In previous blogs, we’ve talked about the issues students face in their college admissions process. We have also discussed the solutions that Reach Best offers to help students overcome these problems and take ownership of their University future. It is true that our products are student-centered, however, in this blog we are going to twist our approach and we are going to write from the perspective of mothers, fathers and guardians. What are their thoughts? What do they think about the processes that their children are experiencing? How do they seek balanced guidance? How much freedom do they consider prudent to give your children when making decisions?

To delve into these perspectives, we interviewed to Mrs. Cinthya, a 41-year-old mother living in Mexico City who went through the University selection and admission process with her son in 2021 who ended up at the #1 University in Mexico. 

Parent’s biggest concerns

There are a number of things that parents worry about when their child is going through the University admission process. Cinthya said it’s not always easy to accept that the time has come to see them go to college, especially when they have to leave home. The hardest part for her is making sure they are making a decision that really makes them happy. At that age it is not easy to find the passions and interests to choose a University. When Cinthya went through this stage, she was afraid that his son would make a decision that would not make him truly happy. She considers that issues such as the prestige of the school and the job market for University degrees, take second place in importance. “It is not the University that makes the student, it is the student that makes the University. You can be in a school with little academic rigor, however,  you can change your conditions and learn the same or even better things than in the best Universities in the world”, she said. 

Help them, give support and advice; respect independence.

For her, although it is important to give the offspring appropriate guidance through advice and recommendations, an imposition by the parents is not usually beneficial. Only they can feel what will make them feel fulfilled. “Our task as parents should be to give them the tools and support to make an informed decision.” The key for Cinthya is trust. “It doesn’t matter what the decision is, even if it sounds crazy. The support must be unconditional”, she mentioned. Of course, supporting her son also meant giving him the necessary tools to achieve his dreams. Supporting him in the academic part, with extra-courses and math tips, was essential for him to be able to enter the University of his choice. 

It is clear that not all parents have the economic and socio-cultural possibilities to help their children enter the University, however, trust and sincere advice are two factors that can be present and significantly help the student’s process.

In conclusion, it is not a secret that the University admission process can be a stressful time for both parents and students. It is important to remember that the most important thing is for the student to make a decision that they are pleased with. Parents can play a supportive role by providing guidance and advice, but they should ultimately trust the student to make the best decision for themselves. It is important for parents to remember that their child is an individual with their own thoughts, feelings, and goals. They may have different ideas about what they want out of college than their parents do. It is important to respect their child’s choices and to be supportive of their decision-making process.