Tell me about St Andrews in Scotland

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Follow the rules=graduate on time without problems.

Right because we all know that 18-21 year olds always follow the rules.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Follow the rules=graduate on time without problems.

Right because we all know that 18-21 year olds always follow the rules.

Maybe do not send a kid who cannot follow simple instructions to another country then. My God, the entitlement is a tad over the top. My dc also graduated during covid and lived through the strike.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:very positive! illness is rare. Yale had a lawsuit about a kid not being able to return after a mental health leave. it happens all over.

Because it's easy to sue in America. England and Scottland have a different system. If you go there, be prepared. There is no handholding; they ignore alphabet disabilities that our schools give accommodations for; if you get sick you are on your own.

My kid is at Oxford. Before she went he was in frequent contact with the disability services office for ADHD and a severe arthritic condition. It made lots of promises including help with a mattress topper to help the arthritis (she's also on meds for it) because it affects quality of sleep. But once she showed up and had paid her bills there was zero interest from disability services in helping her. Zero. On the ADHD. Also nothing re help with the physical disability. This has also been the experience of her American friends. Do not expect any accommodations and you will be OK. Do your work. Don't make excuses. Be mature in your interactions and you will be fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Follow the rules=graduate on time without problems.

Right because we all know that 18-21 year olds always follow the rules.

British students are usually a year older and significantly more mature than Americans

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:very positive! illness is rare. Yale had a lawsuit about a kid not being able to return after a mental health leave. it happens all over.

Because it's easy to sue in America. England and Scottland have a different system. If you go there, be prepared. There is no handholding; they ignore alphabet disabilities that our schools give accommodations for; if you get sick you are on your own.

My kid is at Oxford. Before she went he was in frequent contact with the disability services office for ADHD and a severe arthritic condition. It made lots of promises including help with a mattress topper to help the arthritis (she's also on meds for it) because it affects quality of sleep. But once she showed up and had paid her bills there was zero interest from disability services in helping her. Zero. On the ADHD. Also nothing re help with the physical disability. This has also been the experience of her American friends. Do not expect any accommodations and you will be OK. Do your work. Don't make excuses. Be mature in your interactions and you will be fine.

you wanted the school to get a matress topper? trying to understand ..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I graduated from St Andrews relatively recently. A couple of points:

1. Many highly qualified St Andrews students turned down offers from ivies. One of my best friends from the states turned down an offer at Penn. My freshmen year roommate who was also from the states turned down a scholarship from Dartmouth. One of my other good friends got into Columbia. I’m not suggesting St Andrews is better than these schools- I believe school selection should depend on a students needs and aspirations. I do believe St Andrews is objectively a prestigious university. The material I was learning in my fourth year classes was more advanced than my friends studying the same subject at prestigious US schools. First year classes aren’t too bad, however the honors courses in third and fourth year can be very demanding.

2. You cannot judge St Andrews by the QS/US news rankings. St Andrews is known for its undergraduate education, it has a relatively small number of graduate students/programs. The QS/US ranking uses factors that favor larger institutions that have large graduate programs. Many smaller reputable schools in the US (Brown, Williams, Dartmouth) also do very poorly on the QS/US news rankings for the same reason. Use the UK rankings to judge St Andrews. Traditionally St Andrews has been significantly easier for Americans to be accepted compared to UK students, however, that gap is quickly closing.

3. St Andrews does not have the same name recognition as the ivies in the states mostly because people haven’t heard of it (name recognition is growing). However, most top companies understand that St Andrews is an academically prestigious school. I had no problem securing interviews at top consulting firms (BCG), investment banking firms, and Fortune 500 companies. Most of my friends studying computer science work at Apple, Meta, Spotify, Goldman, etc. My friend who went to St Albans for HS started working at Bain and Co right after graduation. Many of my friends from St Andrews have gone on to study at prestigious graduate programs in the US (Harvard Business School, MIT Sloan, Wharton, Georgetown Law, etc.)

4. St Andrews academics and lifestyle is very hands off compared to US institutions. It has its pros and cons. Pro: the majority of my fellow classmates living in the US noticed that after graduation we were considerably more mature and independent than our classmates who attended prestigious universities in the US.

