<p>Hello everyone. I am currently facing the painful decision between choosing the US or the UK for university.
I have a place from Manchester university (UK) and a place from Miami university in Ohio. My chosen are of study is physics. </p>
<p>The things that attract me about the UK are: 1
) I will only be doing physics and no gen eds, which quite appeals to me (I will get out of the course with a deeper knowledge in physics?).
2) I have been led to believe that UK universities encourage independent learning and give you "your time" to learn, which I really like. I don't like the fact that students constantly get homework and assignments in the US, I think trying to get them done can distract you from actually learning, and I have always been more of a self-taught kinda guy.
3) It's Man uni! although if I go to the US, I plan on transferring to top universities (fingers crossed).</p>
<p>Pros for US are,
1) I am about 99% sure I want to do physics. But if that one per cent turns out to be true, it is much easier transferring courses in the US than in the UK.
2) There is a lot more financial aid in the US.
3) I have been led to believe that the UK is a dark, gloomy, and dull place....while this is the U.S ...(honestly though, I am not really giving much weight to that last point as my main focus is education).
4) If I do transfer to top unis in the US (MIT and the sort), then these are arguably better places to be than Manchester University ??</p>
<p>I would choose Machester because of the independence factor you mentioned. Also, wouldn’t you be able to obtain your degree in 3 years as opposed to 4 if you study in the UK?</p>
<p>The United Kingdom is an amazing place to study. However, most of the highest-ranking universities are on American sands, and that is not a factor to consider if you only plan to apply to Oxbridge. UK universities focus more on academia and the “tutorial” system, which is basically tutoring offered to every student in those universities. Cambridge calls it supervision. Another thing is the exam, because at least at Cambridge there is only one exam to study for and the learning stops probably in December so you have all the time to study and have fun. </p>
<p>However, do know that many people with different qualities (whether having 2400 on the SAT without ECA or having 1700 on the SAT with ECA) do get into the best universities in the US, while offers in UK universities are known enough for people not to even apply to them, and you can only apply for 5 annually.</p>
<p>If you need financial aid, it’s virtually impossible for an international student to transfer from abroad.
Manchester is Russell group and you’d be done in 3 years, focusing on physics. Based on what you said, it sounds like the best option for you.
Which university is cheaper?</p>
<p>Go for uk as u seem to be an independent and studious person. That will cater to ur needs as well as passions. I think That u r even slightly inclined towards uk. I hope this help. </p>
<p>If you will need financial aid to complete your studies then I am not sure the UK is even an option. Meaningful financial aid (as opposed to small awards like £100 for books which are quite common but you can’t pay your tuition with this amount) for international undergraduates is extremely rare. In order to get a student visa you will have to prove you have the money to fund your entire course, so if that is not possible, you will have to give up on Manchester.</p>
<p>Manchester in winter is cold and wet (and famously quite wet most of the year really) This is because it is in northern Europe. What do you expect? It will also be dark by 4pm in winter. Clearly if that is intolerable to you then don’t choose Manchester. My personal experience is that the UK just has an indoors culture in the winter. A lot of that indoors means in pubs for students.</p>
<p>A quick google search shows that Miami Ohio is a lot hotter than Manchester in the summer but a lot colder than Manchester in the winter. Also, Miami gets 44 inches of rain per year against 32 inches for Manchester (but there is no “dry season” in England. It can rain whenever).</p>
<p>If you choose Miami, do so intending to complete your degree there. Top US schools accept very few transfer students. Your chances are low. Do not sit around at Miami hating it and waiting for your dream school to drop you a line. Embrace it because you have a 99% chance of having to stay there. </p>
<p>DS1 has chosen Trinity Dublin over another well ranked US school in a large city due to the more focused, serious nature of study in the field of English that is available at Trinity. His US option would have required non-English courses in science, history and a class in “cultural contexts.” His only concern was that it would be harder to get into a US-based PhD program from a foreign university, given that contact with professors takes more work than in the US. We addressed this by speaking with the department and getting satisfied that a significant number of graduates go on to PhD programs in the US.</p>
<p>As for the weather, it is rainier in England but warmer. Regarding where Miami, Ohio is based, there will be a significant “indoor culture” there in the winter as Ohio gets pretty cold and snowy. Instead of the pub culture in the UK, Miami’s indoor activities include a fair amount of fraternity parties. Personally, I would prefer socializing in a pub than a fraternity house.</p>
<p>We found Trinity to be a lot less expensive than DS1’s other option as well.</p>
<p>Transfer to highly ranked liberal arts colleges in the US is difficult, as some won’t consider transders at all (Princeton) and others just don’t have open spots because nearly all of their students return after freshman and sophomore year. Generally, you need at least a 3.7 average to be considered. Even if accepted, not all credits will be accepted for transfer, especially for first year seminar courses.</p>
<p>Having just gone through this, I believe that (aside from the money) you should make the decision based on where you will best learn and what you are preparing to do after school. If you are looking to do internships and participate in faculty-led research while in undergrad, then see which school gives you those opportunities. If a PhD is the goal, then see where their grads go.</p>