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Choosing a university

Hubbub

After going to several university open days my 19 year old Aspergers son has made his choice. I found his reasons interesting. I was suprised that major factors of choice was the quiet sleepy little town, the modern understated architecture, general peacefulness of the campus (corridors had sound duddening carpets), ceilings were relatively low, plenty of green space, and lots of fancy technology. The set talk by the professors, to me seemed garbled and exuberant as they enthused about the intricacies of computer science. I whispered to my son that they were clearly all nutcases. His eyes were bright and he had one of his rare smiles, and agreed with a resounding 'Yes!' Later, when talking with the lectueres/students we mentioned his aspergers, and they told him that he would 'fit right in.' They were all very welcoming and enthusiastic about their subject and the possibilities of the industry.

Other universities were more businesslike, with grand architecture, in busy cities,the staff a little more cool with a little too much emphasis on how many millions had just been spent on infrastructure. I guess all of them want his fees ultimately, but my son has chosen the quiet one (also a lot further down on the 'best unis' lists). It was also the last one we saw and considered as a possible insurance choice should be muck up his exams as he often does. He says, all he wants to do is learn and he thought it the best one for that, even if he got high grades.

Then, just a few days ago the uni announced that it was closing the campus down in 2016 and almagamating with their other campus in a busy city. This would all happen part way through his course there and the disruption might be tricky for my son. Having a rethink. I know it's just coincidence but why is nothing EVER straight forward for him when my other 2 sons (NT) just seem to sail through life? Smile

Parents

  • Having 'done the rounds' of open days with my 3 older children I have noticed a change over time in the way they recruit propspective students. 13 (or so) years ago the prospective student had to really prove his worth in order to get into university. Now, they have 'marketing departments' and seem desperate to get applicants. They bombard them with leaflets and emails, offer all sorts of incentives, including lots of student support now, but you are right, all unis charge the same high fees. It is obvious that students are a business opportunity for these institutions. My son can see this. We were even told in a hushed unofficial aside 'not to worry too much about getting the required amount of UCAS points'.

    Yes this is the way it is now, the unis competing for students. It seems odd that nobody has thought of reducing the fees to intice them in. Anyway,the thing is, my kids see that if they don't get a degree that could steer them into a career, their only prospects are dead end jobs and poverty. This counts for both the brighter ones and the ones that struggle a bit more. And this means places for the elite who end up in the Russell Group unis, and the rest who populate what you call the 'new universities'.

    Because of our location in rural Wales, well paid jobs are rare if you are not into farming. There are a few supermarket jobs and small factory work, very hard work for very poor pay, no prospects and rather soul destroying. A lot of boys end up joining the army simply because there is nothing else. The good thing about being Welsh is the low fees for university, much less than the English have to pay and it would seem almost wasteful not to take advantage of it before the Welsh Assemby realise they can't afford to keep topping up all these fees for their young citizens to clear off to England with. Given that in general factory workers and bosses have no idea about and no provision for autism, my son would be bullied from the start and his life would be miserable. So yes I would rather he went to a 'new university' and learn more of the subject that interests him and perhaps find a niche that suits him. It is also what he wants to do, so I will help him. And I promise to dig deeper into the provision for his needs, though I have already been quite impressed with the chat (and stump up the £200 fee to get the required post 16 assessment!).

    His education has been a bit chaotic so far, so I guess the pattern will continue on into Higher Education, and much of his life, such are the joys of people with his condition.

Reply

  • Having 'done the rounds' of open days with my 3 older children I have noticed a change over time in the way they recruit propspective students. 13 (or so) years ago the prospective student had to really prove his worth in order to get into university. Now, they have 'marketing departments' and seem desperate to get applicants. They bombard them with leaflets and emails, offer all sorts of incentives, including lots of student support now, but you are right, all unis charge the same high fees. It is obvious that students are a business opportunity for these institutions. My son can see this. We were even told in a hushed unofficial aside 'not to worry too much about getting the required amount of UCAS points'.

    Yes this is the way it is now, the unis competing for students. It seems odd that nobody has thought of reducing the fees to intice them in. Anyway,the thing is, my kids see that if they don't get a degree that could steer them into a career, their only prospects are dead end jobs and poverty. This counts for both the brighter ones and the ones that struggle a bit more. And this means places for the elite who end up in the Russell Group unis, and the rest who populate what you call the 'new universities'.

    Because of our location in rural Wales, well paid jobs are rare if you are not into farming. There are a few supermarket jobs and small factory work, very hard work for very poor pay, no prospects and rather soul destroying. A lot of boys end up joining the army simply because there is nothing else. The good thing about being Welsh is the low fees for university, much less than the English have to pay and it would seem almost wasteful not to take advantage of it before the Welsh Assemby realise they can't afford to keep topping up all these fees for their young citizens to clear off to England with. Given that in general factory workers and bosses have no idea about and no provision for autism, my son would be bullied from the start and his life would be miserable. So yes I would rather he went to a 'new university' and learn more of the subject that interests him and perhaps find a niche that suits him. It is also what he wants to do, so I will help him. And I promise to dig deeper into the provision for his needs, though I have already been quite impressed with the chat (and stump up the £200 fee to get the required post 16 assessment!).

    His education has been a bit chaotic so far, so I guess the pattern will continue on into Higher Education, and much of his life, such are the joys of people with his condition.

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