Scottish University Open days 2015

[AssembleTheMinions]

Inspired by a thread in secondary education, I thought I would see if anyone has visits planned this summer.

I have dd1 (16) who is hoping to study Chemistry (or Music!) next year. At the moment we have planning to visit the three Glasgow ones. Not sure whether to look at further afield ones as the associated living costs may be too much unless she gets a job

Anyone got anything planned?

[prettybird]

That'll be me in 2 years' time - although at the moment ds is adamant he's going to go to Uni in NZ, so he can combine a degree with rugby .

He could possibly consider applying next year as he should have a good set of Nat 5s and be on course for good Highers, but his birthday is in September, so that would mean a whole year at Uni at only age 17.

I went to St Andrews after 5th Year, but I only had to wait 6 months till I was 18 and it was easier to get served back then as they assumed you were 18

Somewhere like St Andrews which is small but touristy means that there opportunities to get summer jobs and then also to get additional work (I learnt to be a silver service waitress) during term time.

[AssembleTheMinions]

She could probably apply this year as well, we are hopeful of fairly decent higher results apart from maths but I think she's too young to go when she is still only 16 (not 17 until November)

Really not sure what to expect for the open days. Do parents usually go as well or do the children go themselves in groups? It's all a bit daunting.

[prettybird]

It's so long ago that my own experience is probably irrelevant: but when I went to an Open Day at St Andrews when I was in 5th Year with 2 of my classmates, we got dropped off by my dad (who was going to Dundee for some meeting) and then wandered around on our own.

It stood me us in good stead as we went to see the Admissions Officer and asked about entry from the 5th Year. As a result, they then wrote to our school and asked about our maturity - and I got a conditional acceptance the other two got deferred acceptances provided they did 6th year

SIL went with her dd to Aberdeen for its Open Day earlier this year (she's now got an Unconditional to go there).

[Annunziata]

I have 3 at Glasgow just now, they're very happy. DS1 and DD1 did some chemistry I think.

Now I have finished boasting , I think it is half and half between going with parents and going alone. Mine spoke to lecturers and went to a lecture and that was it.

If you get an offer, there is an applicant's day with more information in the spring. I went with DD1.

It's very exciting, good luck

[cdtaylornats]

Assemble - you could try University of the West of Scotland in Paisley (and Ayr, Dumfries and Hamilton) easy commute to Paisley from Glasgow

[tilliebob]

We're planning to go to the Stirling and Aberdeen open days. If DS freaks out, then we know uni isn't for him. If it helps him make a decision that he does want to go to uni, his school starts dealing with applications next August when they are in S6. Even if he got his AABB this year is still want him to have his 6th year at school to work up that bit more before leaving home sobs

[tilliebob]

*I'd still want him...

[Behooven]

Do you mind if I ask how you find out about open days please?

[Romeyroo]

You should be able to find out about Open Days on the university webpages. Some schools take year groups. If you can't make the Open Day, contact the student recruitment and admissions office - they can usually arrange something where you can see around and ask questions.

[tilliebob]

We applied through the uni websites

[StillFrankie]

There are higher education conventions throughout the year, like a careers fair, where pupils can meet university representatives there. Most schools take pupils along but not all schools do.

[Behooven]

That's great- thanks, I'll check all of these

[AssembleTheMinions]

Ooh replies.

Thanks everyone. She's registered for the open days in September and October but I'm wondering if she would go to one on 18/6 on her own. I might get her to find out if anyone else she knows is planning on going.

We haven't looked at West of Scotland yet, so will do that later and see what's on offer there.

Exciting times

[NiceBitOfCheese]

Dundee has low living costs, including the cheapest union in Scotland. Allegedly!

It's good for Life Sciences; no idea if it's any good for Chemistry though.

[howabout]

Have you considered day trips to uni cities with her over the holidays. I take my dd to uni events during the year just to get them aware of the environment. We will go to Edinburgh for the festival and might look out for the uni if we have time. This way hopefully when the time comes they are more confident about going on their own.

[Mrsjayy]

I went to some and not others dd1 went on her own she knew where she wanted to go so just went to 1 open day. Dd2 went to 1 with a friend 1 with me and 1 on her own it all depends what they want i was mumsnet dd led about going with them

[Mrsjayy]

Oh dd2 isnt 18 till february and she decided to go to college for a year then apply for uni