The university admissions service, Ucas, says that in response to the number of calls from parents that it has decided to allow parents to act as their children's representatives in handling applications.
As such, young people making applications this year have been allowed to nominate a proxy to speak for them and make decisions."
Parents' over-involvement sometimes even extends to complaints over grades awarded to students.
Picture: http://flickr.com/photos/subterfu9e/1634944309/
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On the BBC site, some users argue that parents have the right to know how they're spending their money, and should be fully involved in the admission process. Others say they would feel uncomfortable if their parents interfered in their uni life. What do you think?
- added August 19, 2008
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If my parents complained over my marks I'd be horrified!
Admittedly they helped me financially when they could, but they saw uni as a chance for me to stand on my own two feet and learn how much tequila I could drink standing on my head...
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If the applicants are under 18, parents should be able to assist them with applications, but if the students are older, this could get a little ridiculous ...
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- JanaPokana
- 5 months ago
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I think that over-involved parents are stupid. If people can't start acting as an adult when they go to university when will they start? But then no matter what age group you are they are always a problem. For example in my junior school we had an "egg scene" competition. 7 year olds would turn up to school with almost artistic scenes bearing puns. Like "the eggcecutioner" or "eggactly". I suppose if they start early they feel they must carry it on?
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- thekingbeyond
- 5 months ago
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On the more pyscological side...
All parents have to learn to let go, some parents find that really hard. But it always happens in the end and the ones who cling on the most are usually the ones hurt the most.
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- thekingbeyond
- 5 months ago
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I would have been horrified if my folks got involved. University is a right of passage and the applications process is all part of that. I can only imagine that if these applicants are unable to stand on their own two feet at this stage they will need their parents help at every step.
Think about it, would you want your mum there when you go through your other rights of passage? The first time you get drunk? The first time you have sex?
It makes me feel nauseous.
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I really do think that parents should leave the application process up to their kids. HOWEVER...I do think that parents who are paying for their child's education have a right to know how the child is doing. After all, wouldn't you want to know whether your money was being well invested? I think grade reports should go to the student and to the person paying the tuition bills.
