University of Edinburgh, Glasgow or St. Andrews

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What's the lure for American students to go to college in Scotland? Honest question.

Hmm--study in English without living in the dumpster fire that is the United States? Not worry about getting shot daily?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am in the UK, my daughter is a junior and she will be applying to colleges next year incl Edinburg.
Edinburg is a much more academic and has historically been considered a top, difficult to get in uni. SA has a reputation of the place where old money send their kids to, lots of boarding schools kids (not the top academic ones like Eaton or Winchester, but Marlboro etc - you go there for good networking and connections. However in recent years SA has gone up in rankings and even beats E now in some rankings, so its academic reputation has been rapidly improving. Both places have dreary rainy weather most of the year.
Glasgo is not in the same league with the above two, not even close.

Is there a reason that you're leaving the final letter off Edinburgh and Glasgow?

[Anonymous]

All three universities would barely scrape by in the T75 range of US universities. Incredibly overrated, unfortunately including even by gullible folks on this forum.

[Anonymous]

DD did full undergrad at Edi. It was the best experience for her. It is an amazing school. Get in touch with Student Services, they will arrange a tour with a guide. Better yet, attend an Open Day, + a US based presentation in D.C. . St.A is too small and remote, Glasgow does not carry an equal academic reputation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All three universities would barely scrape by in the T75 range of US universities. Incredibly overrated, unfortunately including even by gullible folks on this forum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What's the lure for American students to go to college in Scotland? Honest question.

Same as the lure of the University of Wisconsin, Michigan, Portland, or any US university.

You look for the top-ranked schools in your area of study, see if your stats are a match, and if you can afford it. Though UK university applications are relatively straightforward compared to the US. If you have the grades and test scores, you have a good chance of being admitted.

The US university system was modeled after Scotland's so it's easier to navigate / more apples-to-apples than England's. Edinburgh is certainly better value than the comparable US universities (so much that DS could afford grad school), with a strong global rank/recognition, good job placement, and senior-year internships with global organizations.


And for the right kid, who isn't interested in the greek system or a rural campus, an international city and student population is appealing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All three universities would barely scrape by in the T75 range of US universities. Incredibly overrated, unfortunately including even by gullible folks on this forum.

There's a big old world out there. You should get out more.

https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/rankings

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD did full undergrad at Edi. It was the best experience for her. It is an amazing school. Get in touch with Student Services, they will arrange a tour with a guide. Better yet, attend an Open Day, + a US based presentation in D.C. . St.A is too small and remote, Glasgow does not carry an equal academic reputation.

OP here, thank you for this feedback. We recently went to the international college fair, which is how some of these unis came into consideration. Agree with your assessment of the three academically. Will have to see if Edi is a cultural fit when we visit. 🤞 We will definitely reach out to Student Services.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All three universities would barely scrape by in the T75 range of US universities. Incredibly overrated, unfortunately including even by gullible folks on this forum.

There's a big old world out there. You should get out more.

https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/rankings

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's the lure for American students to go to college in Scotland? Honest question.

Hmm--study in English without living in the dumpster fire that is the United States? Not worry about getting shot daily?

This. I'd be thrilled if my kid went to school in Scotland.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am in the UK, my daughter is a junior and she will be applying to colleges next year incl Edinburg.
Edinburg is a much more academic and has historically been considered a top, difficult to get in uni. SA has a reputation of the place where old money send their kids to, lots of boarding schools kids (not the top academic ones like Eaton or Winchester, but Marlboro etc - you go there for good networking and connections. However in recent years SA has gone up in rankings and even beats E now in some rankings, so its academic reputation has been rapidly improving. Both places have dreary rainy weather most of the year.
Glasgo is not in the same league with the above two, not even close.

Is there a reason that you're leaving the final letter off Edinburgh and Glasgow?

I think it goes with the amusing spellings of the schools? “Eaton”, “Marlboro”?!

Anyway OP, Edinburgh is by far the best of the three. St Andrews and Glasgow are not as good but the former will probably serve the kid better in the US as Americans all seem to have heard of it and think it is better than it is. It’s small and posh so your kid will need to decide if they feel like they fit in there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD did full undergrad at Edi. It was the best experience for her. It is an amazing school. Get in touch with Student Services, they will arrange a tour with a guide. Better yet, attend an Open Day, + a US based presentation in D.C. . St.A is too small and remote, Glasgow does not carry an equal academic reputation.

OP here, thank you for this feedback. We recently went to the international college fair, which is how some of these unis came into consideration. Agree with your assessment of the three academically. Will have to see if Edi is a cultural fit when we visit. 🤞 We will definitely reach out to Student Services.

What area of study are you considering?

[Lampsplus]

Interesting breakdown of St. Andrew’s offers by state. Plus 1287 unconditional offers for 2589 applications. Thought their acceptance rate was in single digits.

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/unconditional_vs_conditional_off#incoming-2168894

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't speak loudly with an American accent in Edinburgh and especially Glasgow cities. Even if you had a London accent I would warn this. And avoid the town on Friday & Saturday nights it will be stuffed to the rafters with drunks.

Solid advice.

I disagree. Obviously if you yourself act like a drunk and obnoxious idiot while speaking with your American accent you might be asking for trouble. But when you don’t the locals embrace you.

You have never been to Scotland, obviously.

Yes, I have. Several times. Also the parent of an Edinburgh graduate. And we were absolutely and 100 percent embraced. You’re full of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All three universities would barely scrape by in the T75 range of US universities. Incredibly overrated, unfortunately including even by gullible folks on this forum.

LOL many US top 20s are not even in the top 100 worldwide.