Oxford University Open Day

[pinkloo]

DS and I are going to go to the University of Oxford open day on Thursday. There’s also one tomororw.

We’re arriving by rail as I’ve heard parking is a nightmare.

How much space should I give him? Shall I go off to waterstones and find a new book and leave him to it?

He’s drawn up a list for what he wants to do.
He’ll be going to the subject talks for his course which include his chosen course and also one he’s interested in.
He wants to visit 3 different “types” of college, a modern ex-womens, one of the ‘big boys’ and a town centre oldie.

He’s got down to visit LMH, St John’s and then Lincoln.

Does fitting all this in sound feasible?

We went on Thursday too. I was prepared to hate it but loved it! We did the Saïd Business School and PPE depts. Also Brasenose, Lincoln, Merton and Hertford Colleges. Loved Brasenose most. Told that Wadham don't do formal halls any more so that put DS right off! The students and staff were a delight and it was all so well organised. I sat in on an applications talk which was really instructive. DS has just finished Y11 but I'm glad we went now as there's lots of things he can do during Y12 which will help his application and indeed prepare him for uni life.

Having spent the day there and seen where everything is, DS2 has now started to express a preference about college choice.

Things that are important to him:

• Being able to live within a mile of the Physics department for all four years (he has problems with large motor coordination and cannot ride a bike).
• He'd like the college to have several Physics tutors

Things that don't matter to him:

• What the college looks like.
• How big it is.

Likes: Studying, reading, playing the clarinet, playing Dungeons & Dragons, playing computer games.

Dislikes: Sport of any kind, parties, alcohol, too much noise.

He has ASD but is very high-functioning and needs no additional support at school.

Shortlist he has made so far:
St Anne's
St John's
Balliol
Worcester
St Hugh's
Brasenose
Christ Church
Merton

Thank you to the poster who has sent me a PM. I'd be very grateful for opinions on the above from any others in the know.