5. St Andrews is truly a unique experience. I have good friends from all over the world. I’ve attended numerous black-tie balls, fashion shows, dinner parties, wine and cheese tastings (our wine tasting team travels all over the world for competitions). I’ve seen Obama golf on the Old Course. I’ve met Hilary Clinton when she visited. I’ve traveled to so many countries in Europe and had so many memorable adventures. The list goes on..

Let me know if you have any questions!

So many people commenting here who have not attended St Andrews. Listen to students who have actual experience.

Strong academics, opportunities after graduation, and international experience are the major selling points for St Andrews.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:very positive! illness is rare. Yale had a lawsuit about a kid not being able to return after a mental health leave. it happens all over.

Because it's easy to sue in America. England and Scottland have a different system. If you go there, be prepared. There is no handholding; they ignore alphabet disabilities that our schools give accommodations for; if you get sick you are on your own.

My kid is at Oxford. Before she went he was in frequent contact with the disability services office for ADHD and a severe arthritic condition. It made lots of promises including help with a mattress topper to help the arthritis (she's also on meds for it) because it affects quality of sleep. But once she showed up and had paid her bills there was zero interest from disability services in helping her. Zero. On the ADHD. Also nothing re help with the physical disability. This has also been the experience of her American friends. Do not expect any accommodations and you will be OK. Do your work. Don't make excuses. Be mature in your interactions and you will be fine.

you wanted the school to get a matress topper? trying to understand ..[/quote]


No, far too complicated to get into. Oxford beds are notorious narrow and hard. leave it at that. The Disabilities office said they would help. Then when DD got there POOF! no help. Same with ADHD accomodations

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:very positive! illness is rare. Yale had a lawsuit about a kid not being able to return after a mental health leave. it happens all over.

Because it's easy to sue in America. England and Scottland have a different system. If you go there, be prepared. There is no handholding; they ignore alphabet disabilities that our schools give accommodations for; if you get sick you are on your own.

My kid is at Oxford. Before she went he was in frequent contact with the disability services office for ADHD and a severe arthritic condition. It made lots of promises including help with a mattress topper to help the arthritis (she's also on meds for it) because it affects quality of sleep. But once she showed up and had paid her bills there was zero interest from disability services in helping her. Zero. On the ADHD. Also nothing re help with the physical disability. This has also been the experience of her American friends. Do not expect any accommodations and you will be OK. Do your work. Don't make excuses. Be mature in your interactions and you will be fine.

you wanted the school to get a matress topper? trying to understand ..[/quote]


No, far too complicated to get into. Oxford beds are notorious narrow and hard. leave it at that. The Disabilities office said they would help. Then when DD got there POOF! no help. Same with ADHD accomodations

DP. The point is that British schools aren't equipped to handle the multitude of SN disabilities claims that the US schools do. And apparently not even viable physical problems. So proceed with caution -- as others have said above.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:very positive! illness is rare. Yale had a lawsuit about a kid not being able to return after a mental health leave. it happens all over.

Because it's easy to sue in America. England and Scottland have a different system. If you go there, be prepared. There is no handholding; they ignore alphabet disabilities that our schools give accommodations for; if you get sick you are on your own.

My kid is at Oxford. Before she went he was in frequent contact with the disability services office for ADHD and a severe arthritic condition. It made lots of promises including help with a mattress topper to help the arthritis (she's also on meds for it) because it affects quality of sleep. But once she showed up and had paid her bills there was zero interest from disability services in helping her. Zero. On the ADHD. Also nothing re help with the physical disability. This has also been the experience of her American friends. Do not expect any accommodations and you will be OK. Do your work. Don't make excuses. Be mature in your interactions and you will be fine.

you wanted the school to get a matress topper? trying to understand ..[/quote]


No, far too complicated to get into. Oxford beds are notorious narrow and hard. leave it at that. The Disabilities office said they would help. Then when DD got there POOF! no help. Same with ADHD accomodations

DP. The point is that British schools aren't equipped to handle the multitude of SN disabilities claims that the US schools do. And apparently not even viable physical problems. So proceed with caution -- as others have said above.

