Best bets for getting into us ivy leagues; CLGS, G&L, Latymer Upper Jags

Good SAT scores are just a starting point for US University acceptance. Also, something like Grade 8 violin is not going to impress them. If music (for instance) is very important to her, she would send a DVD of herself playing, and try to pull some strings to make sure the right person listens to it. For this to make a difference to her application, she would need to play really well, far beyond what it takes to pass a grade 8 exam.

In my experience, the US application procedure is far more gruelling than getting into Oxford or Cambridge, and your daughter will really need to think ahead if she is serious about it. If you want to hear about the details of the process, my son is at an Ivy League, and I would be happy to talk to you if you want to PM me.

Having said that, I agree with everyone who is saying send her to the school which will make her happiest now, as that is FAR more important.

Also, I really agree that there are many wonderful US universities not in the Ivy League.

You need to look at one of the American schools in the London area - ASL (American School of London) or one of the ACS schools. ASL is stuffed with the offspring of the Hampstead/St John's Wood set as it is seen as the best bet for Ivy League. But bear in mind that ASL offers a solely American education, so SATs, High School Diploma and AP exams, whereas ACS does IB as well.

My daughter is 15 and at a highly selective girls' school. If we asked about US university entrance rates they would look at us very oddly. It is not something that the girls become too worried about until sixth form. My son is 17, lower sixth, and only just getting really into university applications. He is also at a very selective school.

First things first.

Yes, they are closer to the +11 exams, than they are to A levels.

and SATs are a pretty alien thing compared with UK exams : when I sat mine I got really high marks and got my place offers, but then failed my A levels!

To get into a great US university, you need high SAT scores, that is the most important thing. Then course of study and your grade ranking within your graduating class. Finally, you must show extracurricular attainment: president of the debating society, captain of the hockey team, grade 8 violin, etc. You also need to show a commitment to volunteering. (More than a three week jolly to some sunny climate.). You will also need a polished personal statement (essay) and sparkling references.

I don't think the particular school matters much beyond its ability to support the child in meeting those requirements.

You are also missing that it is the girls who decide and make successful applications to US universities, not the schools. That depends on them having the motivation and qualities (and money) to get in and for US universities that is an even more idiosyncratic process than Oxbridge. You have to make individual applications which require you not only to do the SATs tests, possibly including for specific subjects, but also to produce essays etc specifically to meet the specifications of each university. There are also all manner of strategies, early acceptances, sports scholarships (that eg recruit the top LEH rowers, but not always top academically , to Ivy League) etc to get in. Even the US expats I know who have gone through the process have to do a considerable amount of research and individual preparation. I am sure all these schools will respond to the increasing trend for girls, especially in affluent West London, to want to embark on that intimidating process, with sessions by Consultants , contact with old girls etc. but they cannot provide the individual support preparing for SATS etc.

I absolutely would not be making prep for Ivy League unis a consideration in choosing a west London school, a complete blind alley. Lots of factors already mentioned here are worth considering, and above all, where your DD feels she would be happy.

Also I disagree with Needmoresleep slightly, which I don't normally. Knowing the US expats who have been successful from other parts of the world, the fevered preparation in extra curricular that happens in the UK does not seem to happen there, perhaps because there wouldn't be the opportunities. Rather they target certain unis and come up with strategies to maximise the strength of their applications for those. One of my friends did remark " it isn't good enough to be rounded these days, you have to be rounded with square edges and sharp elbows" I think as with Oxbridge that requirement for huge amounts of extra curricular valour may exist largely in the parent's minds, unless they know their DCs are not going to get in on intellect alone and their strategy is to go for a sports scholarship, but then IME the talent scouts come to you, not the other way round.

But if a school with a good reputation didn't click with you for whatever reason then don't hesitate to drop it from consideration. So if not impressed with G and L then pick one of the others. Not worrying about Ivy League at this stage will make that choice easier for you.

Call the schools and ask about their Ivy league "campaign".

But they're all great schools, as others have said I seriously would choose the one you and your dd have the best feel for and also, which is closest to home as they're very diverse geographically . Less time travelling means more time for study/extra-curricular pursuits/rest, plus closer to friends.

Op you have started two threads on this. May I respectfully suggest you pick the right school now for your DD as she is now. She is presumably only 10 or 11 and it's probably a bit early to determine whether or not Ivy League is right for her and so picking your school on that basis might take you in the wrong direction. But if you pick the school where she will thrive and which suits her best then you will have given her the best chance if achieving her ambitions later. You have three quite different schools there to choose amongst - which feels right to her and you?

the Ivy League misses out so many great US colleges though because they are geographically narrow ..

Four years ago the Head Girl at G&L won an academic scholarship (or whatever the correct expression is) to Harvard having followed the IB route. Some girls move to KCS to do IB as they want mixed & I think KCS has a good US College record.

A cou

No idea but there are specialist companies in this area who can advise. They even came to DD's state school last year.