<p>I'm an American high school student, and I've been looking at a few schools in Europe (Oxford, Edinburgh, St. Andrew's, etc) and I would like to hear about the differences between going to school here and there. I would also like to know the reality of me getting into school there, and any suggestions on schools to look into, or advice. </p>
<p>Lots of differences, and lots of info if you root around this thread and the Americans going to university in the UK thread over on the website the student room (a UK site). First and biggest difference is that you generally only study one subject. So, if you apply to study history at Oxbridge you will <strong>only</strong> study history- no gen ed, no distribution requirements etc, The other big difference is that the biggest variable in your application is standardized tests (and aptitude tests @ Oxbridge). </p>
<p>Another difference is that most British students will have studied a very specialized curriculum for 2 years and are expected to be very autonomous. British students consider that American colleges “spoon feed” their students (even if American high school students find them rigorous and requiring a lot of autonomy… so the gap between British expectations of 1st year autonomy and American expectations is HUGE.) Essentially you’re on your own academically.
Admissions aren’t holistic. For the most selective colleges, you need 5 AP tests and 5’s on them, in specific subjects depending on what course (major) you want.</p>
<p>This might help you - it was written in relation to Glasgow, but 95% of it is equally applicable to anywhere else in the UK <a href=“Life in Glasgow for American Undergrad? - #2 by boomting - International Students - College Confidential Forums”>Life in Glasgow for American Undergrad? - #2 by boomting - International Students - College Confidential Forums; </p>