Hi everyone,
I am stuck with what one might call a ‘luxury problem’. I am an international student from Belgium who got into Brandeis University, Smith University, Mount Holyoke College and King’s College London.
I always taught I would attend King’s college London as it was one of my dream schools but I have come to realize that I was mainly blinded by their incredibly high world ranking.
So now, I want to make a decision on where to attend but because I live in Belgium, so I don’t have a whole lot of insight in where I would fit in the best.
Any anecdotes, insights and personal experiences are welcome! This would really help!
Thank you!
What are your interests/potential majors. Also cost is a factor. If you are an EU citizen then KCL might be more affordable than your US options especially if you didn’t get financial aid, although both London and Boston are going to be expensive.
Hi @Hamurtle, my major would be international relations at smith and mount holyoke. My major at Brandeis would be international and global studies and at King’s college London the honors bachelor War Studies and History ( doesn’t look quite the same but I can ‘fill up’ the War Studies part by the same things I would study with International Relations + I love history).
I got a really nice aid package from Smith College (Let’s say it’s so nice that it would be cheaper to go there then go to London as an EU citizen). Mount Holyoke’s aid package is too small for my parents so I should probably strike off my list mount Holyoke. Brandeis I do not know yet how much aid I will get!
Could you lay your hands on a copy of the Fiske Guide to Colleges? Read their descriptions very carefully, that could help.
London is the best place for advance academics…
Well, even if you eliminate Mt. Holyoke, if you end up at Smith, they are part of the same consortium so you can take classes there (along with 3 other colleges.)
Obviously the academic programs you are interested in are important but have you considered the environments? Smith vs. Kings - the environments are so very different: Smith is suburban, all girls, not that close to a major city. Kings is coed and spread throughout a major city. this may or may not matter to you!
You cannot go wrong with any of these choices, so try to picture yourself living there and if you can’t visit - take a tour on google maps street view, perhaps talk with some current students - this may help you find the best fit for you.
@AmyForever London is a fantastic place for advance academics as is the US. But not necessarily the best for everyone.
@Fishnlines29 thank you for your insight!
@AmyForever it’s a conditional offer I got from King’s College London! It’s extremely hard but in the realm of possibility that I will meet their ‘condition’
@belgium123 Why is it hard to meet their conditions? Isn’t it just to finalize your classes? When will you know for sure?
@Fishnlines29 90% for my history final and 80% for my other 12 classes, otherwise I lose my offer. I don’t know where you are from but in Belgium (or at least in my competitive school). A good grade is like 65% and an excellent grade is 75% (talking finalwise).
I’m from US. Ok, so if you think it’s that tough, don’t sweat it…you have some terrific choices here in the US. Are you ok moving that far from home? My daughter is actually spending her first year away in France, but then returns years 2-4. It’s a big decision! Brandeis is also a top National university and is about 10 miles outside of Boston - a little closer to a major city, maybe a bit easier to get home once in a while. When do you expect to hear about financial aid?
@Fishnlines29 I am totally ok with moving to the US, as my parents are moving to the midwest bc my dad got a job offer (we’ll still be a 13 hours drive away from each other but I mean it’s fine). All schools were very generous and some even offered scholarships!
What a great decision your daughter made: France is the climax of ‘Europeanness’. Great universities, very diverse and open culture and of course (in most places) a very liberal mindset. I am sure she will enjoy it!
Smith is an excellent college, frankly probably better for undergrad than King’s - more contact hours, more flexibility in choosing classes, more opportunities, more support, more interactive classes. It is residential whereas King 's is commuter. The 5-college consortium is another reason. Finally, if it’s cheaper than King 's.
(Smith is not ranked in world rankings because world rankings look at graduate criteria, IE., primarily research output. However for undergraduates, what matters more is interactions with faculty and peers, support, and opportunities to e involved in research - vs. Knowing grad students conduct awesome research, which world rankings measure.)
If King’s has been your dream school, you could attend Smith (or Brandeis if affordable) and go to Kong’s for a Master’s degree. This way puns have the best of both worlds.
However, beware, Smith is a very political school. If that’s not your cup of tea, it may not be the right fit.
@MYOS1634 incredibly helpful! so if you had to make the choice between brandeis and smith, what would be your pick?
Depends on the person. Academically both are really strong. Smith is more radical/political, has a nicer campus (in my opinion), is in a cool college town, and has the 5-college exchange … But Brandeis is larger, has men in dorms and all classes, is mellower politically, and is close to Boston… So if you are very political or if you want to be near a big city, your choice would be totally different. Try to find a copy if the Fiske guide or read up on niche (with a grain of salt 
) Look at the curriculum, mandatory classes for your major, optipns/choices. Do they offer a stipend if you take an unpaid internship over the summer? (many interrnships in your field will be unpaid).
@MYOS1634 I think I have a slight preference for Smith!
@belgium123 Thanks, she’s really excited and that’s great you will have family ‘relatively’ close by. It sounds like you’re leaning toward Smith and since they gave you the financial package, it sounds like you have almost made your decision. Hopefully you will hear from Brandeis soon so you can ‘button things up’… I’m assuming you have to put a deposit down by May 1st? Please keep us posted on your final decision!
@Fishnlines29 I will most definitely keep you up to date!
@Fishnlines29 Smith college it is!
@belgium123 That’s wonderful! Congratulations to you!! <:-P <:-P