+1. This. Once they get your money and your kid is there they won't help. Don't believe the promises.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We just received another fundraising plea from them yesterday, even though our student was “terminated” by the University three years ago.

Our student had a crummy case of long covid which went undiagnosed during a semester. - They went for a mononucleosis test in town, other tests, nothing was showing up. Their grades really suffered that semester.

When they were home over break, they finally had the correct diagnosis, but they missed the deadline at school to report an illness that would excuse their grades.

Because of the international student visa, they would not be able to complete their degree within the Visa timeframe, unless extra time was granted by the University.

So- the dean in charge of our student’s case was not moved by this plight, “terminated” our student and sent them home, just as their health was improving.

Our student appealed, with more detailed letters from doctors, letters of support from professors within the department of their major, and the same Dean denied the appeal.

Our student appealed a second time, but unless there was “new” evidence to add to the appeal, the second set of administrators were not allowed to overturn the decision by the first dean.

So our student had to leave and enroll at local state U at home. Three years into their major. After their health was back on track and they were busy and involved with friends, clubs, academic life.

Unfortunately because of the difference between UK and USA- our by then 21 year old student had to start over with all the liberal arts requirements that they didn’t have to do at St Andrews. Psych 101, English 101, Math 101 etc etc etc. So instead of just finishing up a few classes in the major and moving on, our student is back at the beginning as a commuter student.

Meanwhile- the departmental head at St Andrews was encouraging our student to reapply. So- they did. With letters of support from professors and the student services office.

Somehow that same Dean got wind that our student was reapplying, miffed that his colleagues were trying to circumvent his authority,he marched over to admissions office and told them in no uncertain terms was our student’s application allowed to be reviewed.

That administrator also told his colleagues they should not have been in touch with our student and that he could “write them up” for that.

According to the St Andrews handbook- students ARE allowed to reapply who have had extenuating circumstances, but apparently our student’s long haul Covid, and “wasn’t compelling” (their words).

They just needed one extra semester.

Honestly it was a case of petty administrative jealousies and stupid power moves, with our student caught in the middle.

Iy was such a disappointing experience handled so unprofessionally. Our student had excellent grades until they were ill, and every administrator was in their own little bubble with “their hands tied, sorry, don’t take it personally.” Total government bureaucracy mentality at that school (they call that ‘no hand holding”).


It was a heartbreaking, expensive (starting over at new American U) headache with that school.

Every time we get a glossy plea from their development office it reminds me how poorly they dealt with this issue and how poorly the school is run.

Caveat emptor

So sorry, PP, and thanks for letting us know! Glad your DC was a supportive family structure because this sounds like an absolute nightmare!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Follow the rules=graduate on time without problems.

Right because we all know that 18-21 year olds always follow the rules.

British students are usually a year older and significantly more mature than Americans

This is a hilarious assumption. Young adults are young adults. Being in a different western country doesn’t change this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ding ding ding

You get what you pay for- there’s a reason the UK unis are more affordable

Now sod off

Jeez. Tough crowd!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lol who cares how rich the American students are or if it’s easier to get in as an American. It’s an internationally prestigious school with a great reputation.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Follow the rules=graduate on time without problems.

Right because we all know that 18-21 year olds always follow the rules.

British students are usually a year older and significantly more mature than Americans

This is a hilarious assumption. Young adults are young adults. Being in a different western country doesn’t change this.

you arr wrong

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:very positive! illness is rare. Yale had a lawsuit about a kid not being able to return after a mental health leave. it happens all over.

Because it's easy to sue in America. England and Scottland have a different system. If you go there, be prepared. There is no handholding; they ignore alphabet disabilities that our schools give accommodations for; if you get sick you are on your own.

My kid is at Oxford. Before she went he was in frequent contact with the disability services office for ADHD and a severe arthritic condition. It made lots of promises including help with a mattress topper to help the arthritis (she's also on meds for it) because it affects quality of sleep. But once she showed up and had paid her bills there was zero interest from disability services in helping her. Zero. On the ADHD. Also nothing re help with the physical disability. This has also been the experience of her American friends. Do not expect any accommodations and you will be OK. Do your work. Don't make excuses. Be mature in your interactions and you will be fine.

Curious - did you work through the university or your DD's college?