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Further education

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Original poster

Any advice on last two uni choices please?

32 replies

ifonly4 · 02/10/2018 12:04

DD changed her mind re: her choice of university course. She's now interested in either sustainable development (which she is particularly interested in various aspects of) and if she goes down this route would like to work for a government depart dealing with sustainability issues alongside current day requirements. She is also interested in liberal arts as she loves her current A level subjects and would do modules (geography, music & philosophy) in these as well as incorporating some sustainability - she's always believed in not restricting your education. Her personal statement so far relates heavily to sustainability, but will include subjects like music and philosophy. She predicted AAA (A geography) and has chosen three unis to apply to requiring A*AA, AAA & ABB. She still has to decide on the other two: The choices are:

St Andrews, AAA, selection of modules in first two years then concentrating on sustainability for two years. Course perfect for her, but feels it's that step too far from home (400+ miles) and she'd feel cut off (she schools in another county so it's not nerves of moving from home). Also very similar to where she schools at the moment so doesn't feel like moving on to a new challenge.

Durham, AAA sustainability. She is already applying for an AAA course, is this too much applying for another aspirational and we haven't looked at it

Nottingham, AAA, new Liberal Arts course which looks good for her, nearer home, but they're looking for personal statement clearly geared to liberal arts (she'll have things geared to sustainable development, geography, philosophy and a strong link to music on PS).

Warwick has a number of global sustainability joint honours. She's already applying for SD course there, but has spoken to them and they've confirmed it won't go against her applying for two courses, in fact, it'll confirm how much she's interested in global sustainability with them. Does she put two eggs in one basket and apply for two courses there? Also, as with joint honours she could include philosophy (AAA) or might consider sociology (AAB). It's the closest to us (not that that actually matters to her). We feel the campus is perfect for her type of social life and interests and have no concerns about her being there whatsoever.

Sorry it's long winded, does anyone have any words of wisdom we can pass on.

OP posts:
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BubblesBuddy · 10/10/2018 17:34

Many universities offer the study abroad option and for global SD this makes a huge amount of sense. Warwick certainly offer this.

wigglybeezer · 10/10/2018 17:32

The thing about St Andrews is that the student body is very international, this somehow makes it feel less isolated. The four year course is very flexible, so good for the indesisive and it's also a very busy student environment with lots of music, drama, clubs and societies on offer. It's less in the middle of nowhere than many places in England and Wales! It also has lovely beaches and is one of the driest and sunniest bits of Scotland. Whenever I visit DS there I want to stay!

Everincreasingfrequency · 10/10/2018 17:17

"She doesn't seem hot on the idea of adding on a last choice later."

I have some sympathy with that view! More scope for things to go wrong if you press the wrong button! (I know it's probably the simplest thing in the world to do it, and it does give you more time, but at least if you put all five now everything has been done and you can go off and concentrate on other things - including A level work!)

starfish4 · 10/10/2018 15:15

OP, funnily enough I was talking to a university student at the weekend (in her last year). She couldn't decide on her last two options, but put two down anyway as she wanted to make use of them just in case. She got rejections very quickly from those two unis, but the ones she knew she really wanted made offers. If her PS is really geared to her preferred choices with experience, knowledge, reasons to do course etc, fingers crossed she'll get at least two offers and that's all she needs.

Ihaventgottimeforthis · 10/10/2018 14:17

If she's looking at sustainable development, do any of the universities still offer a year 'exchange' in another country?
I did a year at UBC in Vancouver, and the issues they looked at there (first nations, large scale forestry, fossil fuels) were from quite a different approach to domestic universities.
Plus it was a great opportunity to understand global environmental policy.

Original poster
ifonly4 · 10/10/2018 14:02

blametheparents - yes, DD was told something similar about a Personal Statement.

I think DD has ruled out a second course at Warwick (although very interested in the one she's chosen) and Nottingham.

That leaves St Andrews (a complete pain to get to and not in the setting she'd like, but the more I look at course, it sounds really good for her) and Durham (there are going to be some very bright kids applying, but she's predicted the grades so who knows).

Either way, she's got six days before submission to school. She doesn't seem hot on the idea of adding on a last choice later.

OP posts:
blametheparents · 10/10/2018 13:06

When DS looked at GSD at Warwick the head of department advised that they would ask for an additional Personal Statement once they'd taken a look at the application as they were well aware that the course was quite specialised / unusual and that it would be difficult for an applicant to write a PS that encompassed all of the courses that they has applied for.

BubblesBuddy · 06/10/2018 21:19

You really cannot second guess about when offers come out. They are not the same year on year. My DD received offers from universities after about 3 weeks that MN say are late. It’s never an exact science. There are five choices. You have a deadline. Trying to second guess what will happen when is not worth it. Just go for it!

Original poster
ifonly4 · 06/10/2018 11:02

Witchend, there we have another issue. I know one of the courses she's applying, were one of the last to make their offers last year. Also, another is known for late offers. Either way, she'll need to put five before January. I'm sure it'll work out Hmm.

