I'm telling my kids to go to the UK for undergrad

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The UK system excels at helping students learn a specific topic quite thoroughly. The system also is designed around how to take a specific test (A levels). It also means students need to declare their intended career path by approx. age 15.

Nonsense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Try Canada, it is best and cheap.

and so miserably cold...you're also foregoing the networking advantage of an American university if you plan on coming back here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The UK system excels at helping students learn a specific topic quite thoroughly. The system also is designed around how to take a specific test (A levels). It also means students need to declare their intended career path by approx. age 15.

The U.S. system allows for more flexibility and exposure to other subjects. Knowledge may not be as deep, but the U.S. system seems help people to think in a more broad-based way and to draw from more disciplines, which can help fuel innovation.

This!

For flexibility the US system is exceptional.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The UK system excels at helping students learn a specific topic quite thoroughly. The system also is designed around how to take a specific test (A levels). It also means students need to declare their intended career path by approx. age 15.

The U.S. system allows for more flexibility and exposure to other subjects. Knowledge may not be as deep, but the U.S. system seems help people to think in a more broad-based way and to draw from more disciplines, which can help fuel innovation.

This is such rubbish. I'm British and went through the British education system. I had no idea what I wanted to do or be until my final year at university. It didn't matter a jot. I studied the subjects I was interested in and that I wanted to pursue and my tutors taught me how to think and stretch myself. I ended up with a great degree and a cracking job. I have no idea why people are so sure that Brits have to decide what they want to be at 15. Where did that idea come from?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
SHHHH!

-- American parent of two students who will have gotten their undergrad degrees in the UK.


OP here. Please, tell me more!

Was the application process pretty easy? I read the UK univ. have a common international application process.
Did they have to have a gap year?
What are they majoring in?
Do they like it?
Are they almost done?
What are their plans after graduating? Coming back to the US or staying over there?

SSHHH parent here.

- applied through UKAS, the UK version of the Common App. In the UK, you can only apply to 5 schools (Oxford OR Cambridge but not both). $35. One recommendation. One 500 word essay, but not like a typical US essay. It is all about why you want to study your chosen subject and how what you've done demonstrates and supports your interest, passion and qualification. State your scores, for which minimum scores are posted -- provide proof later. Class grades and edtracurriculars not part of the application. Applied in October, got unconditional offers soon after. Done! Oxford and Cambridge have additional steps and their own processes (tests, interviews).

-- no gap years taken

-- humanities subjects

-- suited graduated kid's learning style well. Soon to be student loves the location, subject, the independence.

-- one just graduated, one just starting

-- the graduated one has started a desirable job here in DC. The one going over dislikes DC and has said for years that he/ she wants to live overseas.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks ^PP. Very informative. My one DC is also interested in living overseas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The UK system excels at helping students learn a specific topic quite thoroughly. The system also is designed around how to take a specific test (A levels). It also means students need to declare their intended career path by approx. age 15.

The U.S. system allows for more flexibility and exposure to other subjects. Knowledge may not be as deep, but the U.S. system seems help people to think in a more broad-based way and to draw from more disciplines, which can help fuel innovation.

This is such rubbish. I'm British and went through the British education system. I had no idea what I wanted to do or be until my final year at university. It didn't matter a jot. I studied the subjects I was interested in and that I wanted to pursue and my tutors taught me how to think and stretch myself. I ended up with a great degree and a cracking job. I have no idea why people are so sure that Brits have to decide what they want to be at 15. Where did that idea come from?

Part of it comes from the fact that Americans can go to law school or medical school whenever, whereas Brits have to apply at 17. It also stems from the fact that the majority of Americans do not graduate in the major they were considering freshman year. In the UK, you have to apply to university in a particular major, and switching, if you are even allowed to do so, often means practically starting over.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The UK system excels at helping students learn a specific topic quite thoroughly. The system also is designed around how to take a specific test (A levels). It also means students need to declare their intended career path by approx. age 15.

The U.S. system allows for more flexibility and exposure to other subjects. Knowledge may not be as deep, but the U.S. system seems help people to think in a more broad-based way and to draw from more disciplines, which can help fuel innovation.

This is such rubbish. I'm British and went through the British education system. I had no idea what I wanted to do or be until my final year at university. It didn't matter a jot. I studied the subjects I was interested in and that I wanted to pursue and my tutors taught me how to think and stretch myself. I ended up with a great degree and a cracking job. I have no idea why people are so sure that Brits have to decide what they want to be at 15. Where did that idea come from?

