<p>I have to admit France seems to be the worst offender IMO, but the Brits do have a social hierarchy that I just don't see in the US. Here, new money mingles with old much more fluidly.</p>
<p>@cupcake: I am absolutely aware of the UK perception of St. Andrews; it is precisely the reason I am wary of applying there -- however, it does have a high student satisfaction rate and is ranked highly for teaching in many degrees.</p>
<p>I'm very sad if the perception of Americans at British schools is that they are snobby, rich and against non-Americans. I'm absolutely not like that, and would hope people could see past that. </p>
<p>@hmom5: I don't know about this bloodline thing. Most of my dad's family are Londoners: they have lived there all their lives but are in fact first or second generation, their parents/grandparents having been eastern European Jews who fled to England after the Holocaust. They are very well off because of successful business ventures; they went to good schools and universities, and have lucrative jobs. I wouldn't say they're at some disadvantage because they're not landed gentry. And I don't think that's abnormal at all.</p>
<p>As for expense overseas: most of my friends will pay $50,000 to go places like NYU without any sort of scholarship or financial aid: I will receive little or no state financial aid in my income bracket. Unless I go to a state school or somehow receive an incredible merit scholarship, I am looking at doing the same. And there are some international scholarships, however difficult it may be to obtain them.</p>
<p>Anyway, FAFSA is applicable to UK schools, is it not?</p>
<p>Yes, but if you're in an income bracket that would not get you money at state schools all you'll get from FAFSA is a loan. Pell Grants are the only money FAFSA presides over giving, and to get one your family needs to make under $40K. So if yours makes over $40K, you will pay full price at any of the UK schools.</p>
<p>Social hierachy in the UK now is definitely not that important now...except if you work for the tabloids (where there is a fascination with the upperclass in magazines) or you are actually royalty. Considering the fact that both groups are in the minority and very few people are actually a member of the peerage or royalty...social hierachy does not define someone. No one goes around in London carrying a book with a list of the most respectable families...99% don't care either.</p>
<p>All of those universities are fine. I advise you visit them if you get offers and make a judgement for yourself. KCL is not reputed for English, more so for history but no one really knows even here - most employers consider it one of the strongest universities outside Oxbridge. No one cares about the league tables in the UK except spotty teenagers who don't know much else to make their choices on. KCL is a beautiful university, around the corner from the Royal Courts of Justice (doubt you'll ever bother to go in) and the social life there is reputed to be very good.</p>
<p>I don't know why more US students don't consider university in the UK. Even with the horrendous international fees they charge you, it's massively cheaper than the US! And it's a year less (though that may be a bad thing?). I would have thought our degree will make you a more unique and interesting person - making you more employable. Our economy is even worse than yours at the moment - the pound is doing terribly. It's never been cheaper for you guys!</p>
<p>I'm also a US student studying in the UK (University of Warwick), and I would just like to say coming to the UK was one of the most rewarding experience of my life (other then living in Coventry but that is a different story). If I went to the school of my choice in the US which would have been UCLA, I would have talked to the same friends from high school. Coming to the UK I have met loads of people from different countries (UK, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Singapore, Hong Kong, China and etc). Yeah the international fee sucks and if you are living in London its even worse, but Scotland is GORGEOUS!! Also the flights from UK to Europe is so cheap with ryanair and easyjet :)</p>
<p>After I applied through UCAS in 2006, I think more and more students in the US are applying to UK university and I'm planning on doing my MSc here in the UK hopefully at LSE :)</p>
<p>@ KING IS HERE: I'm so glad to hear you've had such a worthwhile experience. You didn't find it too difficult to adjust then? What's your undergrad experience been like compared to a huge university like UCLA? </p>
<p>@Nana_Maria: I think most people are afraid to stray too far from home, or don't see UK universities as being as prestigious (apart from Oxbridge). Or just lack imagination. We're not very globally conscious around here -- a lot of kids I know aren't considering schools not on the east coast. It is a pity, as I think it's actually easier for international students to get into good schools abroad.</p>
<p>Just to update, I've now received offers from Edinburgh and St. Andrews in addition to KCL. Edinburgh is still my first choice, but that may change if I get into Durham!</p>
<p>UCLA is a huge campus and one of the main reasons I decided to go study in the UK (other then wanting to work in London) is the fact that UK degree takes 3 compare to US that takes 4 years. I really didn't find it that difficult to adjust to a life in the UK, since it was very similar to that of the US expect CA had better weather and etc. But you still have to remember that some people will say that they have might xxxxxx experience about going to xxxxxx college in xxxxxx country but in the end it all depends on how you act and decide how you want your college experience to be.</p>
<p>PS: congrats on your offer to Edinburgh, St. Andrews and KCL. I still say u should go to Edinburgh compare to Durham. Edinburgh is a lovely place rich with history, great university and great city.</p>
<p>I'm currently doing history at edinburgh if you want to ask any questions. Honestly, don't worry about the class stuff- 99.9% of people don't care anymore!</p>