Tell me about St Andrews in Scotland

[Anonymous]

I don't understand why people are coming to this thread just to bash a school that they don't know much about.

Please don't use this thread as your personal outlet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The disgruntled parents on this thread are comical and uninformed.

St Andrews is consistently top 3 in the UK for graduate prospectus and student satisfaction across multiple rankings. Bottom line: students are getting good outcomes and lauding their university experience. What else do you need?

Actual prestige. My kid is at Oxford and says students there think St. Andrews and its machine to glomb onto American students and their American dollars is embarrassing to higher ed there. It's viewed there somewhat like Northeastern is here by serious academics.

Oxford is 46% international for undergraduates because Oxford also wants extra money!

Oxford has been around for 900 years. It needs nothing. Have you seen the land the colleges own? the art collections? the wine collections? get real

+1. What everyone here is missing is that St Andrews needs the American dollar because the Scots attend free (not the situation at Oxbridge). So, in 1984, St Andrews started sending recruiters to the US. Today, there are more than ten full-time recruiters in America.

Are you just making things up? No Scottish students do not attend for free. Not since the late 90s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The disgruntled parents on this thread are comical and uninformed.

St Andrews is consistently top 3 in the UK for graduate prospectus and student satisfaction across multiple rankings. Bottom line: students are getting good outcomes and lauding their university experience. What else do you need?

Actual prestige. My kid is at Oxford and says students there think St. Andrews and its machine to glomb onto American students and their American dollars is embarrassing to higher ed there. It's viewed there somewhat like Northeastern is here by serious academics.

Oxford is 46% international for undergraduates because Oxford also wants extra money!

Oxford has been around for 900 years. It needs nothing. Have you seen the land the colleges own? the art collections? the wine collections? get real

+1. What everyone here is missing is that St Andrews needs the American dollar because the Scots attend free (not the situation at Oxbridge). So, in 1984, St Andrews started sending recruiters to the US. Today, there are more than ten full-time recruiters in America.

Are you just making things up? No Scottish students do not attend for free. Not since the late 90s.

Yes, Scottish students pay 1,820 pounds for tuition and other UK students pay 9,250 so like all UK schools international students tuition supports the institution.
https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/students/money/fees/feestable/
Just like OOS tuition helps carry the load and US state flagships.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

Where on earth did you get this assumption from? Unless they've done a gap year, they're the exact same age as U.S. students.

England and Scotland have different systems. England is 13 years of school (thru upper 6th form) then 3 years at an English university.

Scottish system is the model for the US, 12 years of school from grade 1 and then 4 years of a Scottish university.

"British" really is incoherent in this narrow context.

The US also has 13 years of schooling if you include kindergarten. In England, they call kindergarten year 1 so the equivalent of the US grade 12 is the English year 13. My DD is a teacher at a public school (US definition) in London. She confirmed this for me when I was confused.

If one is counting K, which now is called "reception year" in many English schools, not usually called "year 1", then England normally has 14 years of school.

It is still 1 more pre-college school year in England than is typical in the US. An upper 6th form student in England usually is 19 or almost 19 yo, vice most US HS seniors being 18 or almost 18 yo.

As noted earlier, the Scottish education system is different.

Completely wrong. Reception is before year 1 which is the equivalent of kindergarten. English kids have the same number of years of school as in the US. They are at school from age 5 to 18. Colleges offer three year degrees. In Scotland, high school finishes at 17. They have one year less at school than in England or the US, but universities offer four year degree programs with the first year being more of a foundation course (unlike England where it is immediately specialized).

In England children start school at age FOUR

In DC they start school at THREE. It doesn’t change the fact that high school finishes at 18 in both the US and the UK. And as someone who went to school in the UK I can tell you categorically that both the UK and the US have the same number of years of school. Before kindergarten or year one is not relevant. Multiple British people have corrected you in this thread.

No in DC they are 5 rising to 6. And I am British, numb-nuts.

[Anonymous]

I decided to come on here for a lark, and found such a ridiculous discussion from mysteriously bitter posters. My son went to St. Andrews and graduated maybe 10 years ago and I'm here to say that it was a good school and great experience for him. Many, many schools provide excellent educations. Calm down! So many of you parents seem obsessed with rankings. Where your kid goes to school is such a personal decision. If they get into Harvard, great, but maybe it's not a good fit. Maybe the community college down the street is a better fit. You people need to get a grip. Your kid will be fine. The choice of college will not determine what success your kid has.

