<p>The Watson is a fabulous opportunity. I wish my students were eligible (we’re a large university).</p>
<p>Good luck to your son!!</p>
<p>I have an important question that I hope someone here can answer. With the Marshall out of the way, DS has turned his attention to the Cambridge application, which of course is really an application for the Gates. I assume there are many others here (or your offspring, rather) doing the same. It is a new requirement this year that the application include a check for 35 pounds (I don’t think my computer has the cool sign) drawn on a UK bank. Does anyone know how to do this? DS just called to say Bank of America (his bank) cannot issue a check in pounds. The Dean who is in charge of this is sending all the applications together on Monday. I’m thinking maybe the Dean could find this out. Any ideas out there? This is only one of two things my kid has asked me to help on (the other was sending pictures), so I would like to come through with an answer. If I find out anything, I will post it here to help anyone else in need. Thank you.</p>
<p>Ivy- call your local American Express office (or one of the other currency exchange companies) or HSBC; find out how fast they can issue you a check in pounds. Where do you live???</p>
<p>Thomas Cook is another currency exchange – I’ve gotten traveler’s checks in other currencies there.</p>
<p>The American Express answer was inspired. If you are a card holder, you can get a check drawn in foreign currency. It takes three days (I am guessing that the check is actually drawn on a bank), so DS was at the office first thing this morning to get it. The cost is $25 and the exchange rate is bad, but at this point, I don’t care. HBSC won’t do it unless you have an account with them. Everyone suggested a wire transfer, but I say come into the 21st century. You can execute a pay pal transaction in any currency.</p>
<p>Anyway, thank you so much, dear CC unmet friends. And good luck to all through this process.</p>
<p>Ivy- although I find the Amex card a waste most of the time, the few occasions requiring something foreign they always pull through. Glad you’re making progress.</p>
<p>Bumping this up for the coming years applicants!</p>