I’m an American hs senior. I’ve committed to 2 colleges: Tulane University in New Orleans and the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, to study polisci and sociology. I visited Tulane and loved it but have never been to Scotland. These 2 could not be more different in terms of location, climate, culture of the school and academic structure & I see the benefits and drawbacks of both. As for cost, Edinburgh would be less. I’m very conflicted as to which school I should ultimately attend. Any suggestions?
My DD16 had these two options on the table and chose Edi. She just finished her second year and can not be happier. You definitely need to visit before making your final decision. Lmk if you have specific questions.
Do you prefer warm weather or northern climates.
Unless you don’t like a foreign environment, definitely Edinburgh. Tulane is good, but to me Edinburgh seems just better in most aspects, from pure rankings to, in your case, finances.
My son looked at Tulane but ultimately decided on the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. He just finished first year and loves it so much. If you have any interest in talking to him about life in Scotland he would be happy to talk to you.
How very odd and interesting that in these cases Tulane is competing with Scottish universities.
or lets put @privatebanker question another way, do you prefer hot, muggy weather to a cooler more pleasant climate?
@CU123 I have never heard of Scottish weather especially winter as cool and pleasant. And I’ve been there a dozen times.
Edinburgh’s climate is not as rough as the North and Midwestern US, nor is it as warm as Tulane (which is pleasant from October to March, that, most of the school year). Kind of like a colder Seattle. Occasional snow, cold winds, lots of rain.
I assume that poli sci in Edinburgh will have more of a European bent - is that something you’re interested in? In addition, you’ll be full into a LOT of the Brexit action - for instance, the Scottish Parliament and Nicola Sturgeon have refused Westminster “take back” the powers devolved to the EU and ask them to be returned to Scotland. Theresa may just had a “pushback” passed whereby she won’t really have to hit the 2019 wall (she seems to have a 3-year extension) because of the Irish problem (Ireland’s border must remain passable in order to the Good Friday Agreement to remain in place, but if they’re passable then any smuggling can happen and Brexit made a mockery of…
I assume you’ll be taking 30-45 credit points in Poli Sci, 30 credit points in sociology, and 45-60 credit points in whatever you want - have you found what you’re interested in taking that would complement your program well? I would recommend taking a small class since most of your classes with be lectures (although you’ll have tutorials/preceptorials). It may also be useful for you to take a European foreign language.
In the US there’ll be more hand holding - don’t expect quizzes in Scoltand -, more choices and electives - your program is partially prescribed in Scotland but core courses only, no gen eds - and in terms of poli sci you’ll be witness to important elections (2018, 2020) although LA isn’t a swing state at all but it’s still close to interesting areas to canvass.
@privatebanker I guess then you have never heard that it is hot and muggy in New Orleans in the Summer/Spring/Fall I’ve been to Edinburgh about 30 times so I guess we’ll disagree on that.
@CU123 I don’t recall saying that or disagreeing. Maybe you can point it out for me? New Orleans is hot and muggy. No doubt. Some people prefer that to cooler and wetter. And if you’ve been to Scotland As many times as you’ve stated you know that it’s rainy and humid with short summer when school is out. Although the temps aren’t bad. . But don’t let the facts get in the way of your point.
“Edinburgh is a city with a significant rainfall. Even in the driest month there is a lot of rain. This location is classified as Cfb by Köppen and Geiger. The average annual temperature in Edinburgh is 8.5 °C. The rainfall here averages 706 mm”
Cfb, marine, climates are found on the western coasts of continents. They have a humid climate with short dry summer. Heavy precipitation occurs during the mild winters because of continuous presence of mid-latitude cyclone”
While the overseas schools aren’t necessarily going to follow NACAC guidelines, Tulane does, and you do know that you aren’t supposed to double deposit, yes?
^ double depositing with an overseas school is authorized due to their Admissions cycle having different deadlines (their deposit deadline is August 5 I think, because Highers and ALevel results are given in early August. )