[Anonymous]

Adding this: Going abroad to school is not for everyone. If your kid is independent, adventurous and self directed, it might be a great fit. There is no hand holding. Being able to explore Europe with your friends with a cheap train ticket is fantastic. They have to be functional adults and that is something that was very beneficial for my son. But he is one who found the school and applied. IMO, that's the kind of kid who is most likely to succeed there--ones who seek out going abroad. BTW, he has a great job in NYC and never had issues with "connections" since there are so many Americans attending St Andrews.

[Anonymous]

Who maybe, just maybe, know more about British views and ranking than some old american college recruiter for a Fortune 500
company

Why such snark? We are all very impressed that your kid went to Oxford and that you are a Brit. Yes--very very impressive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The disgruntled parents on this thread are comical and uninformed.

St Andrews is consistently top 3 in the UK for graduate prospectus and student satisfaction across multiple rankings. Bottom line: students are getting good outcomes and lauding their university experience. What else do you need?

Actual prestige. My kid is at Oxford and says students there think St. Andrews and its machine to glomb onto American students and their American dollars is embarrassing to higher ed there. It's viewed there somewhat like Northeastern is here by serious academics.

Oxford is 46% international for undergraduates because Oxford also wants extra money!

Oxford has been around for 900 years. It needs nothing. Have you seen the land the colleges own? the art collections? the wine collections? get real

+1. What everyone here is missing is that St Andrews needs the American dollar because the Scots attend free (not the situation at Oxbridge). So, in 1984, St Andrews started sending recruiters to the US. Today, there are more than ten full-time recruiters in America.

Are you just making things up? No Scottish students do not attend for free. Not since the late 90s.

Scots who have home status attend free. Says so right here on St Andrews fee page. https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/fees/scotland/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I decided to come on here for a lark, and found such a ridiculous discussion from mysteriously bitter posters. My son went to St. Andrews and graduated maybe 10 years ago and I'm here to say that it was a good school and great experience for him. Many, many schools provide excellent educations. Calm down! So many of you parents seem obsessed with rankings. Where your kid goes to school is such a personal decision. If they get into Harvard, great, but maybe it's not a good fit. Maybe the community college down the street is a better fit. You people need to get a grip. Your kid will be fine. The choice of college will not determine what success your kid has.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Adding this: Going abroad to school is not for everyone. If your kid is independent, adventurous and self directed, it might be a great fit. There is no hand holding. Being able to explore Europe with your friends with a cheap train ticket is fantastic. They have to be functional adults and that is something that was very beneficial for my son. But he is one who found the school and applied. IMO, that's the kind of kid who is most likely to succeed there--ones who seek out going abroad. BTW, he has a great job in NYC and never had issues with "connections" since there are so many Americans attending St Andrews.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand why people are coming to this thread just to bash a school that they don't know much about.

Please don't use this thread as your personal outlet.

Town&Country good enough for you? https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/a10274881/st-andrews-scotland/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The disgruntled parents on this thread are comical and uninformed.

St Andrews is consistently top 3 in the UK for graduate prospectus and student satisfaction across multiple rankings. Bottom line: students are getting good outcomes and lauding their university experience. What else do you need?

Actual prestige. My kid is at Oxford and says students there think St. Andrews and its machine to glomb onto American students and their American dollars is embarrassing to higher ed there. It's viewed there somewhat like Northeastern is here by serious academics.

Oxford is 46% international for undergraduates because Oxford also wants extra money!

Oxford has been around for 900 years. It needs nothing. Have you seen the land the colleges own? the art collections? the wine collections? get real

+1. What everyone here is missing is that St Andrews needs the American dollar because the Scots attend free (not the situation at Oxbridge). So, in 1984, St Andrews started sending recruiters to the US. Today, there are more than ten full-time recruiters in America.

Are you just making things up? No Scottish students do not attend for free. Not since the late 90s.

Forbes Magazine in 2022 says you are wrong. https://www.forbes.com/sites/simonconstable/2022/09/28/scottish-equality-goals-undermined-as-top-colleges-favor-the-well-heeled/

[Anonymous]

Read: "Americans give St. Andrews vital resources which allows it to attract faculty and punch above its weight" and then read the two paragraphs about how poorly Americans are treated. ... written by an American student who experienced it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

Where on earth did you get this assumption from? Unless they've done a gap year, they're the exact same age as U.S. students.

