I'm thinking I had a different application process than you, as an international student. I don't remember having to indicate my safety schools. In any case, with all my applications, MIT, Rose-Hulman, Caltech, and whatnot, I think I lied on every one and said they were all my first choice. I'm bad that way. Got away with it in a magnificant manner, too. But I really don't remember doing that with Oxford.

 

Also, in England, we aren't allowed to apply to both oxford and cambridge, and a lot of the really good universities don't accept you if you are applying to other good universities.

A friend of mine didn't get into Kings College London because she was also applying to York. Quite a few unis do weird shit like that.

 

I got my second choice for my University of medicine. Explanation: I had got 17.3/20 as a mean at my Baccalauréat (exam at the end of highschool), and it was too high a mark.

Paris 5 was my first choice, and apparently all those who had had over 16/20 at their Bac had asked for it as their first choice as well; since people are obsessed about all the Universities having the same number of good students, they sent me off to my second choice. That's how French Universities work, and yes it does suck.

 

Congrats Turtle.

May many wines assorted liquors -- and liquers -- with perhaps a good beer or two warm your already joyful spirit.

Tinn: That sucks. It cans be hugs tiem nao for you.

 

Mordecai,

why do you want to go to a English speaking country? It doesn't really give you a lot of opportunities... (at least in Europe) but if you want to do so, don't forget about Scandinavia, they are good in English and have their courses mostly in English...

As I heard of my friends that did an Erasmus year you don't really learn a lot while abroad... It's more of a social call/partying around and getting friends all over the world and perhaps learning a language. (My yearmates went to Paris, Copenhagen and Glasgow...)

Here in Bern Erasmus is mostly for one semester and normally you have to repeat that semester.
Admittedly it could be different in politics than in physics but as we have a lot of compelled courses you have to take before your master work, you "lose" this semester...

 

Congratulations to all of you on getting into the schools.

From what I've seen out here in the real world provided you are going to a school with a good reputation and you do well there it'll help you get your first job.

After 5 or so years in your chosen profession, employers won't really care about exactly which University you attended - unless the are an Alumni. (Never underestimate the power of the Good Old Boy network.) They'll care about what you can do now that you have experience.

My advice is where ever you go, just do well and have a good time. Check out internship programs in your chosen field because it's never too early to make a few contacts and gain a few dollars and maybe even a favorable recommendation or two.


Jim

 

Alayna, I would prefer an english speaking country because I speak not other language with any particular success. I can get by in basic conversations in German, but thats it. A few words in French, and a couple of Russian insults and thats it.

In Britain erasmus lasts the whole 3rd year, and so long as you pass your exams that year at the Uni you've gone to for that year you don't need to repeat.

There's also the fact that I have relatives in Australia, the US and New Zealand, and once I'm finished with Uni I'm considering taking a year out to visit them all, so I thought it might be nice to have visited at least one of said countries before then.

 

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Congrats, Placated. Remember. Coffee and energy drinks are your friends in ruining your sleeping habits (assuming you haven't already fucked that up).

 

The people who didn't get into universities because they put others as first choice...did you apply through ucas? I've been told that the universities can only see that you're applying to them, and not what other ones you're applying to. Or maybe that just came into effect this year....*shrugs*

 

I would give congratz to the first poster if i weren't feeling so sorry for about all my C's

 

The unis don't know who else you've applied for or what else you've applied for since UCAS sorts it out. You're only disadvantaged if you apply to vastly different courses at one specific university, since it shows them you're aimless, or not interested enough in their subject. I suppose it might be different if you're applying from overseas.

As for Oxford and Cambridge, they like to be told how good they are

 

It's useful to have a teacher who went to one of the two as well, or if you know someone who got in. Lots of advice as to how to do well in the interviews.