Would I be mad to choose Queen Mary over York?

Would you believe Glasgow is also on the cards for me. But I'm put off by the 4 years, the lack of interesting course modules and the fact you don't specialise in your degree till the end of year 2. Saying that, I'll see what I think on Tuesday (You aren't going to the applicants open day?)

I'm trying to organise a visit to York atm too. Why did you think it was a depressing place?

Looks like all the places I have offers for have huge flaws. GAH!

I'm pretty sure with your grades you'll be allowed straight into second year at Glasgow, so it won't be 4 years.

Reply 41

AyeFaye

OP

9

Original post by justinawe

I'm pretty sure with your grades you'll be allowed straight into second year at Glasgow, so it won't be 4 years.

Really? That was never mentioned! Is it worth emailing to ask?

Would I have missed out on much in the first year?

Reply 42

the mezzil

3

Original post by AyeFaye

Thanks for that! I think I knew that all along but needed someone to say it. Looking at the REA stats from 2008, York is first and QMUL is second, so there isn't much there.

I'm just awful at decisions.

Exactly, pretty much all RG unis, other than Oxbridge are the same as each other in prestige, so you really don't need to worry about that side of things. Good luck!

Reply 43

Coben

1

Original post by Hormonal

Tiny uni, crap area, it really did look like attending sixth form over again. Also the massive cemetery in the middle of the Campus didn't help.

As much as I tried to like QMUL, I couldn't help but hate it. It also didn't leave a good impression that their Open Day was extremely poorly organised and I wasn't able to attend the Medicine lecture I wanted to go to due to overbooking. It really felt like a waste of a day - although I guess it was partially useful as it made me decide that I would never consider going there since I'm 100% sure I would be unhappy.

And yes. There are a ton of Asians there - and this is coming from an Asian guy himself. I don't really think this to be a problem (well, I wouldn't...)

Spot On. MY EXACT EXPERIENCE

Reply 44

iheartdjokovic

18

Original post by AyeFaye

Why does it disappear?!

I'm just saying don't go for QMUL just because you fancy living in London, the novelty will wear off soon enough and you'll discover that it's not really that exciting after all (particularly Mile End)

Reply 45

justinawe

19

Original post by AyeFaye

Really? That was never mentioned! Is it worth emailing to ask?

Would I have missed out on much in the first year?

Perhaps they don't offer advanced entry for your course. I checked out their maths course, and on the page it said that those with "exceptional" A-level grades could be exempted from Year 1.

Reply 46

Jonnygti

OP - I am a born and bred Londoner, grew up in SW London and now living in Docklands and I studied at York. Your hunch is 100% correct - go for Queen Mary's. York is a really depressing place to study. It's cold and the campus is miles away from the pretty town centre. It's no fun at all. Try going up there on a Friday night at 9pm, walk around the campus and into the uni bars and just soak up the depressing atmosphere. That is what it is like all the time. I graduated in 2002 but have been back as recently as 2 months ago (to the Uni). Mile End might be so so but you've got the whole of London to explore once you're down here. Other people might try and convince you otherwise but your instincts are there to save your life - you should trust them.

(edited 11 years ago)

Reply 47

alexmagpie

15

Two years ago, I was asking myself if I'd be mad to choose York over Durham.

Best decision I ever made - and I'm not saying that to make you choose York, go where you'll be happiest.

Reply 48

Historicity

20

Original post by alexmagpie

Two years ago, I was asking myself if I'd be mad to choose York over Durham.

Best decision I ever made - and I'm not saying that to make you choose York, go where you'll be happiest.

Just to be clear, which one did you end up at?

Reply 49

ageshallnot

21

It's really strange. Like Jonnygti I am also a York graduate from a long time ago, but I loved my time there. I wouldn't describe the campus as 'miles' from the town centre, perhaps because we used to turn the walk there and back into a pub crawl! :smile:

I also didn't find the university bars depressing at all - the choice of 5 or 6 different locations provided variety and an excuse for more bar crawls.

I went back to visit about 18 months ago with my wife, who had never been there. Very little had changed, the campus was lively and the students looked positively vibrant. Having gone to a city-based university, she said she loved the place.

It all comes down to different people liking different locations. And this time agreeing with Jonnygti, I would say go with your instincts when you come to make YOUR choice.

