How would British / UK schools stack up against American / US schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As others have noted, UK schools operate on a completely different wavelength from US schools. And the Oxbridge schools are also, to the best of my knowledge, different from the rest of the UK schools, being on the tutorial scheme.

American unis are world-renowned for the liberal arts approach, where students are encouraged to study a wider array of subjects. In this sense, the modern American uni is designed not just to educate, but to socialize and equip students to be "well-rounded leaders" and productive members of society. Hence the emphasis on "holistic" admissions and extracurricular achievements on top of scores.

I would generally agree with the notion that Oxbridge equals Ivy League+, but it's tricky because in my experience, the prestige/quality of schools in the UK drops off pretty significantly after those schools + perhaps UCL, Imperial, LSE. Whereas in America, there's a much more steady gradient of elite/prestigious schools. I would maybe even say that the top 5 UK schools are roughly equivalent to the top 25 or so schools in the US in terms of quality and reputation. This also lines up rather nicely with both countries' populations (US is about 5x population of UK).

What does it take for an American to be accepted to a good university there? What is the main admissions criteria?

The main criteria are test scores - AP, SAT (general and subject) and ACT. My kid applied to Oxford, so I am mostly familiar with that. They have a specified cutoffs for test scores, i.e. if you don’t have them, don’t bother to apply. Then they give you a written test (you can take it in US) which is really hard; barely anyone gets >80%, 65%+ gets you considered for admissions. Based on that test results plus the letter of recommendation and the p ersonal statement that is submitted with the application, the prospective students are selected for an in-person interview, which is effectively an oral exam.

This is unhelpful. ONLY Oxford administers an entry exam. No other university in the UK does this.

Cambridge does, too. Sometimes it is before interview; most often, however, it is at interview and specific to the subject area that you're applying to. Honestly, the Oxford approach might be better as it makes for a grueling two days at Cambridge. The whole process has been upended due to Covid so I'm not sure what it will look like moving forward.

[Anonymous]

Oxbridge are most definitely on par with Harvard.

It is only possible to apply to one of either Oxford or Cambridge in the same year. Brit here, and I went to the LSE so I'm a bit biased in saying LSE is the best overall - the experience of living in London, academics, rankings, and the ease of interviewing/getting jobs in the City. Oxford and Cambridge are beautiful and steeped in history but very boring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here! Was just curious as I have no real exposure to British schools other than Oxford and Cambridge. DD was momentarily imagining what it would be like to attend college in the UK, which then piqued my interest. It's not a loaded or serious question. I just wanted to gauge people's opinions. Thanks!

OP, this thread from last year has some good information on applying to UK schools.

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/15/798784.page

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oxbridge are most definitely on par with Harvard.

It is only possible to apply to one of either Oxford or Cambridge in the same year. Brit here, and I went to the LSE so I'm a bit biased in saying LSE is the best overall - the experience of living in London, academics, rankings, and the ease of interviewing/getting jobs in the City. Oxford and Cambridge are beautiful and steeped in history but very boring.

Spoken like a true failure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As others have noted, UK schools operate on a completely different wavelength from US schools. And the Oxbridge schools are also, to the best of my knowledge, different from the rest of the UK schools, being on the tutorial scheme.

American unis are world-renowned for the liberal arts approach, where students are encouraged to study a wider array of subjects. In this sense, the modern American uni is designed not just to educate, but to socialize and equip students to be "well-rounded leaders" and productive members of society. Hence the emphasis on "holistic" admissions and extracurricular achievements on top of scores.

I would generally agree with the notion that Oxbridge equals Ivy League+, but it's tricky because in my experience, the prestige/quality of schools in the UK drops off pretty significantly after those schools + perhaps UCL, Imperial, LSE. Whereas in America, there's a much more steady gradient of elite/prestigious schools. I would maybe even say that the top 5 UK schools are roughly equivalent to the top 25 or so schools in the US in terms of quality and reputation. This also lines up rather nicely with both countries' populations (US is about 5x population of UK).

What does it take for an American to be accepted to a good university there? What is the main admissions criteria?

