University Applications

[SuperMikey]

Guessing i'm not the only person on here who's applying to University this year, so how are everyone else's applications going?

 

So far i've got two offers from University of Sussex and University of Southampton (my #1 at the moment) but got a rejection through from University of Edinburgh this morning. Still waiting to hear back from Aberdeen and Goldsmiths. At the moment i'm thinking Aberdeen and Southampton will be my two favourites by the time it comes to narrowing my choices down.

 

(Oh, and StuRomseySaint, you're not allowed to post on this thread!)

[bridge too far]

Guessing i'm not the only person on here who's applying to University this year, so how are everyone else's applications going?

 

So far i've got two offers from University of Sussex and University of Southampton (my #1 at the moment) but got a rejection through from University of Edinburgh this morning. Still waiting to hear back from Aberdeen and Goldsmiths. At the moment i'm thinking Aberdeen and Southampton will be my two favourites by the time it comes to narrowing my choices down.

 

(Oh, and StuRomseySaint, you're not allowed to post on this thread!)

 

What are you planning to read, Mikey?

[SuperMikey]

What are you planning to read, Mikey?

 

Anthropology. Sounds like a great way to spend 3 or 4 years, and it's so broad that you can study pretty much anything to do with the human race.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthropology

[BLINK]

go to sussex, top nights out in brighton.

[Jimmy Gabriel's Halo]

Anthropology eh ? Should get you a top job in McDonalds in 3 years time. No offence, mind :-)

[SuperMikey]

go to sussex, top nights out in brighton.

 

That is one of the main reasons for my application there

Not so sure about the course there though, prefer the Southampton course. And the grades that they expect from me would mean I would literally have to spend every single iota of my time studying to get them. Even then it's a long shot!

 

Anthropology eh ? Should get you a top job in McDonalds in 3 years time. No offence' date=' mind [/quote']

 

None taken!

I'm not wanting a flash job out of the course, I just think it would be a very interesting and mind-expanding subject to study. Hopefully I can find a decent enough job without having to flash a degree certificate about in the future.

[for_heaven's_Saint]

If you live in/around Southampton, I'd strongly suggest not going to Southampton Uni. It's all about moving away. I'm in my second year in London and I love it- Goldsmiths would be fun I'm sure.

[Thorpe-le-Saint]

Go for a 'red brick' Uni; I regret not listening to my old man about that!

[SuperMikey]

If you live in/around Southampton' date=' I'd strongly suggest not going to Southampton Uni. It's all about moving away. I'm in my second year in London and I love it- Goldsmiths would be fun I'm sure.[/quote']

 

I live a couple of miles from Basingstoke, so not that close to Southampton but not miles away either. I see your point about moving away, but I intend to go as far away as possible once I graduate (giving serious thought to Australia). Want to keep things vaguely familiar at this stage though, the halfway stage between a home life and an independent life.

 

Go for a 'red brick' Uni; I regret not listening to my old man about that!

 

Southampton is a red brick Uni is it not?

[Thorpe-le-Saint]

I live a couple of miles from Basingstoke, so not that close to Southampton but not miles away either. I see your point about moving away, but I intend to go as far away as possible once I graduate (giving serious thought to Australia). Want to keep things vaguely familiar at this stage though, the halfway stage between a home life and an independent life.

 

 

 

Southampton is a red brick Uni is it not?

 

Yeah it is, I thought you were applying to Sussex as well though...?

[SuperMikey]

Yeah it is, I thought you were applying to Sussex as well though...?

 

Ah, yes I am. Southampton is my #1 choice though, because the 'rents said they'd get me a season ticket if I got in there

[benjii]

FFS.

 

Go to the best uni you can get into.

 

Wherever you go you will have a great time (with maybe one or two very rare exceptions). Go to the best, in academic terms, university that you can get into.

[SuperMikey]

FFS.

 

Go to the best uni you can get into.

 

Wherever you go you will have a great time (with maybe one or two very rare exceptions). Go to the best, in academic terms, university that you can get into.

