What do you think about Early Colleges?

What do you think of these colleges/universities?

• I'm thinking of going to one of these colleges to study an Access course. I've been doing a lot to choose between them and thought I'd ask your opinioun, more so if you've attended----what did you think of the college/university---what was your expierence, have any complaints, points, songs of praises, how were the teachers there, any ones to look out for, anything overall to look out for, any advice, how was the building, atmosphere, attitude, the courses/course. Have you only heard about these colleges/universities, what have you heard, what do you know? Anything would be helpful thanks. These are my choices: City Lit Goldsmiths University of London Lambeth Waltham

• Answer:

  1) I think it would depend a lot of what sort of course they offer. I had a friend who did an Access course but found that the actual options were not what he really wanted. For instance, it included compulsory maths with a lot on probabilities and other quite new theoretical concepts, which he found harder than doing an A-level in an arts subject he was familiar with. It was probably very good for his general development, but definitely not an easy way to qualify for Univ. 2) Be careful about getting advice on what it was like for someone else - the colleges have a way of suddenly introducing new courses or new options, and favourite lecturers leave for other pastures. And as reagrds the social side, that really depends on who you know and whether you would join a club and become a valued member. 3) I'm not sure that doing an Access course in a University is really the best way. You're not an equal with the undergraduates, and can feel left out. There are plenty of part-time opportunities in local colleges. But of course, if you can do it from home, the University would not be so different from a local college.