University interviews

Andypandyboy

If it is a subject which requires evidence of what you can do such as Art, then interviews where you show a portfolio of work are common.

SingleSue

I have been on all the open days with my three, my role is to be the dinner payer and company on the train.

For eldest, I took him to his interview but sat outside reading a book and having a cup of tea whilst he was actually having the interview, again I was purely there as the walking wallet and maybe a little moral support before he went in.

With middle son, I went to all his audition/interviews but again, not actually into the room where he was having them. To be fair though, he has differing needs.

With youngest, been on open days with him and so far he has received invites for two interviews (plus an unconditional offer). Due to the distance of one and the requirement of an overnight stay and a chance for a shopping day out for the other (it's a city he is very familiar with and fairly close to home), I will again be the dinner payer/transport provider. He is also a differing needs student.

What I have noticed over the years from eldest to youngest is the change of perspective from universities, it is almost like it is expected that parents will be accompanying them at some point during the day (even if that is as the walking wallet) and in some universities, will actually have workshops for them.

My view is that it is the last bit of formal paying out parenting I will be doing, so why not but I would never dream of expecting to actually sit in on the interviews, that is for them and them alone to deal with. Find me a nice spot (hopefully in the sun) where I can read or people watch and I am happy.

Lorian

The campus tours are in my experience usually better and less manic on Interview days.

Every university I've been to (as driver/parent) has given lunch vouchers for Candidate and one parent, except the last that actually laid on a buffet lunch.

My person opinion of Universities changed between open days and interview days. On Interview days you see "business as usual".

Reggie_Rebel

We went to four and they were all different.

One offered the chance for me to accompany my son, I didn't. One made it clear that parents were not welcome.

The third had a sample lecture which everyone attended and the fourth was a small group scenario.

onlyroz

I started uni in 1998, and it most certainly was not common for applicants to be accompanied by their parents. I visited/was interviewed at maybe 6 universities - I made my own way by train to all but one, where my parents drove me and dropped me off at the entrance.

As for a parent sitting outside the interview room, or even coming in with the student - surely nobody in their right mind would consider doing this? Sure, have a wander about the campus, or check out the local cafes, but anything else is the very definition of helicopter parenting.

SingleSue

When I said sitting outside, I didn't mean outside the room.....I meant outside the entire building/area where the interviews were being held!

I can't wander, I have a wheelchair hence the bit about a nice sunny area to sit and read a book. With middle son, it was the campus cafe for most of his due to the weather and lack of nice sunny (and dry) spots.

Madmel

DD1 is at this stage. She made a long-list of institutions which offered her chosen course, then we made 2 trips to those cities last spring and summer, visiting 11 places. She discounted some almost as soon as we arrived, but as she is the one who will have to live there for 4 years, we discussed her reasons and I accepted them.

She whittled the list down and filled in her UCAS form. She received 2 offers, one offer with a request to come to an open day, and the other 2 places called her for interview. Because of our work commitments, she went with her boyfriend to the open day. He reported back that they had separate sessions for parents - the Uni thought it really funny sending an 18 year old to the parent meeting! Obviously we only know what he told us, but there was a lot of boasting and hovering going on. DD went to the next interview alone but has made the 160 mile journey before and met some school friends there, so they travelled home together. It was just after the main railway line was washed away outside Exeter so we had to work around that. The final interview was on my day off, but 200+ miles away. She was offered accommodation the night before so we drove after school, I dropped her off and checked into a B&B. I met her the following morning after having a wander round the city and we came back together.

At the final uni, they were interviewing for a range of subjects. Some students had done their preparation and found out what would be required of them. DD got on very well with a prospective music student who had rung to ask if she needed to bring her instrument. She was told that it was not necessary but she would need to do some listening tests. A lad also there for music was horrified by this, but as DD pointed out, he too could have asked, and it is an inherent part of the course.

To the OP, encourage your son to contact the institution to find out what he would be expected to bring. Practical courses often want evidence of those skills. DD has applied for a science degree so has had to answer mathematical questions and explain particular scientific concepts, or use her knowledge to solve unfamiliar problems. In our case, the school has done some mock interviews with DD and she has chatted with Heads of Department afterwards so they are kept up to date with the sort of questions being asked. Can your son perhaps ask the staff at school/college for advice?