I was accepted to UCLA and King’s College London (as well as some other colleges, but these are my top choices).
My mom seems more concerned with prestige, believing that UCLA beats KCL in that category. I’ve always found rankings to be rather subjective because KCL is sometimes ranked higher than UCLA and it doesn’t really matter to me anyway.
I would prefer to go to KCL because I’ve always wanted to study abroad (plus, I live in California and decided a long time ago that I didn’t want to go to a UC).
Both schools have my major (International Development). UCLA would be about $20,000 more expensive with regards to tuition and room & board, but that will probably even out if I go to KCL and have to deal with the living costs of London.
I would graduate in 3 years from KCL but it would take 4, perhaps more since classes are so impacted, to graduate from UCLA.
Does anyone have any opinions on the quality of the schools, or advice on how my mom and I should come to an agreement?
All unis in England would be much more rigid in terms of major. Basically, you take only the classes in your major and that’s it. If you change your mind, tough. Start over.
Where do you want to be after graduation? UCLA will be better known in the US. KCL in the UK.
Also, you realize that you can study abroad while at UCLA as well, right?
@PurpleTitan I know UCLA has study abroad but I’m just itching to leave california and broaden my horizons and all that. I’m already pretty set in my major, so the rigidity of unis in England doesn’t really bother me.
I want to work with NGO’s after graduation so I don’t really think it matters? I’ll probably end up back in the states at some time but I’m basically open to being anywhere.
If you’ve been admitted to both and can afford both, do NOT go to the school you do not want to attend! Yes, you’ll get used to it, but if you have the choice, follow your heart.
Congrats on two great choices. It’s possible (probable) you mom is not quite ready to let her baby bird fly quite so far from the nest. So, try to reassure her you will keep in contact by skype, email or phone. Invite her to London for a visit during your first semester. Has she traveled abroad?
For your goal of working for an NGO, KCL would be a great preparation. Try showing her the internship possibilities, the global opportunities, and the job placement info from their website. Best of luck.
@fauve thank you! My mom is actually quite willing to let me go far. I reasoned with her because she went abroad and then moved continents when she was young, so she’s willing to let me have the same experience 
You have visited? Is this a school without a campus? Years ago my cousin went to LSE for a study abroad and was really not happy without a campus. If that is what you want go for it. I have obviously heard of UCLA but had never heard of the other one before coming here
@fourfourfour Glad to hear she has come around!
London, hands down, especially since you want to study abroad. Unless you are doing something very specific (like med school later), your degree from KCL will be impressive as well.
I’d like to reiterate SaphireN’s point: Maybe LSE is different from KCL, but the college experience there, at least, is nothing like in the US. It’s highly disorienting for Americans who arrive are expecting some semblance of campus life, dorm experience, students who are invested in creating a shared community, etc…Again, maybe KCL is different. But go in with your eyes open.