The main criteria are test scores - AP, SAT (general and subject) and ACT. My kid applied to Oxford, so I am mostly familiar with that. They have a specified cutoffs for test scores, i.e. if you don’t have them, don’t bother to apply. Then they give you a written test (you can take it in US) which is really hard; barely anyone gets >80%, 65%+ gets you considered for admissions. Based on that test results plus the letter of recommendation and the p ersonal statement that is submitted with the application, the prospective students are selected for an in-person interview, which is effectively an oral exam.

This is unhelpful. ONLY Oxford administers an entry exam. No other university in the UK does this.

Cambridge does, too. Sometimes it is before interview; most often, however, it is at interview and specific to the subject area that you're applying to. Honestly, the Oxford approach might be better as it makes for a grueling two days at Cambridge. The whole process has been upended due to Covid so I'm not sure what it will look like moving forward.

Wrong. Oxford no longer requires exam

[Anonymous]

There isn't any emphasis on extracurricular or sports, and you have to be able to write well. The US system has many high stakes multiple choice exams like SAT/ACT but when you take exams in Britain at the secondary level there are more written exams.

[Anonymous]

Why do so many people care about prestige and elite schools?
Serious question.

I want my kid to be happy and enjoy learning in an environment that helps then fulfill their potential and grow as a person. I could not give a crap about where the school stands or ranks as far as being elite.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As others have noted, UK schools operate on a completely different wavelength from US schools. And the Oxbridge schools are also, to the best of my knowledge, different from the rest of the UK schools, being on the tutorial scheme.

American unis are world-renowned for the liberal arts approach, where students are encouraged to study a wider array of subjects. In this sense, the modern American uni is designed not just to educate, but to socialize and equip students to be "well-rounded leaders" and productive members of society. Hence the emphasis on "holistic" admissions and extracurricular achievements on top of scores.

I would generally agree with the notion that Oxbridge equals Ivy League+, but it's tricky because in my experience, the prestige/quality of schools in the UK drops off pretty significantly after those schools + perhaps UCL, Imperial, LSE. Whereas in America, there's a much more steady gradient of elite/prestigious schools. I would maybe even say that the top 5 UK schools are roughly equivalent to the top 25 or so schools in the US in terms of quality and reputation. This also lines up rather nicely with both countries' populations (US is about 5x population of UK).

What does it take for an American to be accepted to a good university there? What is the main admissions criteria?

The main criteria are test scores - AP, SAT (general and subject) and ACT. My kid applied to Oxford, so I am mostly familiar with that. They have a specified cutoffs for test scores, i.e. if you don’t have them, don’t bother to apply. Then they give you a written test (you can take it in US) which is really hard; barely anyone gets >80%, 65%+ gets you considered for admissions. Based on that test results plus the letter of recommendation and the p ersonal statement that is submitted with the application, the prospective students are selected for an in-person interview, which is effectively an oral exam.

This is unhelpful. ONLY Oxford administers an entry exam. No other university in the UK does this.

Cambridge does, too. Sometimes it is before interview; most often, however, it is at interview and specific to the subject area that you're applying to. Honestly, the Oxford approach might be better as it makes for a grueling two days at Cambridge. The whole process has been upended due to Covid so I'm not sure what it will look like moving forward.

Wrong. Oxford no longer requires exam

Right. Depends upon course of study but almost all require the admissions test. https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying-to-oxford/guide/admissions-tests

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There isn't any emphasis on extracurricular or sports, and you have to be able to write well. The US system has many high stakes multiple choice exams like SAT/ACT but when you take exams in Britain at the secondary level there are more written exams.

The caveat here is extracurriculars related to your intended course. You definitely should be able to have demonstrated interest in your subject matter through either extracurriculars or independent study. This will help when you go to write your personal statement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There isn't any emphasis on extracurricular or sports, and you have to be able to write well. The US system has many high stakes multiple choice exams like SAT/ACT but when you take exams in Britain at the secondary level there are more written exams.

The caveat here is extracurriculars related to your intended course. You definitely should be able to have demonstrated interest in your subject matter through either extracurriculars or independent study. This will help when you go to write your personal statement.

