Official Warwick Applicants Thread 2011

Is there anyone else who's still waiting to hear from the Physics Dept?

I'm wondering why they don't reject me straightaway, instead of delaying all my application process :-/
If only I was sure I'm going to be unsuccessful, I'd withdraw my application... but who knows?

No, seriously, does anyone know?

I'm a final year Economics student. I have been very disappointed by my academic experience and most people on my course agree. While Warwick campus is absolutely fantastic, the Economics undergraduate course is poor.

Across my 3 years, I have probably averaged 9 hours a week of lectures/seminars. Seminars (small classes) are far too infrequent, and they are often done with large classes of 15-20 students. When compared to other science departments like maths, physics and chemistry (because after all, Economics at Warwick is very scientific/mathematical) which average 20 hours + a week, it is very disappointing. It is great for lie-ins, but one of the things I enjoy about learning is interactivity discussion, but it is practically non-existent.

PhD students that take the small classes often have insufficient skills in spoken English to provide a satifactory level of teaching in my opinion.

There are a couple of enthusiastic lecturers, which is a breath of fresh air, but this is the exception not the norm.

If you are looking for great employability, then the course is perfect because it has a great reputation. If you are looking for an experience that will add genuine academic interest and actual skills then look elsewhere.

Oh dear. Can't say you've made me terribly optimistic
The student satisfaction rates are 83% though....although the assessment and feedback section is generally rather poor.....Hopefully things will get better when they milk the new students for cash
Where are you thinking of going after you leave anyway?

Phone them up. I got my offer in November and I think they've done all of their physics open days. Chances are it's an admin error (it's been known to happen) and they've forgotten about you. I'm sure if you phone them and ask them your offer will come through. Good luck!

I did! They said my application is actually still under consideration and that they know the deadline is approaching and not to worry...


Anyway thank you for the suggestion!

I have a question:

is doing the MSc Management for Business Excellence at the WMG (Warwick Manufacturing Group) equal to MSc Management at Warwick Business School from a prestigious standpoint? I would like to enter Investment Banking and therefor would like to know whether you stand a chance with the MSc Management for Business Excellence from WMG.

The reputation of WMG is increasing but its still quite new as it split off from the engineering department. At the end of the day the business schools reputation for teaching a business focused subject and with your intention of entering investment banking rather than something to do with manufactor is probably going to be better, especially as the business school has an extremely good reputation. It will still be good but you will need to make sure you have a good answer at interviews if they ask you why you choose to go to WMG to do that course rather than to the business school itself.

Ah. Thats not very fair! I hope you get your offer through though. Good luck! Do you have offers from anywhere else?

So you would prefer Durham Business School with MA Financial Management rather than Warwick's WMG course? I know quite a few people who entered IB from LSE with non related finance master degrees.

Thank you again
I've got conditionals from Imperial (but it's quite unachievable and I don't really like it there), Durham and Lancaster... got rejected by St. Andrews
What about you?

Same. We will eventually hear back in two weeks anyway. But Im not expecting much.

Are you thinking of firming Warwick? Or are you just seeing if they'll give you an offer?

I can say that the department looks very good. Because it's in the Russel Group they get a LOT of money to burn (£24m on a new microscope and a building to house the labs for it!!). It kind of shows. Compared to the department at Lancaster (I live near so I've visited) everything is shiny and clean and the labs in general seemed better equipped. You get loads of module options as well (more than the unis I looked at anyway).
The uni itsself is pretty nice as well. A fully equipped sports place (complete with swimming pool and climbing wall!), arts centre and a Tesco
I've heard Coventry isn't so nice though. Durham as a city looks a lot nicer. I suppose it depends if you like the more campus orientated feel or not.
Another bonus is that I can actually afford the accommodation! At Warwick I can pay for accommodation and still have up to £94 per week to play with. If I ever managed to get in to Durham, I would have maxed out my loan and still needed £300 before I had paid for accommodation!

Yeah, thankfully their decision isn't crucial... actually I was quite unsure about whether to stay in Italy until some time ago. I was told that the actual preparation you get here in Italy is generally better... but I really fancy the experience of studying abroad and learning English well etc etc
So in the end both cases have their cons e pros.
Anyway I don't think I'll firm Warwick, but it would be great to have it as insurance (IF I should get an offer - which seems improbable to me now - and IF the offer should be low enough) I'd firm Durham....
However my relatives, parents, keep telling me to firm Imperial, even if it's risky, because they think its fame is worth it... and insure Durham.
I'm easily influenced... but I've decided not to think about it until I know Warwick's response (I try to )

And yeah, Warwick sounds great as a Uni!

Yeah, thankfully their decision isn't crucial... actually I was quite unsure about whether to stay in Italy until some time ago. I was told that the actual preparation you get here in Italy is generally better... but I really fancy the experience of studying abroad and learning English well etc etc
So in the end both cases have their cons e pros.
Anyway I don't think I'll firm Warwick, but it would be great to have it as insurance (IF I should get an offer - which seems improbable to me now - and IF the offer should be low enough) I'd firm Durham....
However my relatives, parents, keep telling me to firm Imperial, even if it's risky, because they think its fame is worth it... and insure Durham.
I'm easily influenced... but I've decided not to think about it until I know Warwick's response (I try to )

And yeah, Warwick sounds great as a Uni!

Don't worry about not hearing from Warwick yet... I felt like there was no hope as I had applied in October and still heard nothing by mid April but I got an email from them 3 nights ago with an offer. All is not lost.

Where abouts do you live in Italy?

Ah I see. You probably don't need to worry so much about finance if you can afford uni abroad!
Warwick or Durham as insurance though? The offers from Durham, St Andrews and Warwick were all AAA for A levels. Are the offers different in the Italian equivalent? If I was in your position, to put either as an insurance I'd have to firm Imperial, since their offer is A*AA. Whichever one you end up at, you'll have done well. They're all great departments.
Lancaster would be a good insurance choice. It's a great department and fairly unpopular (due to it being northern I suppose?) so you should get in even if you miss your offer slightly (their physics department had clearing spaces last year, although I think all the clearing people were put on the BSc and had to prove they were capable over the year to get onto the Mphys). I would have applied but it's too close to home.
I'm sure you should be able to make your offers anyway. It's just nice to know that you're going to uni even if you mess up in one of your exams

Sorry for negging by the way. The neg button is right next to the quote button!!

I do agree with you! And congratulations on your offer! What course have you applied for?

I live in quite a little town in the neighbourhood of Milan

Are there any international or private applicants around here who has to verify the documents/certificates before 31 August????

I need little help..