Best intl. universities

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Acceptance rates aren't alone indicative of selectivity at international universities. International unis like Oxbridge or McGill have very high GPA cut-offs (A- or above) to even being considered. That's why the acceptance rates (20-40%) look high, it's because they are only considering students who have an A average to begin with. So 20% of top students (oxford/cambridge) is almost the same as 5-10% of anyone (US top universities that do a more "holistic admission" with zero cut-offs).

yes-you have a very good point!

Also the applicant has to pick between Oxford and Cambridge; you can't apply to both

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If interested in UK schools, be sure to hit the APs. You'll need five 5s for oxford or Cambridge.

Oxford only needs 3.

NP Is that seriously all you need, assuming that and good grades?! My dd has four 5s already.

They will need the AP's in the relevant subjects for the choice of major, taken once only in a 2 yr period, plus an SAT over 1490 and the Oxford subject test with a strong result + interview.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If interested in UK schools, be sure to hit the APs. You'll need five 5s for oxford or Cambridge.

Oxford only needs 3.

NP Is that seriously all you need, assuming that and good grades?! My dd has four 5s already.

They will need the AP's in the relevant subjects for the choice of major, taken once only in a 2 yr period, plus an SAT over 1490 and the Oxford subject test with a strong result + interview.

WHat IB score do they need?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If interested in UK schools, be sure to hit the APs. You'll need five 5s for oxford or Cambridge.

You need special admissions exams for Oxbridge. And interviews and to be able to compete with kids taking A levels and being far more specialized in their subject matter as the British system makes kids do. We're expats posted in Asia and usually kids apply to the US system of universities or the British system but not both because it's a lot of work to do both systems. Canada on the other hand is fairly simple to apply to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If interested in UK schools, be sure to hit the APs. You'll need five 5s for oxford or Cambridge.

Oxford only needs 3.

That’s the minimum and most won’t be accepted with only 3. They want to see mastery of your subject and three AP’s over the course of 3/4 years isn’t enough unless they have MAJOR academic accomplishments (published research in a reputable journal, published books, etc).

Hence the 20%-30% acceptance rate for many programs? Come on.

AS has been explained on DCUM multiple times. In the UK you can only apply to 5 universities and you MUST have your school's approval. Oxford and Cambridge candidates are basically hand chosen by their schools. No one gets to apply who is not in the top 1% of high achievers and whose teachers approve their application. You simply cannot do it. So the 20% of applicants is 20% of the top 1% not 20% of the thousands of under qualified applicants as you might see here in the US where it is a free for all who applies, without restrictions.

The US should be doing the same!

[Anonymous]

I know someone who goes to the University of Ghent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Canadian here. McGill is probably the best option in Canada. University of Toronto is #1 in Canada but it's better for graduate school imo. Montreal is really great place to be an undergraduate.

What about UBC? I thought that was the Harvard of Canada?

[Anonymous]

It's a fine school, but more like the University of Washington of Canada than than the Harvard of Canada.

[Anonymous]

I've taught in universities in the UK and the US. I would approach this question thoughtfully. One of the reasons I returned to the US was that I didn't want my kid going through the British system.

Universities outside the US require students to specialize in a particular field from the outset. You can have combo majors, usually in closely related subjects. Exploring outside of your major field is tricky. I really valued my university experience, where I took courses in architecture, history, astronomy and religion, despite being a social science major. These opportunities were unavailable to my UK university students. Since most kids in the US change majors, I'd consider this carefully.

You'll also want to think about whether a US employer will recognize the quality of a University of Manchester degree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've taught in universities in the UK and the US. I would approach this question thoughtfully. One of the reasons I returned to the US was that I didn't want my kid going through the British system.

Universities outside the US require students to specialize in a particular field from the outset. You can have combo majors, usually in closely related subjects. Exploring outside of your major field is tricky. I really valued my university experience, where I took courses in architecture, history, astronomy and religion, despite being a social science major. These opportunities were unavailable to my UK university students. Since most kids in the US change majors, I'd consider this carefully.

You'll also want to think about whether a US employer will recognize the quality of a University of Manchester degree.

That is so funny I spat my coffee. Manchester is an internationally recognized institution. The only "employer" in the US not able to recognize that is one not worth working for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've taught in universities in the UK and the US. I would approach this question thoughtfully. One of the reasons I returned to the US was that I didn't want my kid going through the British system.

Universities outside the US require students to specialize in a particular field from the outset. You can have combo majors, usually in closely related subjects. Exploring outside of your major field is tricky. I really valued my university experience, where I took courses in architecture, history, astronomy and religion, despite being a social science major. These opportunities were unavailable to my UK university students. Since most kids in the US change majors, I'd consider this carefully.

You'll also want to think about whether a US employer will recognize the quality of a University of Manchester degree.

That is so funny I spat my coffee. Manchester is an internationally recognized institution. The only "employer" in the US not able to recognize that is one not worth working for.

It's an excellent university. I doubt anyone in management where I work (which is a popular place to work in the DMV) would know just how excellent.

[Anonymous]

My child can go to McGill basically free as dual citizen-if they can get in, but they feel like the internship connections are not good, especially as they dont speak french, U of T would be too isolating, not sure about the other ones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child can go to McGill basically free as dual citizen-if they can get in, but they feel like the internship connections are not good, especially as they dont speak french, U of T would be too isolating, not sure about the other ones.

If you're looking for business, you want Queen's.

[Anonymous]

Check out the site (and book) Beyond The States. She has a lot of interesting info on English-language bachelor degrees outside the US. Universities in the Nethlands have many English-taught programs. Might also consider the various dual degrees (Cal-Sciences Po, Columbia-Sciences Po, Columbia-Trinity et al).

A lot depends on how independent the student is, as schools overseas likely don't have the hand-holding element that is present at American schools. Also consider where the student thinks they may want to settle after graduation; one might think, "France! Fun!" and not realize what is involved in getting residency/employment permits in some countries, even with a degree from a local university.

[Anonymous]

If your kid wants international, go for real and forget Canada. Canada has the cold, the dark, the dreary weather and no cache internationally. Russell Group schools in the UK are excellent. Add in the University of Bath. If Business, look at Bocconi in Milan IE, and Esade in Spain which teaches courses in English while being able to also immerse and get fluent in another language. Also look at University of Sydney, Singapore.