any French parents here with kids in American schools?--what will you do for college?

[Anonymous]

DH is American and I'm French. Although I also attended American universities and we initially assumed our kids would do the same, we are starting to have second thoughts given the increasingly ridiculous price of a college education here. At this point I feel I wouldn't mind sending them back to France for college, and then they can figure out what they want to do after that. Our kids are in public elementary schools here and although they speak, read and write French, they're obviously not at the same level as kids who attend Rochambeau (not an option for us).
I'm wondering if there are parents out there in the same situation and what you are planning on (or have done) for college? Was anyone able to send their kid back to France and how did you go about it?

Thx.

[Anonymous]

I guess your first priority would need to be working on their French, if you say they aren't on par with the kids at Rochambeau. They would need to get the grammar down perfectly. As an American in a french university I got a bit of a pass for grammatical mistakes, which weren't plentiful but still happened, but my professors often couldn't stop themselves from making remarks.

You could go online to a few of the french universities you have in mind and see what their entrance requirements are for foreign students. The IB? AP french for Americans? I'm guessing here, but you might get an idea of the track you need to put your kids on now.

[Anonymous]

I know some French families at our school who have sent their children to McGill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know some French families at our school who have sent their children to McGill.

I am from Europe (not French). the price of universities here is ridiculous indeed. We will be sending our kids to schools in Canada.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know some French families at our school who have sent their children to McGill.

I am from Europe (not French). the price of universities here is ridiculous indeed. We will be sending our kids to schools in Canada.

I just checked McGill tuition and fees... It is not cheap either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know some French families at our school who have sent their children to McGill.

I am from Europe (not French). the price of universities here is ridiculous indeed. We will be sending our kids to schools in Canada.

I just checked McGill tuition and fees... It is not cheap either.

Annual tuition for international students is $14,500, compared to $40,000 for private colleges here (not incuding room and board of course). That's a big difference.

[Anonymous]

I had been under the impression that McGill teaches in English. Is my impression wrong?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know some French families at our school who have sent their children to McGill.

I am from Europe (not French). the price of universities here is ridiculous indeed. We will be sending our kids to schools in Canada.

I just checked McGill tuition and fees... It is not cheap either.

Annual tuition for international students is $14,500, compared to $40,000 for private colleges here (not incuding room and board of course). That's a big difference.

McGill's tuition has a wide range and with tuition + fees, you're looking at a minimum of US$29k: http://www.mcgill.ca/undergraduate-admissions/finances/international-students

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had been under the impression that McGill teaches in English. Is my impression wrong?

That is correct. But as I read it OPs concern had more to do with cost than getting an education in France or in French. And as I mentioned this seems to be a choice that at least a few French families at our HS have made. It may not be the right one for the OP.

[Anonymous]

I know someone who had studied French at school and planned to do so at university.
So she went to Belgium for a year as an au pair just to become fluent. She got into a nice family that treated her well and loved it

[Anonymous]

From the McGill University website:

Citizens of France


An existing bilateral agreement between the French and Quebec governments allows French citizens to pay the Quebec rate of tuition.
Documents required: Valid French passport or French National Identity Card, study permit issued by Immigration Canada, and Certificat d'Acceptation du Québec (CAQ) issued by Immigration Quebec.

Students with dual nationality: French and other (except Canadian): please ensure that both valid passports are submitted along with the required documentation. If this is not the case, McGill is not permitted to exempt you from international tuition supplements.

http://www.mcgill.ca/legaldocuments/exemption/#FRANCE

[Anonymous]

Thank you everyone. Didn't know about the McGill tuition rate agreement with France. That rocks!

[Anonymous]

Same is true of Concordia in Montreal. Great design school.

[Anonymous]

OP: If you are still there, have you looked into the CNED? or FLAM?

[Anonymous]

I second the motion to send children to McGill if you want to stay in North America. Alternatively, I would start preparing them for a European college, like Sciences Po.