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Higher education

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

Original poster

St Andrews into 2021 (new thread)

944 replies

Newgirls · 11/12/2020 15:16

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!

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Thread gallery
11
NadiSel · 22/09/2021 20:30

Its only once everyone has had to endure no or limited contact that one then appreciates the value of human contact. Clumsy phrasing but you know what I mean!

@haggisaggis I know exactly what you mean about tutorials bringing the kids together! Just being brought into contact and being forced to meet each other is good to hear. The free bars have their place and the uni has done it's bit but even they can feel awkward to some.

Original poster
Newgirls · 23/09/2021 16:48

Fireworks on sat pm near the beach. Something to do with a golf event? Should be nice for all

Dd is having a great time - tutorials and labs happening, lots of social stuff. Hope everyone is doing ok up there 👍

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Original poster
Newgirls · 23/09/2021 16:49

We posted a copy of the guide up there monkey. A nice momento.

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coldsoonplease · 30/09/2021 15:26

I have been following this thread with interest - DD hoping to apply for IR, and v. keen on St A's. Would appreciate any insights from anyone whose DC received an offer, esp. re predicted grades. I know that the standard offer is 3 As at A level, but I would imagine that most successful applicants were predicted more than that. DD is at an academically selective school and applying from England - no grounds for a contextual offer. Thank you, and wishing all your DC every success.

Original poster
Newgirls · 30/09/2021 16:01

@coldsoonplease

I have been following this thread with interest - DD hoping to apply for IR, and v. keen on St A's. Would appreciate any insights from anyone whose DC received an offer, esp. re predicted grades. I know that the standard offer is 3 As at A level, but I would imagine that most successful applicants were predicted more than that. DD is at an academically selective school and applying from England - no grounds for a contextual offer. Thank you, and wishing all your DC every success.
Hi there and welcome

The only tip I can give is for your student to make their application very specific to the course at st Andrews and why she is right for it. It’s very small up there and IR is very popular with the international students I understand. So her application will really need to speak to the dept tutors.

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Original poster
Newgirls · 30/09/2021 16:02

Grades - as far as I know they rarely take anyone who doesn’t get the offer grades and they don’t do clearing.

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coldsoonplease · 30/09/2021 16:24

@Newgirls thank you so much - she has done a lot of research on the course and her personal statement is absolutely focused on IR. I hope it will sufficiently demonstrate her suitability and enthusiasm - she's trying to show that she has those qualities rather than saying that she has iyswim. She's predicted AAA atm so I'm hoping that will be enough to secure her an offer.

Monkey2001 · 30/09/2021 16:31

I agree that IR is super competitive, but there may be stats on whatdotheyknow.com - worth a look. You can also ask Admissions whether the majority of successful applicants are predicted 3xA*.

Original poster
Newgirls · 30/09/2021 16:43

[quote coldsoonplease]**@Newgirls* thank you so much - she has done a lot of research on the course and her personal statement is absolutely focused on IR. I hope it will sufficiently demonstrate her suitability and enthusiasm - she's trying to show that she has those qualities rather than saying that she has iyswim. She's predicted AA*A atm so I'm hoping that will be enough to secure her an offer.[/quote]
That sounds very promising! Good luck to her 👍

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coldsoonplease · 30/09/2021 16:45

@Monkey2001 good ideas, thank you (although she resists management of any kind and would kill me if I talked to St A on her behalf so I may leave that to her!). She may yet get a prediction of 3A - she's very strong in two of her subjects (Economics and Politics) and at the top of her cohort in both but in History she's currently predicted A/A so not sure which way they'll jump for UCAS. All a bit stressful atm!

coldsoonplease · 30/09/2021 16:47

Thank you @Newgirls. I hope so!

Monkey2001 · 30/09/2021 20:42

[quote coldsoonplease]**@Monkey2001* good ideas, thank you (although she resists management of any kind and would kill me if I talked to St A on her behalf so I may leave that to her!). She may yet get a prediction of 3A - she's very strong in two of her subjects (Economics and Politics) and at the top of her cohort in both but in History she's currently predicted A/A* so not sure which way they'll jump for UCAS. All a bit stressful atm![/quote]
The UCAS guidance is that candidates on a grade boundary should be given the higher prediction - achievable but aspirational. Worth fighting for that if her research shows it may make a difference.

coldsoonplease · 30/09/2021 22:15

@Monkey2001 that is so helpful - I didn't know that. It would make a difference I am sure, so thank you!

Monkey2001 · 13/10/2021 20:03

Raisin!!!! 🥰🥰🍾🍾💗

AgnesV · 18/10/2021 17:29

Hello all. I wonder if you can give me some info about accommodation at St As in year 2 onwards. It's a small place so am wondering where all the students end up living and how much it costs.

My DC applying this year.

AgnesV · 18/10/2021 17:30

Sorry if this is already covered on this thread. It's very long so haven't trawled through the whole thing.

Monkey2001 · 18/10/2021 20:39

Several DC on here stayed in Hall because it was an odd year for meeting people to share with and so difficult to find private accommodation. Private is expensive (up to £700/month each in the centre of town), but I think DS will do it next year anyway, he saved quite a lot last year from having no social life! There really isn't enough accommodation in St Andrews to make it easy, but I suppose if you compare it to other universities, being a 30 min bus ride away in Dundee would be OK, but it is not what St Andrews students do.

AgnesV · 19/10/2021 08:16

Ok that's interesting. Would be interested to hear from anyone private renting

Monkey2001 · 19/10/2021 11:17

This thread has gone very quiet. The FB is not at all quiet if you want to ask there, or just look at old posts. It is a closed group so you have to request to join

St Andrews into 2021 (new thread)
Alittlewornout · 19/10/2021 11:30

Hi @AgnesV both of my kids have lived in rented accommodation in St Andrews.
It's a bit of a bun fight to secure places, most groups of students register with estate agents whilst keeping an eye out for any available properties ie if they know any final year students that can be a way in.
Cost varies depending on where the property is but is all quite expensive and seems to increase year on year.
I am sure there are uni properties in town too not sure how that works to be honest.
Quite a few students stay in halls throughout their course.
Somehow it all seems to work out dedpite the stress ( and it is stressful!!!).
Dd is happily ensconced in her girl pad with 2 of her friends and having a great time.
Good luck to your DC with their application it really is a great place to live and study.

haggisaggis · 19/10/2021 12:34

dd ended back in halls for 2nd year as could not find anything else in time (and halls contracts have to be signed quite early). Hoping this year will be more 'normal' but yes it's so expensive! My ds is in Aberdeen and paying (by Aberdeen standards) an expensive rent for a fantastic flat - but much cheaper than St As.
Have you seen this!

Monkey2001 · 19/10/2021 18:36

Hope your DC had a good Raisin. My DS was an M&M, so very civilised! So glad they were able to have a pretty normal student experience!

haggisaggis · 19/10/2021 23:27

Dd was a girl Santa. Her Raisin was very chilled - suited a worried mum but think she may have preferred it to be a bit wilder! Back at ABH by 1130 on Sunday night after watching a movie with her family!

Alittlewornout · 20/10/2021 09:30

Glad they had a good raisin, dd did too despite the 5am start!
Next big social event is the Wellie ball, she is really looking forward to that.

Monkey2001 · 20/10/2021 14:13

Ah, I was a bit sad that DS decided the Welly Ball was too expensive. Hope Covid didn't stop the hall balls.

DS sent me a picture of the homemade kilt made out of tea towels and parcel tape which he wore about town the day before Raisin. He must have had a few drinks to be able to do that as he is normally quite shy and easily embarrassed!