Getting to university, if you are 'poor' ....HOW ?
Discussion
I ask because Between May and July, Darling Clever Lazy Daughter number 2 child, dragged one or both of us, to visit various universities, at a cost. Sometimes by car, sometimes on the train, sometimes B&B or hotel.
Even if you ignore that I get paid by the hour and taking 3 days off (I didn't go to all the open days), the cost was in excess of £600. If she'd gone on her own, the cost would have been £250 to £400 I guess
Now she's got 5 interviews lined up, Cardiff, Nottingham, Liverpool Gratton (John Moores), Aston, Kings College London.
Because of the times of the Interviews this will involve 3 hotels (or B&B), various train trips, and one car journey.
Ignoring again any time I take off work (because parents are encoragage to attend), The cost will again exceed £600.
Just take an interview in London.
Look at the price of train travel from Liverpool.
Interview is 9am, so it's cheapest to go the night before, stay in B&B and get an early afternoon train home.
2 adults train return is really good at only £68 with 1 railcard. You could pay a s
t load more if you pick the wrong train, and don't buy in advance.
A twin room with breakfast at £120 is okay, but it's a chain, because it's close and "we know what we'll get" - I'm not going to that one btw. But no change from £200 once food is thrown in.
So here's the question.
If you had serious aspirations how would you get to the interviews if your family were 'poor' ?
Even if you ignore that I get paid by the hour and taking 3 days off (I didn't go to all the open days), the cost was in excess of £600. If she'd gone on her own, the cost would have been £250 to £400 I guess
Now she's got 5 interviews lined up, Cardiff, Nottingham, Liverpool Gratton (John Moores), Aston, Kings College London.
Because of the times of the Interviews this will involve 3 hotels (or B&B), various train trips, and one car journey.
Ignoring again any time I take off work (because parents are encoragage to attend), The cost will again exceed £600.
Just take an interview in London.
Look at the price of train travel from Liverpool.
Interview is 9am, so it's cheapest to go the night before, stay in B&B and get an early afternoon train home.
2 adults train return is really good at only £68 with 1 railcard. You could pay a s
t load more if you pick the wrong train, and don't buy in advance. A twin room with breakfast at £120 is okay, but it's a chain, because it's close and "we know what we'll get" - I'm not going to that one btw. But no change from £200 once food is thrown in.
So here's the question.
If you had serious aspirations how would you get to the interviews if your family were 'poor' ?
Hitch hike with a small tent in a rucksack and visit a quiet corner of Hyde Park for the evening?
Seriously, I read a newspaper article about a girl who aspired to get a degree and camped for the entire course in a farmers field to save money, hiring the use of a shower in the farmhouse and occasionally buying milk which was freshly produced.
ISTR her saying it was a bit tough during the winter months but fine for the rest of the time and she was able to do her work in peace. People are resilient I find...
Seriously, I read a newspaper article about a girl who aspired to get a degree and camped for the entire course in a farmers field to save money, hiring the use of a shower in the farmhouse and occasionally buying milk which was freshly produced.
ISTR her saying it was a bit tough during the winter months but fine for the rest of the time and she was able to do her work in peace. People are resilient I find...
Edited by Oilchange on Saturday 23 November 07:58
Oilchange said:
Hitch hike with a small tent in a rucksack and visit a quiet corner of Hyde Park for the evening?
Yes, good idea. Like it. Hyde Park ? That's like somewhere near erm stockport http://goo.gl/maps/GKQdIBit far from London, but hey.
New POD said:
I ask because Between May and July, Darling Clever Lazy Daughter number 2 child, dragged one or both of us, to visit various universities, at a cost. Sometimes by car, sometimes on the train, sometimes B&B or hotel.
Even if you ignore that I get paid by the hour and taking 3 days off (I didn't go to all the open days), the cost was in excess of £600. If she'd gone on her own, the cost would have been £250 to £400 I guess
Now she's got 5 interviews lined up, Cardiff, Nottingham, Liverpool Gratton (John Moores), Aston, Kings College London.
Because of the times of the Interviews this will involve 3 hotels (or B&B), various train trips, and one car journey.
Ignoring again any time I take off work (because parents are encoragage to attend), The cost will again exceed £600.
Just take an interview in London.
Look at the price of train travel from Liverpool.
Interview is 9am, so it's cheapest to go the night before, stay in B&B and get an early afternoon train home.
2 adults train return is really good at only £68 with 1 railcard. You could pay a st load more if you pick the wrong train, and don't buy in advance.
A twin room with breakfast at £120 is okay, but it's a chain, because it's close and "we know what we'll get" - I'm not going to that one btw. But no change from £200 once food is thrown in.
So here's the question.
If you had serious aspirations how would you get to the interviews if your family were 'poor' ?
To be honest, I don't understand. Even if you ignore that I get paid by the hour and taking 3 days off (I didn't go to all the open days), the cost was in excess of £600. If she'd gone on her own, the cost would have been £250 to £400 I guess
Now she's got 5 interviews lined up, Cardiff, Nottingham, Liverpool Gratton (John Moores), Aston, Kings College London.
