Is there a book I can buy…

[WellTidy]

That explains the applications process for higher education, what universities are looking for from a student in terms of academics and extra curricular etc?

It is 30 years since DH and I applied for university (UCCA, anyone?!) and I’m imagining it to be more competitive than ever for popular courses.

It would be really helpful for DS15yo to know what is expected of him and what other applicants are spending their time doing to stand out.

@MarchingFrogs fair enough point. It was a very different financial landscape in the 1980s. I even got housing benefit for my student house - and unbelievably also got sickness benefit in one holiday ( I worked every holiday but was ill at one point so couldn’t work ! )

@MetaDaughter Good question. The book is more detail-oriented and specific on moving in needs - I found SR to have generic content you can find on any university related site, if you ask general questions.

Mmm … Our current undergraduate’s university provides detailed lists within their accommodation pages - itemising every single thing arriving students will need for their rooms / study / Uni life in general.

And there are endless threads here.

(Can’t believe I’m arguing against reading a book - but for this particular subject they really have been rendered otiose.)

Our current undergraduate’s university provides detailed lists within their accommodation pages - itemising every single thing arriving students will need for their rooms / study / Uni life in general.

Sounds a little OTT, but the main point is that individual universities (even different halls of residence at the same university) will have their own 'what to bring / what we provide / what we don't allow' information, so the most important advice there, as with many things, is Read the instructions.

The Sunday Times guide is worth getting - sometimes it's just easier to see the information laid out as well as flitting between websites

I’d stick to the websites suggested, I find wiwikua especially helpful.

Just be prepared for the shifts on courses, unis etc. DS has a course and a uni as his firm choice which are nothing like the choices he was set on at 15 or even 9 months ago.

As they look into more choices, something just clicks sometimes. They find something that they didn’t even know existed (TBF I did the same but by reading those tomes of prospectuses in the careers room!).

Newnham essay competitions are for female students, but there will be others.

what other applicants are spending their time doing to stand out.

Theyre studying to get the sort of subject grades which are in the hall park for the degree they want to study!

We’re not that interested in extra-curricular activities. YourDC should do them for enjoyment and general lifelong learning and fun - to have hobbies which are mind-broadening and nurture one as a person.

But we at universities aren’t looking at anything other than applicants’ fit for the degree and their preparedness for it in terms of ability and knowledge.

Regarding ‘standing out’, it’s always useful to have work experience in the a relevant area. Ie. Want to be a vet, volunteer at local RSPCA place, or want to be a sports physio, then help run a youth football team. Alternatively, just actively take part in dc drama school, netball club, etc so they can show dedication, teamwork etc outside of school.

This is only relevant insofar as such activities will make any young person more interested, informed and engaged.

DON’T do hobbies etc to make an applicant “stand out” in the Admissions process. On its own, it won’t. If your DC’s activities make them an all-round more interesting and intelligent prr we son, then that’s a life gain.