<p>My D is considering going Spring 11. She is an Engineering Science/Electrical major but can not take any of her major classes there as they dont match up with her schedule. </p>
<p>I believe it is the first year her school is offering this location but only to honor students. Not getting alot of information (atleast from her, and no one seems to show up for the information sessions or they are held when she is in class) so i am very concerned. She is adjusting her classes to take a spring class in the fall, and make up the missing major classes as a senior. her normal class load has been about 20 credits. she is just finishing her sophmore year. </p>
<p>Additionally, the other students will be going in the fall, she will be the only one in the Spring. (I dont think any are Engineering majors) She feels she can take classes that will satisfy electives and make up what she needs as a Senior. </p>
<p>She has a partial scholorship and I am concerned as she cant afford to lose it. </p>
<p>Has anyone from the US studied there and if so how would you compare the grading systems . Harder than your school or easier. ? </p>
<p>While I think Study abroad is a wonderful experience, but I am not so sure it would be such a wonderful thing for her. </p>
<p>Any other comments would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>I don’t know much specifically about Glasgow, but there are some important things to understand about any study abroad and grading.</p>
<p>I get PMs all the time from people who are studying/have studied in the UK and it’s ruined their GPA. It’s amazing how many students do no research whatsoever on this subject, and how many colleges (like pretty much all of them) do not inform their students about foreign grading systems.</p>
<p>The UK grading system is quite different from the US and it’s usually much harsher, but the important part how it is transformed into a US grade back at the “home” colleges in the US. For example, 70% is genius level in the UK, but may be a fail in the US. What is the home college to do with such a grade? Some will have a method of converting it into a US grade (find out what this is. Is it fair?). Some will do nothing (v bad!!!). Some will ask the UK school to convert it (also probably not a good idea). Others will simply grade this aa a pass and ignore the actual grade. You daughter needs to find out this information from her study abroad office before she sets foot on any plane.</p>
<p>In my opinion starting at any UK school at any other time of year other than autumn is a bad idea. UK schools only have one intake on new students per year, in September/October. At any other time, your daughter may be the only new student. No orientation events. Everyone already knows each other. Much more difficult than normal (not to mention that January is the worst! Dark at 3pm and freezing).</p>
<p>70% most certainly is not ‘genius level’ in the UK – 70% is the standard cutoff for a first class degree, which anywhere between the top 5% and the top 30% of a class will likely get.</p>
<p>But you do have to remember:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>since UK students don’t ‘take courses’ but are studying one subject from day one, the content of UK degrees is usually much more in depth and challenging than equivalent US ones. That’s one reason why so many more Americans get masters.</p></li>
<li><p>UK universities are just more academics focussed in general. Americans often go on about ‘the college experience’ etc, and how it’s not just about academics. In most UK colleges, this would be seen as pretty misguided: you are at university to learn. There is room for other things but it is about learning first and foremost.</p></li>
<li><p>one upshot of this is that lots of people who get into Oxford and Cambridge don’t get into Harvard and Yale (since they are not well-rounded enough) but lots of people who get into Harvard and Yale don’t get into Oxford and Cambridge (since they are not smart enough).</p></li>
</ul>
<p>thanks so much for your comments… They are just reinforcement of some of my fears… not having enough information to be able to make an educated decision. I will certainly pass this info on to her. I think deep down she is apprehensive but hasn’t said too much yet at this point. She did comment that maybe some sort of "summer " study abroad program may be a better choice.<br>
Once the semester is over in two to three weeks, we will have to review her options. thanks again.</p>