[kred]

In June I was sure that the uni I wanted to go to was Edinburgh. I wasn't even going to apply to St Andrews. Then I came to the open day and I just loved it (I'd also been to the Edinburgh open day). I have also been back for an applicants visit and I loved it even more depite the pouring rain (perhaps because I had an offer by then!)
But I can see that it may not be for everyone - so I would say you should definitely visit.
Even though I know I want to go to there I'm still going to all the other applicants days for the uni's I applied for just to make certain sure!

I am also a state school student at a pretty average school.

[theguru]

(Original post by zizi8)
Ahh thanks vv much yes I live on the outskirts of a v big city so I am worried about whether I will find the uni v claustrophobic. So was this not the case when you went there? And do you find there is as much to do there as if you were in a city? Thanks

That was my main concern as well, but I think it would actually be easier to feel lonely in a city, and there just seemed to be so much going on, it would be impossible not to be active.

Of course there aren't the same facilities as a city - it is a town. But it has everything you need, and when you want to get away, dundee and edinburgh closest.

Personally, coming from outside glasgow, i can visit there for my crazy nights out with friends

[zizi8]

(Original post by kred)
In June I was sure that the uni I wanted to go to was Edinburgh. I wasn't even going to apply to St Andrews. Then I came to the open day and I just loved it (I'd also been to the Edinburgh open day). I have also been back for an applicants visit and I loved it even more depite the pouring rain (perhaps because I had an offer by then!)
But I can see that it may not be for everyone - so I would say you should definitely visit.
Even though I know I want to go to there I'm still going to all the other applicants days for the uni's I applied for just to make certain sure!

I am also a state school student at a pretty average school.

Ahh thanks very much what was the reason as to why you preferred St Andrews to Edinburgh?

[zizi8]

(Original post by theguru)
That was my main concern as well, but I think it would actually be easier to feel lonely in a city, and there just seemed to be so much going on, it would be impossible not to be active.

Of course there aren't the same facilities as a city - it is a town. But it has everything you need, and when you want to get away, dundee and edinburgh closest.

Personally, coming from outside glasgow, i can visit there for my crazy nights out with friends

Thank you! yeah suppose Because it's so small it is harder to feel lonely

[kred]

(Original post by zizi8)
Ahh thanks very much what was the reason as to why you preferred St Andrews to Edinburgh?

At Edinburgh for your subject talk you had to go to a huge lecture theatre with hundreds of people. There was no tour of the department and it was difficult to speak to anyone about individual questions you had. If you wanted to go to the accomodation or sports centre you had to get your own way there - although they did put some buses on. There didn't seem to be many students you could talk to.

At St Andrews you got a town tour in a group of about 20 which took in lots of the buildings, halls, library , music centre and sports centre. You got escorted to your subject talk, then you had a chance to chat with a member of staff and there were lots of staff avaliable. Also you got a tour of the department. It just felt much friendlier and as if they looked after you much more. There were also lots of students you could talk to.

[Oxy]

(Original post by electric-wars)
The thing is, my financial situation is quite complicated at the moment and I can't actually afford to visit the university before May, when we have to have chosen our firm place.

St Andrews is in my opinion the best university that I've applied to and I love the look of it from what I've seen, so I really don't want to not choose it because I haven't visited it.

Have you let the department know of your situation? They might offer you some financial assistance to help you come up.

It'll be a real shame if you couldn't but also a massive shame if you firmed it and didn't like it. I suppose if worse comes to worse you can always transfer (transferring to another Scottish Uni would be easier than an English one because of the 4 year system).

[electric-wars]

(Original post by Oxy)
Have you let the department know of your situation? They might offer you some financial assistance to help you come up.

It'll be a real shame if you couldn't but also a massive shame if you firmed it and didn't like it. I suppose if worse comes to worse you can always transfer (transferring to another Scottish Uni would be easier than an English one because of the 4 year system).

No I haven't, I didn't think of that actually. I thought it might seem rather self-pitying. Thanks for the suggestion!

Would it be difficult to transfer to an English uni? I thought I saw somebody on here who transferred to York or somewhere like that.

[Umiisadorable]

Have you considered Megabus.com? They have return tickets for about £30-40 quid if you need a cheap option for travel xxxxxxx

[Oxy]

(Original post by electric-wars)
No I haven't, I didn't think of that actually. I thought it might seem rather self-pitying. Thanks for the suggestion!

Would it be difficult to transfer to an English uni? I thought I saw somebody on here who transferred to York or somewhere like that.

It doesn't really make a difference I guess, only if you managed to transfer to an English Uni, you would be effectively be starting uni again (your first year wont be on your transcript). Applying to an English uni would be probably be seen more like applying again I guess as opposed to a transfer.

[dragon500uk]

(Original post by electric-wars)
I'm thinking about firming but I live far away and can't really afford/take time away to visit, are there people who have been in this position and aren't regretting it? I'm slightly nervous.

Yeah, I didnt go visit, I just turned up on first day of freshers and went "yeah ok - I live here now - better make the most of it." Don't regret a thing. Except for the falling asleep in lectures....

