Applying to colleges abroad

[Anonymous]

We have one at Trinity in Dublin. A bit of an odd situation since we are citizens of Ireland (registry of foreign births) but haven't resided there. In order to qualify for covered tuition you need to have lived in Ireland for the last 3 of 5 years -- I think. I can't remember the specifics but we didn't qualify. Process was very similar to US. The didn't require more from DS then any US University did. You really need to know what you want to study though. When Irish students go in they are in a defined path of course work and they are expected to stay in it. Most of that is dictated by their leaving certs scores. Is isn't easy to switch between studies once you are in. Cost is high, it is a top university so expect to pay regular US prices. But by second year they were giving scholarships and access to great housing which is a big thing in Dublin. We go twice a year in the fall and spring. Last year DS didn't come home for summer since he was interning for politico over there. He loves it. We may never get him back which is fine since we hope to spend more time over there as we retire if only the health care was better.

[Anonymous]

DC applied to five UK schools in mid-October and heard back from all of them before Thanksgiving. On average, an applicant needs three good AP scores, for some schools it's four to get an unconditional offer. These universities seem to be catering to Americans. Many of them do lectures in the US for interested students, often in the spring, which you can find on their websites.

[Anonymous]

One of our friends' daughter went to the University of Edinburgh, loved it there, the cost was cheaper. Studied business, had hard time finding job in US. Spent almost a year living with the relative in NYC doing unpaid internship until she landed some job.

Another friend's daughter went to University of London. Was regretting after the first year. She saw on the social media how much fun her US friends are having in college. European colleges focuses purely on study, no sports, no after school activities. She wanted to come back in the middle of the second year, found out that she cannot get credits for her courses and chose to stay. Even thought the cost of tuition was cheaper in England, overall the cost of the education was higher. Housing and food was very expensive. Some issues with medical care where they have to fly her to US. ALso, there were few emergencies when parents had to fly to London couple times.

My senior HS kid was seriously considering to go to Europe, but then decided to apply in US.

[Anonymous]

Cost of living in London is at least 30% higher than elsewhere in the UK.

[Anonymous]

UK and EU universities are going to be a very different collegiate experience. Oxbridge is a league unto itself and well worth it but it's still different. Just be aware of how the courses are taught differently, the courses available for study (you're locked into your field of study with little opportunity to move around), along with the lack of counselling support or any kind of support indeed if you're struggling. Some UK universities are little more than a cluster of buildings in an urban setting, others will have more of a proper campus environment and yes, it does make a difference for social/campus environments. Then, of course, are post-collegiate employment opportunities. Career services isn't going to help you find jobs in the US, and your degree most likely won't translate into getting a local work visa. If you already have the local citizenship it will help. If not, don't expect anything.

[Anonymous]

My DD is interested in applying to a UK school, her school send one every other year. But, I’m concerned about the job/graduate school prospects. Can anyone provide any insight to Howe they navigated these issues? My DD is likely be studying bio/pre-med.

[Anonymous]

Many kids from this area and typically a few from most private schools apply to and attend St. Andrew's so it is quite common around here. I don't think the application is particularly difficult and may be easier. Have you gone online and looked?

[Anonymous]

One cannot do premed in the UK in hopes of attending med school in the US. You will not have all the prereqs.

Admission to top grad schools, provided you have good grades, is not a problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One cannot do premed in the UK in hopes of attending med school in the US. You will not have all the prereqs.

Admission to top grad schools, provided you have good grades, is not a problem.

NP: If you do pre-med in the UK, then can you attend UK medical schools as an international student? No clue, truly asking those who are in the know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One cannot do premed in the UK in hopes of attending med school in the US. You will not have all the prereqs.

Admission to top grad schools, provided you have good grades, is not a problem.

NP: If you do pre-med in the UK, then can you attend UK medical schools as an international student? No clue, truly asking those who are in the know.

Medicine is an undergrad degree in the UK and pretty much elsewhere in the world.

[Anonymous]

You won’t get the network you get at a us school, but there is no drawback if you are going to do a graduate degree or join an international firm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One of our friends' daughter went to the University of Edinburgh, loved it there, the cost was cheaper. Studied business, had hard time finding job in US. Spent almost a year living with the relative in NYC doing unpaid internship until she landed some job.

Another friend's daughter went to University of London. Was regretting after the first year. She saw on the social media how much fun her US friends are having in college. European colleges focuses purely on study, no sports, no after school activities. She wanted to come back in the middle of the second year, found out that she cannot get credits for her courses and chose to stay. Even thought the cost of tuition was cheaper in England, overall the cost of the education was higher. Housing and food was very expensive. Some issues with medical care where they have to fly her to US. ALso, there were few emergencies when parents had to fly to London couple times.

My senior HS kid was seriously considering to go to Europe, but then decided to apply in US.

"She saw on social media how much her US friends are having in college" - and this is what American parents pay 250k for. and everyone thinks that's normal. unbelievable.

[Anonymous]

St Andrews in Scotland is hugely popular or Americans.l

[Anonymous]

There are more american students at the Uni of Edinburgh than St.Andrews