can they check the "did your parents go to uni" question?

millieferguson

if i ticked the my parents didnt go to uni box would they be able to actually check if they did or not

Reply 1

ageshallnot

Original post by millieferguson

if i ticked the my parents didnt go to uni box would they be able to actually check if they did or not

Hopefully.

Reply 2

Muttley79

Original post by millieferguson

if i ticked the my parents didnt go to uni box would they be able to actually check if they did or not

Why would you lie and risk your application being declared fraudulent?

Yes they can check.

I imagine this would actually be quite difficult to check. So the is likely answer is it is assessed in context of you overall application for credibility and relevance. Similar to assessing people’s answers at interview where there is typically no way to know if they are spoofing. In any events I don’t imagine it makes a big difference to the application and it would be low to lie about it

Reply 5

Clearing and Applications Advisor

What benefit do you think you will gain from lying?

Reply 6

totallyfine

Only apply to Universities where you are likely to meet the entry requirements. If you have to do so by lying then you are not good enough

Reply 7

ChiefBrody

Everyone seems to be assuming the OP wants to lie. Maybe they don't know.

My dad walked out on us when I was 3, I only found out years later when he died he had gone to Uni

Reply 8

Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post by ChiefBrody

Everyone seems to be assuming the OP wants to lie. Maybe they don't know.

My dad walked out on us when I was 3, I only found out years later when he died he had gone to Uni

“Don’t know”/not known is one of the possible answers that they can put if they don’t know.

Reply 9

lalexm

Original post by millieferguson

if i ticked the my parents didnt go to uni box would they be able to actually check if they did or not

UCAS ask for it statistical reason. They probably won’t check, but makes zero sense to risk it for no gain.

Reply 10

buggle

Original post by millieferguson

if i ticked the my parents didnt go to uni box would they be able to actually check if they did or not

Self-report: This is the most common method where individuals answer this question on surveys, applications, or forms. It relies on the honesty of the respondent.

Background checks: Employers, educational institutions, or organizations may conduct background checks or verification processes to confirm the educational background of individuals, which may include checking if their parents attended university.

Official records: In some cases, universities or educational institutions may maintain records of alumni, which could include information about the educational background of an individual's parents if they also attended the same institution.

Family information: Some countries or regions maintain census or demographic data that might include information about the educational attainment of parents, which can be used to verify this information on a broader scale.

Reply 11

Cote1

I am not sure how it could be accurately checked.

Reply 12

Sorcerer's Storm

I imagine it's very difficult to check given that most of the current uni generation's parents went to uni before internet was even a thing and so maybe only paper records would exist, most of which have probably been long lost or destroyed by now.

Reply 13

buggle

Original post by Cote1

I am not sure how it could be accurately checked.

You are being confident, there is no such thing, nothing will happen, it will be checked

Reply 14

swanseajack1

Original post by buggle

You are being confident, there is no such thing, nothing will happen, it will be checked

The main benefit of this question is for contextual offers but that is in relatively few universities. Is it worth lying if found out out they will be thrown off the course. Most leading universities dont include this for contextual offers.

Reply 15

swanseajack1

Original post by swanseajack1

Here is an example from Bristol who dont use it.

You may be eligible for a contextual offer if one of the following statements applies to you:

You have attended an aspiring state school or college

You live in an area with low progression to higher education

You have completed a University of Bristol outreach programme

You have spent time in care

You attend a Venturers Trust secondary school

You receive (or have received) free school meals

Reply 16

millieferguson

Original post by PQ

What benefit do you think you will gain from lying?

literally who said i was going to lie can a gal not ask a question

Reply 17

Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post by millieferguson

literally who said i was going to lie can a gal not ask a question

If you weren’t considering lying then why would it matter if your response is verified?

And the point of my question is: if a university uses something to influence offer making then it will be verified, if they don’t then there’s no point in lying.

(edited 6 months ago)

Reply 18

emmaltunis

I suppose it's unlikely, but they might check some randomly - they would be able to see if either of your parents had previously had student finance, if applying from the UK and your parents are part of your student finance application. I don't think many universities would give a contextual offer on the basis of this question though.

Reply 19

KungFuRabbit

Original post by Cote1

I am not sure how it could be accurately checked.

It can't - they don't have the parents details and more importantly they don't have the permission of the parent to run a background/academic check. UCAS use this for their own analysis.