Part of it comes from the fact that Americans can go to law school or medical school whenever, whereas Brits have to apply at 17. It also stems from the fact that the majority of Americans do not graduate in the major they were considering freshman year. In the UK, you have to apply to university in a particular major, and switching, if you are even allowed to do so, often means practically starting over.

I would shut up if i were you, since you clearly have no idea what you are talking about. You think in Britain you apply to law school at 17? The vast majority of lawyers study subjects like history, classics etc...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The UK system excels at helping students learn a specific topic quite thoroughly. The system also is designed around how to take a specific test (A levels). It also means students need to declare their intended career path by approx. age 15.

The U.S. system allows for more flexibility and exposure to other subjects. Knowledge may not be as deep, but the U.S. system seems help people to think in a more broad-based way and to draw from more disciplines, which can help fuel innovation.

This is such rubbish. I'm British and went through the British education system. I had no idea what I wanted to do or be until my final year at university. It didn't matter a jot. I studied the subjects I was interested in and that I wanted to pursue and my tutors taught me how to think and stretch myself. I ended up with a great degree and a cracking job. I have no idea why people are so sure that Brits have to decide what they want to be at 15. Where did that idea come from?

Part of it comes from the fact that Americans can go to law school or medical school whenever, whereas Brits have to apply at 17. It also stems from the fact that the majority of Americans do not graduate in the major they were considering freshman year. In the UK, you have to apply to university in a particular major, and switching, if you are even allowed to do so, often means practically starting over.

But this simply isn't TRUE. The vast majority of the lawyers I know in the UK studied something like english or maths at university and then did a conversion course after they had finished their three year degree. Sure with medicine most people probably do decide at 18 to start a medical degree - but again, large numbers realize early on that it isn't for them and switch courses to something else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The UK system excels at helping students learn a specific topic quite thoroughly. The system also is designed around how to take a specific test (A levels). It also means students need to declare their intended career path by approx. age 15.

The U.S. system allows for more flexibility and exposure to other subjects. Knowledge may not be as deep, but the U.S. system seems help people to think in a more broad-based way and to draw from more disciplines, which can help fuel innovation.

This is such rubbish. I'm British and went through the British education system. I had no idea what I wanted to do or be until my final year at university. It didn't matter a jot. I studied the subjects I was interested in and that I wanted to pursue and my tutors taught me how to think and stretch myself. I ended up with a great degree and a cracking job. I have no idea why people are so sure that Brits have to decide what they want to be at 15. Where did that idea come from?

Part of it comes from the fact that Americans can go to law school or medical school whenever, whereas Brits have to apply at 17. It also stems from the fact that the majority of Americans do not graduate in the major they were considering freshman year. In the UK, you have to apply to university in a particular major, and switching, if you are even allowed to do so, often means practically starting over.

This has not been true for many years. In fact, it's nearly rare for one to become a UK solicitor simply by proceeding towards a BA (Law) and then taking professional practice course alone. PP, not sure where you are getting your info.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How is UK "better" except the cost?

Depending on the subject matter, the UK univ. system spends all undergrad years focusing on the major rather than spending a couple of years on GE type courses. I think that enables the student to study more and deeper into their subject matter, unlike here.

A person I know from the UK told me that he feels like getting a masters here in the US is somewhat equivalent to getting an undergrad in the UK because of the number of years studying the subject matter in the US as an undergrad (only 2, really).

I got both my undergrad and first graduate degrees in France and I hold the same opinion.
When I took my (second) graduate degree here, the content was equivalent to the French undergraduate degree. I learned nothing new, except that the education in France was rigorous and cheap. I still completed the degree, so that I had one US degree on my resume.
I am in a technical field.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The UK system excels at helping students learn a specific topic quite thoroughly. The system also is designed around how to take a specific test (A levels). It also means students need to declare their intended career path by approx. age 15.

The U.S. system allows for more flexibility and exposure to other subjects. Knowledge may not be as deep, but the U.S. system seems help people to think in a more broad-based way and to draw from more disciplines, which can help fuel innovation.

This is such rubbish. I'm British and went through the British education system. I had no idea what I wanted to do or be until my final year at university. It didn't matter a jot. I studied the subjects I was interested in and that I wanted to pursue and my tutors taught me how to think and stretch myself. I ended up with a great degree and a cracking job. I have no idea why people are so sure that Brits have to decide what they want to be at 15. Where did that idea come from?

