University of St. Andrews in Scotland

<p>My sister is reading English at Oxford and is very happy there. Of course, there are rahs and excessive drinking and a bit of racism and self-entitlement among certain individuals, just as there are frats and secret societies such as Skull and Bones at top US colleges. </p>

<p>My sister got into St. Andrew’s and UCL - she preferred St. Andrew’s from her visit, as UCL is more of a sprawled city university. I would say it comes down to whether or not your son likes London and city life. For example, I like a small-town, rural college atmosphere, which is why I would always choose Amherst or any other LAC over Columbia or Harvard. </p>

<p>@starshaped How is St. Andrew’s cliquey? I know at Oxford many of the public school (that is, Eton, Westminster et al.) kids go together, but apart from that people have several friend groups from their college, student unions, etc.</p>

<p>Thanks so much for the added info, @inaweoflacs! Now University of Edinburgh is also among his options.</p>

<p>Does anyone have insight into how these various UK school compare in terms of preparing kids to continue at US grad schools? Would one offer better academic preparation and/or enjoy a stronger reputation among US grad school AdComs?</p>

<p>Hi all,
How would someone coming from an NYC private school fare at St. Andrews? Socially, academically…
(Homesickness aside)
Any ideas? Much thanks!</p>

<p>I think you would fit in fine. My daughter came out of a prep school environment as did many of her friends. StA seems to have a place for most (except those wanting NCAA sports, frats, etc). The biggest issue would be living in the “Bubble”. St. Andrews is a very small town (think one neighborhood of Manhattan)-more like a village to me.
Of course, if you are considering a University that is somewhat isolated or “small town” you would be in the same boat. Think Vassar to NYC. Actually, St. A is much, much nicer than Poughkeepsie. That is about the same distance to Edinburgh if you need a big city fix.
I do suggest you visit sometime other than summer to appreciate the town but also get a taste of the dark and damp.</p>

<p>What is
Modern Languages and International Relations?
It is one of the choices on their application but I thought Modern Languages was choose 1 or 2? Also, what happened to the Linguistics program?</p>

<p>I’m a second year studying IR and Classical Studies in St Andrews and I’m very happy with the whole experience.
I think your experience of the university will very much depend on what kind of person you are. It is a small town but I always found something to do. If you don’t enjoy the whole small-town experience, you probably won’t enjoy it there. I was always the type of person that like hanging in smaller groups and just relaxing with friends which for me was a regular thing at St Andrews. Also, when I say small town, I don’t mean you will know everyone by the end of the year - you won’t. As a first year, I dare say you will be spending most of your social time with people from hall and less with people from lectures. My closest friends at uni are in fact people who study something completey different than me.
I think the teaching is very good lecture-wise (some more entertaining and engaging than other but all very professional), but it will also depend on who you will choose for tutorials. Honestly, I would recommend ahead of time that you ask about the tutors and see who would suit you best (especially for IR).
In regards to the “high and mighty priviliged kids”, they are there but I felt that they kept to themselves. I don’t come from that kind of family neither could I afford all the things those kids do, but from experience I felt they were a minority and I found plenty of people who were more “humble”. The people I did meet from that circle were usually very nice though.
Prestige-wise, St Andrews has a renowned IR program. I’m an international student and although St A isn’t very known in my country, a lot of people indicated that St Andrews, and especially the IR program, is highly-respected in diplomatic circles.
As at any university, your experience will depend on you. Don’t try to choose your university based of prestige but choose the one that works for you best in all aspects.</p>

<p>Interesting news on the internet about an American student attending St Andrews from Massachusetts who tried to poison a fellow American student with a bottle of wine he laced with anti-freeze (or something like that).</p>

<p>Can anyone give me more information about the Ransome Scholarship. How competitive is it and what are they really looking for in an applicant. I recently applied for it.</p>

