University of Edinburgh, Glasgow or St. Andrews

[Anonymous]

We are traveling this summer to visit family in UK and will visit all three Scottish university campuses. DC is primarily interested in Edinburgh as it has a good program for his intended major, but since they are all relatively close, we will visit all three. If you have a student currently enrolled, or graduated from any of these 3 unis, can you recommend some things we "must do" while visiting, that will give us a good sense of the school vibe and/or student's personality?

[Anonymous]

Bumping this, I know I’ve seen posts from parents with kids at St Andrew’s

[Anonymous]

I did my junior year abroad at Edinburgh, and it was the best year of my life. Lived in Pollock halls and climbed Arthur’s seat with friends a few times a week. It is a lovely little hike with a great view close to the dorm.

[Anonymous]

Absent from your list--and wildly underrated by Americans--is Aberdeen...

[Anonymous]

My kid got a masters degree at Edinburgh. Loved the school and the town. Visited St Andrews and thought it was a bore.

[Anonymous]

Don't speak loudly with an American accent in Edinburgh and especially Glasgow cities. Even if you had a London accent I would warn this. And avoid the town on Friday & Saturday nights it will be stuffed to the rafters with drunks.

[Anonymous]

For undergrad? I don’t understand why you’d elect to study in Scotland of all places if you’re trying to get a job in the states afterward.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid got a masters degree at Edinburgh. Loved the school and the town. Visited St Andrews and thought it was a bore.

I suspect my DC will feel similarly, but I'm trying to let them form their own opinion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For undergrad? I don’t understand why you’d elect to study in Scotland of all places if you’re trying to get a job in the states afterward.

Did I say he was trying to get a job in the states afterward? Though DH and I are here, I would be thrilled if he decided to live in UK or EU. He has citizenship in both.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Absent from your list--and wildly underrated by Americans--is Aberdeen...

We took a look but it seems Aberdeen is particularly strong for those pursuing careers in oil & gas fields, as well as soil science, so not a great fit for DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I did my junior year abroad at Edinburgh, and it was the best year of my life. Lived in Pollock halls and climbed Arthur’s seat with friends a few times a week. It is a lovely little hike with a great view close to the dorm.

Thanks so much for the tip!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't speak loudly with an American accent in Edinburgh and especially Glasgow cities. Even if you had a London accent I would warn this. And avoid the town on Friday & Saturday nights it will be stuffed to the rafters with drunks.

Solid advice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For undergrad? I don’t understand why you’d elect to study in Scotland of all places if you’re trying to get a job in the states afterward.

The US educational system is based on the Scottish system, not on the English system.

St. Andrew's is an international university (about 70 percent of the students are from outside of Scotland).

St. Andrew's is highly respected for study in modern languages and in International Relations.

[Anonymous]

I received my masters degree from Univ. of Glasgow. It doesn't have the beauty of Edinburgh, but it was the most fun place I have ever lived. People in Glasgow have these wicked senses of humor, and I made such great friends. Not sure how you can get a sense of that on a weekend visit without knowing anyone though. The students in the grad schools were very smart, and now years later, they have all been successful, about half moved out of the UK, like me. I would do it all over again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't speak loudly with an American accent in Edinburgh and especially Glasgow cities. Even if you had a London accent I would warn this. And avoid the town on Friday & Saturday nights it will be stuffed to the rafters with drunks.

Solid advice.

I disagree. Obviously if you yourself act like a drunk and obnoxious idiot while speaking with your American accent you might be asking for trouble. But when you don’t the locals embrace you.