how they plan to build huts in Africa, or whatever. Fact is, we only really care about the students' minds. Yet schools persist in the myths about personal statements, personal appearance, etc. Ok, I'd be offended if someone turned up in my office picking their nose. But you never know when the odd-looking, scruffy, smelly one might turn out to be a bit of a genius.

Original poster
NotanOtter · 21/09/2009 21:14

deaddei he uses BASICS - eldest of 6!!!

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Original poster
NotanOtter · 21/09/2009 21:13

thanks all!

it was head of sixth form been at the school like 30 years told him it needed cutting

(same bloke did once tell me ds was very unusual amongst scientists in that he had good social skills)

some people on here have advised to cut it....

OP posts:
deaddei · 21/09/2009 21:13

Notanotter- I think he looks gorgeous!! What about students in the 60s and even worse, the 70s with their lanky hair- as long as it is clean and shiny, what do these unis want?
(what shampoo does he use

Penthesileia · 21/09/2009 21:11

He looks like most of my students, TBH!

As ThixotropicOobleck says, have you seen any academics recently? We're not renowned for our sense of style, y'know!

Admittedly, I am not a scientist, but I've never heard any of my colleagues discussing this kind of matter.

ReducedToThis · 21/09/2009 21:11

NAO - My sons' headmaster and the head of sixth form insist nobody is prejudiced against a neat haircut, a suit and a shirt and tie, but some people are prejudiced against males with loooong hair and fassshun.

It sort of makes sense. It's important and hair grows.

ThixotropicOobleck · 21/09/2009 21:08

Jaysus! Which fuckwit at his school said this?!

OK am not in natural sciences but tbh he looks a WHOLE heap more presentable than most of the lecturers I work alongside...

Only teeny tiny question would be a. if it has an 'applied' stream or placement involving employers, or b. if it something related to medicine, where professional conduct will be an issue from the getgo.

But if not, I'd really tell him not to. it's not even that long/wild...

edam · 21/09/2009 21:06

Of course he doesn't need to get his hair cut, he's applying to be a student for heaven's sake, not go into the army!

But I haven't actually asked any university tutors about this... just a general assumption that they are used to students looking like, well, students. And, in theory at least, more interested in the contents of your brain than your haircut.

noddyholder · 21/09/2009 21:05

How ridiculous.He looks great

Original poster
NotanOtter · 21/09/2009 21:02

awww thanks -will show him this

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gothicmama · 21/09/2009 21:00

another don't cut it vote here

sandyballs · 21/09/2009 20:58

Don't cut it. It looks fab, I love that look on boys.

Original poster
NotanOtter · 21/09/2009 20:56

he is very good socially and not a nervy type or kevin ish in the least

BUT he is a bit of an 'ac toooor' and can mess with it and flick it about......hmmm now i think about it...

however looks much 'prettier' with it long if thats any consolation

OP posts:
cocolepew · 21/09/2009 20:55

No, don't cut it. FFS surely in this day and age people aren't still judging by appearances. Good luck to him.

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