<p>This thread is totally dead.</p>

<p>Are there any kids out there planning on attending St Andrews this year?</p>

<p>My kid started there in September.</p>

<p>@floridadad55
I got an a conditional acceptance letter form St. Andrews yesterday. The condition is that I must achieve a 36 on the IB. Right now, I’m debating between St. Andrews and Colby College (in Maine).</p>

<p>my daughter was accepted to Modern History. Still waiting on a few applications in the US to make a final decision. StA is #1 on the list right now. She wants to go to law school after undergrad, so we’re doing a bit of background work to make sure going to StA is the best choice for that path.</p>

<p>floridadad - care to elaborate on your son’s experience so far? likes/dislikes?</p>

<p>Maroon, I would not suggest St A’s unless you’re willing to pay the entire cost of St As and law school. It’s unwise for a student to rack up debt if they plan on going to law school, which can result in huge amounts of debt and possibly unemployment.</p>

<p>It’s much smarter to save money for law school by not incurring debt in undergrad and using any saved money to put towards law school.</p>

<p>If your D is willing to study in the UK, why not study english law? A QLD (qualifying law degree) from England allows one to practice law in England, New York and California. If you get an LLM from a US school you could practice in many more states. Northwestern also has a 2 year JD for foreign-trained students.</p>

<p>thanks - StA is actually cheaper or on par with her other US options…with the exception of a big state school that she has no desire to attend.</p>

<p>I would go with St Andrews over Colby.</p>

<p>My son passed up UCLA for St Andrews.</p>

<p>I didn’t really agree with that decision, but if it were me, I would go to St Andrews over Colby.</p>

<p>At St Andrews, you will meet kids from all over the world, and get to travel throughout Europe.</p>

<p>Maroon 79:</p>

<p>My kid is meeting kids from all over the world at St Andrews, and is currently touring Europe on Spring Break with friends. Not bad for age 19. </p>

<p>He likes the school. He is not a partier though. More of an intellectual.</p>

<p>Maroon 79:</p>

<p>I think one issue with going to law school might be how St Andrews is considered in America among law school admissions personnel. Most people have never heard of it.</p>

<p>My kid is taking one class in Modern History, and likes it so far.</p>

<p>Maroon,</p>

<p>The total cost of attendance is likely to be around $35,000+ per year. Are you capable of paying the approximately $25,000 left over that your D can not cover with her loans? Over 3 years that’s about $65,000 that you’ll end up paying, taking out in loans, or co-signing for your D. Do you have the income or necessary credit to do that?</p>

<p>the LSAT is offered at St. Andrews each year and many there move to law school. Those in academia have heard of it. Plus law schools look at two things for admittance - gpa and LSAT score. This from my two friends that both run 500+ attorney firms here.</p>

<p>NYU - thanks for your message. We’ve saved for college tuition.</p>

<p>Maroon 79:</p>

<p>I’m a law firm partner and a St. Andrews graduate (modern history/international relations). While everyone needs to find a college experience that is right for them, St. Andrews was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Educationally, the UK system is much more geared toward independent study than in the US, and requires a lot of self-motivation (particularly at the honors level), but the individualized attention from professors and emphasis on writing has been extraordinarily useful in my career. Socially, St. Andrews is probably not all that different from many US colleges, but I have yet to meet a graduate who is not passionate about the place. </p>

<p>Before getting my JD, I did an MA at an Ivy League school, but found that my St. Andrews experience was actually more applicable to law school – there is a similar emphasis on writing and final exams. I also didn’t have any problems with U.S. schools not appreciating a St. Andrews degree.</p>

<p>One final thought: I’ve been on several law firm hiring committees and general counsel for a major nonprofit organization, and can’t emphasize enough the importance of taking a couple years off between college and law school. Do something interesting, fun, or out of the ordinary; learn a language; start a business; save the world. Such experiences make for more well-rounded and interesting lawyers, and open up whole new worlds of opportunities.</p>

<p>jp,</p>

<p>Thanks a lot for your post. I agree 100% with your last paragraph…it’s funny - both the friends I mentioned said they wanted to spend some time with my daughter at some point to talk her out of being a lawyer!</p>