Final Decision for my Freshmen year: RHIT (USA) vs Imperial College (UK)

<p>"Besides, I have never heard of any one from Imperial going to US for grad schools. Most of them either go directly into industry, or pursue a PhD at Imperial again."</p>

<p>That seems a slightly odd basis on which to choose a university. The fact that you've never heard of anyone doing it doesn't mean a) that no one ever has, or b) that you couldn't do it anyway. </p>

<p>I would be absolutely astonished if no one had <em>ever</em> gone from Imperial to the US for grad school anyway. </p>

<p>I'm not trying to change your mind at all, btw - I just think it's an odd justification.</p>

<p>Hi, Laylah,</p>

<p>I am just trying to go to an university where there are more opportunities of various sorts that can help me into some good tech/science grad schools in the US. And I think because 1) RHIT is very focussed on undergrad education, 2) internships, 3) more undergrad research opportunities in general, 4) flexible curriculum that allows me to study things outside but related to my fields
5) reputation according to the DEANS and FACULTIES of big US grad schools</p>

<p>I don't know if this is true, but I think in UK, or in Europe in general, you pick a field and you are probably going to stick with it for the rest of your life, which just doesn't fit my personal philosophy.</p>

<p>In the end, I am just choosing to go to a place where there's more opportunities in technology and science, and moreover, with better prospect for a good US grad school. I am not trying to compare which university is better than the other. At first, both RHIT and Imperial are difficult to compare because of they are of different types of schools. If it's a comparison, between say, University of Michigan Ann Arbor or Imperial, then it would be difficult too, because they seem to be at the same level of academic reputation, if say, I want to go to a school based purely on world reputation.</p>

<p>I am sure I will get good education at Imperial as well, but I am looking more deeply into the opportunities available.</p>

<p>But again, as I hope to pursue a good grad school in US which I think is the best in science and technology in the world with the most opportunities, no one will care if I have my bachelor from RHIT or Imperial any way.</p>

<p>Hi Jack, </p>

<p>It's not entirely true that in the UK you stick with one field for the entirety of their studies - I'm a field-switcher, and so are lots of other people, but it is certainly the case that the emphasis in the UK is on depth in one or two subjects, rather than breadth in several. Undergrad research opportunities are available in the UK, but they do tend to be along the lines of an independent thesis/dissertation/lab project, rather than working long-term in a prof's lab. I can certainly see why that wouldn't attract you as much!</p>

<p>Anyway, I'm sorry if it came across like I was attacking your choices - I honestly didn't mean to! I just wanted clarification, and you gave it :)</p>

<p>I actually had the interview with an Oxford staff, and my impression was that I had to follow this set of rigid system in an UK school. Of course, I will do some lab project or thesis, but that only come say, in your junior, or possibly only in senior year if I study in UK. I also don't like the name "Imperial". It's still in their mission statement to use scientific knowledge to enhance the British imperial power.</p>

<p>To me, undergraduate years are for me to get exposed to the world of science and technology as a whole. I will have my depth in grad school. :)</p>

<p>I like breadth and depth, not just depth. :-)</p>