University of St Andrews
St Andrews - Ask A Current Student Thread [part 2]
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Original post by la_banane_verte
If you want to do the normal St Andrews degree, why not just apply to the normal St Andrews degree?
I did. I applied via common app to two normal St Andrews degrees(one primary, one reserve), got denied. Even chose not to be considered for this degree program on the application, but they gave me an offer anyways. I was surprised since I thought that this degree was more selective than a normal St Andrews degree. Now im just looking into my options.
University of St Andrews
Original post by long_man
I did. I applied via common app to two normal St Andrews degrees(one primary, one reserve), got denied. Even chose not to be considered for this degree program on the application, but they gave me an offer anyways. I was surprised since I thought that this degree was more selective than a normal St Andrews degree. Now im just looking into my options.
what doesn't appeal about the joint programme with W&M? it sounds like you'd get the best of both worlds and you might decide you prefer a liberal arts education after all
(edited 5 years ago)
Hi, I'm a year 13 whose just accepted St Andrews for Medicine and am absolutely terrified I've made the wrong decision!!!
I was wondering what the social scene's like? particularly for people from comprehensive schools? I've heard a lot of bad things about toffs and when I went for my interview, all of the resteraunts, bars and cinemas looked bloody expensive- I'm worried I won't be able to keep up.
Also, from what I've seen, a lot of the place is either like a boarding school (looking at you, St Sallys) or just random people living in a cold, cold village- as opposed to Southampton (my other offer) which properly felt like a thriving uni community. Does it feel like a campus uni because of the size? or does everyone just kind of keep themselves to themselves?
And lastly, I know this is a bit med specific, but I'm worried about transferring to another uni after the first 3 years- I can't afford Queen Marys/London at all!!! Do you know if people tend to be able to get where they choose? Because Manchester looks great but having to be in London is like drop-out-of-course level bad because I just can't afford it.
Sorry for the barrage of questions, but if anyone could help me with any of them, that'd be an absolutely HUGE help,
much love,
A VERY concerned future med student
I was wondering what the social scene's like? particularly for people from comprehensive schools? I've heard a lot of bad things about toffs and when I went for my interview, all of the resteraunts, bars and cinemas looked bloody expensive- I'm worried I won't be able to keep up.
Also, from what I've seen, a lot of the place is either like a boarding school (looking at you, St Sallys) or just random people living in a cold, cold village- as opposed to Southampton (my other offer) which properly felt like a thriving uni community. Does it feel like a campus uni because of the size? or does everyone just kind of keep themselves to themselves?
And lastly, I know this is a bit med specific, but I'm worried about transferring to another uni after the first 3 years- I can't afford Queen Marys/London at all!!! Do you know if people tend to be able to get where they choose? Because Manchester looks great but having to be in London is like drop-out-of-course level bad because I just can't afford it.
Sorry for the barrage of questions, but if anyone could help me with any of them, that'd be an absolutely HUGE help,
much love,
A VERY concerned future med student
i had the same concerns as you when i joined.
firstly, demographics depends heavily on your course and your Hall of residence. if you study History of Art it will be 80% Independent school female. if you study Physics it will be 80% state school male. Medicine will be mixed in terms of class and very asian, although not as much as other unis.
I spent my first year in Sallies which was full of two things: Independent schooled Brits and Americans. and guess what? there was no snobbery whatsoever, everyone was lovely. the only problem was an underlying inverse snobby amongst some. I spent second year in Andrew Melville full of state-schooled 'salt of the earth' Scots, Northern Irish and Northern English students.
there is a mix of restaurants but restaurants are expensive everywhere. blame the raised minimum wage, rents and business rates taxes for that. there is a really nice community feel in st andrews i totally recommend it.
there are plenty of options for your clinical years, you could always opt for ones like Preston.
firstly, demographics depends heavily on your course and your Hall of residence. if you study History of Art it will be 80% Independent school female. if you study Physics it will be 80% state school male. Medicine will be mixed in terms of class and very asian, although not as much as other unis.
I spent my first year in Sallies which was full of two things: Independent schooled Brits and Americans. and guess what? there was no snobbery whatsoever, everyone was lovely. the only problem was an underlying inverse snobby amongst some. I spent second year in Andrew Melville full of state-schooled 'salt of the earth' Scots, Northern Irish and Northern English students.
there is a mix of restaurants but restaurants are expensive everywhere. blame the raised minimum wage, rents and business rates taxes for that. there is a really nice community feel in st andrews i totally recommend it.
there are plenty of options for your clinical years, you could always opt for ones like Preston.
Original post by pineapplejam#
Hi, I'm a year 13 whose just accepted St Andrews for Medicine and am absolutely terrified I've made the wrong decision!!!