 

That'll be Southampton out of my choices then. In league table terms we're talking:

 

14th - Edinburgh (rejected)

15th - Southampton (offer)

33rd - Aberdeen

35th - Sussex (offer)

45th - Goldsmith's

[StuRomseySaint]

Shouldn't this thread be in the muppet show?

[SuperMikey]

Shouldn't this thread be in the muppet show?

 

Shouldn't you be in the muppet show, Stu?

 

Oh, and btw:

 

(Oh, and StuRomseySaint, you're not allowed to post on this thread!)

 

Now, sling yer 'ook.

[Draino76]

Go for the highest fanny to men ratio. I got a 70:30 split in Royal Holloway.

[Wiltshire Saint]

I got a 70:30 split in Royal Holloway.

 

Sounds painful, but I guess those Uni days ae all about experimenting with the sexuality.

 

I am planning on going to University to study Philiosophy and Maths. I wanted to get to Cambridge and got an interview, but no offer. No to worry, I have offers from Bristol and Warwick. Not bothered about anywhere else (although offers from Southampton and Nottingham). Still deciding between the two, but Bristol seems more likely. Just got to pass my A2's now!!

[bridge too far]

Sounds painful, but I guess those Uni days ae all about experimenting with the sexuality.

 

I am planning on going to University to study Philiosophy and Maths. I wanted to get to Cambridge and got an interview, but no offer. No to worry, I have offers from Bristol and Warwick. Not bothered about anywhere else (although offers from Southampton and Nottingham). Still deciding between the two, but Bristol seems more likely. Just got to pass my A2's now!!

 

My son read Philosophy at Nottingham. He had a great time there academically and alcoholically! He got an Erasmus scholarship whilst there and spent a semester at Athens University. But I'm sure other universities have access to Erasmus scholarships too.

[ST Randy]

I have heard back from all my universities now and have got offers from Bangor, Reading, Sussex and Leicester but got rejected from Cardiff. I now just need to choose my first choice which will probably be Bangor or Reading.

[SuperMikey]

I have heard back from all my universities now and have got offers from Bangor, Reading, Sussex and Leicester but got rejected from Cardiff. I now just need to choose my first choice which will probably be Bangor or Reading.

 

Glad to hear that mate, good to see that somebody is getting some good luck with their applications! What are you hoping to study?

[Mase]

I’m planning on going back to Uni next year. I’ve been shopping around for over a year now and from your list I did a fair amount a research on Southampton, Aberdeen and Sussex. Even though Southampton is ranked highest, they all have a similar academic reputation… So I wouldn’t go based purely on that because there is definately no “bad” choice on your list.

 

What I would base my decision on if I was you is see what University has the highest ranking of just Anthropology. Which you can see here (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/displayPopup/0,,13380,00.html). So in actual fact, Southampton is nowhere to be seen.

 

But it’s up to you. Southampton is a good Uni and in my opinion, the best one out of your choices. I live in Berkshire so in addition to checking where my subject was ranked, I put it down to location because it really does matter! Personally I’d feel uncomfortable going anywhere north of Sheffield, so that was Aberdeen off my list right away. When I went to the open day in Sussex it was quite impressive, but it felt dull and boring… And when I went to Southampton, I felt at home.

 

Go to an open day if you haven’t already, because an initial reaction is a big deal. It was for me at least!

[SuperMikey]

I’m planning on going back to Uni next year. I’ve been shopping around for over a year now and from your list I did a fair amount a research on Southampton, Aberdeen and Sussex. Even though Southampton is ranked highest, they all have a similar academic reputation… So I wouldn’t go based purely on that because there is definately no “bad” choice on your list.

 

What I would base my decision on if I was you is see what University has the highest ranking of just Anthropology. Which you can see here (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/displayPopup/0,,13380,00.html). So in actual fact, Southampton is nowhere to be seen.

