So this may be in the wrong room but considering it's of the same subject - that being education, I thought I'd enlighten in this location. So basically, I'm a first year at college over here in the UK, which obviously means I'm going to be (hopefully) heading off to university in Autumn 2009... now what I need to know is - how difficult is it to attend an American university? I don't mean one of the most notable ones, like Harvard, etc. but a regular, fine university... is it excruciatingly different to get in considering I'm English? Or would it be relatively easy?
Thanks, hope help can be given. Aaron.
Okay, I've sort of been in a similar situation, in that I'm a British student currently studying at a US university, but I am over here to study for my PhD, which involves a very different process than going to a university as an undergraduate at age 18.
Although it is possible to go to a US university for a Bachelor's degree, unfortunately, you may find there are some difficulties with it. For example, non-US students very rarely get US grants or scholarships and don't qualify for student loans. Secondly, as an international student, you would have to pay international (non-resident fees) which can be extortionate! You'd probably be looking at fees of between about £8,000-£20,000 per year (depending on the university) and not much chance of getting financial help!!!
One other thing to consider is that there is a difference in education standards between the US and UK. First-year undergraduates are usually required to take general classes in English, Maths, Science, a language etc. and you may find them very easy compared to A-levels, although you may be able to take harder classes instead. I currently teach a first-year geology lab and help out in a 101 Geology class and my students are learning material that I was taught in Year 9/GCSE Science and Geography lessons.
The way I made it to the US was that I went to a UK university, but applied for a course that had a year abroad in North America (I did a 4-year M.Sci course). I spent a year in the US, experiencing university life (at half the price of regular UK fees) and then went back to the UK to finish my degree. I did my masters in the UK last year, but decided to apply for a PhD place at the same US university I'd attended before. I got the place and am now here on a student visa for at least 4 years, but I don't have to worry about fees and things because the department is paying my tuition and living costs.
