The Application Maze
One of the reasons for these Parent to Parent pages is our suspicion that, as a parent, you can feel lost in the Application Maze. Your child is making one of the most important decisions of his or her life and has only got one shot at it. You want to offer help and support, but you don’t know how.
There are of course, national online resources for parents of prospective students:
The only problem with these sites, understandably, is that they have to cover everything and assume that you know nothing, so there can be quite a lot of information to wade through before you get to what you want.
What we attempt to do here is give a rapid guide covering some of the most common questions that parents have.
Click on one of the links below to get started
Choosing the right degree
What's Bioinformatics, Dad? How to choose from Agriculture, Botany, Chemistry or any combination of the above, plus a dozen subjects you've never heard of.
Choosing the right University
Aberystwyth, Bournemouth or Chipping Sodbury? Location or University? Distance from home or cheap accommodation?
Your child's application
Forms, forms, formz, formzz, formzzz zzzz....
Your child's Personal Statement
Probably best not to write, 'Only his mother could love him...', but what on earth do you put in the personal statement?
Dealing With Offers
Firms, conditional firms, unconditional firms, insurance offers? Don't they have Meerkats for that sort of thing? Help!
Visiting Days
Not to be confused with Open Days (before they apply). Visiting Days are when you get down to the nitty-gritty with the University Departments that have made your child an offer.
Results Day and Clearing
A stiff drink, a few prayers and a standby supply of tissues (either way). Results Day is the kind of day that parents are for.