Hi all!
I applied to King’s College London just for fun because I saw it on the Common App… After being accepted a few days ago I’ve fallen in love with the idea of studying in London and am now seriously considering this as an option. I was wondering if anyone who goes there could possibly tell me about their experience attending such an urban school. Is there a strong student community? What does the social scene consist of? If you’re international it would help to know your experience as well. And perhaps any other recommendations/comments/suggestions about the school itself regarding academics? Basically, any info is appreciated! Thanks!
What subject?
There’s one very distinct difference from your US options, which is that at KCL you will basically only study the subject or combination you’ve been admitted for. No gen eds, no exploring other subjects.
@conformist1688 French & Management with year abroad.
The experience will be pretty different at a “city” uni like any of the University of London colleges. Yes, KCL would have campuses, but they would just be collections of buildings here and there. You’d likely be living in a dorm/residence somewhere else in London, maybe with other KCL students or other UoL students. Comparable to NYU in the US.
Student community wouldn’t typically be as strong as at a typical campus-based American college. School spirit would be a foreign concept.
More independence would be expected and marks will come down to a few big end-of-year tests/papers. And yes, you would not be able to switch what you study to something different very easily (though concentrating on just French or just management may be possible). So think of it as a grad-school-lite experience.
There would still be lots of clubs, however.
Outside those, social scene would consist of a lot of drinking (to an American, almost all Brit uni students would seem to drink like frat boys on a Friday night) as well as stuff going on in London.
You could consider studying in the US and studying abroad in London instead.
OP wouldn’t get their year in France then.
@Conformist1688: That depends on the college and study abroad programs. At some schools, you could fit in two study-abroad experiences.
@PurpleTitan true but there is a world of difference between studying abroad for a term or year and being a true international student.
KCL happens to be my first choice…I am a senior in HS in New York. If you don’t mind me asking, why type of qualifications did you have in your application? I applied a little later (only two weeks ago or so) and really am quite nervous.