If registration on the Parcoursup platform is completely free, formulating certain wishes can be expensive. Marion, Théo’s mother, tells us about these hidden costs that she didn’t expect.
The race for wishes on Parcoursup is now over for Terminale high school students. While the files are completed, all eyes are now turning to the next stage: the complementary phase which will begin on June 2. And beyond the traditional headache of orientation, another reality, often little known, has hit the wallets of many families hard: the hefty bill for paid wishes.
This is the cold shower experienced by this mother, whose son applied for engineering schools. “We didn’t plan to spend 600 euros to make wishes, especially knowing that it won’t be remembered everywhere“, Marion tells us. Indeed, if the wishes for universities (licenses, BUT) are free, it is quite different for selective training. Business schools, engineering schools, political studies institutes (IEP), art or architecture schools, and even certain paramedical training courses require candidates to put their hand in their pocket. The amounts generally vary from 30 to more than 200 euros depending on the school.
To maximize his chances, Théo made 10 wishes with 3 (free) wishes for college, and 7 paid wishes for higher education. Result ? An invoice of more than 600 euros, or an average of 90 euros per selective application. “We paid 130 euros just for a wish at INSA, when he wasn’t even called for the interview“, deplores Marion who regrets that few parents are aware: “no one talks about it” she tells us.
Depending on the establishment, these application fees are intended to cover the administrative processing of applications (the careful examination of bulletins and cover letters by a jury) or to finance the logistical organization of entrance exams. And be careful, this doesn’t just concern private establishments! Many public schools also charge this fee. A justification that has difficulty getting across to parents. “I don’t understand why we are demanding application fees for 10 schools without even knowing if we are accepted. However, it is their role to study the applications!” the mother is indignant. For her, the observation is clear: “This means that there is already a selection between those who can pay and those who cannot afford it..”
Also pay attention to sub-wishes: in certain cases (such as architecture schools), fees apply for each sub-wish. If a school charges 37 euros and your child applies to 10 schools of this type, you will then have to pay 370 euros. And don’t expect any reimbursement: whether your child is admitted, refused, or withdraws, application or competition fees are never refundable. They must be paid by credit card at the time of confirmation of wishes.
Note that scholarship students are often exempt from all or a large part of these fees. If the validation of the wishes of the main phase is now behind you, still keep this point in mind if your child has to make new choices during the complementary phase which opens on June 2. Always remember to go through the “Fees” section on the Parcoursup sheets of the schools in question before validating anything. An essential precaution to avoid further budgetary cold sweats!