I was wondering what the social scene's like? particularly for people from comprehensive schools? I've heard a lot of bad things about toffs and when I went for my interview, all of the resteraunts, bars and cinemas looked bloody expensive- I'm worried I won't be able to keep up.
Also, from what I've seen, a lot of the place is either like a boarding school (looking at you, St Sallys) or just random people living in a cold, cold village- as opposed to Southampton (my other offer) which properly felt like a thriving uni community. Does it feel like a campus uni because of the size? or does everyone just kind of keep themselves to themselves?
And lastly, I know this is a bit med specific, but I'm worried about transferring to another uni after the first 3 years- I can't afford Queen Marys/London at all!!! Do you know if people tend to be able to get where they choose? Because Manchester looks great but having to be in London is like drop-out-of-course level bad because I just can't afford it.
Sorry for the barrage of questions, but if anyone could help me with any of them, that'd be an absolutely HUGE help,
much love,
A VERY concerned future med student
I was wondering what the social scene's like? particularly for people from comprehensive schools? I've heard a lot of bad things about toffs and when I went for my interview, all of the resteraunts, bars and cinemas looked bloody expensive- I'm worried I won't be able to keep up.
Also, from what I've seen, a lot of the place is either like a boarding school (looking at you, St Sallys) or just random people living in a cold, cold village- as opposed to Southampton (my other offer) which properly felt like a thriving uni community. Does it feel like a campus uni because of the size? or does everyone just kind of keep themselves to themselves?
And lastly, I know this is a bit med specific, but I'm worried about transferring to another uni after the first 3 years- I can't afford Queen Marys/London at all!!! Do you know if people tend to be able to get where they choose? Because Manchester looks great but having to be in London is like drop-out-of-course level bad because I just can't afford it.
Sorry for the barrage of questions, but if anyone could help me with any of them, that'd be an absolutely HUGE help,
much love,
A VERY concerned future med student
Original post by ta1130
Which Hall usually has the largest percentage of Americans? Or is it evenly dispersed?
There will be plenty of Americans in every hall but the largest percentage will be Sallies, McIntosh, followed by Uni Hall
Here's a list of events happening today, according to Facebook:
These are just events that people have invited me to, so hopefully you can see that a lot happens every day. I've only been to the cinema once since I got here, but it wasn't too expensive. There are also a few cheaper restaurants, takeaways, and bars mixed in with the overpriced places.
St Andrews absolutely feels like a campus uni, especially if you live on North Haugh (ABH, Melville, Uni Hall, Powell) in first year. It's a small town, and about a third of the population is students. You'll also find that private accommodation for students tends to be grouped in certain areas of town, so you end up with whole roads taken up by students. I live closer to some of my friends with them in the house across the road, than when they lived at the far end of ABH. I love it.
Honestly, there's quite a clear division between (most of) the ~40% who went to private schools and everyone else, simply because events are often marketed towards one of these two groups. I don't really know anyone who goes to the >£50 balls, yet they get hundreds of attendees every time. It doesn't really matter, and you'll find plenty of people going to the events normal people can afford, but you will probably be able to notice which societies market themselves for the 40% or the 60%.
•
Design Team Showcase Submissions (share your graphic designs)
•
Prohibition Dinner (Gin Society formal event)
•
Craft Beer and Cider Society AGM (Annual General Meeting, where a society meets up in a pub to choose their new committee)
•
AstroSoc Stargazing (recurring event, where anyone can go to the observatory and learn how to use the telescopes; surprisingly popular with non-physicists)
•
Final Year Coffee Morning (one-off event for older physics students)
•
So Far Auditions (my friend is making a short film, and needs actors)
•
24 Hour Kickathon (Taekwon-Do Club... kicks things... outside the Union, to raise money for charity)
•
Creative Careers - On The Rocks (seems to be an industry mixer for people interested in film/theatre/writing)
•
Blue Angels Spring Gala (dance show)
•
Sketch Force One - On The Rocks (Comedy Society's sketch comedy night)
•
Welcome Back Pablo (house party)
•
Election Victory Party (house party)
•
Return of the Kink (house party)
•
Art On The Rocks Pub Crawl
These are just events that people have invited me to, so hopefully you can see that a lot happens every day. I've only been to the cinema once since I got here, but it wasn't too expensive. There are also a few cheaper restaurants, takeaways, and bars mixed in with the overpriced places.
St Andrews absolutely feels like a campus uni, especially if you live on North Haugh (ABH, Melville, Uni Hall, Powell) in first year. It's a small town, and about a third of the population is students. You'll also find that private accommodation for students tends to be grouped in certain areas of town, so you end up with whole roads taken up by students. I live closer to some of my friends with them in the house across the road, than when they lived at the far end of ABH. I love it.
