applying to European/overseas colleges?

[Anonymous]

My kids are still young in 8th and 9th grades but have read stories about families sending their HS grades overseas to Europe and such for college. The feedback seems to suggest it's an easier app process and also cheaper. Kids are happier overseas as well. Anyone have any knowledge/research about staying and attending US college v. one abroad?

[Anonymous]

You might want to read Mumsnet's Higher Education forum. Its actually helpful and informed, whereas this place is just opinion, conjecture and very out-dated information.

[Anonymous]

Thank you PP!

-OP

[Anonymous]

For the UK, at least, admissions relies a lot on standardized tests. AP and International Baccalaureate exams can substitute for the British A-levels, and each school and degree program has its own minimum requirements to even apply. And if those exams haven’t been taken yet at the time of application, you’ll likely only get a conditional acceptance, pending the results of those exams in spring of your senior year.

I think other European countries are similar, in that they don’t have the same “holistic” approach as the US schools do—they’re not really interested in your extracurricular activities or essay-writing abilities, or how fabulous a person you are. They want to see your measurable academic accomplishments.

Also, in the UK you typically have to apply to a specific degree program, as opposed to the university in general. Each degree will have its own minimum requirements for applying, and depending on the school, it’s not always easy to switch degree programs once you’re in. So it’s not great for kids who aren’t 100% certain what they want to study yet. And once you get there, there’s much less hand-holding than in US colleges.

Just things to keep in mind. The process is simpler because there are fewer factors being considered, but the overall experience may not be right for every kid.

[Anonymous]

Had 2 kids do joint degree programs so spent 2 years at a UK university. Will address a few basic areas of consideration.

UK schools are highly focused. If you are studying economics you will take a lot of economics courses and not much else. As others have said you are applying to a degree program. If you know what you want and can articulate why then you will be fine.

UK education is much different than in the US. Not much in the way of quizzes or homework grades, you will have one or two graded assignments per module. No handholding, if you student is organized and capable of learning and researching on their own, it will not go well. UK students are used to this. Can your child follow the departments guidelines and cite research appropriately and build a relevant bibliography of sources. If yes, good, if not it will be rough.

Housing is not guaranteed and certainly not after freshman year. Housing can be expensive and difficult to obtain. Meal plans are available but don’t expect the diversity of good you get in the US. Also if in a dorm, you will most likely be in a single.

UK students are viewed and treated as adults. Administrations do not cater to helicopter parents.

My kids loved their time at the UK school and were able to adapt to a very different educational system. For those that can it is a great experience but a number of students didn’t adapt and dropped out of the program.

So make sure this is a path that you want to take and if so, by all means give it a shot.

[Anonymous]

You need to know your own kids. One of my kids is in the EU, one in the US. They are both extremely happy with their choices. They would not be happy if their positions were reversed.

The more self-starting, extrovert, and narrowly focused your kid is the better they will do in the Uk or EU. The more hand-holding your kids need, the more they want to explore different subjects, and the more into sports and the stronger their extra curriculars, the more the US might be suitable.

[Anonymous]

Other things to keep in mind
Many Uk degree programs are shorter than US. 3 years vs 4 years unless they do a full year internship year 3 and go back for a fourth year to finish.
It’s more difficult to switch degrees/majors so make sure your kid knows what they want to study. There is less exploration in the first two years like there is in America.

[Anonymous]

In England/Wales, university typically is 3 years for undergrad. In Scotland, a four year undergrad is usual.

William & Mary has a dual-degree exchange program with U. St Andrews in Scotland. Note that StA will not accept a transfer student from this W&M program, so it is not a backdoor to StA. It might be good for a US student who wants to study abroad.