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

[NotanOtter]

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!

Hello. Is it Natural Sciences at Cambridge? I did that exact course(a few years ago now but not that long). In case it is that course he is applying for here are my tips - feel free to ignore otherwise!
I think it is worth wearing something smart, neat and tidy for the interview. The reason for this is simply that you will find on the day that everyone else is wearing smartish clothes and there is no point starting the interview (which is nerve-wracking enough) worrying that you have worn the wrong clothes. However having looked at the photo I would say there is no need to change his hair cut. Lots of the other interviewees and indeed natural sciences students will look like this and it is not at all extreme.
My other tip is to spend as much time as possible in the run-up to the interview READING about your subject. Any broader reading around the normal A Level syllabus is gold dust in these interviews. It is likely the interviewer will ask almost no 'normal' questions about his hobbies etc and a huge number of subject-related ones, including very technical ones.

thannkyou eeyore and weep weep weep

this is an awfully stressful time

i know he can succeed but so unsure that he will

he has started to get a bit stressed about the whole thing

Joining the stressed mother's club here!! DS has been invited to an interview at UCL for Physics, and he's just started thinking about what he'll wear. Of course, you're right, what he says is far more important.

He's gorgeous and clever - can I have him for my DD1?

I haven't read the rest of this but my brother did his oxfor interview with very long hair and wearing riped jeans and a t shirt with a hole in it. They thought he was great and he got a place, that was 20 odd years ago.

No he doesnt need to cut it it's fine!

My dp had very long hair in his yoof and got it all cut off for his first job interview after he left college. When he got there the director interviewing him had longer hair than he had had.

No, don't get it cut! My son's hair is just slightly longer and he's just been offered a place at Birmingham after he went to his interview in his casual clothes (his fave mighty boosh t-shirt) as well!!!
Has Manchester next week and hopefully Oxford in Dec, who have already said to wear warm comfortable clothes, no suits needed. He wants to do Earth Sciences (Geology.)
Good luck to him, it's whats inside that counds!

Sorry, counts.

I would worry that if it is annoying his teacher then it might annoy a potential interviewer

Personally I would encourage him to cut it - plenty of time to grow hair/get laid/take drugs once you get IN to uni

The parents talk at Oxford open was very informative on this subject. Their view is that if a potential student is all dressed up in a suit they are unlikely to be at their most relaxed and able to cope as usual with the interview process.
Not saying they should all dye their hair black and become goths/punks etc, but if a load of suited and cropped haired clones turn up, then a kid with his own style and confidence does, who do you think will stand out the most from the masses?
Uni's are not stupid enough to only look at the front cover, it really is what's inside that counts, as my son's already proved.

Notan Otter, my son seems to be doing the research for you.lol
Had his second uni interview yesterday, wearing jeans, tshirt and longish hair. Got offered a place at Manchester, needs 3 B's.
Two of this country's red brick uni's don't seem to mind long hair, so let your son keep it/grow it back and be happy. Stuff his outdated headteacher, and lots of luck.x

DS received an invitation for interview at UCL today. It says smart or casual but no jeans.