Reply 50

Forget that

15

Original post by AyeFaye

English Literature

Heya, i do english at qm. I'm not going to say it's the best course ever, but if you do end up going you will not be disappointed, its quite challenging- no other uni as far as i'm aware gives so much work in the first year so take that into consideration.
With your grades maybe an appliance at UCL would have been more adequate?

Reply 51

hedgemonkey

7

Just google rents in London and York. You will have your answer.

Reply 52

AyeFaye

OP

9

This thread and discussions with my Dad have ruled out QM :frown:

But now I have the fun task of choosing between Glasgow and York!

Reply 53

alexmagpie

15

Original post by Historicity

Just to be clear, which one did you end up at?

York

Reply 54

Shelly_x

15

Original post by lilyrawstorne

I'm having almost the exact same issue only between York and Glasgow Uni for English & History of Art joint honours.

I got such a bad vibe from York, it just seemed like a depressing place full of Surrey students (of which I am one) I haven't been able to go to Glasgow but it looks like there's more going on and it's the 4th oldest English speaking uni in the UK/world. That being said, York is one of the best unis for English and it's only a 3 year course ... however in some ways four more years in education would be nice.

Ahh I don't know what to do, every time I make up my mind something makes me falter.

I'm pulling my hair out after three years more in education... I think I'd begin to despise uni if I was there for four... Don't get me wrong, I love my subjects but I'm itching to get out into the real world!
Also, York is not depressing :wink:

Reply 55

Coben

1

Original post by AyeFaye

This thread and discussions with my Dad have ruled out QM :frown:

But now I have the fun task of choosing between Glasgow and York!

Good job, seriously read my post and few other QM students, go to york or glasgow and enjoy your experience, don't make the mistake we did. xx

Reply 56

Historicity

20

Original post by alexmagpie

York

Sorry, my brain stopped working for some reason!

Reply 57

huchingxmomo

Original post by Hormonal

Tiny uni, crap area, it really did look like attending sixth form over again. Also the massive cemetery in the middle of the Campus didn't help.

As much as I tried to like QMUL, I couldn't help but hate it. It also didn't leave a good impression that their Open Day was extremely poorly organised and I wasn't able to attend the Medicine lecture I wanted to go to due to overbooking. It really felt like a waste of a day - although I guess it was partially useful as it made me decide that I would never consider going there since I'm 100% sure I would be unhappy.

And yes. There are a ton of Asians there - and this is coming from an Asian guy himself. I don't really think this to be a problem (well, I wouldn't...)

ahh i just saw your post and i felt quite similar abt trying to like qmul but failing too! the location just - i don't know, not my thing i guess. as for the asians bit, i am asian too, but are they like really "cliquey" or "stuck together" - hope you get my gist?

i am deciding between york, exeter and qmul for law, anyone any recommendations? i applied for kings too but I'm still waiting and the deadlines in 4 days... looking pretty dismal :/

Reply 58

username23423

9

Original post by huchingxmomo

ahh i just saw your post and i felt quite similar abt trying to like qmul but failing too! the location just - i don't know, not my thing i guess. as for the asians bit, i am asian too, but are they like really "cliquey" or "stuck together" - hope you get my gist?

i am deciding between york, exeter and qmul for law, anyone any recommendations? i applied for kings too but I'm still waiting and the deadlines in 4 days... looking pretty dismal :/

I would choose Exeter.

If you get the Kings offer... well, I've just chosen Kings over Exeter, so you know what I'd say :smile:

Reply 59

justinawe

19

Original post by huchingxmomo

ahh i just saw your post and i felt quite similar abt trying to like qmul but failing too! the location just - i don't know, not my thing i guess. as for the asians bit, i am asian too, but are they like really "cliquey" or "stuck together" - hope you get my gist?

i am deciding between york, exeter and qmul for law, anyone any recommendations? i applied for kings too but I'm still waiting and the deadlines in 4 days... looking pretty dismal :/

This is definitely the main problem if you go somewhere where the majority of the students are asian - most of them will keep to their "own kind", if I may, which will severely limit the number of friends you can make. It's nothing to do with them being asian (and not all asians are like this, of course), if a ton of white people joined asian universities and did the same thing it would be the same problem.

On your current conundrum, personally I would go for Exeter.

(edited 11 years ago)

Would I be mad to choose Queen Mary over York?

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