[zizi8]

(Original post by dragon500uk)
Yeah, I didnt go visit, I just turned up on first day of freshers and went "yeah ok - I live here now - better make the most of it." Don't regret a thing. Except for the falling asleep in lectures....

random Q but how would you describe life as a student living in St Andrews socially and academically? Seriously thinking of firming it but scared because of many anti St Andrews threads on here :P

[dragon500uk]

(Original post by zizi8)
random Q but how would you describe life as a student living in St Andrews socially and academically? Seriously thinking of firming it but scared because of many anti St Andrews threads on here :P

Its brilliant - please dont listen to the haters, make your own decision. Life in St Andrews was quiet but busy at the same time - I cant describe it well enough but I graduated in June and since coming back home all I can ever think about is "I wish I was back in St Andrews." If you make the effort, and to be honest when you get this this stage in your life not very much is needed, to make friends then although a small place, it is never ever lonely.

I miss those cool Spring days when you could wander along West sands with a friend, making sand sculptures and paddling in the sea in february (not reccommeded if you like still having the feeling in your toes). I miss the safety too, you wouldnt dream of walking around in the middle of the night where I live but in St Andrews its perfectly fine and safe to wander to tesco before midnight and wander around town at two in the morning. I also miss the sunshine and walking through parks and beautiful streets every time I need to go anywhere. I the ice cream shop. I miss being able to have the time and the ability to just say "Im going to go visit the castle/cathedral/aquarium/beach/quaint village on the coast/golf course/cafe/dundee today.

As for academics, I cant fault it. I have such fond memories and I used a couple of different faculties/departments in my time there. Friends were easy to come by but not easy to lose.

I miss the family I made there, having not had the time to visit.


Go for it.

[Oxy]

(Original post by dragon500uk)
Its brilliant - please dont listen to the haters, make your own decision. Life in St Andrews was quiet but busy at the same time - I cant describe it well enough but I graduated in June and since coming back home all I can ever think about is "I wish I was back in St Andrews." If you make the effort, and to be honest when you get this this stage in your life not very much is needed, to make friends then although a small place, it is never ever lonely.

I miss those cool Spring days when you could wander along West sands with a friend, making sand sculptures and paddling in the sea in february (not reccommeded if you like still having the feeling in your toes). I miss the safety too, you wouldnt dream of walking around in the middle of the night where I live but in St Andrews its perfectly fine and safe to wander to tesco before midnight and wander around town at two in the morning. I also miss the sunshine and walking through parks and beautiful streets every time I need to go anywhere. I the ice cream shop. I miss being able to have the time and the ability to just say "Im going to go visit the castle/cathedral/aquarium/beach/quaint village on the coast/golf course/cafe/dundee today.

As for academics, I cant fault it. I have such fond memories and I used a couple of different faculties/departments in my time there. Friends were easy to come by but not easy to lose.

I miss the family I made there, having not had the time to visit.


Go for it.

I'm not looking forward to that feeling.

[zizi8]

(Original post by dragon500uk)
Its brilliant - please dont listen to the haters, make your own decision. Life in St Andrews was quiet but busy at the same time - I cant describe it well enough but I graduated in June and since coming back home all I can ever think about is "I wish I was back in St Andrews." If you make the effort, and to be honest when you get this this stage in your life not very much is needed, to make friends then although a small place, it is never ever lonely.

I miss those cool Spring days when you could wander along West sands with a friend, making sand sculptures and paddling in the sea in february (not reccommeded if you like still having the feeling in your toes). I miss the safety too, you wouldnt dream of walking around in the middle of the night where I live but in St Andrews its perfectly fine and safe to wander to tesco before midnight and wander around town at two in the morning. I also miss the sunshine and walking through parks and beautiful streets every time I need to go anywhere. I the ice cream shop. I miss being able to have the time and the ability to just say "Im going to go visit the castle/cathedral/aquarium/beach/quaint village on the coast/golf course/cafe/dundee today.

As for academics, I cant fault it. I have such fond memories and I used a couple of different faculties/departments in my time there. Friends were easy to come by but not easy to lose.

I miss the family I made there, having not had the time to visit.


Go for it.

Thanks very much! It sounds fabulous ahh can't wait

[Give It Away Now]

Hey! I'm in a similar boat as you! Got unconditionals from from st andrews & another from a 'big city' uni. Its really hard deciding which will have the better lifestyle, but Im definately firming st andrews! Main reasons being; all the negative rumours about it are completely false! I spent a week there at a summer school, lived life as a student. The departments, lecturers, town, people and even the halls are excellent! Seriously i was shocked, its not boring at all! EVERY student i talked to loves the place! Plus, dundee ( which has all the 'big city' perks) is right next to it! Supposedly st A students get into their union as well, which is awesome! Academically, it's probably the best uni in scotland, the facilitys are top rate and the student-teacher relations are much better than than the bigger uni's such as Edinburgh or glasgow. If its just the social aspects of the uni you're worried about, i assure you, St Andrews isn't lacking any on that front. You have the perfect balance of a safe, picturesque beach town (with loads of friends) in the week and awesome nightlife at dundee on the weekends (or week days if you must haha). Cant wait for september , cant wait to go on nights out with all my high school buddies at dundee uni as well lol!

BUT YOU DEFINITELY NEED TO VISIT!! Financially it might be a problem, but cmon, this is a big decision! Push the boat out hahah. Phone them up maybe? They can reimburse travel costs if you ask nicely or a % of the cost. Worth a shot, and definitely worth scrounging all your penny for! Hope you make the right descision for you!!