St Andrews - honest opinions please?

[enquirewithin]

Hi, DD was rejected from Oxford. She's genuinely not that bothered as her elder brothers went there so she knows it's not the end all and be all (another sibling did not go there but got better results). Anyway, she has offers from St Andrews, Edinburgh, Durham and Bristol. On reputation for her course, she is thinking St As because:

• CUG ranks it as No.1 for this subject
• there is an option of a Year abroad in Year 3 (UCLA, Berkeley, Toronto among others).

However, we are in London and worried that St As just that bit too remote and isolated? Not too mention a faff to get to by train. Without wanting to sound ridiculous - is it absolutely freezing up there? This is a concern.

I think spending 4 years up there would be too much - however, if the 3rd year could be in California, that puts a different slant on things! But would this option actually materialise? How many students actually do the overseas programmes?

Also, it seems like there is no Easter break because of the two semesters? Have I got this right?

Any info would be very appreciated? Thank you!

Please come back and let us know what you think of St Andrews OP. Even if your daughter doesn't end up studying there I am sure you will enjoy your visit!

This is a long time ago now but I had a safe offer from St Andrew’s (the same year Prince William started). I thought carefully and obviously visited but ultimately rejected it as so remote. Accommodation then and more so now was not easy. I already came from the sticks and wanted some more life. I am Irish, not English, and the cliquey hooray Henry atmosphere wasn’t going to work for me. But that opinion is based on a visit, not a 4 year degree!

Will do!

I thought the same - it’s too far etc but my dd had an amazing time. It’s very sociable and easy to meet people. It can be affordable too as so much social stuff is in the halls and subsidised. Theres a great theatre scene, sports, music etc and they can go clubbing in Dundee and Edinburgh if they need to venture out. She had no issue getting a house - it was cheaper than friends were paying in Birmingham etc.

My stepson went to St Andrew’s and adored it. He made some firm friends from all over the world. The course was great and the social life was perhaps a little quirky, but great. They really seemed to look after each other, with “families” for new students. And the traditions were fascinating. He got really into polo while there. He did consider staying on to do a postgrad in medicine, but changed to London at the last minute.