2015 university open days

[hellsbells99]

So, following on from the year 12 thread, here is our open day visits thread!

We are sitting in the library cafe at Warwick - looking to see if I can spot any MN'ers .
Only complaint so far is the ketchup isn't Heinz!

My DD is at Warwick today - she loved the chem labs at Manchester yesterday, but wasn't sure about the city. She had to get an early train from Manchester to Birmingham then on to Coventry to get the bus to Warwick - I've been getting text updates along the way. Two early starts in two days, all by herself - I'm very impressed!

Dotty My Dd won't entertain Manchester as we live south of the city. She was at Leeds yesterday (mine and Dh's old stamping ground) and loved it. Thought the Chemistry dept at Warwick today was fab but we all felt the campus would be a bit claustrophobic after a while.
Off to Newcastle next Saturday and then Oxford the week after.

Three consecutive open days for DS. So far he would like the accommodation at uni A, the facilities at uni B and the course at uni C. That'll teach him not to just look around one uni .

A lot of good unis mentioned. Is anyone going to the lesser ones?

My DS wants me to go to all of the open days with him. Not just being used for transport as he wants me to go to out local one.

Off to Worcester tomorrow

DD didn't like Royal Holloway at all and after a heart to heart admits she doesn't even like the course she was thinking. Back to drawing board!

Secret ds is in the same boat though its city rather than accommodation at uni A, course at uni B and facilities at uni C. Next Saturday is his favourite on paper so hoping it lives up to his expectations.

Back from a 210 mile round trip to Bristol. DS liked it very much; I hope he's not going to like everywhere we go as it'll make choosing very difficult! He was very impressed with the labs. What did your DD think of it zazas?

From my perspective (which I am keeping quiet from DS so as not to influence him at all) although I liked Bristol very much, I think he would be happier at Bath.

We're off to Aberystwyth on 01/07 if anyone is interested in a report back.

MorvahRising - home from our epic trip too! DD loved Bristol...after awhile. At first found it a little intimidating with the size of the city (we live relatively small town/rural) but as they day went on found she liked the 'vibe' of the place and that it would certainly keep her occupied for 3 years. She thought her course (Economics) ticked all the boxes and it had some areas that she really liked. She kept saying "I can't wait to be 'somewhere'"!!! So a definite yes from DD. Bath also a yes and like you - I would like the idea of her being there!!!

Dd and I were in Manchester yesterday and Royal Holloway today. Enjoyed both, very different. But if universities generally show you the best accommodation I would hate to see the worst Manchester has to offer. The halls we saw were very 'tired'.

Yes please Rocky What is your DC wanting to study? Even if it's not the same subject would appreciate thoughts on the uni in general.

My DS did mention Aberystwyth but seems to have changed his mind for no apparent reason bar the fact he has booked two open days but I think he should attend a couple more to get a better feel for things

Gemauve I went to university in 1985. I was on full grant. As we're all my friends.

Went to our first ever open day today: Bristol. DS liked it. He visited both the Classics & Philosophy depts. He was really impressed with the Philosophy professor he spoke to and also the course and dept; said they seemed like the supportive group the professor described them as, which he said was a vibe he didn't get from the Classics dept. He loved the new self catered halls as Stoke Bishop and thought Durdham Hall also looked good.

Rocky and Gas we did 2 Aberystwyth open days about 4 or 5 years ago now and ds applied but decided to head for the city lights instead. They are a really friendly bunch there and the setting is spectacular. Parking is horrendous and I would recommend getting there early, parking in the town and walking up Penglais hill although they put on a free bus from the station but it tends to wait for the trains which means you could miss the start of a talk if Arriva are running late.

The uni itself seem to be giving out more unconditionals every year having taken a nose dive in the NSS tables about 4 years ago because of an accommodation fiasco where they over recruited which led to students having to bunk up in single rooms. Think there are more houses being built in the student village PJM now although there is a current campaign to save Panycelyn the welsh medium hall so I would definitely ask about accommodation guarantees for first years

Thanks Gas it's a bit of a niche subject which only a few places do, but I'm happy to give feedback on the uni in general.

And thanks for that info eatyourveg, we are travelling there the day before as it is a bit far for a day trip. Will look into the accommodation situation.

Yesterday was my first ever open day, as well as ds's. For some reason I only went to interview days when applying for myself many moons ago.
What I learned:
Warwick is fab - truly international feel.
If you are going round with a ds, do not take a girly bag to hold all the bumph - you will be carrying this increasingly heavy thing all day while ds sails along at your side empty handed!
Comfortable shoes, not fashionable ones, win the day.
Will post about the LIberal Arts course in Higher Education within next few days....

if universities generally show you the best accommodation I would hate to see the worst Manchester has to offer.
Yes, DS said the accommodation was grotty at Manchester and the whole place was grey. Also I think he disliked the whole big city feel, we live in a very rural area.

Dunlurking Yes DS was also blown away by Warwick. He has visited campus before so knew he liked that part, but did the subject area tour and talks and was very impressed.

Hmm, accommodation grotty at Manchester? I think that will cross them off DS' list since he said he couldn't live somewhere horrible. Thanks for the info

Anyone else at UEA yesterday? First foray for us, and the candidate was quite impressed. A pity you can't specify which building to live in, just the type. But the ensuite rooms were really very good and the whole place a great vibe. A good start!

Interested to hear about UEA homebythesea (woman after my own heart with that NN BTW - that's what I'm dreaming of someday!)
That's in Norwich isn't it? Glad to hear good reports as I quite fancy there for dd, think it's a lovely city and not too far away. Recently I've been thinking I'd like it if she's not too far away - more reasonable in time and money to get home once in a while?!
She's only 16 ATM though so I'm still getting used to the idea. Of course she has her eye on a course in the Uni of South Wales - she likes the look of charming and quaint Pontipridd too - and another one in Uni of Salford which we're down to visit on July 1st. At least it will start to give us some ideas I think!

Juggling it's a lovely green campus a bit outside a very nice small city. All brutalist concrete buildings typical of its age but a nice vibe. It's one of the Uni's generally thought of as being easier to get in than the top rank but still considered a "proper" Uni by employers.

Thanks home
ATM I'm not feeling like there's an absolute imperative to get into the most prestigious, high ranking Uni possible
dd herself has begun by looking to see which Uni's offer courses that most appeal to her
I kind of think as long as she goes (ideally I guess one that I and others have heard of) and does something that interests her all will be well
Of course there's time yet to fine tune these thoughts and a stronger sense of ambition may yet emerge from either or both of us
And we'll be getting GCSE results in August which might start to shape things up a bit more
Norwich sounds like a contender though
ATM I really feel quite relaxed, and excited for her, about possibilities

Manchester uni accommodation varies. There are some nicer halls.
www.flickr.com/photos/98900730@N05/sets/72157646453219861/
That is Richmond. Sheavyn is quite nice too.

We are off to UEA on 6th . My dsis works there and my dnience went there beforehand. They have good things to say about UEA.