How to Support Your Child in Aiming for Top Universities
The university application process in the US and UK can be overwhelming – not just for students, but for parents, too.
Here’s our guide to helping your child navigate the difficulties of the process, without overworking them.
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What’s covered
Staying on top of application deadlines
Offering practical support during exams and interviews
Encouraging extracurriculars
Supporting your child’s mental health
Staying on top of application deadlines
Teenagers are notoriously bad at keeping track of deadlines – but they’re really important in the admissions process, as there are rarely situations in which a university will accept a late application or submission of a document.
Missing deadlines like registering for any standardised tests or submitting essays nullifies your child’s application, so help them stay on track.
Here’s a simplified breakdown of the stages, their deadlines, and our estimation for the amount of work you’ll need to do for each step.
All following timelines are estimations for 2026 entry;
please note that some are general times as exact dates vary by university.
General UK Admissions Deadlines
| UK (GENERAL) admissions process | Deadlines | Work needed |
|---|---|---|
| Apply for funding (international only) | Depends on home country | 1-3 hours. |
| Choose up to 5 universities | Early Jan | 1 month. |
| Personal statement | 29 January 2026 | 2-3 months. |
UK (Oxford, Cambridge + Medicine Courses) Admissions Process
| UK (Oxford, Cambridge + Medicine courses) admissions process | Deadlines | Work needed |
|---|---|---|
| Apply for funding (international only; UK students apply in spring) | Depends on student’s home country | Submit on time. |
| Registering for admissions tests | Varies by course, usually mid-September – early October | Submit on time. |
| Personal statement (UCAS application) | 15 October | 2-3 months, begin late July. |
| Written work submission (if applicable, only for some courses) | 10 November | Submit on time. |
| Admissions test | Varies, usually late November | 2-3 months, ideally begin late September. |
| Interview (if applicable) | Varies, usually mid-late December | 1-2 months, begin after admissions test. |
US Common Application Admissions Process
| US Common Application admissions process | Deadlines | Work needed |
|---|---|---|
| SAT/ACT preparation | 1st attempt: May/June/August 2nd attempt: September/October 3rd attempt: November/December 2025 |
3-6 months. Begin early February. |
| Common Application | Release date: August 1, 2025 | |
| Submission Deadlines | Early Action/Early Decision: November 2025 Regular Decision: January 1–15, 2026 |
2-3 months. Begin early June. |
P.S. Don’t hesitate to contact us for a more detailed breakdown of the course or university-specific deadlines!
Offering practical support during exams and interviews
Depending on where they’re applying, your child may need to take admissions tests or entrance exams like the LNAT, BMAT, UCAT (UK) or SAT, ACT (US). This isn’t a comprehensive list, and you can check out our page on admissions tests to see what’s out there.
These aren’t just box-ticking exercises – they require strategy. Make standardised test preparation less stressful for your child by:
Research which tests are needed and when, because they differ based on where your child is applying. Some require registration months in advance.
Treat test prep like a marathon, not a sprint. Cramming for an important exam a week before is a recipe for disaster for your child, and could dash their dreams.
Consider professional tutoring to help ease some of the pressure – we have a team of admissions tests tutors that would be happy to help.
Depending on the course and university your child is interested in, they may be invited to interview. This is especially common for top universities.
One of the most effective ways to prepare your child for an interview is through mock interviews. Whether you set these up at home or seek professional tutoring, these practice sessions can help simulate real interview conditions and build confidence.
This doesn't mean you have to sit down with a set of interview questions and get the interrogation light on; you can also build the same critical thinking skills by encouraging thought-provoking discussions at home. Try to challenge them on their arguments at the dinner table to encourage logical articulation and thinking on their feet!
Encouraging extracurriculars
The US and the UK (generally speaking) have different attitudes towards extracurricular activities on a student’s application. The US values sports and hobbies that are unrelated to your child’s academic course, while UK universities are only really interested in what they call ‘super-curriculars.’ Unlike extracurriculars, like sports or hobbies, super-curriculars are directly related to your academic interests.
For example:
Participating in subject-related competitions like Olympiads, essay contests, or mathematical challenges.
Completing online courses or MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) relevant to your subject. You can find courses from platforms like Coursera, edX, or Future Learn. This is particularly popular with students as it is accessible and free.
Reading books, academic papers, or articles related to the subject.
Attending lectures, talks, or conferences, either in-person or online.
Visiting relevant museums, galleries, or historical sites.
Taking part in research projects, either independently or through a school or university program.
It’s important to encourage your child to take part in their extracurriculars and ‘super-curriculars’, as it really helps their application stand out.
Boost Your Child’s Admission Chances at Top Universities
Gaining a place at a leading university is highly competitive, and the right guidance can make all the difference.
Our expert team, including graduates from top US and UK universities, provides tailored admission support to help your child stand out. From perfecting personal statements to acing interviews, we offer the expertise they need to succeed.
Supporting your child’s mental health
This is often an extremely stressful time for children. With the pressure of exams and the complex, unfamiliar process of university applications looming, it can take a toll.
Encourage without adding pressure by offering praise and positive reinforcement while respecting their need for independence. Be a sounding board during practice, like when they need mock interview help or to edit their statement, but also step back when they need space to take control of their preparation.
Make sure that your child is taking regular breaks and fully resting. Good sleep hygiene is sometimes overlooked, but it’s essential to help your child maintain healthy sleep patterns. A well-rested mind will perform better during preparation!
If your child is the kind of student who thrives on structured plans and revision timetables, work with them to make sure they're appropriately balancing their schoolwork with their university preparation. Breaks — and variety — are essential.
This is a great time to pick up a relaxing hobby together, like meditation or yoga!