She didn't believe me, but I've told her she can just apply for 3/4 and add 1/2 in a few weeks. Even if the last two aren't quite right, gives her chance to consider more/make enquiries.

OP posts:
MarchingFrogs · 06/10/2018 10:24

She could also leave one (not sure about more than that) blank for now and see what offers she gets before deciding. Dd1 has left the last choice blank for now.

You can just apply for the one and add up to the fill five later - there is a reminder that you have to top up the fee first if you also only paid the single application fee initiaĺly.

Witchend · 06/10/2018 10:13

She could also leave one (not sure about more than that) blank for now and see what offers she gets before deciding. Dd1 has left the last choice blank for now.

Original poster
ifonly4 · 04/10/2018 20:03

I guess we all have different opinions, but as a parent Warwick feels right for DD, she seems happy enough with it, and personally we'd drop her off and not worry about her (she's on a scholarship he and her are used to her being away from home). This is selfish, but also the easiest for us to travel to if needed/wanted to meet up.

Any other comments on choices still welcome, but have put a lot of your comments to her. She's convinced you have to apply for all five at once, told her not the case and to check out to give her some breathing space.

OP posts:
ShalomJackie · 04/10/2018 16:05

I’m not sure what’s missing at Warwick and why it isn’t a “full university experience”?

Maybe their child is applying for the SD course too and is trying to eliminate competition!

SillySallySingsSongs · 04/10/2018 14:10

Maybe it's because the journey to the town centre involves travelling through a council estate?

Or that you maybe have to travel on a bus faints

titchy · 04/10/2018 13:46

I’m not sure what’s missing at Warwick and why it isn’t a “full university experience”?

Maybe it's because the journey to the town centre involves travelling through a council estate?

BubblesBuddy · 04/10/2018 13:13

I’m not sure what’s missing at Warwick and why it isn’t a “full university experience”? That’s a bizarre comment in my view!

SillySallySingsSongs · 04/10/2018 11:11

I hugely advise against Warwick, it's in the middle of nowhere and doesn't give a full university experience.

No it really isn't! It's a short 10 minute bus ride from the centre of Coventry for starters!

Lottie4 · 04/10/2018 11:04

It didn't help us at St Andrews when our cases had been moved/piled on top. I was first to the door to find the train moving and people already blocking the exit (scenery lovely though).

St Andrews wasn't as quiet as I thought it would be, although the party crowd might struggle although there is a bus to Dundee and back late for them. Stayed in some of the uni accommodation and could feel a draft coming through the old windows - a bed by the window would be lovely, but it's going to be cold in winter!

MarchingFrogs · 04/10/2018 01:02

The rather good Warwick Arts Centre brings the intrepid explorer or two to the campus as a comfort to those who feel marooned there.

ShanghaiDiva · 03/10/2018 23:28

Warwick is 10 mins by bus from Coventry so hardly in the middle of nowhere!
Interested to learn - peony - what constitutes a full university experience?

MarchingFrogs · 03/10/2018 17:07

St. Andrews is very cut off! Especially if you live in Cornwall

It's pretty cut off from a lot of places a lot closer than that, including being a couple of miles further away from the nearest railway station than Warwick is.

Birmingham seems to be good for music as a recreational activitySmile.

BubblesBuddy · 03/10/2018 16:53

I really cannot see what is wrong with Warwick! It’s hugely popular for a reason - it’s good. It is campus (which my DDs would have hated) but many like it for that reason.

I would also look for a university with strong music links. Usually a city university will have more options to go to concerts. I would also check if you can actually get into orchestras. My DD found Music students got first preference for everything musical. You might have to be flexible about music.

St. Andrews is very cut off! Especially if you live in Cornwall!

Tigerblue · 03/10/2018 11:12

OP, we're in the situation here. DD has decided to do a different degree, but would like something with a module or two that relates to her original choice. It's a specific course and there are only four available. Looking at other courses, she's limiting herself to higher ranking ones.

Does anyone know which unis ask for a second personal statement?

Original poster
ifonly4 · 02/10/2018 16:50

Peony, thanks for your comments which are certainly worth consideration.

re: Warwick, DD is very social-able but isn't a party girl so the cafe and restaurants will suit her there. As well as her degree, she's passionate about music and a lot of spare time will be taken with music practice, as well as hopefully joining the orchestra, something like a trio/quartet, folk group,choir. Luckily know the area better than others as we have family within seven miles, again out in the sticks.

OP posts:
MarchingFrogs · 02/10/2018 16:45

I hugely advise against Warwick, it's in the middle of nowhere and doesn't give a full university experience.

Given that Coventry isn't too far to walk (no, none of my DC are there - yet - but DS1 walks longer distances just for something to do of an afternoon) and certainly not a long journey on the bus, presumably by 'in the middle of nowhere', you mean 'in the Midlands, or something??

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