<p>My child is interested in going to college in the UK. While I was ready to reject it out-of-hand, she is making a good case for it.</p>
<p>Anyway, apart from the obvious issues regarding distance from me, etc., anyone have any thoughts to share on that experience?</p>
<p>The college experience there seems quite different than in the US (less focus on athletics or school-based social activities, less ECs, very merit-based admission, intense focus on the major, less room to simply slide through by passing classes and learning nothing - but I'm not certain of any of that...).</p>
<p>Major would be English Lit/Drama. She would play in a school orchestra and sing in choir, but I see little mention of such things at the UK schools.</p>
<p>At Oxford, the only one I know, "very merit-based admission" and "intense focus on the major" (actually it isn't the major, it is everything) - check! HOWEVER, social activities and ECs are the very heart and soul of the place, and always have been. EC activities, from lit magazines to rowing, music to acting to debate, are far, far more competitive than anything found on this side of the ocean. And it is not at all unusual (in fact, it is often the norm) for students to find their life's calling through their ECs (as opposed to the more scholarly stuff.)</p>
<p>I know several kids who have applied to and been accepted by UK universities as undergraduates, but only one who may be going (and he isn't there yet).</p>
<p>Generally, Oxford and Cambridge are very, very difficult for Americans to get into as undergraduates, although a few are able to negotiate it, and it's gotten a little easier because they will now accept US tests and scores. You can only apply to one of them, by the way. Other schools are much more accepting of Americans, and I think the Scottish universities are especially welcoming.</p>
<p>Some schools to consider would be St. Andrews and Edinburgh- both in Scotland. They're 4 year schools as in the US. Some Brit schools are 3-yr. I have a niece at Birmingham studying literature and it's a 3-yr. program. As you probably know, they're not liberal arts, so the course selection is very focused.</p>
<p>Oxbridge apps are due on or around October 15th, no exceptions. Students must go for an interview if at all possible. </p>
<p>The UCAS app, on the other hand, is the sanest application on earth. Very very easy, all online. Your D can apply to 5 programs in one app with one short essay!</p>
<p>Both of my sons spent/are spending four months doing a course in London while on GAP year. Both of them love London. They say that London is assuming the mantle of Leading Global City--and I can believe it. One of mine applied to Kings College in London and the War Studies College--also in London. He isn't going.</p>
<p>The international thread has some very good UK school discussions on it--do a search. Also--post a duplicate thread over there--there are a number of CC posters who are in school in the UK--including Oxbridge.</p>
<p>Trinity in Dublin is one of my favorites. One of my best friends went to medical school there and LOVED the extracurricular life of sport and music--and Dublin of course. </p>
<p>Check the courses of each of the schools to make sure your D's interests would be served.</p>
<p>In general, UK universities are underfunded by comparison to US universities--therefore they are keen to get intl fees.</p>
<p>It is extraordinarily difficult for Americans to get into many UK universities. The entire undergraduate career would be focused on a single discipline which is much different than schools in the US. Some like that, some don't. (As many people on here know, I highly value a traditional and broad liberal arts education, but that's just my personal opinion.) She should also look into US colleges that offer full year study abroad in the UK.</p>
<p>At least at Oxford, ECs are thought of differently. When I was there, there was no "course" (major) in bioengineering (there is now), but there was a Bioengineering Club, where members presented papers to each other, sought out internships and research opportunities, and discussed latest trends. </p>
<p>There was no "course" in theater, but the Oxford Playhouse included Richard Burton among its luminaries, working with undergrads. The Oxford Union was the home of the rhetoricians - and virtually every Prime Minister who went to Oxford was at one time an officer of the Oxford Union, and it didn't matter what their "major" was. Art historians, Roman coin collectors, etc., the same. </p>
<p>While this has changed a bit as Oxford has become a bit more Americanized (perhaps to its detriment, I have no way of knowing), "ECs" play a different role in the life of the university than they do here.</p>
<p>This might not matter to your daughter but a friends son has been at Leeds University since September and has been very suprised at how dismal the weather is and how unappetizing the food is. And this is from a Pennsylvanian- not a person from Southern California. My daughter visited in December and said that it got dark at 4 in the afternoon. This student has had a wonderful experience and has been able to travel throughout Europe and has said the weather, food oh, and cost of living were the only negatives.</p>
<p>I just thought of one more thing. He found the English students particularly stand-offish and not really interested in making friends with the internationals. His friends are mostly the other internationals. He was suprised at that because he has always been interested in people from other countries and even asked for an international roommate at college his freshman year - and got someone from Japan. So he assumed that when he went abroad that his fellow students would be welcoming and friendly.</p>
<p>I know another girl that is finishing up her second year at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. She has had a wonderful time and will be doing a study abroad in Germany next fall and then one in Russia in the Spring. She's doing a double major in Russian and German.</p>
<p>Very interesting everyone. We are familiar with McGill and I would love to have her go there, but it didn't resonate with her for whatever reason.</p>
<p>I've received some interesting PMs regarding British attitudes toward Americans, especially professors' attitudes. Anyone else have anything to share on that?</p>
<p>My understanding is that there is no financial aid available and most scholarships awarded in the US cannot be used for schools internationally. so if money is an issue, I don't think it could be done.</p>
<p>I have been told that Oxbridge does not offer scholarships to Americans. And the cost runs about $35,000 a year with room, board and travel back and forth to the US. Of course, you only pay for 3 years.</p>
<p>If someone has any more information, please correct me -- but from my research, schools in the UK for wealthier folks.</p>
<p>The normal US Federal govt-based programs are available for use worldwide so, while the schools won't give US students any money, they can get Federal loans, grants, etc.</p>
<p>MSUDad
one more thing I remember my niece saying, is that because the schools are not liberal arts, that you need to evaluate each school for that program itself. A school with big name recognition may or may not have a good program in literature and conversely, a school with little name recognition may have an excellent program.<br>
I can't help you with the attitudes of profs toward US kids because my niece is a Brit. however I can pass along any specific questions you may have to her, if applicable.</p>
<p>MSUDad -- that is contrary to what I have been told. You may be correct -- but I was told that Federal and State grants are for use only in the US. Pell grants and stafford loans are distributed through a university/college. How would they be accessed in the UK?</p>
<p>I just did some searching on google -- the only time that federal financial aid can be used for schools outside the US is for study abroad on an exchange program, not to attend school to pursue a degree.</p>
<p>an interesting (and very long) link that you might enjoy reading. It doesn't seem to come to any conclusion about schools in the UK -- but would probably raise some good questions.</p>