How to Help Your Child Secure a Place at University

University is the next step up for many children from college or sixth form and just like that step, there is an application process that needs to be followed. As many offer places to students from all over, their courses can be competitive which is why getting it right is important. If you’re looking for tips on how to help your child secure a place at university, you’re in the right place. Below are some that were shared by a private school in Somerset.

Understand What Motivates Them
While it sounds quite obvious, what they want to do when they grow up is not so apparent for children. Having discussions with them about the things that they enjoy, their strengths and weaknesses and different career paths can help them to envision this.

Build Their Confidence
As a part of the application process, for the more competitive courses, your child may need to attend an interview. This can be nerve wracking, especially if your child hasn’t had prior interview practice. Offering them mock interviews where you help them to memorise their answers can help them with this as they can become more confident.

Proofreading
There’s a lot of written work involved in applying to university. Your child will need to create a personal statement for starters which sells themselves and their motivations for wanting to join a particular course. This is usually 4000 characters (including spaces). Once all written up it's important for your child to proofread.

It can help to read out the statement to your child so they can hear how it actually sounds rather than how they think it sounds. By proofreading it for your child, you can help to identify those mistakes that slipped through the cracks and offer general feedback.

*Collaborative post