One of my son’s first choice is University of St. Andrews. He wants to apply right away in September in order to try and hear back as soon as possible. He is hoping he could hear by November 1st so if he does not get in he can apply to a US school Early. Does anyone know what the best way is to get a fast response. We have heard it is not the common app. I was wondering if anyone has had experience either applying directly or through UCAS. Thanks in advance.
They do accept the Common App. https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/study/apply/ug/common/
Yes but have heard they respond to that the slowest.
3andme thank you though for responding.
I don’t know that there is a consistent difference in speed of response based on application platform. There is by course, but even that varies by year.
November 1 is very fast for St As to respond, though, and it’s really not necessary; ED rules only apply to US universities- he can apply ED in the US anyway.
But I’m confused- I thought your son just finished 1st year there? Or is this a 2nd son?
What subject is he applying for?
This might also fit your fancy: If your son is interested in St. Andrews but also interested in a more traditional college experience in the U.S. William & Mary does offer the Joint Degree Program where he spends two years at each university and graduates with a degree from both.
My daughter has several friends in the program and they all say they wish they had just done St Andrews.
Why so? really curious to know specific reasons for this!
Socially it is hard to move around and after doing 1 year at W and M and one year at St A they would rather just stay there.
Thank you all for your responses. Yes I have one son who just finished his first year at St. Andrews. That son loves it so much that my youngest son who is a rising senior now wants to go. The one who is there studies Management and the riding senior would want to study film. We have heard that if you apply direct or through UCAS you hear back faster and I was wondering if anyone else has heard the same.
As far as applying ED somewhere in the states I think that his first choice is St. Andrews and he would only want the ED choice if he did not get into St. Andrews. So I think we can’t apply ED because if he gets in he needs to go there. Anyone’s thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you!
Also FWIW I have also heard that everyone who does the joint program between William and Mary and St. Andrews wishes they had just done St. Andrews. Also my son had several friends who were semester or year abroad students and all of them tried to stay longer or possibly transfer. Everyone my son knows just LOVES the school. After all they are number one in the UK for Student Satisfaction.
As far as best way to apply, my kid did UCAS in October and heard back in December. When she spoke to the chem department when we visited it sounded like the department reviewed all apps in batches at particular times and it wouldn’t matter which type. Based on when she was accepted I suspect they used reading week to review as that’s a slow week for faculty.
DD applied in September through UCAS and heard back in the end of March. Her offer was unconditional.
I have heard if you apply directly it is quicker but was curious if anyone else heard that. I know they open up direct admissions in Sept and I believe that UCAS and CA are October but I am not sure. Probably more about which department than how but I would appreciate hearing if anyone applied direct. Thanks
I don’t think you are going to get a better answer than you already have. The bottom line is that admissions are done by department (not centrally, as in the US), and each department does it their own way. You have 2 UCAS examples above- one slow, one long. Your best bet would be to send your current StAs kid into the department that your son is interested and ask them if there is a policy difference. I don’t think you are going to be able to take the element of risk / uncertainty out of the process 
@vickisoul @CollectiveSoul @college curious I suggested it to the OP because it was an option that might be a good fit, but it is definitely not for everyone. I have known students that have definitely preferred William & Mary and students who have definitely preferred St. Andrews.
The truth is despite being some of the oldest universities in their respective countries, they are relatively different environments. William & Mary is more community centric with a great deal of focus in residential communities, while St. Andrews is more independent and relationships are formed through “academic families.” William & Mary is more structured with close faculty interaction, while faculty at St Andrews are more hands off and you take less classes at a time, and expected to study on your own time with the assignments carrying significantly more weight. William & Mary is a public school which draws people from all different backgrounds but geographically most students are from Virginia, while St. Andrews draws a greater amount of students internationally but is more homogeneous in terms of class – most students come from a higher socioeconomic background. Consequently St. Andrews has more “black tie” formal events while William & Mary has more of an assortment of different campus events. The drinking age is also different, hence different ways people choose to spend their time. William & Mary is also more about breadth, taking courses in a wide variety of subjects as per its liberal arts curriculum, while St. Andrews is more focused on delving into your individual concentration.
I myself was accepted in the Joint Degree program before declining it and choosing to settle at William & Mary. It is definitely something not to take lightly as it is important to make sure that both would be environments that you would be happy at – otherwise it might just be better to apply to one university. Notably though, the program does not preclude you from dropping out and staying at one university, if that is what you so choose.
My son applied through the common app in mid October and received an unconditional offer in mid to late November…
Wow @TomMorris that is the fastest turn around on the Common App I have heard. Is he there? If so what is he studying?