 

But it’s up to you. Southampton is a good Uni and in my opinion, the best one out of your choices. I live in Berkshire so in addition to checking where my subject was ranked, I put it down to location because it really does matter! Personally I’d feel uncomfortable going anywhere north of Sheffield, so that was Aberdeen off my list right away. When I went to the open day in Sussex it was quite impressive, but it felt dull and boring… And when I went to Southampton, I felt at home.

 

Go to an open day if you haven’t already, because an initial reaction is a big deal. It was for me at least!

 

Thanks for the advice mate, i've only been to see Southampton and Edinburgh from my 5 and I figured i'd go and see the rest at the 'Applicant Open Days' that are held in a month or two. I loved Southampton, the campus was really nice and I too felt at home right away. Obviously I have ties with the area with the football club but I was born there and lived in Southampton for a couple of years as well, so I do kind of regard it as my 'hometown' in a way.

 

As for the So'ton course, the course i've actually applied for there is 'Applied Social Sciences (Anthropology Pathway)', meaning that it's a combined course of Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology and a bit of Politics for the first year and then you specialise afterwards. I'm already studying Psychology so I thought that by doing this course I wouldn't be thrown straight in at the deep end with a completely new subject that I haven't studied before (Anthropology isn't offered at A-level at my college, or many others).

 

Any idea what course you want to do when you go back to uni?

[ST Randy]

Glad to hear that mate, good to see that somebody is getting some good luck with their applications! What are you hoping to study?

 

Cheers I am hopefully going to study Chemistry or Marine Chemistry if I go to Bangor. Good luck with your other universities I expect you will hear back from them soon seeing that the deadline was now almost a month ago.

[SuperMikey]

Cheers I am hopefully going to study Chemistry or Marine Chemistry if I go to Bangor. Good luck with your other universities I expect you will hear back from them soon seeing that the deadline was now almost a month ago.

 

Thanks mate, hope it all works out for you with your results! My plan when I finished my GCSEs was to do Chemistry at A-level and then do a degree in it, but unfortunately I ended up with a D in my GCSE Maths (somehow), so I wasn't let onto the Chem course at my college. It's a shame for me, because I really enjoyed doing Chemistry at school and I miss it in a way. Never mind...

[Mase]

Ah that’s probably why it’s not on the list then! I was quite surprised it wasn’t because usually Southampton is ranked quite high in all the subjects they offer.

 

I’m 22 now and because I ****ed around doing my A Levels when I originally went to college, I decided to go back last year and finish them, so I got this year to go. In terms of Uni courses, I’ve been looking at Criminology and Forensics. Both look cool to me!

[SuperMikey]

Ah that’s probably why it’s not on the list then! I was quite surprised it wasn’t because usually Southampton is ranked quite high in all the subjects they offer.

 

I’m 22 now and because I ****ed around doing my A Levels when I originally went to college, I decided to go back last year and finish them, so I got this year to go. In terms of Uni courses, I’ve been looking at Criminology and Forensics. Both look cool to me!

 

Nice one, Criminology and Forensics are pretty cool courses, real-life CSI! However, they are also the most oversubscribed courses offered at Universities and also with one of the lowest Job/Graduates ratios out there. What A-levels are you taking again?

[buctootim]

Southampton is ranked higher than Sussex overall, but Sussex has the better anthropology reputation (southampton scores big for research, engineering, oceanography etc). Brighton is great place to be a student. Both are good choices imo.

[Mase]

Nice one, Criminology and Forensics are pretty cool courses, real-life CSI! However, they are also the most oversubscribed courses offered at Universities and also with one of the lowest Job/Graduates ratios out there. What A-levels are you taking again?

 

Yeah I realise that which is a turn off for me. I’ve still got this year to make a decision so I’ll be doing more research as to what I want to do for sure.

 

I’m studying Physcology, English and Business.

Edited 17 February, 2010 by Mase

[LGTL]

I have an interview at Southampton for a PGCE, they are putting me infront of 26 Year 8 children and saying "off you go then". Looking forward to it!