Because of the times of the Interviews this will involve 3 hotels (or B&B), various train trips, and one car journey.
Ignoring again any time I take off work (because parents are encoragage to attend), The cost will again exceed £600.
Just take an interview in London.
Look at the price of train travel from Liverpool.
Interview is 9am, so it's cheapest to go the night before, stay in B&B and get an early afternoon train home.
2 adults train return is really good at only £68 with 1 railcard. You could pay a s
t load more if you pick the wrong train, and don't buy in advance. A twin room with breakfast at £120 is okay, but it's a chain, because it's close and "we know what we'll get" - I'm not going to that one btw. But no change from £200 once food is thrown in.
So here's the question.
If you had serious aspirations how would you get to the interviews if your family were 'poor' ?
Why are you going with her? Surely if a person needs their parents with them then this is proof that they are not yet ready to leave home?
The real answer to the questions though is that every university town has a National Express or MegaBus depot. So in short, it costs bugger all to go and see them.
Your child is an adult now and they ought to be doing this on their own. This is their first chance to chose where they go in life.
And congrats for getting kids to this stage.
New POD said:
If you had serious aspirations how would you get to the interviews if your family were 'poor' ?
Most universities have a Widening Participation officer or department. If you need financial help then that might be a good place to start asking.
N Dentressangle said:
New POD said:
If you had serious aspirations how would you get to the interviews if your family were 'poor' ?
Most universities have a Widening Participation officer or department. If you need financial help then that might be a good place to start asking.
Mave said:
DonkeyApple said:
Your child is an adult now and they ought to be doing this on their own. This is their first chance to chose where they go in life.
Agreed. National express coach ticket and an A-Z when I did it.My brother has 2 sons aged 21 and 23. Lovely "kids" but the pair of them are useless because he still babies them. Never paid for anything in their lives and neither have ever bought me a pint.
Give her the help she needs in advance and stick her on a coach or train.
wormus said:
Mave said:
DonkeyApple said:
Your child is an adult now and they ought to be doing this on their own. This is their first chance to chose where they go in life.
Agreed. National express coach ticket and an A-Z when I did it.My brother has 2 sons aged 21 and 23. Lovely "kids" but the pair of them are useless because he still babies them. Never paid for anything in their lives and neither have ever bought me a pint.
Give her the help she needs in advance and stick her on a coach or train.
But I think that people do need to visit Uni's on their own. This is their first big step in the world but it is a very soft one and the perfect opportunity to step out as a free person and to not be influenced by well meaning parents.
I suspect Uni's are only advocating that parents come along these days as they are terrified of a law suit.
Interestingly, I've just looked at National Express and London to Nottingham is cheaper now than when I did it 20 years ago. That's weird.
Tell her she can't go to all of them?
Is this normal now? Back in the day I wrote my statement sent it out to my chosen one then received a place conditional on grades. If they wanted you then they offered two E grades, felt you'd fit in but not fused normal grades eg A A C or if they thought you boarderline offered you an interview.
BTW. Just a thought... My old uni rented out student rooms for next tob nothing during the holiday periods. See if any do this for prospective students etc. Much cheaper than a travel lodge and you'll get to test drive the accommodation.
Is this normal now? Back in the day I wrote my statement sent it out to my chosen one then received a place conditional on grades. If they wanted you then they offered two E grades, felt you'd fit in but not fused normal grades eg A A C or if they thought you boarderline offered you an interview.
BTW. Just a thought... My old uni rented out student rooms for next tob nothing during the holiday periods. See if any do this for prospective students etc. Much cheaper than a travel lodge and you'll get to test drive the accommodation.
MrsThatcher said:
Tell her she can't go to all of them?
Is this normal now? Back in the day I wrote my statement sent it out to my chosen one then received a place conditional on grades. If they wanted you then they offered two E grades, felt you'd fit in but not fused normal grades eg A A C or if they thought you boarderline offered you an interview.
BTW. Just a thought... My old uni rented out student rooms for next tob nothing during the holiday periods. See if any do this for prospective students etc. Much cheaper than a travel lodge and you'll get to test drive the accommodation.
Trouble is that nowadays the halls are all rented out during the holidays for conventions in very many cases. All too often they are actually on a lease out so the Uni has no involvement outside of term. Is this normal now? Back in the day I wrote my statement sent it out to my chosen one then received a place conditional on grades. If they wanted you then they offered two E grades, felt you'd fit in but not fused normal grades eg A A C or if they thought you boarderline offered you an interview.
BTW. Just a thought... My old uni rented out student rooms for next tob nothing during the holiday periods. See if any do this for prospective students etc. Much cheaper than a travel lodge and you'll get to test drive the accommodation.
It's also why they've all been fitted with en suites and double glazing. This rendering the graduate unable to live cheaply in a slum when they come to London after for work.
New POD said:
Now she's got 5 interviews lined up, Cardiff, Nottingham, Liverpool Gratton (John Moores), Aston, Kings College London.
Are they all interviews, or just a friendly chat? If an interview and it is not possible to attend, ask them if it is possible to be interviewed remotely (Skype).(Pharmacy by any chance?).
Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff