I'm a nervous wreck! Daughter only wants to attend college in London

[Anonymous]

You can say no if you think it's indulgent. You can't say no because of your preference or how it makes you feel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:10:47's post is right on. My DS really wanted to go to school in London and was sure his major would be biology.

He ended up not going to the UK for lots of reasons. He just finished his first semester at a US SLAC and wants nothing to do with biology ever again.

A UK university is not the place you go to "find yourself." You have to go in a particular program.

DC has several friends in the UK who ended up not really liking their course of study but it's very difficult to switch. On the plus side, most of them don't seem to have jobs that have anything to do with their "major". Many grads go on the "grad schemes" which are basically job training programs.

UK Grad schemes are not open to for the most part to non uk citizens and that is increasingly the case post brexit

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I lived in London and attended classes there for a year and loved it. Be prepared for the cost though. Very expensive!

This was my first concern. Housing is impossible. London is so much more expensive than NY. Everything is outrageous there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP here.

I forgot about 6.

6. Be careful about the value of British university degrees in the US. I cannot tell you what kind of impact it may have. It may hurt, it may not hurt, it may even help with the right employer. But if she already plans to go straight to graduate school, then this is a moot concern.

NP here. I agree with PP -- everyone in this area knows Harvard, UVA and W&M, but St. Andrews and the other Scottish schools are not as well known to some employers. Moreover, when it comes to networking, it may be difficult to coordinate calls and interviews with the US due to time differences, among other things, not to mention flying back and forth for in-person interviews!

I say this as an American who was dead-set on studying in Europe for college and ended up at a well-known SLAC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP here.

I forgot about 6.

6. Be careful about the value of British university degrees in the US. I cannot tell you what kind of impact it may have. It may hurt, it may not hurt, it may even help with the right employer. But if she already plans to go straight to graduate school, then this is a moot concern.

NP here. I agree with PP -- everyone in this area knows Harvard, UVA and W&M, but St. Andrews and the other Scottish schools are not as well known to some employers. Moreover, when it comes to networking, it may be difficult to coordinate calls and interviews with the US due to time differences, among other things, not to mention flying back and forth for in-person interviews!

I say this as an American who was dead-set on studying in Europe for college and ended up at a well-known SLAC.

another np: this would be waaay low on my list of concerns. She can wait til she's back to look for a job. I certainly wouldn't let a small logistical challenge drive my choice of college. And you may be underestimating the knowledge of schools of US employers, particularly British companies!

[Anonymous]

Once you're getting on a plane for 3 hours or more, I'm not sure it matters that much. The time difference can be a pain. But what a fantastic opportunity. Particularly if she knows what she wants to study. And presumably she can transfer to a state school if she doesn't like it?

There are lots of reasons it might not be great, but the one you suggested -- just being nervous to have her far away and abroad -- I have to say, that would not weigh heavily with me. The more practical reasons like housing or having to choose your course of study or expense are much more important, in my opinion. Make sure she understands those aspects before she decides! (I also thought PP's suggestion of Edinburgh was great -- Edinburgh is an amazing city and the university is outstanding. But it sounds like your daughter may want London only.)

[Anonymous]

Would she consider doing a gap year in London, or a gap year plus study abroad year in England? I think there are some significant downsides to the British university system, especially for someone educated in the American system up to this point. How much of her decision is about wanting to live in London versus wanting to attend a British university?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can say no if you think it's indulgent. You can't say no because of your preference or how it makes you feel.

+1. I wonder if as a single parent OP is very attached to her daughter and afraid of how to fill that gap if daughter is abroad (I have a single mom family member like this)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's nerve wracking for you? The distance to London or that you fear the city in some way? What are your concerns?

Distance. The terror threat is just a way of life now for major cities; I'm fine with London for safety.

That makes no sense. It is no farther to London from DC than most of California.

She's applying to college in LA (only about 3 hours by plane).

???? LA is a 5 hour5 flight.

[Anonymous]

It's very unlikely she'll qualify for the schools you mentioned. Only the top ranked students from UK public schools (private here) get into those.