I’m interested in the University of Edinburg, St. Andrews, or the University of Aberdeen (maybe). However my parents are worried that if I go to a overseas undergrad I won’t get into a good grad school or I won’t be able to get a job in the US. (I do want to live in the US after college). Does anyone know what the reputation is like for those universities?
I think most people in the US are completely unfamiliar with Scottish universities. But, college reputation doesn’t count that much in getting jobs. The hard part for you, is that US firms won’t be recruiting at your school so you would be totally on your own for your job search. There also won’t be a very large alumni network in the US for theses schools compared to American schools.
It would make for a good ice-breaking question during interviews, but why Scotland? Just for the heck of it? You’d probably be better off looking at schools in England (says this confirmed Hibernian) and certainly not Aberdeen. Good god, do you even know where that is?
While the general population may not know, I do think business professionals, HR execs and Academics would know that Edinburg and St Andrews are top top schools. They are world ranked.
I have to disagree that business professionals and HR execs are familiar with Scottish universities. I think this is wishful thinking. Maybe some subset of them are but most are not. I am a senior executive who has been in hiring positions in the past and I could not tell you a thing about them.
Grad schools would know those programs so don’t worry about that. Job hunting would be a bit more of a challenge because you wouldn’t have a career office that can help you much.
What about studying in the US and spending a year abroad in Scotland instead?
@me29034 where are you located? I would think in big cities, nyc, chicago, people would know. Big banks and consulting firms certainly would. And if you don’t and you google, what comes up is very impressive
If you attend Russell group universities, you’ll be fine with grad schools. However employers aren’t likely to know them, so you’ll have to specify on your resume ("Russell Group: British Ivy League. Ranked #… in the UK for -program- , # in the world overall.)
Being on your own to find internships and later on a job can add difficulties.
And I, too, would ask: why Scotland?
Edinburgh, St Andrews, and Glasgow would make sense I guess, but how did you come accross Aberdeen? It’s a nice city for a semester exchange, but to spend 4 full years it seems a bit extreme.
Scottish universities are popular with many Americans because they’re more exotic than American universities but offer more flexibility than English universities in the first year or two of studies. St Andrews in particular has become quite popular with the prep school crowd in the northeast.
Agreed. Anecdotal evidence, but a friend of mine (American) just graduated from Edinburgh in economics and received job offers both in the US and in London.
For some reason several high-achieving kids from our high school have chosen to attend Edinburgh. A couple are dual citizens so the low EU citizen price makes it attractive, but a couple just went because they liked the programs, can afford it, whatever. They’ve all stayed, 2 are 4th years this year.