The University of Essex? DS wants to pick it over Cambridge...

[DylanandDarcy]

Does anyone know if this uni is any good. DS wants to pick it over Cambridge!!

Very worried about this. Any advice??

[Msqueen33]

Do you think he's feeling a bit overwhelmed and intimidated about the people that might be going to Cambridge? I'd take him for a visit. Cambridge is a wonderful city.

[Trifleorbust]

ErrolTheDragon: I went there, I know, but the OP has avoided saying over four pages whether her DS actually has these offers in his hand

[JamDonutsRule]

How about a year off to work for a year to save some £?

I think if he goes to Cambridge it will open such massive doors for him. Anecdotally, I know a few people who work in sciences who have Oxbridge degrees and they say that in job interviews the interviewers main concern is the Oxbridge degree. They've all said it's helped massively.

[Crumbs1]

Let him choose. Cambridge and miserable is worse than Essex and happy.

[Pippone]

Avoid Essec at all costs. Very cliquey and slightly racist. Full of entitled rich kids and international students. He'll wish he chose Cambridge. How about Anglia Ruskin instead?

[ErrolTheDragon]

How about Anglia Ruskin instead?

thats down at 89 in the ranking for biological sciences, with 'graduate prospects' a shockingly bad 44% (cf essex 66%, Cambridge 87%). Why on earth would that be a good idea for anyone capable of getting a place at Cambridge? It wouldn't be cheaper or enable him to live at home which seems to be the factors making him consider Essex.

[UmmNo]

Avoid Essec at all costs. Very cliquey and slightly racist. Full of entitled rich kids and international students

My DS's girlfriend is at Essex and doing some sort of biology degree (not sure which). She has not found it to be cliquey or racist at all Not surprisingly there is a wide cross section of students. She didn't get great A levels but has thrived at Essex. If her exams this spring go as planned then she will be going on to do a Masters at a RG Uni. Essex has suited her.

I've just had a look on Unistats at Biological Science at Essex and it's got an amazingly high student satisfaction rates. It scores 100% in several areas better than Cambridge 😂) I know these stats aren't the be all and end all but they are still impressive.

It doesn't sound like Essex would be the best place for the OPs son but I don't think it's fair to dismiss Essex for everyone.

[NotCitrus]

Cambridge is working really hard to enable 'needs-blind admissions' - so anyone can afford to study there. Rents are generally cheaper than the private sector anywhere (the uni own all the housing), the terms are only 8 weeks which makes it much easier to work in the holidays as you can be there for longer than other people, and there are zillions of grants and bursaries going - book grants from most colleges can cover entire costs of books/printing/photocopying.

Does he know any slightly older kids who are at uni away from home or otherwise living away? Could be worth getting him to chat to some of them about the realities of living elsewhere - he can phone and Skype and visit easily after all, but if his heart isn't in it, he won't be happy anywhere (equally, he may not be happy at home either? Is there anything in particular worrying him?)

[ErrolTheDragon]

My immediate advice to the OP is to remind him that he does not need to decide on his firm/insurance choices till May, especially as one way or the other he doesn't need to worry about applying for accommodation as it would presumably be camb college or home for either of the others. That gives him time to talk to teachers, maybe chat in StudentRoom with people at each of his possible choices. If he still isn't sure, if he puts camb. as the firm and essex as the insurance .... well, if he gets cold feet, I'd bet essex would still have him like a shot if he phoned their admissions tutor. (DD has been told you can 'trade down' but not up) .

Knowing that might just take some of the stress off him right now.

[SpoonAndSauce]

OP, my daughter is at University of Essex. She could have gone anywhere.

She wanted to stay at home (where she has a job/volunteers, etc.) and is really enjoying it, but she struggles with anxiety, so that's why we knew staying local was the right thing. Lots of the students are very pleased with it (look at the uni satisfaction!)

She will be doing a year abroad next year in Hawaii. She was considering a placement year, but managed to get a part time lab tech job so thought it would be better to do a year abroad.

She is very happy and I don't think it matters if your son goes there.

[BlisseyMon]

OP, You posted on another thread today saying your son is in year 13 and wants to do a physics access course next year.

Have you got two sons or are you really, really confused 😂

Lots of posters have put in time trying to give some useful advice do you think you could clarify what the actual situation is so that we aren't all wasting our time.

🤔🤔🤔🤔

[Redsrule]

DD2 turned down Oxford for Bath. Worked out very well for her but the course at Bath is very highly regarded and she already had a sporting connection with the area. I would suggest revisiting both unis before any final decision.

[walruswhiskers]

I went to Essex in the 1990s. It was v highly regarded for my course and I also had an absolutely brilliant time. It's location on a large lovely campus makes it feel v villagey ; there were always lots of international students but I liked the variety that gave the place. The students were v varied in background bd definitely not posh and racist at all!

That said, it doesnt sound as if the ops son is choosing it for the best reasons.

[MaroonPencil]

Blissey It is possible to have twins you know, with no about it. I'm not saying this is the case here, but I always think best to give the benefit of the doubt before steaming in

[firsttimemum15]

He needs to be happy with his choice otherwise he is being set up to fail.
Entry requirements are political they dont always reflect the difficulty of the course. Some institutions will have higher requirements if a course is over applied to. This acts as a filter.

They are also a marketing tool. Universities will set competetive requirements or similar requirements to competitors.

I am not saying Oxbridge courses are easy but if your son is bright and understands the importance of extra curricular activities, work exp etc I am sure he will suceed wherever. Its his choice he needs to live and study there he needs to be happy with the course and campus.

Has he visited both and compared modules etc?

[BlisseyMon]

MaroonPencil

Blissey It is possible to have twins you know.

Yes I do know that which is exactly why I asked if she had two sons! So don't go 'ing me 😡😡😡

Also, I was polite and didn't 'steam' in. I just asked for clarification which is fair enough especially as the OP has been a bit vague and confusing.

[DylanandDarcy]

Yes, I have 2 sons in year 13 (not twins either!!). Not wasting your time at all, I'm extremely grateful for your advice. Sorry I honestly didn't realise I was being vague in trying my best to get on here and answer questions. Sorry, I am extremely busy. Will be having a bath in a bit. Will log on them and have a read through and answer the questions.

[GiddyGiddyGoat]

So (haven't read the full thread so sorry if already pointed out) Cambridge is 1st in league tables for Biological Sciences and Essex 60th - there is simply no comparison in terms of the quality of teaching he will get / the calibre of his fellow students etc. he will accrue a large amount of debt wherever he goes so he would be sensible to get the best value for money that his ability allows surely?
he sounds anxious about the idea of living away / independence etc which is very understandable. I think you need to try to help him with this anxiety because objectively he would be mad to choose Essex over Cambridge.

Ds1 is at Cambridge - one advantage over most universities that involve living away is that terms are 8 weeks long - you are home more than you are away!

Could he access some counselling? Talk to students who are at each place etc? Go to another open day at each even though he has an offer already ?

[troodiedoo]

My brother turned down a place at Oxford to go to Manchester to do a chemistry degree. My mum is still traumatised but he has no regrets and a good career.

[ActuallyThatsSUPREMECommander]

That's not really comparable though troodie. Manchester is the next rank down from Oxford for chemistry but it's still a highly regarded institution. If you don't fancy Oxbridge or London for social/practical reasons it's a perfectly reasonable choice and I don't think anyone on MN a would raise an eyebrow. Essex for biology is a different league again.

[Foureyesarebetterthantwo]

Manchester is a good uni and for some courses very good. I don't think it's Cambridge at all costs. Imperial is 3rd. Essex is 60th. The job opportunities will be much better with a Cambridge or indeed Imperial biological sciences degree.

[BlisseyMon]

OP,
Yes, I have 2 sons in year 13 (not twins either!!)

. Eek!

Thanks for explaining.

If your son is unsure then what about a gap year. Once he has his results he might feel differently about going somewhere like Essex. Do you think he is worried about not getting his grades?

[troodiedoo]

Yes sorry suppose you are right. The job market today is very different from 20 years ago when my bro went. The weight of the university should be a big consideration, it's probably hard for a youngster to think that far in the future.

[ridinghighinapril]

Someone up thread mentioned that it is better to be happy at Essex than miserable at Cambridge (I'm paraphrasing, apologies to PP).
Whilst I understand that sentiment, it is relative short-term 'pain' for long-term gain. Without being melodramatic, the lack of intellectual stimulation and subsequent job prospects could make for more long-term misery.
As I mentioned before, if he has genuine difficulties with social situations and anxiety them that's a different story
Otherwise it is probably something he should go in with an open mind, a real can do attitude and really take the plunge. This is the first challenge he has to be independent (which will be the case for almost all the other students) and unless he takes it he'll find it harder as he gets older.

[firsttimemum15]

Ridinghighinapril That was me.

If a student is unhappy they may need to resit or restart elsewhere. Thats not easy either. Failure can affect self esteem and long term prospects too.

Not saying this is the case for your son OP perhaos this isnt the best place for you to get advice.