Anonymous
Post 01/13/2026 14:02     Subject: European colleges
Anonymous wrote:I think people are getting tired of the US schools BS (leftism, price, opaque admission process, less emphasis on merit and more on “hooks”) and are looking elsewhere


+100! Exactly my thoughts. And that my DC will be there for academics first and foremost - not watching athletics or rushing frats/sororities.
Anonymous
Post 01/13/2026 13:40     Subject: European colleges
Anonymous wrote:This thread is very interesting.

I am highly educated (J.D., joint MBA from NYU) and I have met only one U.S. born person who went to college abroad (and that was McGill), although I know several who went to grad school abroad.

However, every DC mom claims that their DC is considering college in Europe. Is this a generational thing or is this just more DC mom b*** s***?


reality is if you look at back at the top destination for US students (St Andrews) they have had an avg of 400-500 US students every single class for last 15 years….so in that context, no, it is not a DC Mom b****….while the number of applicants has increased the absolute numbers at schools at the top of the UK internal rankings (Oxbridge, Imperial, LSE, St Andrews, Durham, UCL, etc) has not changed much…
Anonymous
Post 01/13/2026 07:09     Subject: European colleges
Anonymous wrote:
My ex is hounding me about sending DS to Europe and claims he’s going to pay.
DS is passive. Knows what he wants though, and is fairly adaptable.
I’d rather DS stays close to me. DS has no opinion or at least he isn’t taking any steps to make it known.


According to DCUM, W&M has a joint degree program with St Andrews. I do not understand the details.

If DS were interested, something like that - or a semester abroad program somewhere - might be another option.
Anonymous
Post 01/13/2026 07:04     Subject: European colleges
Anonymous wrote:I think people are getting tired of the US schools BS (leftism, price, opaque admission process, less emphasis on merit and more on “hooks”) and are looking elsewhere


We must run in different circles (thankfully). Granted, this is “anecdata,” although I’d argue that’s still stronger than, “I think,” but I know five families from last year’s graduating class whose children are doing their degrees in the UK or Ireland. Not one of them chose to go abroad because US universities are too “leftist” or they were frightened by the domestic admissions’ process. They’re abroad because they saw what was coming after the election last November and wanted the hell out of here.
Anonymous
Post 01/13/2026 02:37     Subject: European colleges
Also, some of these schools have added English language bachelors programs that didn’t exist when we were young (eg bocconi, ESCP). Or have partnerships/ dual degree with elite US universities (eg Polytechnique/ Columbia). Many European schools are trying to become more global, it seems.
Anonymous
Post 01/12/2026 23:56     Subject: European colleges
Anonymous wrote:Some Americans we know with EU citizenship have gone to the Netherlands like Maastricht or Utrecht.


Same- be aware that finding housing there can be very difficult.
Anonymous
Post 01/12/2026 21:23     Subject: European colleges
I think people are getting tired of the US schools BS (leftism, price, opaque admission process, less emphasis on merit and more on “hooks”) and are looking elsewhere
Anonymous
Post 01/12/2026 21:21     Subject: European colleges
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Does it even make sense for a kid with no other citizenship? Just the U.S.? Pricewise and if it’s possible to intern if need be?


Maybe.

It depends on the student - needs to be a self-starter who knows at time of application what they want to study, can survive with less hand holding than US universities usually provide, and is adaptable to foreign environs.

It depends on the family and their budget.

It depends what one wants to study. Difficult to get a degree in US History overseas, to use a contrived example.

It depends on which foreign country and which specific universities.

Rules about internships vary by country. In the UK, some Americans are able to work the UK process for a work permit, but one needs to follow their process exactly.


My ex is hounding me about sending DS to Europe and claims he’s going to pay.
DS is passive. Knows what he wants though, and is fairly adaptable.
I’d rather DS stays close to me. DS has no opinion or at least he isn’t taking any steps to make it known.
Anonymous
Post 01/12/2026 20:52     Subject: European colleges
Anonymous wrote:This thread is very interesting.

I am highly educated (J.D., joint MBA from NYU) and I have met only one U.S. born person who went to college abroad (and that was McGill), although I know several who went to grad school abroad.

However, every DC mom claims that their DC is considering college in Europe. Is this a generational thing or is this just more DC mom b*** s***?


Both of my DC applied and got into schools in Canada and the UK. They were born and raised in DC and had grown up with kids from all over the world. Many of their peers had parents who had been educated abroad and were also considering schools abroad so it didn't seem completely strange. As for my DC, one decided to go abroad for uni while the other decided to stay in the US.
Anonymous
Post 01/12/2026 20:38     Subject: European colleges
I believe there is at least some generational difference. Faculty at several UK unis - good colleges but beyond Oxbridge - tell me they are seeing more US undergrad applicants now than they did maybe 20 years ago.
Anonymous
Post 01/12/2026 20:05     Subject: European colleges
Anonymous wrote:This thread is very interesting.

I am highly educated (J.D., joint MBA from NYU) and I have met only one U.S. born person who went to college abroad (and that was McGill), although I know several who went to grad school abroad.

However, every DC mom claims that their DC is considering college in Europe. Is this a generational thing or is this just more DC mom b*** s***?


Well I’m hesitant to ever say something on here isn’t DC mom bs, I think this is definitely a newer thing that you wouldn’t have found as often pre-internet (or at least pre-social media).
Anonymous
Post 01/12/2026 19:53     Subject: European colleges
This thread is very interesting.

I am highly educated (J.D., joint MBA from NYU) and I have met only one U.S. born person who went to college abroad (and that was McGill), although I know several who went to grad school abroad.

However, every DC mom claims that their DC is considering college in Europe. Is this a generational thing or is this just more DC mom b*** s***?
Anonymous
Post 01/12/2026 18:21     Subject: European colleges
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Kid graduated from Exeter….(sure not a random as PP said) and yet, got an amazing internship his last year in the US and is now fully employed at an Investment group in Chicago…..and yes….$150k extra in his pocket vs the US T75 private schools no merit he got accepted too….


Why do people compare European universities with American private ones? These are state schools, with similar costs, class size, teacher to student ratio etc.

I suppose you could have said you saved $150k by going to the state flagship, and everyone would understand cost was the primary concern.

I’m doubtful most European universities are a better deal than state flagships.



+1

OMG you are a moron…..when one say State Flagship, obviously the 1st thing it comes to your mind is Michigan, UCs, UT, UF, etc…..what about if you are from MS, LA, AR, etc…..please….stop the nonsense
You couldn’t hack it to the state flagship, so you’re not too smart. You don’t have the money but still want the prestige. But mostly prestige that’s on sale so you get a good deal. Hence European universities.
Anonymous
Post 01/12/2026 17:31     Subject: European colleges
Anonymous wrote:Does it even make sense for a kid with no other citizenship? Just the U.S.? Pricewise and if it’s possible to intern if need be?


Maybe.

It depends on the student - needs to be a self-starter who knows at time of application what they want to study, can survive with less hand holding than US universities usually provide, and is adaptable to foreign environs.

It depends on the family and their budget.

It depends what one wants to study. Difficult to get a degree in US History overseas, to use a contrived example.

It depends on which foreign country and which specific universities.

Rules about internships vary by country. In the UK, some Americans are able to work the UK process for a work permit, but one needs to follow their process exactly.
Anonymous
Post 01/12/2026 16:24     Subject: European colleges
Does it even make sense for a kid with no other citizenship? Just the U.S.? Pricewise and if it’s possible to intern if need be?