Part of it comes from the fact that Americans can go to law school or medical school whenever, whereas Brits have to apply at 17. It also stems from the fact that the majority of Americans do not graduate in the major they were considering freshman year. In the UK, you have to apply to university in a particular major, and switching, if you are even allowed to do so, often means practically starting over.

This has not been true for many years. In fact, it's nearly rare for one to become a UK solicitor simply by proceeding towards a BA (Law) and then taking professional practice course alone. PP, not sure where you are getting your info.

From the Law Society of the UK.


Here are some examples of friends who changed majors at US universities. If you assure me that each of these changes is possible at a UK university, I will stand down

Engineering to Math and Scandinavian Studies
Chemistry to English literature
Biochemistry to Biology
Biology to American History
Political Science to Economics
Physics to physics with an English literature minor

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The UK system excels at helping students learn a specific topic quite thoroughly. The system also is designed around how to take a specific test (A levels). It also means students need to declare their intended career path by approx. age 15.

The U.S. system allows for more flexibility and exposure to other subjects. Knowledge may not be as deep, but the U.S. system seems help people to think in a more broad-based way and to draw from more disciplines, which can help fuel innovation.

This is such rubbish. I'm British and went through the British education system. I had no idea what I wanted to do or be until my final year at university. It didn't matter a jot. I studied the subjects I was interested in and that I wanted to pursue and my tutors taught me how to think and stretch myself. I ended up with a great degree and a cracking job. I have no idea why people are so sure that Brits have to decide what they want to be at 15. Where did that idea come from?

Part of it comes from the fact that Americans can go to law school or medical school whenever, whereas Brits have to apply at 17. It also stems from the fact that the majority of Americans do not graduate in the major they were considering freshman year. In the UK, you have to apply to university in a particular major, and switching, if you are even allowed to do so, often means practically starting over.

This has not been true for many years. In fact, it's nearly rare for one to become a UK solicitor simply by proceeding towards a BA (Law) and then taking professional practice course alone. PP, not sure where you are getting your info.

From the Law Society of the UK.


Here are some examples of friends who changed majors at US universities. If you assure me that each of these changes is possible at a UK university, I will stand down

Engineering to Math and Scandinavian Studies
Chemistry to English literature
Biochemistry to Biology
Biology to American History
Political Science to Economics
Physics to physics with an English literature minor

Me thinks some of your friends would benefit from thinking and planning ahead, instead of living la vida loca.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The UK system excels at helping students learn a specific topic quite thoroughly. The system also is designed around how to take a specific test (A levels). It also means students need to declare their intended career path by approx. age 15.

The U.S. system allows for more flexibility and exposure to other subjects. Knowledge may not be as deep, but the U.S. system seems help people to think in a more broad-based way and to draw from more disciplines, which can help fuel innovation.

This is such rubbish. I'm British and went through the British education system. I had no idea what I wanted to do or be until my final year at university. It didn't matter a jot. I studied the subjects I was interested in and that I wanted to pursue and my tutors taught me how to think and stretch myself. I ended up with a great degree and a cracking job. I have no idea why people are so sure that Brits have to decide what they want to be at 15. Where did that idea come from?

Part of it comes from the fact that Americans can go to law school or medical school whenever, whereas Brits have to apply at 17. It also stems from the fact that the majority of Americans do not graduate in the major they were considering freshman year. In the UK, you have to apply to university in a particular major, and switching, if you are even allowed to do so, often means practically starting over.

This has not been true for many years. In fact, it's nearly rare for one to become a UK solicitor simply by proceeding towards a BA (Law) and then taking professional practice course alone. PP, not sure where you are getting your info.

From the Law Society of the UK.


Here are some examples of friends who changed majors at US universities. If you assure me that each of these changes is possible at a UK university, I will stand down

Engineering to Math and Scandinavian Studies
Chemistry to English literature
Biochemistry to Biology
Biology to American History
Political Science to Economics
Physics to physics with an English literature minor

Me thinks some of your friends would benefit from thinking and planning ahead, instead of living la vida loca.

NP here. Why PP? Part of getting an education is opening your mind and exploring new subjects. Seemed like it would be pretty stupid to ignore pursuing an area you're passionate about because you didn't know that at 17-18. College isn't technical school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Considering that private or out of state tuition runs up to $60K per year, I'm thinking the UK is a deal, even if you tack on room and board.

As international students, they don't require you to go through an extra year. I think they just make you take specific exams.

So just go in-state.