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Higher education

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

Original poster

This is not a good uni filter is it?!!!

155 replies

Tinygardener · 23/05/2023 21:13

NC as don’t want to embarrass DD or her school!

DD is looking at unis for applying to this November and school had a year group meeting last week. They gave good advice about how to narrow down uni choices and then chucked in this (probs meant light-heartedly): “a deciding factor could be proximity to what matters to you (eg. restaurants, shops, sports)”. It was also written on the PowerPoint handout.

DD has taken this very seriously (she has ASD) and has now decided she wants to be by the sea in a place with a Nando’s and a Zara! I only found this out after seeing tabs open on the family PC of Zara stores and Nando’s locations and gently enquiring what she was up to (not expecting AT ALL for it to be uni related!) What’s worse is that she says she has actually found some unis that meet these requirements! Seeing the look on my face she then clammed up and won’t tell me which ones though so can anyone hazard a guess? I can then look them up to see if they are good for her course which is Maths. I am both amused and exasperated!

OP posts:
SausageinaBun · 23/05/2023 22:15

When she was 9, my DD told me she wanted to go to Cambridge because there's a Yo Sushi. I think the double hurdles of getting into Cambridge and affording Yo Sushi as a student might be a challenge.

Sounds like Zara, Nandos and the sea might be doable. But what if Zara goes bust and she's just left with the sea and Nandos?

gogohmm · 23/05/2023 22:20

Cardiff is a possibility, added bonus is dd is getting ok asd support

ComeonArsenal · 23/05/2023 22:20

My friend’s son picked his Cambridge college because it was the closest one to Sainsburys.

UsingChangeofName · 23/05/2023 22:20

ejbaxa · 23/05/2023 21:51

A maths degree from most universities is highly respected.

I actually think that having things that you value and enjoy around you is important. I don't think the school are out of line at all with the suggestion.

I have a Y12 with ASD who wants to apply for maths as well. It's important that they are comfortable in their surroundings.

Completely agree with this, and not just for students with ASD.

It's no odder than people whose starting criteria is that it has to 'be a campus university' in my opinion.

Original poster
Tinygardener · 23/05/2023 22:22

Phphion · 23/05/2023 22:21

The work has already been done for her for the Nando's variable! We’ve ranked all UK universities based on their distance to the nearest Nando’s

Amazing! 😂😂😂😂

OP posts:
gogohmm · 23/05/2023 22:23

@marshmallowmatcha

It has a port - ok Bristol Channel but second highest tidal range in the world! Definitely coastal. I live 5 minutes from the beach just outside the city

Original poster
Tinygardener · 23/05/2023 22:25

@Phphion how on earth did you think to Google that - it is hilarious that someone compiled it. Now to find one for Zara!

OP posts:
dizzydizzydizzy · 23/05/2023 22:27

I think your DD has the right idea. I didn't consider this at all when I was applying and I really disliked where I was.

titchy · 23/05/2023 22:29

Tinygardener · 23/05/2023 22:25

@Phphion how on earth did you think to Google that - it is hilarious that someone compiled it. Now to find one for Zara!

There's a few for 'spoons as well Grin
https://thetab.com/uk/2017/09/04/definitive-wetherspoons-uni-league-47453

Original poster
Tinygardener · 23/05/2023 22:29

@dizzydizzydizzy yes I agree - I was just taken aback by the specifity (Nando’s, Zara). I am sorry you didn’t like your uni location x

OP posts:
Phphion · 23/05/2023 22:32

@Tinygardener I follow University of Bantshire on twitter. This one actually contains the data she needs on distance from the sea (amongst other things): The Moist University Rankings

The University of Bantshire | MOIST RANKINGS

https://bantshire.github.io/ranking-moist.html

Original poster
Tinygardener · 23/05/2023 22:35

In all seriousness @Phphion, these two tables (sea and Nando’s) will be really useful. All she needs to is check for Zara’s. And then the second filter mentioned by PP - course ranking (or should it be Uni ranking)? Thanks ever so

OP posts:
swanling · 23/05/2023 22:35

I think it's brilliant that she listened so carefully, worked out what mattered to her, and tracked down unis where everything aligned. She will go far.

swanling · 23/05/2023 22:37

I also love that you've managed to mobilise Mumsnet to track down even more data for her quest. 😀

Original poster
Tinygardener · 23/05/2023 22:37

swanling · 23/05/2023 22:35

I think it's brilliant that she listened so carefully, worked out what mattered to her, and tracked down unis where everything aligned. She will go far.

I think you might be right. Seems they are as good a first filter as any. I’d have started with the course but this could work too 🤞

OP posts:
LynetteScavo · 23/05/2023 22:38

My DDs criteria was: easy to get to London, easy to get home, has a Lush, has a Wagamamas. She then liked closely a the cost of accommodation.

She then got very picky about the exact course content.

Your DD is being perfectly reasonable and logical IMO. She has to start somewhere.

Original poster
Tinygardener · 23/05/2023 22:39

@LynetteScavo yes, I am eating my words. This thread has been fabulous!

OP posts:
stringbean · 23/05/2023 22:40

Southampton may be on the south coast and a large port but it's not close to the sea if you want a beach: you're looking at a 30 min drive - assuming no traffic - to Lepe in one direction or Lee on Solent in the other, and neither are easily accessible by public transport.

Original poster
Tinygardener · 23/05/2023 22:42

@stringbean that is good to know and will rule it out. She wants to be within walking distance of the sea if poss (or max 20 mins on bus/train)

OP posts:
GreenDressy · 23/05/2023 22:43

Peacepudding · 23/05/2023 21:58

I chose Liverpool uni because I liked the Beatles. Seriously 😂

Hey I chose Liverpool because I liked Brookside 😂😂😂

BaffledOnceAgain · 23/05/2023 22:45

30 years ago I picked my uni based on it being near the sea and having a swimming pool and ladies' football team. The subject I studied could pretty much be done anywhere, but I'd always lived in one landlocked town.

I got my degree, enjoyed the sea, used my degree for my career everyday since and now live a 4 minute walk from a completely different coastline. Sea dipping over winter keeps me sane. I've also set up my own ladies' football team at the age of 42, having been injured throughout uni.

My Ds1 is also probably ND and would use similar criteria. I don't see it as a bad thing. He wants to live in the city where his favourite football team play. He won't be able to afford tickets, but hey!

thespy · 23/05/2023 22:46

Sussex. Or Brighton. Both actually in Brighton. There is a choice of Nando's - one directly by the sea. There is also a reasonably sized Zara. It is is five minutes from the sea.

Spiderboy · 23/05/2023 22:49

to be fair, is she is on asd it is good to make choices based around comfort places. You could do your own research and help them along?

Lasouthpaw · 23/05/2023 22:49

I chose my uni because out of all the ones that did my course, this one was very close to the beach. A Zara/Nandos/Wagas would have been a massive plus but I don't think anywhere really had them in the early 00s!

I also chose the colour of my first car based on the fact it would go with more outfits ( I had a choice of a few colours and was a bit of 19 Yr old princess!)

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