Re: UK university
- From: Jeff <kidsdoc2000@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 29 May 2007 13:33:35 GMT
Welches wrote:
"Mark, Devon" <coopermg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:1180425798.694145.42130@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxHi,The best idea is to talk to her teachers. They should have reasonable experience as to where is a good level for her to be aiming (Oxbridge/redbrick/white tile/mickymouse...etc.) Aiming at the right level is a good start. Employers look now more at which Uni. you went to so she doesn't want to be much beneath her ability, but it's miserable struggling academically at university.
My 17 year old daughter, Anna, is looking into which university to do
a degree at, from September 2008. Any advice would be appreciated. I
never went to university and have little idea on such matters. Anna is
a very good student, currently doing the IB, having gained GCSE's last
year (7 A*s and 2 As). On the IB she enjoys Spanish and French and
English. She also is very good at maths, environmental science and
theory of knowledge.
Anna loves music, dance and keeping fit and generally is a very good
student and wants to learn loads.
Her degree - she wants to do French, Spanish, Italian (if there is
such a degree).
Geographically, there are no great restrictions - she will consider
anywhere in the UK. However she is currently in Cornwall doing the IB.
So, a good university that does the sort of degree Anna wants to do?
Accommodation? Social life? Pleasant location? A uni which is likely
to have more able students? A degree which is perhaps more language
than literature based.
Any advice appreciated. We know there are other avenues to explore
about universities... but I am interested to hear from people who have
experienced university themselves or have family/friends at uni. etc.
Like, a more 'direct/personal' experience, different to university/
ucas literature etc.
The British system is different from the US system. In the US, there are guidance councilors whose job includes help in college placement. If there are people like that in the UK schools, I suggest that she talk them, as well.
Jeff
They'll be mostly looking at Alevels, so what grades she's aiming at are relevant, but don't guarantee places. Other interests make you look less one-sided on the UCAS form, but at the end of the day they don't make major differences if you're a good candidate. If she could do something relevant to her required degree over the summer either paid or unpaid-or even with languages just travelling, then that'll be a good thing..
I'm not sure how many places do three languages, my knowledge of redbricks at any rate is that they're generally 2 languages or 1 language and a second subject (e.g. law)
I don't know how highly the IB is considered for places in Uni.'s. It was lower than A-level when I was applying, but I have got the impression that it is now considered at least as high.
Accommodation will usually be first year only. Most good places will give you first year, then you sort out your own after that. Living out is usually more expensive, very much so in London. Oxbridge, Durham, and St. Andrews may give you more, even the entire time, depending on the college.
If she discusses it with her teachers and gets an idea of places then visiting the cities/towns over the summer may help her think about such things. Often of you write to the admissions tutors they can arrange for someone to show you round some of the university places. This does not give you any help in getting in (which my school was convinced was the case), although it can be something to drop into the conversation at interview if they give you a chance to ask questions. You say something along the lines of "When Dr. **** was showing me round last summer he mentioned/I noticed/ and could you explain more fully etc." can mark you out slightly.
Main thing is to make sure what she writes on the UCAS form is good English, and isn't copied from the internet/someone else. (apparently there is a lot of copying at the moment so tutors are looking out for this) Your daughter should write it herself and be comfortable to be asked about anything on there. If she spent one night in Germany as a baby it isn't wise to write "my love of languages dates from staying in Germany as a child" because if they ask her to talk about staying in Germany she's going to have to make it up and admission tutors are (sometimes) quite good at picking that out.
But if she's interested in, say, cricket, she doesn't need to memorise the English batting averages to convince them. They'll be much more interested in that she is last man in for her local club, which is bottom of the league than she's been to Lords every year!
On the music interest she wants to put if she plays an instrument, and if she's in a group/done concerts. Dance side, what sort of dance, how long she's learnt, again performances, has she helped with younger groups/backstage etc. It's really just to show that she doesn't spend all her time studying and hiding as a recluse in her room with pop music blaring!!!!
I expect her school can help considerably and should be beginning to look at such things once the term exams have finished.
HTH
Debbie
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- From: Mark, Devon
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- From: Welches
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