UK Universities

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Do you think it'd be 'worth it' for an American to go to university in the UK? How would you compare the general undergraduate education there to that of the US? </p>

<p>I think I'd love to go, but there are of course downsides: discouraging parents... foreign country... costs (if I'm doing the sums correctly, tuition + living expenses in UK is typically less the cost of tuition alone in the US, but there's little to no financial aid)... better choices in the US.</p>

<p>There's a part of me that's thinking, 'Well, when the time comes, just apply and see what happens, right?' They've UCAS, which processes all your applications, so I could fill out one form online (I don't know if you have to pay - anyone?) and send it off to six schools easily (because I think you can apply to a maximum of six with it?). </p>

<p>But, on the other hand, I'd feel like a total tool applying to so many schools. There will be eightish in the US, plus, since I don't have to fill out a bunch of apps, six more in the UK. How embarrassing (no offense meant to those who are applying to 14+ schools, but that seems way excessive and self-doubtful to me). And some schools (or Oxford at least...) require additional uni-specific applications which I'm sure take up some time. And there's the whole deal with researching the universities, deciding (from websites, of course) which would suit you best, blah blah - and I'm very anal about that sort of thing.</p>

<p>But (yes, another)... I want to study British/European history, and it'd be so lovely to actually be there. But... I would miss out on the typical American college experience, which I don't doubt is wonderful if you choose the right school. And I can always study abroad for a whole year, even. But... for as long as I can remember, I've fancied myself living in England when I'm older; why not get a headstart? But... what if that turns out to be merely a naive little girl's dream? And there's always graduate school.</p>

<p>Well, you see, I'm going in circles. I really want to apply, but I don't know if it'd all be a waste, because maybe I would never have gone in the first place. :( And I don't know enough to compare American colleges to British ones. Like if I got accepted to Brown and Cambridge, I don't know which I'd choose! St Andrews and Swarthmore? Durham and William & Mary? I don't know! And I probably won't be able to visit before applying, which is more trouble.... </p>

<p>I'm very silly, I know.</p>

<p>So, now you can console me, or something.</p>

2

<p>hehe, I'm kinda in the same boat as you. I'm really looking at St. Andrews, but I also have a chance at many excellent U.S. colleges. So, I think I'll answer your last questions first.</p>

<p>**Brown v. Cambridge: I'd would go Cambridge for sure. Be ware, though, that Cambridge accepts like 6 US students a year, so it's like ivy league plus to get in.</p>

<p>**St Andrews and Swarthmore: This one is tougher. However, since what you want to study is British/European history, why not do it in Europe?</p>

<p>**Durham and William & Mary: Can't help you. Don't know much about Durham.</p>

<p>Oh, and one more thing. I know St. Andrews lets you do payments, but I believe that you'd have to pay for Cambridge up front. As in the WHOLE tuition at the beginning of the year. </p>

<p>Ok, so is it worth it? I'd think so. You'd get a great, unique experience if you went overseas. It would be in an English speaking country, so that's a big plus. Also, where else should you be studying your subjet of choice than in Europe? Keep in mind, though, that you'll probably study nothing except for that subject if you go there, because UK schools don't do that "broad knowledge base" thing.</p>

3

<p>I'm glad I'm not the only one thinking about it. :) Whenever I tell someone I want to go to Oxbridge, they look at me like I don't know what I'm talking about or what's good for me.</p>

<p>Those university comparisons were pretty random, by the way.... I don't know much about Durham, either, except that one of its colleges is a castle, and that's wicked. :D</p>

<p>Have you already visited or will you have a chance to visit St Andrews before applying? And what are you thinking about studying?</p>

<p>I'm very pleased with only studying history. Sometimes I get frightened that it's not the right choice - and almost any US college would help me realize that before I chose my major - but... I'm pretty confident (I'm equally interested in historical linguistics, but that's difficult to come across at the undergraduate level, innit). And doesn't St Andrews let you switch around a bit during the first two years? I read something to that effect on their website.</p>

<p>Does anyone know if Americans can apply to both Oxford and Cambridge? I've read so many things saying otherwise, but I used to know a Canadian girl who applied - and was accepted - to both. I don't know if she was an exception or what....</p>

4

<p>Yes, from what I've read, St. Andrews is a bit different (Scottish vs. British system I guess) because your first two years you apply to a faculty (i.e. arts, medicine, etc.) and not a major, and can take any classes within that faculty. </p>

<p>Nope, I haven't visited St. Andrews. Heck, the only other country I've been to is Canada :D I plan on studying either Astronomy/Physics or Math+Physics double honors (if I go to St. Andrews) and plan to eventually apply to U.S. dental schools, LOL! If that doesn't sound screwed up to you, I can't help ya!!! </p>

<p>Yes, I believe you can apply to both Cam and Ox. Oxford is a bit less selective of its U.S. students, but that upfront tuition payment is too rich for my blood, so I won't be thinking Oxford :{</p>

5

<p>A lot of kids go to schools in the US and do 1 year abroad programs (usually in their junior year) in the country of their choice at a school of their choice. Just pick a school in the US that has an abroad program in the country and school in that country you like....</p>

6

<p>I don't think you can apply to both Cam and Ox: you certainly can't as a domestic student so I wouldn't think you could as an international.</p>

7

<ol>
<li><p>UCAS application is a free service. You don't pay anything to apply to up to 6 universities. (up to 4 only if you are applying for Medicine)</p></li>
<li><p>You CANNOT apply to both Oxford and Cambridge for UNDERGRADUATE studies, UNLESS you are applying as an Organ scholar.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>However, you CAN apply to both Oxford and Cambridge for GRADUATE studies.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>On your UCAS form, you have to write a one-page personal statement.</p></li>
<li><p>UK degrees tend to be more focused on your chosen subject, so you study it to quite a high level. There is less flexibility in this sense compared to the American system. If your heart is definitely set on British/European History, I would say you should consider UK then. If you are not sure as yet, it may be better to go UK as a graduate student.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Hope this bit of info helps! Good luck</p>

8

<p>
[quote]
1. UCAS application is a free service. You don't pay anything to apply to up to 6 universities. (up to 4 only if you are applying for Medicine)

[/quote]
</p>

<p>no.. it costs 15 pounds actually</p>

9

<p>Oh snap!</p>

<p>Thanks for the information, everybody.</p>

10

<p>Actually, you can apply to both Oxford and Cambridge if you're applying to be an organ scholar. I realise that affects only a tiny minority of people, but it's worth mentioning I suppose :D.
To the OP - Swarthmore over St. Andrews every time! St. Andrews has a vastly overinflated repuation in the US compared to what people think of it in the UK. It is a good, solid university but generally Edinburgh is thought of as the best Scottish university, and there are many English universities that people would pick over St. Andrews.
Anyway, if you do decide to go ahead with the application (and UCAS/Oxbridge applications are really not time consuming compared with US ones, you can do them in an evening, no probs) feel free to PM me or whatever if you want any advice on personal statements or what have you...it's been a while and I did things the other way round from you, but every little helps, eh?</p>