St Andrews - Ask A Current Student Thread

Ah right, I was envisaging the driver being in a hurry to get away but if I leave myself plenty of time so I can be there when the bus arrives then I should be ok. So did you just ask for a return ticket and got given a day rider? I really ought to have paid more attention to my previous tickets. Thanks for the help!

Edit: I just tried to +rep you but it won't let me

Yes, that's what I did, asked for a return ticket for a student. Enjoy your trip(s)

Just wondering whether most people doing modern languages choose the five-year course with a year abroad over the four-year course without?

It just seems a long time, especially if you've had a gap year as well.

Any thoughts?

Does anybody have an idea as to how much emphasis is placed on GCSE grades/equivalent during the admissions process? Similarly, would being a year older possibly be a hindrance (I didn't repeat any years but lived in a different country so this is why)? Thanks in advance.

I adore St. Andrew's beyond words so need to be prepared for possible rejection in order to not be majorly disappointed if it comes.

Does anybody have an idea as to how much emphasis is placed on GCSE grades/equivalent during the admissions process? Similarly, would being a year older possibly be a hindrance (I didn't repeat any years but lived in a different country so this is why)? Thanks in advance.

I adore St. Andrew's beyond words so need to be prepared for possible rejection in order to not be majorly disappointed if it comes.

Whichever you do, you *should* spend a year abroad (there are sometimes some instances where you don't, but generally it's a yes).

I think generally more people tend to do the teaching assistantship/work placement - but as places are limited for study abroad that's probably common sense. I did a gap year as well, so sometimes it's a bit odd to think that I'll graduate when I'm 23, but I"m having a good time so it doesn't bother me.

What I would say if you were thinking about doing the study abroad option - it's intense. I have a friend currently at Sciences Po in Paris and the feeling I get from her is that if you want to do it, you not only need to have good enough grades, but you have to be motivated enough to cope with *insert your modern language choice here* all day every day and doing all your work in it too. What put me off it was the fact that it basically *is* your Junior Honours year - I'd much prefer to do my Junior Honours year in a familiar environment that I'm used to, rather than having to do it abroad - especially considering the first few weeks of settling in/down.

Teaching abroad is pretty much the way to go (not that I'm biased or anything). You get a year out from studying (apart from the year abroad project), you're being immersed in the language/culture, you're being paid to work 12 hours a week, and I've only been here for 2 months, but already I feel like my confidence and independence has improved dramatically, as well as my French.

In the end it's really up to you, but I wouldn't let the thought of "length" of degree make your decision. Right now I'm actually quite enjoying the fact that I get to go back next year and still have 2 more years of studying in St Andrews

Hope that helps!
Let me know if you have any more questions =)

getting a level 10 academic alert for missing 2 economics tutorial. okay so the week before reading week, I attended an earlier tutorial session because I had a train to catch that clashed with my 3oclock class and last week I had glandular fever so I couldn't attend. I am really worried, what am I do to ? please someone help me

getting a level 10 academic alert for missing 2 economics tutorial. okay so the week before reading week, I attended an earlier tutorial session because I had a train to catch that clashed with my 3oclock class and last week I had glandular fever so I couldn't attend. I am really worried, what am I do to ? please someone help me

getting a level 10 academic alert for missing 2 economics tutorial. okay so the week before reading week, I attended an earlier tutorial session because I had a train to catch that clashed with my 3oclock class and last week I had glandular fever so I couldn't attend. I am really worried, what am I do to ? please someone help me

Isn't that what academic alerts are for? So that you email your tutor to tell them what's going on?

Alert 10 is more serious than that. It is when you've went beyond the point that you can longer 'redeem' yourself or whatever and you auto fail.

I had a dream that I got an Alert 10 warning, and then I woke up. But I couldn't shake the feeling so I even had to go and double check my emails to make sure!!

But yeah, in Physics/Astrophysics if you don't turn up to tutorials then you get an alert 10 warning. And then the usual, if you don't turn up to workshops, exams or class tests etc.

Some friends and I are thinking about living together next year. I was wondering what would be a good size for a group renting together? We were thinking of 5 people, is this too many for the size of most houses? Thanks =)

Five is a bit of a push - there are houses that have five bedrooms, but by far the most abundant are the 3 and 2 beds.

I don't think they have a problem with that. I was an EU applicant, and so they never saw any pre-sixth form grades for me, and school lasts a year longer in my country, they didn't mind. Good luck with your application!

I think Sappho is right. They generally don't think "Oh dear, this person only got C in her Maths GCSE etc, we won't let her in". They may sometimes compare with some else for a place, but they are more common to compare personal statements. The only reason why they usually ask for GCSEs is just so they can see what your general academic record is like. So as long as either you've always been good, or have improved with A-levels etc then you're fine (if you've done worse, THAT might be a concern... )

But the year older thing won't be a problem. They won't care, there's a good chance they wouldn't notice when looking at applications. Scottish Unis have a range of ages because of the Scottish education system, so you wont' be strange.

I'm sure it'll be good news when you hear! St Andrews is great, but remember, so will any place you go in the end. As long as you like where you, that's important.

But St A's is obviously the best place....