England and Scotland have different systems. England is 13 years of school (thru upper 6th form) then 3 years at an English university.

Scottish system is the model for the US, 12 years of school from grade 1 and then 4 years of a Scottish university.

"British" really is incoherent in this narrow context.

The US also has 13 years of schooling if you include kindergarten. In England, they call kindergarten year 1 so the equivalent of the US grade 12 is the English year 13. My DD is a teacher at a public school (US definition) in London. She confirmed this for me when I was confused.

If one is counting K, which now is called "reception year" in many English schools, not usually called "year 1", then England normally has 14 years of school.

It is still 1 more pre-college school year in England than is typical in the US. An upper 6th form student in England usually is 19 or almost 19 yo, vice most US HS seniors being 18 or almost 18 yo.

As noted earlier, the Scottish education system is different.

Completely wrong. Reception is before year 1 which is the equivalent of kindergarten. English kids have the same number of years of school as in the US. They are at school from age 5 to 18. Colleges offer three year degrees. In Scotland, high school finishes at 17. They have one year less at school than in England or the US, but universities offer four year degree programs with the first year being more of a foundation course (unlike England where it is immediately specialized).

In England children start school at age FOUR

In DC they start school at THREE. It doesn’t change the fact that high school finishes at 18 in both the US and the UK. And as someone who went to school in the UK I can tell you categorically that both the UK and the US have the same number of years of school. Before kindergarten or year one is not relevant. Multiple British people have corrected you in this thread.

No in DC they are 5 rising to 6. And I am British, numb-nuts.

I guess you are not both British and have raised your kids in DC then. School starts at 3 in DC (actually my late August birthday kid was still 2 when school started). Then kindergarten starts at 5 (or 4 with those with late august or Sept birthdays), just like year 1 does in the UK. And they finish school in both countries when they turn 18 (or almost 18 for the Sept birthdays in DC). I don’t know why you are arguing or claiming to be British. No British person would ever claim sixth form finishes at 19.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

Where on earth did you get this assumption from? Unless they've done a gap year, they're the exact same age as U.S. students.

England and Scotland have different systems. England is 13 years of school (thru upper 6th form) then 3 years at an English university.

Scottish system is the model for the US, 12 years of school from grade 1 and then 4 years of a Scottish university.

"British" really is incoherent in this narrow context.

The US also has 13 years of schooling if you include kindergarten. In England, they call kindergarten year 1 so the equivalent of the US grade 12 is the English year 13. My DD is a teacher at a public school (US definition) in London. She confirmed this for me when I was confused.

If one is counting K, which now is called "reception year" in many English schools, not usually called "year 1", then England normally has 14 years of school.

It is still 1 more pre-college school year in England than is typical in the US. An upper 6th form student in England usually is 19 or almost 19 yo, vice most US HS seniors being 18 or almost 18 yo.

As noted earlier, the Scottish education system is different.

Completely wrong. Reception is before year 1 which is the equivalent of kindergarten. English kids have the same number of years of school as in the US. They are at school from age 5 to 18. Colleges offer three year degrees. In Scotland, high school finishes at 17. They have one year less at school than in England or the US, but universities offer four year degree programs with the first year being more of a foundation course (unlike England where it is immediately specialized).

In England children start school at age FOUR

In DC they start school at THREE. It doesn’t change the fact that high school finishes at 18 in both the US and the UK. And as someone who went to school in the UK I can tell you categorically that both the UK and the US have the same number of years of school. Before kindergarten or year one is not relevant. Multiple British people have corrected you in this thread.

No in DC they are 5 rising to 6. And I am British, numb-nuts.

I guess you are not both British and have raised your kids in DC then. School starts at 3 in DC (actually my late August birthday kid was still 2 when school started). Then kindergarten starts at 5 (or 4 with those with late august or Sept birthdays), just like year 1 does in the UK. And they finish school in both countries when they turn 18 (or almost 18 for the Sept birthdays in DC). I don’t know why you are arguing or claiming to be British. No British person would ever claim sixth form finishes at 19.

Oh please shut up. Everyone is very bored of this tangent now.