Agonising between university offers

Redhotchillipeppers · 2024-03-11T09:09:00+00:00

DS had narrowed his university offers down to Warwick, Durham and Leeds. He has applied for maths and is predicted 4A stars. Warwick is ranked considerably higher for maths than the other 2, but not keen on the travel from leamington spa/coventry in years 2&3. It is 2.5 hour drive from us. Durham seems like a great student experience, but heard some stories about lack of student accommodation in years 2&3, coming with a very high price tag. Leeds is on the doorstep and several of DSs friends are planning on going there. Both he and us are struggling to decide on what would be best.

ecoeva · 11/03/2024 09:27

I think most people on here will recommend Warwick for Maths?

IThinkIMadeItWorse · 11/03/2024 10:41

My brother went to Warwick and lived in Lem his 2nd year, he found it quite annoying so moved into Coventry in his 3rd year and was close enough to cycle to campus. I think they now have more accommodation than they did then and it is possible to stay on campus in later years.

What does his gut tell him? Does he have offer holder days to go to?

Hoplolly · 11/03/2024 10:45

There is a lot of accommodation near to Warwick campus in Coventry. The city centre is only a few minutes way so I'd not dismiss based on that alone.

Original poster

Redhotchillipeppers · 11/03/2024 10:49

He’s listed all the pros and cons he can think of. We have been to the offer holder day at Leeds and going to Warwick on Wednesday. Durham at the end of April. Have visited all before. He’s not trying to leave home at the earliest opportunity and isn’t big on partying. His heart is saying Leeds, as he feels he would like to come back and work in Leeds regardless of where he goes and feels the reputation may only be required for a move to the south, which currently he isn’t interested in and thinks he never will be. As parents we would like him to choose the university which keeps his options open/provides the greater opportunities, but don’t want to push him. We have told him he has complete autonomy over the choice. We are usually good at making decisions, but keep going round in circles with this one.

OP posts:

Original poster

Redhotchillipeppers · 11/03/2024 10:52

The only thing he’s not keen on about Leeds is that the offer doesn’t include further maths and is worried he may be bored in the first year as it may not be challenging enough. But on the other hand he also thinks that that will give him the opportunity to learn lots of other skills etc. Leeds also offers a year abroad to practically anywhere in the world which we think is a great opportunity to have a year away to become more independent- he’s not bothered about the year abroad.

OP posts:

RomainesToBeSeen · 11/03/2024 10:56

You say that he doesn't like partying but does he have any other interests - sport, film, art, music etc? It might be worth seeing what clubs/societies each university offers?

This is anecdata but I know a few students at Leeds who moved home after the first year and just commuted in - partly for cost and partly because they didn't like the party scene. Could that be an option for him?

I think the maths offer for Leeds is a few grades lower than Warwick/Durham. Does he want to be studying with the very best maths students? Does it matter? If he is quite competitive and likes to be really challenged Warwick/Durham may be a better fit for him.

titchy · 11/03/2024 10:57

To be blunt Warwick is in such a different league to the others that turning it down because he thinks the second and third year travel might be a bit long is quite immature. Sorry and yes at 17 of course he is immature, but Maths at W is world leading. And if he wants to work in Leeds afterwards there's nothing stopping him.

That said, if he isn't fully engaged with the whole thing he won't do as well. But mathematically it sounds like he'd be far more engaged at W than at L.

Seasided · 11/03/2024 10:57

Warwick has a much better reputation for maths. Second choice would be Durham but as you said accommodation is expensive and it has many, although not all, affluent students.There will be better employment opportunities from Warwick and more doors opened. Leeds is not even mentioned in the top circles for maths.

Candleabra · 11/03/2024 11:03

Difficult one. My daughter is doing maths at a uni that’s not ranked super highly for maths, and she turned down offers from far more prestigious unis. But she’s really happy there. The course doesn’t seem super challenging so far but a slower pace has helped her to settle in and she’s doing really well.
Warwick is amazing for maths but any maths degree is good. It depends how high flying your son wants to be and how many doors need to open with a top flight degree. Or is a good degree good enough? It’s important to be happy.