[amsterdam]

Nice one, Criminology and Forensics are pretty cool courses, real-life CSI! However, they are also the most oversubscribed courses offered at Universities and also with one of the lowest Job/Graduates ratios out there. What A-levels are you taking again?

 

My kid sis studied criminology at Aston in Brum and by all accounts had a fantastic time - now is a high-flyer with the CPP, so I'm sure there are jobs out there...

 

And Mase, I went to Newcastle (north of Sheffield last time I looked!) and it was brilliant - nightlife is second to none and with a high proportion of students there are loads of things geared specifically to them.

 

Good luck to all applying - the next 3 to 4 years will be the best days of your lives!

[SuperMikey]

Yeah I realise that which is a turn off for me. I’ve still got this year to make a decision so I’ll be doing more research as to what I want to do for sure.

 

I’m studying Phycology, English and Business.

 

Yeah, shop about a bit. I didn't want to do a Social Science-y degree when I started my A-levels, but now after researching it a bit more i've decided that it's the one for me. What I did was pick out universities that I liked the sound and look of and went through the courses that they offered. There's so many courses out there you're bound to find something that really suits you down to the ground.

[Ludwig]

...

Edited 18 February, 2010 by Ludwig

[SuperMikey]

My kid sis studied criminology at Aston in Brum and by all accounts had a fantastic time - now is a high-flyer with the CPP, so I'm sure there are jobs out there...

 

And Mase, I went to Newcastle (north of Sheffield last time I looked!) and it was brilliant - nightlife is second to none and with a high proportion of students there are loads of things geared specifically to them.

 

Good luck to all applying - the next 3 to 4 years will be the best days of your lives!

 

Yeah, it's not like there are absolutely zero jobs at the end of the course, it's more the fact that very few people actually go into criminology/forensics based jobs straight after graduation. It's the same with Anthropology, there are very few jobs in the actual field of Anthropology, but it does stand you in good sted for other jobs (or so i've been told). Thanks for the luck as well, i'm sure the next few years will be amazing!

[Wilko]

I don't want to sh*t on your happy little pre-uni ****athon, but it's not worth the bother. You won't think £20k of debt matters when you start your first year, or even when you're doing your finals, but when the first £50 is docked from your paycheck in 4 years time (if you can get a job) you'll realise how futile life really is.

 

Unless you know exactly what you want to do, I'd head down to your local branch of Reed and ask them to place you on a temp job in LloydsTSB for £10 per hour. You'll probably end up getting taken on permanently and trained as something really boring and well-paid like a project manager. You may not like it, but you won't be forced to live like a pauper and pay back your student loan until your 75 years old.

 

Wilko

Bitter graduate

[Mase]

I don't want to sh*t on your happy little pre-uni ****athon, but it's not worth the bother. You won't think £20k of debt matters when you start your first year, or even when you're doing your finals, but when the first £50 is docked from your paycheck in 4 years time (if you can get a job) you'll realise how futile life really is.

 

Unless you know exactly what you want to do, I'd head down to your local branch of Reed and ask them to place you on a temp job in LloydsTSB for £10 per hour. You'll probably end up getting taken on permanently and trained as something really boring and well-paid like a project manager. You may not like it, but you won't be forced to live like a pauper and pay back your student loan until your 75 years old.

 

Wilko

Bitter graduate

 

Sooo... You didn't like Uni?

[Thorpe-le-Saint]

I don't want to sh*t on your happy little pre-uni ****athon, but it's not worth the bother. You won't think £20k of debt matters when you start your first year, or even when you're doing your finals, but when the first £50 is docked from your paycheck in 4 years time (if you can get a job) you'll realise how futile life really is.

 

Unless you know exactly what you want to do, I'd head down to your local branch of Reed and ask them to place you on a temp job in LloydsTSB for £10 per hour. You'll probably end up getting taken on permanently and trained as something really boring and well-paid like a project manager. You may not like it, but you won't be forced to live like a pauper and pay back your student loan until your 75 years old.