There is a small part of UCAS application forms where you put in your EC info. It is very important. If you want to study medicine you had better have volunteer experience in a number of hospital or care related settings. If you want to study Veterinary Science, you need experience with - animals. Etc. If you want to study English at Cambridge, you'll need to have spent time doing work experience in a literary agency / a bookshop / a publishing house and you will need to demonstrate a history of writing for your school newspaper / have stories published etc.

EC content is CRUCIAL. Don't let anyone tell you anything different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here! Was just curious as I have no real exposure to British schools other than Oxford and Cambridge. DD was momentarily imagining what it would be like to attend college in the UK, which then piqued my interest. It's not a loaded or serious question. I just wanted to gauge people's opinions. Thanks!

OP, this thread from last year has some good information on applying to UK schools.

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/15/798784.page

Ho boy, the sneering condescension and air of superiority in that thread is obnoxious. Brits really do think they're still on top of the world, huh?

I really hope the trend that they're predicting in that thread - of Americans increasingly seeking university in the UK - doesn't come to fruition. We have an excellent, excellent state school system here, and our elite institutions are some of the strongest, if not the strongest, in the world. I really do think the astronomical costs of tertiary education need to be kept in check, however. They can't keep rising like this forever.

[Anonymous]

My DC is thinking of applying to a college in the UK, mainly bcause DC likes the idea of not having to take Gen Ed classes and graduating earlier. We looked at one uni there, and you can get a Masters, plus one year of internship, and gradudate in five years. Plus it's cheaper, yes even with airfaire baked in, compared to private unis or great OOS publics here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here! Was just curious as I have no real exposure to British schools other than Oxford and Cambridge. DD was momentarily imagining what it would be like to attend college in the UK, which then piqued my interest. It's not a loaded or serious question. I just wanted to gauge people's opinions. Thanks!

OP, this thread from last year has some good information on applying to UK schools.

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/15/798784.page

Ho boy, the sneering condescension and air of superiority in that thread is obnoxious. Brits really do think they're still on top of the world, huh?

I really hope the trend that they're predicting in that thread - of Americans increasingly seeking university in the UK - doesn't come to fruition. We have an excellent, excellent state school system here, and our elite institutions are some of the strongest, if not the strongest, in the world. I really do think the astronomical costs of tertiary education need to be kept in check, however. They can't keep rising like this forever.

I wouldn't take it all that seriously. It was just one a*hole who decided to dig in after being proven wrong. First lesson of DCUM, there's good information to be mined if you're willing to wade through the muck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There isn't any emphasis on extracurricular or sports, and you have to be able to write well. The US system has many high stakes multiple choice exams like SAT/ACT but when you take exams in Britain at the secondary level there are more written exams.

The caveat here is extracurriculars related to your intended course. You definitely should be able to have demonstrated interest in your subject matter through either extracurriculars or independent study. This will help when you go to write your personal statement.

There is a small part of UCAS application forms where you put in your EC info. It is very important. If you want to study medicine you had better have volunteer experience in a number of hospital or care related settings. If you want to study Veterinary Science, you need experience with - animals. Etc. If you want to study English at Cambridge, you'll need to have spent time doing work experience in a literary agency / a bookshop / a publishing house and you will need to demonstrate a history of writing for your school newspaper / have stories published etc.

EC content is CRUCIAL. Don't let anyone tell you anything different.

Not sure if you're an American or Brit writing this, and what your experience has been, but as a Brit who has been through this system and has friends now going through it with their kids and this just isn't true at all. You need to have something to put in the EC section, sure, but it's not CRUCIAL (in caps!) and it's nothing like the kind of things people do here where they spend years doing activities and getting into the top schools requires serious commitment to serious ECs. In my Cambridge interview to study English, we discussed literature in depth - and that was it. I almost think the prof who interviewed me would have found the idea of wanting to read English because I had done work experience at a publishers to be a little sordid. For Oxbridge: know and love your subject. For all other UK universities, have the grades and don't worry about very much else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DC is thinking of applying to a college in the UK, mainly bcause DC likes the idea of not having to take Gen Ed classes and graduating earlier. We looked at one uni there, and you can get a Masters, plus one year of internship, and gradudate in five years. Plus it's cheaper, yes even with airfaire baked in, compared to private unis or great OOS publics here.

This is particularly the case when you don't go to Oxbridge because you aren't paying $10,000 in college fees.