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Transfer to St Andrews

I originally posted this transcript in the LiveJournal community for the University of st Andrews, & was recommended to seek the help of people on these forums.

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I am a first year student reading Computer Science at UWA, & I believe that a brief account of recent history may be required to 'set the scene' as it were;

Back in my first year of 6th form, I applied to read CompSci at St Andrews, & receieved an offer. However over the course of the next year or so, the feelings that I had already been having that a Science subject 'wasn't for me' grew until I had essentially lost all interest in the subjects that I was studying at A level, & I made other plans to take a BTEC diploma in A&D Photography for 2 years at a local college, & then apply for a BA Photography university course in due time, instead of continuing on to read CompSci at BSc level. As my mind was so made up, I (rather stupidly) abandoned my A levels, as I knew that none of them would come in useful at all on an Arts course. As a result of this, August 17th provided me with a 'less-than-marvellous' spread of grades.

However to throw a spanner into the works, my father grew ill, & the plan of me staying at home & taking Photography locally became rather un-desirable. But of course I could no longer go to St Andrews because of my poor A level results. So here I find myself at Aberystwyth. I'm not saying that it's a mediocre University in a mediocre town full of dull drunkards for students (well alright, yes I am) but pursuing CompSci as I am, I would much rather for it to have been at a University that I actually want to be at.

I thought that I would ask here amongst other students, before crafting a masterful formal letter to send to the University to officially convey my query, so my question is this;

Does the University of St. Andrews consider accepting students from other Universities into the second or subsequent year(s) of study on the basis of their performance & accomplishments in their time at their present university, & not disregard them because of poor performance in previous cases? For example, if I theoretically achieved a 1st in this my first year of CompSci at UWA, would that (along with further correspondance, interviews, etc. to establish more of my desirable qualities other than obvious accademic virtues) be proof enough that I am a student of sufficient calibre to become a merit to the University? I fear that a prestigious institution such as the University of St Andrews bases it's induction solely on traditional academic entrance requirements & as such does not have the time or resources to investigate an application from a student who did not follow the 'normal' approach of application, least of all one who had his chance & 'blew it'.

Thankyou in advance.

Reply 1

Dalimyr

Does the University of St. Andrews consider accepting students from other Universities into the second or subsequent year(s) of study on the basis of their performance & accomplishments in their time at their present university

I'd say so, but I think Icecradle would be in a better position to answer this particular question....if she's still around.

Reply 2

ebonyphoenix

As a student who has had extensive contact with St. Andrews for some years now, I would say you should definitely contact the university- you will never know if you do not try. And if you really are determined enough to get there and you can convey this in writing, you definitely have a chance. Obviously, you will not know for sure how they will react, but I would say that you will probably be more at peace with yourself if you at least try. All I can tell you is about my own personal experience and I know it is different from yours, but I have written massive letters and essays to several universities, all of whom have not cast me aside and who instead have given me favourable response. If I believed all the people who told me that what I have set out to do is impossible, I would be in a box right now, no joke. Maybe this is more general advice, and easier said than done, but you can accomplish so much more than you ever dreamed if you only cast your fears aside and do not give up on your dreams.

From tenth grade on, St. Andrews has always taken the time to reply to my emails and my experience is that they only want to help students.

Good luck!

Reply 3

cloudofcalm

St Andrews tend to adopt an American approach toward transfer and that sort of thing, so your chance of transfer is far more likely than it would be elsewhere.

And if they needed the bed-space... I'm leaving at the end of this year, as I hate it!

Reply 4

lost eden

Do you mean that you hate the University or just where you're staying? Because I haven't come across many people who didn't like the uni, other than the fact that it's in the middle of nowhere (not that UWA is any different!).

Reply 5

wιzard

I've applied to transfer too but for Biomolecular Sciences. I'm still waiting for their reply but to get an idea, Edinburgh's offer is: "Pass Year 1 with an average of 60%". :smile:

Reply 6

lost eden

Have you applied for transfer into the subsequent year (i.e. if you're a fresher now have you applied for year 2 entry)? Because I would actually prefer to be able to transfer to the beginning of 1st year (maybe that makes me a little bit weird...). I would be extremely happy for an offer of 60%! Here's to hoping...!

Reply 7

wιzard

Yes, my application is for entry onto the second year.

Reply 8

lost eden

Right, I've sent just a quick (but still formal) e-mail to Ms Dallas-Ross on [email protected] to ask her who I should submit my application to (i.e. her, the college, the CompSci department, etc.) - that's the e-mail that the webpage about transfers says you should use for 'any enquiries'. I sent that on Friday night, & haven't heard back yet (Wednesday afternoon) - how long has it taken to get replies to e-mail for you people who've tried before?

Reply 9

wιzard

You have to apply through UCAS.

Reply 10

lost eden

Transfer applications through UCAS have to be submitted by January 14th, but St Andrews say that most applications after that date are considred equally (excluding medicine). But as it's after that date I assume I literally can't apply through UCAS, so I hope somebody form the uni get's back to me to tell me how to progress!

Reply 11

wιzard

Look at the UCAS deadlines:

15 January 2007
Closing date for applications from UK and EU students to be guaranteed equal academic consideration.

30 June 2007
Last date for receipt of applications for immediate consideration. Those received after this date held for Clearing.

I guess you can still apply but it's up to them whether they will consider it or not.

Reply 12

lost eden

Applications to transfer, via UCAS, are subject to UCAS deadlines. UK or EU applicants must submit their UCAS applications online to UCAS by 15th January to guarantee consideration.

In practice, applications for degrees in the Sciences, Divinity, Mathematics and Computer Science will be considered after this date, as will applicants with extenuating circumstances.

I seemed to overlook the part I bolded... thanks for pointing that out.

Reply 13

yeung3939

No worries.

I am also transferring to St. Andrews (school of international relations). I am from Hong Kong.

My brief history: I got very good marks in HKCEE. On the basis of my academic merits, I skipped HK A-level and directly get into U of Hong Kong Bachleor of Laws (LLB). Two years later, I got completely bored by law, so I started all over again at U of Wales, Aberystwyth (UWA), reading international politics.
(1) I don't have A-level result, because I was admitted by U of Hong Kong LLB one year earlier than usual.
(2) I am also from U of Wales, Aberystwyth.
(3) The MA (International relations) has a slightly higher GCE AL entry standard than computer science.

So you don't need to worry too much. They really will review your profile carefully.

Reply 14

Scuttle

So does St. Andrews base it's offers of transfer primarily on the overall grade from your first year of University (wherever that may have been) rather than resting heavily on your A levels?

Reply 15

yeung3939

I don't have A-level result or any equivalence. I guess they heavily relied on my first-semester grades at Aberystwyth.

Reply 16

Scuttle

yeung3939

I don't have A-level result or any equivalence. I guess they heavily relied on my first-semester grades at Aberystwyth.

Yeh, although are you an international student? They probably have different rules set up for that situation.
At any rate i think basing it on your first year at uni is more important that A levels - people can come good.

Reply 17

yeung3939

Ar... I don't have AL result because I skipped AL. For international students, they normally require High school GPA, AL, IB or STAT.

My case is special though. My first semester grade seems to be the only reliable indication of my academic motivation.