 

Wilko

Bitter graduate

 

It's not that bloomin bad Wilko, £45 comes out of mine, I hardly even notice it!

[Mase]

It's not that bloomin bad Wilko, £45 comes out of mine, I hardly even notice it!

 

It’s less than a night out for me. Not a big deal at all if your on more than £1k… Which is easily done.

[revolution saint]

Yeah I realise that which is a turn off for me. I’ve still got this year to make a decision so I’ll be doing more research as to what I want to do for sure.

 

I’m studying Phycology, English and Business.

 

English? Really? I'm sorry, someone had to do it.

[Mase]

English? Really? I'm sorry, someone had to do it.

 

Oh boo.

[Wilko]

Sooo... You didn't like Uni?

 

It's not that bloomin bad Wilko, £45 comes out of mine, I hardly even notice it!

 

I had a great time, but I'll be paying it back for a very long time. Therein lies the problem. Unless you're doing a course with an awesome reputation that employers jump at, or one that means you can walk into a job, you're effectively taking out a long-term loan for a pointless qualification and a few years getting hammered. If you want to be an engineer, teacher, scientist or mathematician, then go to uni. If your destiny is to work in a bank or become a shop manager, don't bother.

 

Before anybody asks, I went to Cardiff University and got a poor 2:2 in business. All you 18-year-olds should think very carefully before going to university.

[revolution saint]

I had a great time, but I'll be paying it back for a very long time. Therein lies the problem. Unless you're doing a course with an awesome reputation that employers jump at, or one that means you can walk into a job, you're effectively taking out a long-term loan for a pointless qualification and a few years getting hammered. If you want to be an engineer, teacher, scientist or mathematician, then go to uni. If your destiny is to work in a bank or become a shop manager, don't bother.

 

Before anybody asks, I went to Cardiff University and got a poor 2:2 in business. All you 18-year-olds should think very carefully before going to university.

 

I think the days when a degree (any degree) would land you a well paid job and good career are largely, but not completely, gone. Large organisations were always the firms that took graduates of any discipline on and they seem to be cutting back and concentrating on either more vocational qualifications or training people who choose not to go to university. When you've got the aspiration for 50% of 18 year olds to go to university it stands to reason that when searching for a job after graduating then it's going to be harder to stand out. Employers are going to say "Media studies? Big deal" Sorry for that generalisation. Bottom line is we're creating more graduates but I don't think we're creating more graduate jobs.

 

That's not to say studying in itself isn't a great thing - it is. Most students will really enjoy it. That doesn't mean that whilst probably more sensible, more knowledgeable, more rounded than they were before that they will find it easy to get a job. I'd applaud anyone who wants to study more but sadly I'm not sure it's in their interests unless they have a clear goal about what they choose to do after graduating and study something relevant to that.

[Rocker268]

Southampton is a great uni I am in my second year of Geography and love every minute of it.

 

I am from Liss (near Petersfield) and find that it is a nice distance to be so Basingstoke is probably similar. This is opposed to my friend who has an 8 hour train journey to Durham.

 

Out of experience though I was naive and didn't really look at reputation that much whilst applying, I more went with where I felt I would be happiest studying. Wilko is right though it has a HUGE affect on future employment. Looking back on it I now realise that your course reputation is everything at the end of your 3/4 years. I am fortunate to be in one of the top 5 physical geography departments in the country but didn't realise that whilst applying and really should have given in more consideration.

 

I still have no idea with what I am going to do at the end of next year but I don't regret going to uni because I would probably still be working at the local Garden Centre if I hadn't come to Southampton

 

Also I was under the impression your student loan was only repaid once you were on £15k and over a year, or am i mistaken?

[Mase]

Southampton is a great uni I am in my second year of Geography and love every minute of it.

 

I am from Liss (near Petersfield) and find that it is a nice distance to be so Basingstoke is probably similar. This is opposed to my friend who has an 8 hour train journey to Durham.