Honestly, there's quite a clear division between (most of) the ~40% who went to private schools and everyone else, simply because events are often marketed towards one of these two groups. I don't really know anyone who goes to the >£50 balls, yet they get hundreds of attendees every time. It doesn't really matter, and you'll find plenty of people going to the events normal people can afford, but you will probably be able to notice which societies market themselves for the 40% or the 60%.
Original post by pineapplejam#
Hi, I'm a year 13 whose just accepted St Andrews for Medicine and am absolutely terrified I've made the wrong decision!!!
I was wondering what the social scene's like? particularly for people from comprehensive schools? I've heard a lot of bad things about toffs and when I went for my interview, all of the resteraunts, bars and cinemas looked bloody expensive- I'm worried I won't be able to keep up.
Also, from what I've seen, a lot of the place is either like a boarding school (looking at you, St Sallys) or just random people living in a cold, cold village- as opposed to Southampton (my other offer) which properly felt like a thriving uni community. Does it feel like a campus uni because of the size? or does everyone just kind of keep themselves to themselves?
And lastly, I know this is a bit med specific, but I'm worried about transferring to another uni after the first 3 years- I can't afford Queen Marys/London at all!!! Do you know if people tend to be able to get where they choose? Because Manchester looks great but having to be in London is like drop-out-of-course level bad because I just can't afford it.
Sorry for the barrage of questions, but if anyone could help me with any of them, that'd be an absolutely HUGE help,
much love,
A VERY concerned future med student
I was wondering what the social scene's like? particularly for people from comprehensive schools? I've heard a lot of bad things about toffs and when I went for my interview, all of the resteraunts, bars and cinemas looked bloody expensive- I'm worried I won't be able to keep up.
Also, from what I've seen, a lot of the place is either like a boarding school (looking at you, St Sallys) or just random people living in a cold, cold village- as opposed to Southampton (my other offer) which properly felt like a thriving uni community. Does it feel like a campus uni because of the size? or does everyone just kind of keep themselves to themselves?
And lastly, I know this is a bit med specific, but I'm worried about transferring to another uni after the first 3 years- I can't afford Queen Marys/London at all!!! Do you know if people tend to be able to get where they choose? Because Manchester looks great but having to be in London is like drop-out-of-course level bad because I just can't afford it.
Sorry for the barrage of questions, but if anyone could help me with any of them, that'd be an absolutely HUGE help,
much love,
A VERY concerned future med student
Hi, I was wondering how accommodation works in second year. Where do most people live? Is it in halls, in St Andrews, or other towns around the university? And what are the benefits of each? Thanks 
Original post by johannnajp
Hi, I was wondering how accommodation works in second year. Where do most people live? Is it in halls, in St Andrews, or other towns around the university? And what are the benefits of each? Thanks
i was basically the only person to live in catered halls for all 4 years and regretted it afterwards, in hindsight it would have been better to join the manic January accommodation 'hunt' with friends for the following year. maybe 2nd year would have been good to be in self-catered halls tbh as there will be spaces
(edited 5 years ago)
Hi, so I have an offer for Russian and French in St Andrews, and I think it’s going to be my first choice, my one concern is the night life. Is it good? My fear is that it’s very small, do people go out to clubs in Edinburgh or Dundee from time to time? Are there fun things to do at night?
(edited 5 years ago)
Original post by lily2121
Hi, so I have an offer for Russian and French in St Andrews, and I think it’s going to be my first choice, my one concern is the night life. Is it good? My fear is that it’s very small, do people go out to clubs in Edinburgh or Dundee from time to time? Are there fun things to do at night?
there are loads of bars (some of which with dancefloors) but no proper nightclubs bar the union. People do go to Dundee for proper clubs every so often but remember there are only 16 weeks per semester at university so you can only go maybe 3-4 times a semester.
Other than the union, the social life in St Andrews is built around societies events during the day and then the societies' socials (at the bars or in peoples houses) in the evening, and then black tie events, things like balls and fashion shows are a much bigger thing in St Andrews than other unis. also don't forget the halls themselves can be fun
i think one of the Americans made one of those 'one second a day' videos at St Andrews who obviously had a lot more fun than many (although seems to have missed out on the Raisin weekend malarkey), but i think captures a typical year pretty well
(edited 5 years ago)
Original post by A Rolling Stone
there are loads of bars (some of which with dancefloors) but no proper nightclubs bar the union. People do go to Dundee for proper clubs every so often but remember there are only 16 weeks per semester at university so you can only go maybe 3-4 times a semester.