RomainesToBeSeen · 11/03/2024 11:03

The only thing he’s not keen on about Leeds is that the offer doesn’t include further maths and is worried he may be bored in the first year as it may not be challenging enough.

Cross-posted but I think this is a real consideration. If he is good enough to be offered Warwick and Durham he'll be alongside others that love maths and want to learn and be stretched - not spend a year repeating 'A Level' content.

Piggywaspushed · 11/03/2024 11:05

DS's friend does economics at Warwick . He lives on campus in second year and also will next year. Didn't seem to be difficult to arrange.

Pr1mr0se · 11/03/2024 11:06

I'd pick Warwick as it will potentially give more options with employment later on.

It is not important to choose a university on it's location or who you already know is going there. He will make new friends and still keep up with ones he knew from school if he wants to in the holidays.

potaytopotahto33 · 11/03/2024 11:16

Pr1mr0se · 11/03/2024 11:06

I'd pick Warwick as it will potentially give more options with employment later on.

It is not important to choose a university on it's location or who you already know is going there. He will make new friends and still keep up with ones he knew from school if he wants to in the holidays.

This OP!
TBH he just sounds apprehensive about leaving his comfort zone - wanting to 'come back and work' in Leeds. Doesn't even have to be the South, is he going to turn down an amazing opportunity in, say, Manchester or Glasgow, in his early twenties solely because he doesn't want to leave Leeds?

Of course you can't force him. But I'd strongly advise him to choose Warwick. Especially with a maths degree that doesn't lead directly to any particular employment it's important for him to choose a university that will expose him to a variety of different careers.

Also if he keeps hanging around with friends from home he won't get to spread his wings

Original poster

Redhotchillipeppers · 11/03/2024 11:20

RomainesToBeSeen · 11/03/2024 10:56

You say that he doesn't like partying but does he have any other interests - sport, film, art, music etc? It might be worth seeing what clubs/societies each university offers?

This is anecdata but I know a few students at Leeds who moved home after the first year and just commuted in - partly for cost and partly because they didn't like the party scene. Could that be an option for him?

I think the maths offer for Leeds is a few grades lower than Warwick/Durham. Does he want to be studying with the very best maths students? Does it matter? If he is quite competitive and likes to be really challenged Warwick/Durham may be a better fit for him.

He plays a few instruments - plays in an orchestra and I know when he’s stressed as he will play the piano quite a lot. It helps him manage during stressful periods. We have suggested living in halls for the 1st year if he decided on Leeds.

He is competitive and likes a challenge, which is not a pro on his list for Leeds.

OP posts:

Original poster

Redhotchillipeppers · 11/03/2024 11:21

titchy · 11/03/2024 10:57

To be blunt Warwick is in such a different league to the others that turning it down because he thinks the second and third year travel might be a bit long is quite immature. Sorry and yes at 17 of course he is immature, but Maths at W is world leading. And if he wants to work in Leeds afterwards there's nothing stopping him.

That said, if he isn't fully engaged with the whole thing he won't do as well. But mathematically it sounds like he'd be far more engaged at W than at L.

With Warwick the travelling distance in later years isn’t born out of immaturity necessarily. When considering his pros and cons and considering that single point, I think the argument he was having with himself was, he goes to Warwick and has rental costs but also has to travel the same distance he would to Leeds.

OP posts:

bombastix · 11/03/2024 11:22

Warwick. Come on. Travel inconveniences are really not that relevant

Lint6 · 11/03/2024 11:24

Visit all 3, then he chooses which. They're all good options, but very different. eg, Warwick's a campus uni and isn't for everyone. Two different friends have sons there. One loves it, one wishes he'd gone elsewhere (he's studying maths). Warwick might be perfect for your son, but he'll get more of a sense from the offer day.

Original poster

Redhotchillipeppers · 11/03/2024 11:29

potaytopotahto33 · 11/03/2024 11:16

This OP!
TBH he just sounds apprehensive about leaving his comfort zone - wanting to 'come back and work' in Leeds. Doesn't even have to be the South, is he going to turn down an amazing opportunity in, say, Manchester or Glasgow, in his early twenties solely because he doesn't want to leave Leeds?

