<p>A family friend just went off to St Andrews this term, but it is too early to get much info. Don't know why she got such a bee in bonnet about this particular school, I don't think she had a thoughtful and well considered list overall, but I'm sure it will be a great experience.</p>
<p>Don't forget that with many American programs you can do up to a year abroad. Mine is doing a semester in Budapest (Semesters in Mathematics.) I think everyone should try to incorporate at least a semester away.</p>
<p>I don't know about accepting you just cause you can pay. The one I know went to a very good west coast public that is known to be rigorous. But I think she made a poor decision for her parents, having to pay that load + expenses like travel home. She would have been eligible for merit at many privates in the US and would have almost a choice of UC's-- a great education at a bargain for in-state. She kinda bulldozed her way into this situation, it seems to me.</p>
<p>Oh, and for parent perspective, I have no qualms with the 'away experience', as my own went about as far across the US as possible and had a great experience, aside from the slightly anxious first year, which I think is typical.</p>