Tell me about St Andrews in Scotland

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think any kid or family with high needs should stick closer to home.

solved it all for y'all! yw.

And if your health changes (migraines, depression, injury, what have you) while you're abroad at St Andrews, be prepared to transfer out and finish up at home, because they won't work with you to keep you there if your health affects your grades. That's the truth! And it's a great school! But don't expect flexibility on their part because they aren't flexible.US schools have the ADA to worry about, UK does not.

and it's National Health so it's difficult to get good and fast treatment. I had Covid in Scotland recently and even a senior with issues, was not given it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To the St Andrews booster who has no tolerance for criticism of the school, and a disdain for spoiled Americans and their helicopter parents, are you also a St Andrews parent? If you are, using your own logic, why are you spending so much time helicoptering around in here? Why do you care if others want to share their pros and cons? There's a lot to consider committing to four years at St Andrews vs staying stateside.

DP. I think there are a number of posters here trying to tell you St. Andrews isn't all what some of the boosters want it to be.

[Anonymous]

Almost as if …. the most ardent booster in here is actually a troll? They are not doing the University any favors by making fun of all the Americans in this American chat board for being… American. Remember that sub plot in Downton Abbey where the American wife saved the estate from ruin with her money? But all the English still looked down on her? lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think any kid or family with high needs should stick closer to home.

solved it all for y'all! yw.

And if your health changes (migraines, depression, injury, what have you) while you're abroad at St Andrews, be prepared to transfer out and finish up at home, because they won't work with you to keep you there if your health affects your grades. That's the truth! And it's a great school! But don't expect flexibility on their part because they aren't flexible.US schools have the ADA to worry about, UK does not.

and it's National Health so it's difficult to get good and fast treatment. I had Covid in Scotland recently and even a senior with issues, was not given it.

Serious question: Haven't we been trying to have universal health here for decades? So it's not working in the UK, in Scotland at least? Why?

[Anonymous]

if you have migraines, stay home y'all!

[Anonymous]

To summarize:

Many posters here like St Andrews. Several have noted that UK university culture is “no hand holding and little or no flexibility. One poster described a particular tragic situation at StA. Posters observed that similar tragic situations have happened at some US universities from time to time, which the StA detractors doubt is accurate.

More recently, the detractors and the proponents continue to disagree with each other. There seems no realistic hope that either side will persuade the other.

Perhaps people can either talk about other aspects of StA or let this thread die an overdue natural death.

[Anonymous]

It’s possible to like St Andrews, and respect it as a fine institution, but also warn prospective and current families about the differences that exist between UK and US Universities. These differences can negatively affect a student’s experience there. A pro-St Andrews poster repeatedly portrayed American students and families as whiny and weak for pointing this simple fact out. Meanwhile, the history department is excellent.

[Anonymous]

+1 on history dept’s excellence

[Anonymous]

I guess these same people would have these same criticisms of Oxford and Cambridge?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I guess these same people would have these same criticisms of Oxford and Cambridge?

They too mispronounce and misspell all kinds of stuff. It is unbearable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Went as an ADHDer and it was perfect. Got to study what I wanted…received international experience which helped later in my career. Transferred back to an Ivy. St A is (like anything) what you make of it. Kids generally all just missed Oxbridge - often bombing the interview it seemed. Only regret: never learned to play golf!

Did you transfer back after completing your undergrad, and then transferred into a post-grad program, or did you transfer half-way through? (and to which Ivy?)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I guess these same people would have these same criticisms of Oxford and Cambridge?

They too mispronounce and misspell all kinds of stuff. It is unbearable.

Judgmental much? Overreact much? “unbearable” is a child dying not someone ruffling your rigidity on an anonymous board

[Anonymous]

St Andrews like all universities is imperfect. However, it is a great place to get an education, build a network of international friends, and grow as an individual no matter where your journey starts.

Is it the right university for every American, no, but no university is. Is it right for an American willing to adapt to a significantly different educational environment where independence and self advocacy are needed, yes.

Do your homework, realize what you are getting into educationally, culturally, and with a vastly different health care system. Just like at American schools most kids will have great experiences while some will not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I guess these same people would have these same criticisms of Oxford and Cambridge?

No. St Andrews actively targets Americans for the $$$ then lets some of them down. It’s 40% American. OXFORD has only 176 total Americans at less than 1.76 percent. It’s much more difficult to get in as an American. Oxford is also more than 60% international (with Americans being a small portion) whereas St Andrews has a hugely disproportionate no of Americans. So Oxbridge degrees for Americans are more highly valued

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I guess these same people would have these same criticisms of Oxford and Cambridge?

No. St Andrews actively targets Americans for the $$$ then lets some of them down. It’s 40% American. OXFORD has only 176 total Americans at less than 1.76 percent. It’s much more difficult to get in as an American. Oxford is also more than 60% international (with Americans being a small portion) whereas St Andrews has a hugely disproportionate no of Americans. So Oxbridge degrees for Americans are more highly valued

.

St Andrews is 20% American. Not going to bother reading the rest ..