Other than the union, the social life in St Andrews is built around societies events during the day and then the societies' socials (at the bars or in peoples houses) in the evening, and then black tie events, things like balls and fashion shows are a much bigger thing in St Andrews than other unis. also don't forget the halls themselves can be fun
i think one of the Americans made one of those 'one second a day' videos at St Andrews who obviously had a lot more fun than many (although seems to have missed out on the Raisin weekend malarkey), but i think captures a typical year pretty well
Other than the union, the social life in St Andrews is built around societies events during the day and then the societies' socials (at the bars or in peoples houses) in the evening, and then black tie events, things like balls and fashion shows are a much bigger thing in St Andrews than other unis. also don't forget the halls themselves can be fun
i think one of the Americans made one of those 'one second a day' videos at St Andrews who obviously had a lot more fun than many (although seems to have missed out on the Raisin weekend malarkey), but i think captures a typical year pretty well
Thank you so much! This helps a lot
I am going to be applying to St Andrews in September for 2020 entry. I would like to know the following:
1. What is the nightlife like? I’m not a huge fan of clubbing but I do like a good night out.
2. I don’t really understand how the accommodation allocation works. I really like ABH hall? Will I get it if I want or is it just luck? Also after 1st year how do you get accommodation? Is private accommodation limited in St. Andrews? I’ve heard people live outside St. Andrews but I would like to live in the town.
3. I want to study economics and management. How hard is it to get into st Andrews assuming I get the predicted grades?
4. How many balls / events are there a semester?
@ombtom
1. What is the nightlife like? I’m not a huge fan of clubbing but I do like a good night out.
2. I don’t really understand how the accommodation allocation works. I really like ABH hall? Will I get it if I want or is it just luck? Also after 1st year how do you get accommodation? Is private accommodation limited in St. Andrews? I’ve heard people live outside St. Andrews but I would like to live in the town.
3. I want to study economics and management. How hard is it to get into st Andrews assuming I get the predicted grades?
4. How many balls / events are there a semester?
@ombtom
(edited 5 years ago)
Got my offer and (almost) set to go... which is starting to look a bit tricky given that I live on the other end of the UK.
How do most people who fly get their stuff up there? What do you need to bring and what can you get easily enough up there (thinking mugs, bed covers, etc....)
Thanks loads!
How do most people who fly get their stuff up there? What do you need to bring and what can you get easily enough up there (thinking mugs, bed covers, etc....)
Thanks loads!
Hi, my daughter is in the same position. A neighbour's daughter is in the second year at St Andrews and she said a good idea is to pack suitcases with essentials/clothes and buy the rest there. We’ll probably go into Edinburgh or Dundee and do a big shop – although our neighbour said you don’t really need to buy that much if you don’t want to,
If you need to move out of your room during half terms or summer break, you can put things into storage which is relatively cheap.
If you don’t want to do that, there are companies that specialise in transporting student possessions. Depending on how much you want to transport, they don’t seem that expensive.
If you need to move out of your room during half terms or summer break, you can put things into storage which is relatively cheap.
If you don’t want to do that, there are companies that specialise in transporting student possessions. Depending on how much you want to transport, they don’t seem that expensive.
Original post by pineapplejam#
Got my offer and (almost) set to go... which is starting to look a bit tricky given that I live on the other end of the UK.
How do most people who fly get their stuff up there? What do you need to bring and what can you get easily enough up there (thinking mugs, bed covers, etc....)
Thanks loads!
How do most people who fly get their stuff up there? What do you need to bring and what can you get easily enough up there (thinking mugs, bed covers, etc....)
Thanks loads!
I took the train up in September and May so that i could take all my luggage, and then just used easyjet/ryanair for the winter and easter breaks.
local shops will have all you need goods-wise whilst there are some fashion shops there, i would buy the clothes you need at home or in Dundee. for everything else though st andrews has more than enough options
local shops will have all you need goods-wise
whilst there are some fashion shops there, i would buy the clothes you need at home or in Dundee. for everything else though st andrews has more than enough optionsOriginal post by pineapplejam#
Got my offer and (almost) set to go... which is starting to look a bit tricky given that I live on the other end of the UK.
How do most people who fly get their stuff up there? What do you need to bring and what can you get easily enough up there (thinking mugs, bed covers, etc....)
Thanks loads!
How do most people who fly get their stuff up there? What do you need to bring and what can you get easily enough up there (thinking mugs, bed covers, etc....)
Thanks loads!
I don't think they ever acknowledged when I firmed. I wouldn't worry about it.
Original post by Bubbergee
I firmed my offer a week ago but not had any acknowledgment, should I ring admissions?
Haha I remember worrying the same 7 years ago..
Original post by Bubbergee
I firmed my offer a week ago but not had any acknowledgment, should I ring admissions?
Original post by ombtom
I don't think they ever acknowledged when I firmed. I wouldn't worry about it.
Hey guys - I'm a current student at St. Andrews and part of St Andrews Radio (STAR). We recently made a video answering some of the most common questions that prospective students and preshers (pre-freshers) ask. What are academic families... what's the nightlife like... catered or self-catered... best society (hint: it's STAR). Hopefully it'll be helpful in answering at least some of your questions!
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