St Andrews into 2021 (new thread)

[Newgirls]

Ok can’t think of a catchier title! If anyone can send the other thread over here pls do!

Prospective and existing parents etc all welcome here. Transport, accom, cloaks, choirs, beaches and more to be discussed. Next year will be better surely!

Perhaps they will allow outside hall events? Drinks parties? But yes I think not allowed to use the indoor social spaces. I am raging to be honest. Centre Parcs is completely open for business no masks. But students been treated as germy kids again.

Surely St. Andrews should be doing weekly lat flow tests if they are worried? Like secondary schools?

Fingers crossed for some lovely Old Wing bubbles, but I agree that it is ridiculous.

I remember seeing a comment from Nicola Sturgeon that uni students would be required to do a PCR test before returning to halls and then 2 lateral flow tests a week - but not seen any more on that? The uni page suggests social spaces will at least be open this year but I was surprised by the household thing. I hope they will at least be allowed in different kitchens this year. If not they'll all just mix in the pub instead!

It was in her statement before restrictions lifted on 9th August -
"We are also working with the further and higher education sector on plans for the year ahead. Specific guidance on operating beyond Level 0 for universities and colleges has now been published. In addition, students will be encouraged to take a PCR test before any move to term-time accommodation, and then to test twice a week after that."

I was surprised about the continued mask requirement for common spaces in halls. But it reflects the legal position in Scotland where face coverings are still mandatory in indoor public spaces. I also see the guidance refers to areas where Halls staff are present and we should bear in mind that our students live in a building that is also a place of work for some people.

It does say that no masks are required if you are alone, or with your household, in a common space. And also that social spaces will be open, which is an improvement on last year.

I suppose for me it seems pointless when they will be mixing in bars etc

Regular testing would be more effective

I really hope someone organises a masked ball!

Yes!! That’s a great idea!!

Hello- new poster to this thread here.

DS is aiming for St A for an Economics MA with a Sep 22 start. He's been to a virtual open day and we visited St Andrews during the summer so he has a feel for the place - it's still firmly top of his list. His A levels are Economics, English and Biology, hoping for A, A, A, with AAB in AS levels.

He's drafting his PS currently so I wondered if you have any top tips for this application stage - is there anything St A especially likes or does not like to see? His economics teacher has coached him to write a mini essay on the subject, about areas of economics that interest him. His dad and I didn't go to uni so it's a whole new experience for us!

Thanks in advance.

@Chewbecca - my son is about to start his 2nd year of combined MA economics and management. When we went to the open day, I got the impression that St Andrews take more notice of the personal statement than perhaps other unis. They stressed they really wanted to hear the applicant’s ‘own voice’. I thought that was good advice. Good luck!

Yes make it as focused on their course as possible. Show some awareness of what’s special about the st a course and that should help.

Also - and this is only based on 3 students. Two who applied early to oxbridge didn’t get st a offers. The one who didn’t, did get in. I think mostly as their applications were focused on oxbridge courses.

St A is very small so it is tricky to get in so be as targeted as possible.

Great to see on the news today that already 40% of Scottish 16-17 years olds have had a jab. As some st a students are under 18 I hope this will help with low cases this term

@Newgirls, @Dahliafairy @Monkey2001 and any other parents of returning students ... are any of you up to speed with what admin the 2nd year students need to do before they return?

DD1 is stressing about advising, orientation and all related matters. They are struggling to work out what needs doing and how to get it done. E.g. they know that an Advising appointment is required, but can't find the right web page to access the form for booking one.

In principle, I'd leave them to figure it out, but the clock is ticking and stress levels are rising!

I don't know what advising is - if it is to do with options it would not affect my DS as medics don't have options.

Advising is when they pick their modules for the year. DD also has no optional modules, so just basically needs to meet the tutor and say "yeah, I'm doing all the compulsory modules". But apparently is still supposed to have that meeting and can't work out how to book it!

@AChickenCalledDaal Is it on MySaint? Under all the matriculation stuff? My sons advisor emailed him a few weeks ago and said that he was happy with his choices and he’d approve it once the system was live - that’s as much as I know I’m afraid!

Ok just asked

Apparently the booking advising page has only just gone live on the website. They can book a slot with their advisor from 30 Aug to 8 sept.

They select their modules and and the advisor approves them.

I didn’t realise that they needed an advisor appt. I know DD has selected her modules, so I assume they just need approval now.

Yes I think it’s a formality really - mine has also chosen hers and ordered the books

Thanks Newgirls I suspect DD was looking too early.

Dd has her advising session next week. She has her timetable so it looks like all her modules are approved.
Just as a heads up to those studying maths dd is about to enter 3rd year but she alomost had to plan out to masters the likely modules she would take. There are prerequisites for a lot or some modules only run alernate years. She started her research early summer and is glad she did as it became quite complicated. She wants to concentrate on pure maths so not sure if that made it a bit more complex. Hoping new and returning students have a fantastic term and things stay as normal as possible for them.

Thanks Alittlewornout - good to know about the maths. DD is not good on decision-making so forewarned is forearmed!

@AChickenCalledDaal I thought it was your daughter studying maths. My dd was given the heads via an older maths student she sees at a uni club she was part of. I always think its good to pass this info on so there is not a mad scramble. Dd says they have added some extra modules for the masters year that look very interesting. Have to say its all double dutch to me this maths business, they may as well be talking a foreign language for all I understand!