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Tell me about St Andrews in Scotland
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Anonymous
You could try to find a counselor specialising in British admissions, but all of this info is listed on each uni's webpage for international/american applicants. And also UK admissions are more straightforward: do you have the scores to get in? Personal statement matters too, but if you can do American college app essays well, the personal statement should be a breeze. It's much less of a game in the UK, and the unis aren't competing to have the lowest acceptance rate. No one pays attention to that in the UK. Cambridge and Oxf, get started EARLY. If it's same as in years past, the oxbridge app deadline is early October. There may be a different test you have to arrange to take also for certain oxbridge courses, so look at the reqs of your desired course, figure out testing centre early. Your kid needs a really good idea of what course they want, because there's no flexibility to change it. Familiarise yourself with what college within Cambridge would be a good fit. St Andrews is on the common app which makes the process more simple—no need to mess around with UCAS unless you're applying to other British schools. Again, same as Oxbridge for St Andrews: personal statement matters, but it's about the grades and scores. Standardised tests in general matter, but subject specific scores matter also based on what you're applying for. If you're applying for biology, for example, have good AP scores or IB scores or SAT subject test scores in sciences. SAT IIs have been discontinued which limits options to show preparedness for a certain degree, but stellar grades in relevant high school courses should be good evidence also. St Andrews has some flexibility to change course, as during your first two years you can explore other courses and potentially change your degree. Consider that when applying—if you want a degree in Spanish but have no language AP scores to back up your application, but you do have great AP scores in history, you could apply for history but then take courses in Spanish from first year, and change your degree. An applicant has to have some idea of what they want, so do your research and read about what flexibility is offered by the modular degree structure at St Andrews. happy to help with any other questions |
Anonymous
I have a DC who is a Cambridge undergrad. I wrote a long post a few years ago describing the Cambridge application process. Some things have changed (there are no more SAT IIs; COVID has ramped up zoom interviewing) but, in general, much is the same. I hope this his helpful. https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/798784.page#14880626 |
Anonymous
Nope. Different airports and train systems = different fee experience so also how often will your child come home? Breaks are much longer there than here. |
Anonymous
I mean you'd spend nominally more on travel for east coast USA to St Andrews than for east coast USA to oxford, but not that much more. airfare from east coast USA to Edinburgh and vice versa can be found normally well below $500 one way. If you're not booking flights at the last minute, there's no reason one would be spending more than 2k USD a year on transport to or from St Andrews. If you're in DC or other east coast metros, it's essentially a parallel travel process for St Andrews as it would be to send your kid to school in California. Americans at St Andrews come typically come home once, for an Xmas break that usually lasts for around a month, depending on when your exams end. You're not coming home for easter or thanksgiving usually as the UK doesnt have thanksgiving, and breaks for easter aren't really long enough to warrant travel home. During fall and winter breaks at St Andrews, kids often travel to the european continent rather than back home. See the world that way, and very cheap flights available within Europe these days. |
Anonymous
Meh. If you can’t afford it then look elsewhere. |
Anonymous
My kid is disgusted by US politics and wants to move abroad. |
Anonymous
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He thinks the UK is in better shape?
PP above forgot to mention that your reference needs to connect with your personal statement. It can be tricky for an American teacher to write. |
Anonymous
The UK has its own challenges - but isn’t an imploding sh1thole like the states. |
Anonymous
UCAS has a guide for teachers that explains how to write a reference |
Anonymous
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Anonymous
[/b] It is $60K for class of 2030. Freshman year $54K, Sohpomore $56K, Junior $58K and SEnior $60,333. https://www.collegetuitioncompare.com/edu/199698/st-andrews-university/tuition/#:~:text=For%20the%20academic%20year%202021,year%202022%2D2023%20is%20%2430%2C750. |
Anonymous
OK, St. Andrew's Dad You want to talk yourself into this, fine, but then don't post here and ask for input. ST. Andrews is not as well-respected or as posh as you think. And you are wrong about the cost. The cost in US dollars of everything (with 3K for travel - it has been more than that for my Cambridge student but YRMV) is $59,362 for 2021, so $61K now. https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/students/money/internationalstudents/ugcoa/ |
Anonymous
| I have no idea why you would pay elite US private college tuition for a decent but random university in… rural Scotland? Of all places? |
Anonymous
I think the St. Andrews dad thinks it sounds good and doesn't want to be talked out of it. |
Anonymous
Sure, sure. You didn’t see this? https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2022/01/will-britain-survive/621095/ Your child needs to be sure that they understand the limitations on the Tier 4 visa. Good luck getting a job and residency once they graduate. It’s not that simple. |