University application procedure

[WillowtreeHouse]

I'm hoping for some advice please.

DD is in her first year at 6th form and is hoping to go to university next year. Neither I or DH went, we don't really have any family who have been recently either so we have absolutely no idea of the process whatsoever. School seem to kind of assume that everyone will know and although I have googled etc., I've come across some quite conflicting information.

I have lots of friends with children just started university but when I asked one of them, I was met with an incredulous 'how can you not know this' response along with astonishment that DH both have good jobs 'despite' having never been, but the idiocy of that is a whole other thread I suppose. To be honest, I was so embarrassed by that conversation (as perhaps I should know), I just haven't asked again.

The upshot is that I am completely clueless on how to help DD on this path - she has ASD and will need some guidance. I don't know when or how to apply, when to visit, funding, accommodation, anything at all.

Can anyone help with an (non- judgemental please 😁) A - Z guide to the whole process? I'd be so grateful!

Look on the Higher Education section (I’d post there rather than in Chat too as often people with older kids stick to only relevant sections.)

If you look on the UCAS website there should be a section with information for parents. Most schools also run information evenings about the process.

I was in your shoes when DD was in year 12. Her school did a parents evening about university application which helped.

This is what we did:
Go to open days in the summer of year 12 and the autumn of year 13
The school helps with the application . There should be a dedicated teacher who looks after university applications.
DD started her personal statement in the summer of year 12, with guidance from the school. I just sensor checked it.
As DD was applying for medicine she had applied by mid October. She was unsuccessful, took a gap year and applied for another subject at her favourite choice for university where she was accepted straight away. She graduated last year.

Can I suggest that you post on the further education and higher education boards on MN. They are usually pretty supportive.

Also, if you are on Facebook there is a very supportive Facebook group called What I wish I Knew About University. As it isn't an anonymous forum people are generally very helpful

Finally there is The Student Room, but it is populated by a minority of arseholes, so just choose the appropriate forum carefully.

If you are on Facebook, there is a group called What I Wish I Knew About University. It’s mostly parents, but some students too and is really helpful.

Does your DD know what she wants to study and have any idea of predicted grades? You’d need to start having a look at what unis offer the course she wants and what their entry requirements are to get in. Open days are generally held in 2 blocks. There will be one this summer and another in the autumn. You’ll need to book on the unis website to go to the open day.

When you visit the open days, they will have all the info you need about funding, accommodation etc. Also most colleges will hold open evening etc about going to uni and my DC’s college did a few uni trips with the students too.

Hi OP just Google universities - if she has any idea of a course or subject, google "top universities for geography" or whatever - not ideal but it's a start. Choose a couple of unis and go to the open days, the details will be on the website. You need to register your interest. They will be during this summer (of Yr 12).

To help her research look at the uni websites they give details of entry requirements. Usually you apply for 5 different unis and ideally you want at least one with grades that you child will likely meet (so say AAA) and then at least one with lower grades (say ABB). When you've received your offers you have to pick 2 - one as a "firm" I.e. your first choice and an "insurance" which usually has slightly lower grades.

The school should help with the admin of the actual administration of the application but like I say the open days are your first priority and a Google of various uni websites.

Ucas website has everything you need to know. In the U.K. nearly everything is applied for though ucas, you get up to 5 choices.

This summer (June-September) open days will be held, I suggest you visit at least one with your dc as most run seminars for the parents. The deadline for applications is January next year for most courses, oxford & Cambridge plus medicine and some music/dance/art courses is October or earlier

I know you say neither of you went, but neither had my parents and we worked it out before the internet but me asking at school, going to open days etc.

I would second the FB group WIWIKAU. Very helpful.

I've just asked to join that Facebook group so thank you for that. I think it just seems to be one of those things that everyone assumes you will know about and we just don't.

She's unsure if she wants to study History or English Lit at the moment.

My DS will doing his personal statement and application with his 6th Form

Get Love University by Ned Browne. It’s very useful. On Amazon.

Your daughter will get extra funding (not a loan) for support. Make sure she applies for it and then uses it when there. My DS has it for ADHD but doesn’t fully use the support and the uni isn’t proactive in supporting him to access the support.