 

Out of experience though I was naive and didn't really look at reputation that much whilst applying, I more went with where I felt I would be happiest studying. Wilko is right though it has a HUGE affect on future employment. Looking back on it I now realise that your course reputation is everything at the end of your 3/4 years. I am fortunate to be in one of the top 5 physical geography departments in the country but didn't realise that whilst applying and really should have given in more consideration.

 

I still have no idea with what I am going to do at the end of next year but I don't regret going to uni because I would probably still be working at the local Garden Centre if I hadn't come to Southampton

 

Also I was under the impression your student loan was only repaid once you were on £15k and over a year, or am i mistaken?

 

You are definately not mistaken.

[Wilko]

Southampton is a great uni I am in my second year of Geography and love every minute of it.

 

I am from Liss (near Petersfield) and find that it is a nice distance to be so Basingstoke is probably similar. This is opposed to my friend who has an 8 hour train journey to Durham.

 

Out of experience though I was naive and didn't really look at reputation that much whilst applying, I more went with where I felt I would be happiest studying. Wilko is right though it has a HUGE affect on future employment. Looking back on it I now realise that your course reputation is everything at the end of your 3/4 years. I am fortunate to be in one of the top 5 physical geography departments in the country but didn't realise that whilst applying and really should have given in more consideration.

 

I still have no idea with what I am going to do at the end of next year but I don't regret going to uni because I would probably still be working at the local Garden Centre if I hadn't come to Southampton

 

Also I was under the impression your student loan was only repaid once you were on £15k and over a year, or am i mistaken?

 

You aren't mistaken about that. However, if you are under the impression that you can sustain any kind of lifestyle on that salary, you are.

 

One bedroom flat in a decent place will set you back about £500 per month in rent. Once you take off utility bills, council tax, food, and a student loan repayment, you'll probably have about enough cash left for two days/nights out per month. You can pretty much forget about your season ticket and nice clothes, because you won't be able to afford them.

 

Forget about uni and get trained on the job.

[hutch]

Go for the highest fanny to men ratio. I got a 70:30 split in Royal Holloway.

You'd have got a 9,900:1 split if you hadn't insisted on the "Royal".

[West End Saint]

Just going through the process for my Daughter she has been accepted at Cardiff Sheffield Southampton & Leicester but was rejacted by Bristol she wants to do English.

 

We went to the open day at Cardiff Wednesday at it looked good and she likes it I really hope she decides to go to Southampton as I have a feeling it will be costing a bomb if she go's away.

 

I am not looking forward too applying for the finance side of things none of my immediate family have been to Uni so it will be interesting

[StuRomseySaint]

...

 

That's about the most interesting thing that's been said on this thread.

 

On another student note, where any of you one of the 10 or so student c*nts decided it would be funny to sing play up p*mpey in the Hobbit last Saturday? That was a silly thing to do, wasn't it?

[Ash]

Where any? Christ I knew you disliked students being a toll on the tax payer but taking yourself out of education before you get to secondary school is one hell of a sacrifice to make. Was it out of some sort of perceived duty to the public purse?

[for_heaven's_Saint]

Just going through the process for my Daughter she has been accepted at Cardiff Sheffield Southampton & Leicester but was rejacted by Bristol she wants to do English.

 

We went to the open day at Cardiff Wednesday at it looked good and she likes it I really hope she decides to go to Southampton as I have a feeling it will be costing a bomb if she go's away.

I am not looking forward too applying for the finance side of things none of my immediate family have been to Uni so it will be interesting

 

She should get an extra bursary, probably around £1000, for being the first person from your family to go to uni.

 

I do English at uni at the moment- hope she likes reading! And Southampton and Cardiff are both great unis for English.

[SuperMikey]

Yeah I realise that which is a turn off for me. I’ve still got this year to make a decision so I’ll be doing more research as to what I want to do for sure.

 

I’m studying Physcology, English and Business.

 

Errrrrr......