Kent vs Southampton

[succeed]

One would hope that university would be an experience that would open a student's eyes to possibilities they haven't thought of yet - and ergo can't be planning a path too

Couldn't agree more. The idea of mapping out your child's career from the age of 8 and imposing a trajectory is very restricting, and inhibits their ability to explore and possibly achieve more , imho. I would also imagine, in any case, that it is certainly not necessary to attend an 'elitist' uni in order to become a dentist, doctor, lawyer or accountant which seems to be the preferred choices of those mapping out their child's future.