Boarding School vs. England?

Prep School Admissions
1

<p>Hi everyone,</p>

<p>Some of you may recognize me from last year's pool of applicants. I applied to several boarding schools, and was accepted at Blair and Asheville, but neither could offer me sufficient financial aid. I was ready to reapply this year, but I was faced with another opportunity, and I can't decide between the two.</p>

<p>My mom is from England, and I was born in London. However, my family moved to the US when I was around 3, so while I have a British citizenship, I am not a resident (obviously). I was talking to my older brother, who is about to be a junior in high school, and he and I decided that we want to go to university in England, since both of us want to end up back there eventually. I got to talking to my mom, and she told me that if I was a resident in England, college would only cost 10,000 pounds (around $15,000) which is an enormous difference from the typical $50,000 of American colleges.</p>

<p>At first, it was just an idea. I started looking at boarding schools in England, but those are expensive, and it wouldn't really make sense in my situation. But then, my mom talked to my cousins, and they said they would be happy to house me for 2 years, during which I would attend 6th Form College, which is part of the British schooling system where you study and prepare for A Level exams, which are the exams that admit students into universities. At age 16, I would move in with my cousins and attend their local 6th Form College for free. I would become a British citizen, and thus would be able to attend university for a cheaper price (I want to go to the London School of Economics and Political Science, which is where my mom went and she loved it).</p>

<p>This plan makes a lot of sense to my family and me. It would be more cost-efficient, which is very important to my lower-middle class family, and would allow me to transition from life in the States to life in England, which is where I want to end up for a career. However, part of me still wants to attend boarding school very badly. It would be great for my education, and would give me the opportunity to attend college in the US if I end up changing my mind. If I move to England, I would feel sort of trapped in my decision to ultimately live there. After all, part of me wants to stay in the United States.</p>

<p>Any advice? Comments? I'm not asking for someone to tell me what to do - that will ultimately be my decision. I'm just asking for opinions, ideas, etc. that will aid me in figuring out which one would make more sense for me.</p>

<p>Oh, and if it helps, I either want to be a writer or a businesswoman.</p>

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<p>There is absolutely nothing that can keep you from applying to US colleges if you are finishing your secondary schooling in the UK, assuming you also keep your US citizenship( otherwise you will have to go through the tighter international filter). Passing your ABs is equivalent to getting 5s on APs, so colleges like that. essentially you are gaining global experience while you are living with your cousins. Just as long as you maintain the us status. The most you loose is an extra year it takes to do 6th form.</p>

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<p>Okay, thanks so much! I know it makes more sense for me to go to England, but I need to get over my desire to go to boarding school :(</p>

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<p>Are there any boarding school near where your cousins live? You could see if any of them offer a 5-day (flex-boarding) option. It would be a bit cheaper than full boarding, and it would let you experience boarding school and England.</p>

<p>Also, I’ve heard (I don’t know for sure) that it is hard to enter into the UK school system in the upper years because the system is so different from the American one. I don’t know what schools you’ve attended previously, but if you’ve only been educated in the American system, entering into the British system so late might be detrimental. Not saying don’t do it, but just do all of your research. Maybe borrow a textbook or two from your cousins, and read through it.</p>

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<p>I am not familiar with UK’s college system - how to determine residency. I presume the reason UK residents pay lower tuition is because they pay very high personal taxes, as a minor living in UK you wouldn’t be paying taxes, so why would you benefit? I would look into it before you decide to go to high school in UK.</p>

<p>I worked with many people from UK. I don’t know that many Brits who want to move back once they were out, whereas I couldn’t wait to move back to the States after living abroad for 2 years.</p>

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<p>Ballerina, even though you are a British citizen the UK education system will still regard you as an international student because you are returning to the UK for education alone. You must be resident in the UK for three years (and not just to attend school) before you qualify for the lower fee.
My daughter was in almost the exact same situation as you are. I left the UK for sunnier shores when she was three. She went to UK boarding school for six years but did not qualify for a free/resident rate sixth form or university place because she was still classified as an international student. She put college on hold, worked for three years to gain resident status and is now applying again.
If you are determined to go try looking at the state boarding schools on offer. There are some excellent schools where tuition is provided free leaving just the boarding portion to pay. They are still not cheap and admission is competitive but it could be a way to get a realistic idea of life in the UK.</p>

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<p>^ I think ballerina22 moving there to reside with her cousins + live in the UK through the sixth form would not be considered as moving there solely for education? then again I’m just guessing.</p>

<p>as someone who’s familiar with the a-levels though, apart from the practical aspects of a UK education and moving to the UK that you’ve listed out above, you gotta think about the A levels and whether that’s something that fits you - it’s a system that values more focused study of subjects, and students are usually limited to a few subjects, as compared to a us education that values a broad-based curricula (even through college, i must add). anyway umm what i’m saying is that you should consider the present, rather than just think about the future - whether you’re 100% sure you can get used to the sudden slashing of subjects, about what you want to do in the future, if you’re sure that your cousins’ local sixth form college is academically solid and all, and that the UK is a preferably option over the States for your present self (all in terms of the life / weather / blah blah blah). </p>

<p>:)</p>

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<p>[Tuition</a> fees: further education in England](<a href=“http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/info_sheets/tuition_fees_e_fe.php]Tuition”>UKCISA - international student advice and guidance)</p>

<p>^ all the details of who is classified as a home student and who isn’t</p>

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<p>Thanks so much for the advice, everyone.</p>

<p>heyjudecharlotte - I’m looking into that option, but I don’t think that would allow me to qualify as a resident.</p>

<p>oldfort - Since I would be living there fulltime, according to my mom, I would qualify for the discounted university tuition, but I would have to take an extra year after 6th form college to fulfill the 3 year requirement. About your other point - I’ve always felt much more at home in England, having spent time there every year since moving to the US. Although there are many benefits to life in the States, I cannot wait to live in England. It feels like my childhood, and every time I go there, it’s like going home. (pardon my cheesiness!)</p>

<p>Oliviamay - As I said above, it wouldn’t just be to attend school. I want to get a job at a cafe or something if I end up moving, and I would be living there full time. I don’t think I would attend a boarding school. Also, thanks for the link. Very helpful info.</p>

<p>blehjoints - One of the reasons I want to attend 6th form college in England is because of the A level exams. I am a very independent learner, and I actually want to begin to focus in on just a few subjects. Revision for the exams is mostly self-motivated, which is perfect for me and my style of learning. That said, there would definitely be a very difficult transition for me into the British education system. However, I think I am prepared to handle that change. Your point about where I would rather live is definitely valid - although I love England, there are things about the US that I would hate to leave.</p>

<p>This decision is going to be very hard to make. Thanks for all of your opinions! They are all very helpful :)</p>