<p>My family and I have just relocated to this European city not less than a year ago.</p>
<p>I'm currently a first-year undergraduate student at a less-than-average international university somewhere in Europe. I feel that my abilities are not used to their full potential, that the amount of money my parents are spending for tuition is not justified, and that I would be better off somewhere else, studying the subject I am most interested in: oriental studies (more particularly Japanese Studies). The university I'm in right now currently offers a very small range of majors.</p>
<p>I am thinking of applying to one of the top universities in the United Kingdom that offers Japanese Studies (University of Leeds).</p>
<p>However, my father, being the family-centered man that he is, is against the idea of sending us somewhere else. He is very firm about this matter; he said he wants to spend quality time with us his children while we're still young. He said studying away from home would only be worth it if the university is a top-tier one, such as Oxbridge.
While I do respect his notion, I still think that there should be a time when we are allowed to do things we enjoy independently, as long as it does not pose a major damage to anyone.</p>
<p>I have chosen to apply to the United Kingdom, so that it would still be in Europe, where I currently live.</p>
<p>However, I am very afraid to open the topic of applying to a UK university to my dad. I believe that I would be able to further grow somewhere else (where every money spent is worth the quality education), studying the subject that interests me most, yet I understand my father's feeling of wanting to have his children by his side. How do you think I should go about this?</p>
<p>yes, it's me--the same girl who wanted to apply to oxford for 2008 entry.
however, I have been having some doubts the couple of days whether i should push through with applying to oxford for 2008 entry, knowing very well that I have qualifications (although i have top grades) not very comparable to the IB and A-levels.. or whether I should try my luck now and apply to the University of Leeds.</p>
<p>This is a difficult problem obviously. I suggest you go slowly. First try to convince your father that the university you are currently in is not suitable for you, without necessarily implying that you want to go abroad. Next persuade him that prestige isn't everything (because it sure as hell isn't!) and the Uni of Leeds can be as good/better for you than Oxbridge. Make him see this isn't an idle whim and you are serious about it- if he sees that I doubt he will object.</p>
<p>Btw, make sure you do want to study abroad- you don't want to go thru all the trouble and realise your father was right after all!</p>
<p>Also keep on applying in the meantime; you will be much better placed to argue once you actually have the acceptance letter (plus it will show your dad you're serious about this).</p>
<p>Since it costs £5 to apply to one UK university, or £15 to apply to up to six, you might as well apply for both. If you are not an EU passport holder and haven't lived in Europe for the last 3 years you will be considered an overseas student and have to pay the more expensive international fees. In which case you will almost certainly get in to Leeds because that is how they make their money. A certain number of internationals are needed to subsidise the UK/EU students.</p>
<p>cupcake.... she can't apply to Oxford because the deadline was Oct.15th.
And your logic regarding internationals doesn't work (it does for leeds), because at the top colleges like Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, Imperial etc... there are sooo many international students applying...</p>
<p>windmill...sorry didn't realise u were a girl!
Leeds is good, also try for some of the more reputed ones like SOAS and UCL (all the London unis are great!)</p>
<p>I really agree wwith NBZ, convincing your parents will be a whole lot easier if you can flash the acceptance letter at them! so work towards that first</p>
<p>In previous posts the op has indicated she wishes to apply for 2008 entry, for which the application deadline in 15th October 2007.</p>
<p>I am aware that the deadline for Oxford applications is 15th October, since I am actually a student at Oxford.</p>
<p>The UCAS application deadline is sometime in June for non-Oxbridge universities (apart from medicine applicants) for internationals. However, since admissions are effectively rolling and UK students must apply by (15th?) January, I would advise anyone to apply to the UK as early as they can.</p>
<p>Yeah but now she says she's thinking about applying for 2007 entry to colleges other than Oxford.</p>
<p>Anyway, didn't notice you're an oxford student (i've applied there for 2007!!)</p>
<p>but do you seriously think that at colleges like Oxbridge, LSE, UCL, etc. being an international will boost your chances?
(not rhetorical, i actually wanna know because i'm an applicant)</p>
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but do you seriously think that at colleges like Oxbridge, LSE, UCL, etc. being an international will boost your chances?
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<p>I think statistically internationals are less likely to get in at Oxford, at least for now. I don't know about the others. I have heard UK students say they didn't apply to LSE because they only want internationals. There was a lot of news last year about Oxford planning to increase the number of international undergrads at the expense of UK students (see article linked below) so currently I think the odds are in your favour.</p>