Of course you can't force him. But I'd strongly advise him to choose Warwick. Especially with a maths degree that doesn't lead directly to any particular employment it's important for him to choose a university that will expose him to a variety of different careers.

Also if he keeps hanging around with friends from home he won't get to spread his wings

Edited

Show quote history

Yes, I think he is apprehensive about leaving home. He has said he is happy to take our advice and has asked for it. I’ve told him if it was me I’d choose Warwick firm, Durham insurance. He hasn’t ruled out anything - but I think £40k debt is something he has seriously considered and it’s compounding effect. He’s looked at graduate salaries etc. I think he needs the reassurance that yes, going to a more prestigious university for his course will open up more doors and make up for the extra cost.

Also, his girlfriend has firmed Leeds 🤦🏽‍♀️ - I imagine that’s a factor

OP posts:

Original poster

Redhotchillipeppers · 11/03/2024 11:33

Lint6 · 11/03/2024 11:24

Visit all 3, then he chooses which. They're all good options, but very different. eg, Warwick's a campus uni and isn't for everyone. Two different friends have sons there. One loves it, one wishes he'd gone elsewhere (he's studying maths). Warwick might be perfect for your son, but he'll get more of a sense from the offer day.

We have told him to just wait until we have been to all offer holder days, go with an open mind and then decide.

He went on his own to Leeds open day and wasn’t keen. I wasn’t bowled over at the offer holder day - but I’m not the one going.

OP posts:

Bellie99 · 11/03/2024 11:34

DD is at Warwick (not Maths).
Not everyone lives in Leamington for second year. Loads live in Coventry/Canley/on campus and can walk or cycle in daily. The halls my Dd lived in during first year were right up next to sports centre. Some friends in external accommodation in Canley were closer to lecture halls !!

Piggywaspushed · 11/03/2024 11:38

Warwick isn't as musical as it used to be but it does still host a lot of music events and has active societies. It has hosted UniBrass for the last two years.

Obviously there is music at Durham and Leeds too but Warwick is possibly the most 'artsy' in terms of facilities and ease of accessing them , certainly in first year.

Original poster

Redhotchillipeppers · 11/03/2024 11:38

Bellie99 · 11/03/2024 11:34

DD is at Warwick (not Maths).
Not everyone lives in Leamington for second year. Loads live in Coventry/Canley/on campus and can walk or cycle in daily. The halls my Dd lived in during first year were right up next to sports centre. Some friends in external accommodation in Canley were closer to lecture halls !!

I have looked at all the areas you have mentioned. I have told him there are plenty of areas within walking distance to campus. He may find that in the end the commute isn’t a big deal once he finds the people he would like to live with - wherever they decide that is

OP posts:

Original poster

Redhotchillipeppers · 11/03/2024 11:40

Piggywaspushed · 11/03/2024 11:38

Warwick isn't as musical as it used to be but it does still host a lot of music events and has active societies. It has hosted UniBrass for the last two years.

Obviously there is music at Durham and Leeds too but Warwick is possibly the most 'artsy' in terms of facilities and ease of accessing them , certainly in first year.

I’m sure he will find lots of other activities he will enjoy. I’ve been eyeing up the climbing at Warwick.

OP posts:

Original poster

Redhotchillipeppers · 11/03/2024 11:43

Thank you everyone for your thoughts. It’s certainly confirmed that my advise as a parent isn’t way off.

OP posts:

titchy · 11/03/2024 11:43

He went on his own to Leeds open day and wasn’t keen. I wasn’t bowled over at the offer holder day - but I’m not the one going.

So Leeds he thinks he'll be bored in the first year, and he didn't like it when he went. But it's his top choice because his gf is planning on going..... Come on - you can see Leeds isn't the right choice!

The travelling (even if true and it may not be) though is such a small component and to a mathmo a price well worth paying for the stretch and probable salary uplift that Warwick would give him.