By which I mean, if I want to do a postgrad after, how much of an impediment would it be to have gone to a uni very low in the tables? also help, what do you think you'd pick?
Lampeter good points:
Good strong focus on medieval period.
Connections between theology, classics and history department and freedom to choose units from all.
Small (<2000 students) old university with some nice buildings in a semi rural area (town population doubles during term time)
Reputation for attracting geeks
1 and a bit hours bus ride from home
Better research output than Aberystwyth
My favorite fish and chip shop and ice cream shops are there
I can take classical languages like latin and greek there
Lampeter bad points:
Dissertation is only 8000 words
Most league tables rank it lower than Aberystwyth and the internet seems to suggest it has a reputation for corruption
Away from home
Ancient and Medieval rather than Medieval and Early Modern - Some aspects of early modern do interest me.
In the literature they sent me all their dissertation titles seem a bit lefty. Now I guess thats true for universities everywhere but... eh...
No debate society
Obviously they scrimp on their promotional materials - they're not the richest in the world (in fact they came near to closing at one point - on the other hand they are the 3rd oldest university in England and Wales and it would be good to support their continued existance)
Aberystwyth good points:
A broader range of historical topics to choose from (but no classics and minimal church history).
Better staff student ratio
More spent on equipment and facilities
By the sea
Don't need to move
Better league table results (still not brilliant though)
More "arts and culture" activities
The "National Library of Wales"
Longer dissertation than Lampeter
Best debate society in Wales
Already applied for student loans as though I were staying at home
Best friend is here
Train station - i.e. access to the rest of the world
Aberystwyth bad points:
Lived here since I was 8, maybe its time I see somewhere else
Too many studenty drinkingholes
No ancient history, no latin or greek
No pretty buildings
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Sacrificium Deo spiritus contribulatus
cor contritum et humiliatum Deus non spernet