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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

The best course/University for a Maths degree.

302 replies

Mel2Mel · 21/04/2015 19:41

My DS will be starting his As levels next year. He is a capable mathematician and highly motivated.
I would really appreciate your advice on the best University for him to study Maths and what are the differences between the courses from one University to another.
Thank you very much in advance Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
Mel2Mel · 04/05/2015 17:36

I think it would be a push to call me senior but I do teach at Oxbridge and I am involved in the admissions process BOTH?

Come out of the closets, name your positions and colleges/Universities.

OP posts:
Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 04/05/2015 17:41

Well, this has turned very nasty. I've reported this thread as I feel we need a loud from Olivia or one of her colleagues.

Original poster
Mel2Mel · 04/05/2015 17:41

There are many on this site who claim to be one thing or another. When you really challenge them to reveal who they are, they chicken out.

If we dig deep we find they are JUST Wannabees

OP posts:
TheWordFactory · 04/05/2015 17:42

No not both.

I never say which one ( though I know loads of MNers have guessed) as I absolutely don't want to out myself.

Not because of the university job but my other stuff ( I'm a writer) and have had hacks sniffing around before.

MN is a place I can be brutally honest which I value. Other social media is undertaken with a certain spin IYKWM (one eye always on the sales figures ).

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 04/05/2015 17:43

Mel2Mel, why are you being so aggressive? You're also displaying a certain amount of ignorance about university admissions, as academics are frequently involved in admissions as well as teaching and researching, especially at Oxford and Cambridge.

As for coming out of the closets, why on earth should they? One of the reasons people post fairly frankly here is because it's (relatively) anonymous.

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 04/05/2015 17:45

OK, misunderstood what BOTH meant! Will now retreat behind bulletproof shield to my popcorn.

Original poster
Mel2Mel · 04/05/2015 17:45

Why are you here again? To get inspiration?

OP posts:
Original poster
Mel2Mel · 04/05/2015 17:49

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g I am aggressive? I am ignorant? Please read your posts again and think before you act!

OP posts:
TheWordFactory · 04/05/2015 17:49

Nah.

I'm here for a bit of amusement Wink.

UptheChimney · 04/05/2015 17:51

Oh, I'm a Vice Chancellor wannabe Grin deffo

Needmoresleep · 04/05/2015 17:52

This has now come back full circle.

It depends how you define status or success. To me Magrat is successful. Word is too. She may not be a senior academic but seems to have had a full and varied career.

No envy on my part. However I have expected a culture where you only rank if you have the house in Chelsea, drive the right car, your daughter goes to the right school, and your husband holds down a very senior job with a bank, hedge fund or law firm. Each to their own. I find this approach tedious. It's up to DC whether they want to be investment bankers or postmen. (Or tutors.) I have a few cards in Status Top Trumps. (Though probably not as many as others on the thread. ) But it's not a game I want to play. Some successful people are worth knowing, others are not. Same goes for those not judged successful. Even failed economists!

UptheChimney · 04/05/2015 17:54

Word we're both clearly deluded and have thoughts above our station. I'm here yo avoid finishing my marking.

Original poster
Mel2Mel · 04/05/2015 17:54

Waste of time really for someone of your status Grin You must be so busy with tutoring/supervising, writing, knowing what everyone in W is up to.....dealing with admissions and constantly posting regarding all subjects Grin

OP posts:
Needmoresleep · 04/05/2015 17:55

Experienced not expected. Sorry.

TheWordFactory · 04/05/2015 17:55

For me the university work is something I really enjoy and they let me do it pretty flexibly so I can do the other stuff.

It works well for me, particularly as I have a family and a DH with a pretty full on career too.

It's all good.

Original poster
Mel2Mel · 04/05/2015 17:58

UptheChimney If you haven't noticed, I haven't mentioned you once not because I haven't noticed you but because I though you have been descent.

I can see that you are willing to join the bullying herd!

OP posts:
Out2pasture · 04/05/2015 17:58

Math the subject or integrated into other aspect like Engineering?

TheWordFactory · 04/05/2015 17:59

It's a bank holiday OP!

I have no university work today. And I'm not going to get any writing done with two year 11s at home revising for their GCSEs, a husband laying on the sofa with man flu bacterial sinus something or other, watching Come Dine With Me Grin.

I suppose I could do some ironing...

Original poster
Mel2Mel · 04/05/2015 18:03

TheWordFactory I can see you are changing your tone (no personal attacks at my DS, no xenophobe remarks) You are starting to sound more professional and could be even descent Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
Mel2Mel · 04/05/2015 18:08

Out2pasture He is not interested in engineering at the moment, only Maths but who knows he might visit Imperial or come across something and change his mind.

If you have any information on that please share (pm if you prefer) Thank you Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
Mel2Mel · 04/05/2015 18:21

You really need more sleep I can see that you have some unresolved issues and you want to share I AM HAPPY TO LISTEN but I can't say it enough, This is what I have written before and this is what I think:
For your information, I would rather see my DS working at the customer service counter in a supermarket than starting a tutoring career JUST after University because I would like him to interact with people more and if he really wants to teach because he is so passionate and wants to make a difference then I would rather see him CHALLENGING himself and teach in an environment where he would make a difference in his own life first and the life of others. This is my wish for my DS ONLY wink

OP posts:
summerends · 04/05/2015 18:48

Mel2Mel honestly your DS is in contact with enough high level mathematicians at these summer camps (and next year the other camps) plus the Oxbridge teachers at his school for him to get excellent advice just for the asking. If you are on this thread to pick fights so be it but I suspect that in real life you may not be quite so confident (ironic the comment about road rage). People will have different views on here but most of the time show a certain courtesy whilst enjoying a debate.

Original poster
Mel2Mel · 04/05/2015 19:10

Thank you for sharing your feelings summerends Grin

I can see from some of the posters here that they exude confidence Wink

Don't worry too much about me! As I have suggested before, check other threads, start new ones....resist the temptation to read it and respond....try it!

OP posts:
MNHQ
YetAnotherHelenMumsnet · 04/05/2015 19:16

Hi all.
So, well, we've had about a zillion gajillion reports about this thread (and others, the Bank Hols really bring people out, hey?) We'd be very grateful if everyone could observe the MN guidelines, please? www.mumsnet.com/info/netiquette

summerends · 04/05/2015 19:20

Mel2Mel too obtuse for me unless you are applying some transference.
Your last 'final post' happened some time ago.

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