The Student Room Group

The typical St. Andrews stereotype

I know, I know: "every student is different." But, if you had to describe it, what is the typical St. Andrews stereotype in the UK? As an American, I'm not really in the British culture loop, and I'm curious as to how the university is perceived. In the US, for instance, we have tons of uni stereotypes (ie- Brown is for smart hippies, Wesleyan is for hipsters, Dartmouth is full of preppy jocks, etc.). They're not accurate statements about the entire school population, obviously, but they're very helpful in figuring out whether you would "fit in" there.

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Reply 1

marlowe92
I know, I know: "every student is different." But, if you had to describe it, what is the typical St. Andrews stereotype in the UK? As an American, I'm not really in the British culture loop, and I'm curious as to how the university is perceived. In the US, for instance, we have tons of uni stereotypes (ie- Brown is for smart hippies, Wesleyan is for hipsters, Dartmouth is full of preppy jocks, etc.). They're not accurate statements about the entire school population, obviously, but they're very helpful in figuring out whether you would "fit in" there.


Jack Wills

Reply 2

Well in Scotland everyone thinks St Andrews students are all stuck up English public school kids who do polo and wear monocles. My friends won't stop ripping it out of me for going there next year. :mad:

Reply 3

ImperceptibleNinja
I must make an effort to stop going on about the posh rich kids.

You get a lot of very individual/eccentric-ish people here - not to the point of being freaky or losers, but being very interesting indeed. And being very secure in who they are. You also get some very shy, quiet, reserved types, who are usually very cool when you get to know them more.

Edit:
Note to self: Use the word 'very' a bit less...


Are there any students who dress in Dolce and Gabbana, Gucci, Prada etc. or is Jack Wills as "posh rich kid" as it gets?

Reply 4

people in Jack Wills hoodies piss me off, i seen a girl yesterday about 8 while i was walking through the park with my mates. ROLLING around in the MUD in a Jack Wills Hoody, that no doubt costed about £60-£150 like rarghh.
Tbh Jack Wills hoodies are like any normal hoodies, maybe a bit more comfortable with "JACK WILLS" printed all over them, which means they sell for like triple the price.

Reply 5

yodude888
Are there any students who dress in Dolce and Gabbana, Gucci, Prada etc. or is Jack Wills as "posh rich kid" as it gets?

I'm not sure that genuinely 'posh' kids in the UK would really be distinguished by such ostentatious fashion statements; big designed labels indicate "I'm rich and want you to know it" more than any class statement.

Reply 6

dbmag9
I'm not sure that genuinely 'posh' kids in the UK would really be distinguished by such ostentatious fashion statements; big designed labels indicate "I'm rich and want you to know it" more than any class statement.


Thats not true, much of the "big designer labels" are very discrete. Around here everyone wears that kinda thing, and I want to know if my cupboard contents is going to be suitable in St. Andrews or not :s-smilie:

Reply 7

EDIT: Sorry, weird time-delay double-post.

Reply 8

What are your current contents of your cupboard :smile:

Reply 9

Troubled_Student
What are your current contents of your cupboard :smile:


Gucci, Dolce and Gabbana, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Paul Smith, Etro, Dior Homme pretty much. It doesn't seem out of place in Switzerland, but with people getting flamed at for wearing Jack Wills I dont' see it as going down too well :frown: :s-smilie:

Reply 10

yodude888
Are there any students who dress in Dolce and Gabbana, Gucci, Prada etc. or is Jack Wills as "posh rich kid" as it gets?

Some, mostly the international rich kid fashionistas.

Reply 11

yodude888
Thats not true, much of the "big designer labels" are very discrete. Around here everyone wears that kinda thing, and I want to know if my cupboard contents is going to be suitable in St. Andrews or not :s-smilie:

Of course.
Anything goes in St Andrews and everyone likes a bit of designer. Sounds like you are well dressed.

Reply 12

Prince William went there. Enough said!

Reply 13

Nothing wrong with your cupboard by the sounds of it.

Reply 14

Cheers

Reply 15

ImperceptibleNinja
I'm guessing the cupboard question is in terms of clothes, and not like, 'I have a box of screwdrivers and some dog toys in my cupboard', right? :o:


Yeah I meant the clothes I wear and have in my cupboard. Lets not mention the other things I have stashed in there... :ninja:

Reply 16

marlowe92
I know, I know: "every student is different." But, if you had to describe it, what is the typical St. Andrews stereotype in the UK? As an American, I'm not really in the British culture loop, and I'm curious as to how the university is perceived. In the US, for instance, we have tons of uni stereotypes (ie- Brown is for smart hippies, Wesleyan is for hipsters, Dartmouth is full of preppy jocks, etc.). They're not accurate statements about the entire school population, obviously, but they're very helpful in figuring out whether you would "fit in" there.


I wouldn't say it was any different to any of the other elite universities in the UK or those which are referred to as being frequented by "Oxbridge Rejects" which is an unfair label.

A distinct mix of privately-educated, middle/upper class students and also a good mix of those from the state sector and from families who have no previous history of university education. The one thing most students do have is good grades. The average grades are supposed to be something like ABB or AAB aren't they? Obviously this would vary by subject. Subjects like Medicine and International Relations would require AAA.

But generally I would say the "stereotype" of a St Andrews student is that of an intelligent young person seeking knowledge to further their careers and wanting to enjoy 3/4 years of their lives in a nice coastal town.

Reply 17

St Andrews was freezing when I was over- I think if I went I'd be permanently swaddled up in a big puffa coat!

Reply 18

ImperceptibleNinja
...not to the point of being freaky or losers...


That qualification felt faux. :smile:

Warrior King
But generally I would say the "stereotype" of a St Andrews student is that of an intelligent young person seeking knowledge to further their careers and wanting to enjoy 3/4 years of their lives in a nice coastal town.


Get the **** off the moral high ground.

Reply 19

Ekpyrotic
That qualification felt faux. :smile:



Get the **** off the moral high ground.


Why don't you, you foul mouthed cretin.