ivy league experiences

[amber2]

any mnetters have DCs who went on to US Ivy League universities from an independent/state school in the UK?

Be grateful to get any insight from any who have benn through it on process; application; prep. etc.

DS has dual nationality and seriously interested but thinking years ahead so looking at best senior school as next step with this in mind ..is there any published data on % of sixth formers going to Ivy League from a particular school? (like there is for Oxbridge entrance such as in Tatler's schools guide?)

Do US univs look more favourably on an IB rather than A levels?

I can't answer your specific questions, but you might be interested in going to a US college open day that is held in London every year.

My DH used to man the stand for his old university, and would have to field these types of questions.

I have no personal experience in this. But I do know that one boy in my sons year (very academic english public school) decided to change to American school in year 10 because of entry to university afterwards. However that said I couldn't understand why as quite a few go to Ivy league unis from sons school.

Sorry not much help.

We are considering an American boarding school for sixth form for DS2. If he gets into the school we have in mind, it will actaully be cheaper for us than his current day school.

Thanks SP and LZMTS,

SP - based in your lead, I found a website about US college open day in London - looks like the next one is September 2009, so will check it out.

I have some friends in the US so will ask them also.

Tbh, I'd consider some US universities above some of the UK ones, and want to encourage DS to consider all options (it's a big world out there) so really thinking about senior schools focussed on both as destinations.

I'm curious LZMTS, what public school are you referring to (perhaps you can give me a hint? :-)). I know places like Wellington and Sevenoaks promote their US affiliations. I don't know how strong some of the other public/state grammar schools are onb this front.

Its in London and begins with 'W'. They have visits from US university personnel to drum up business and they also help with the process and have info evenings and extra classes to practice the US tests I think.

Don't know all that the school does because it won't apply to us.

Have a look at this site:

www.fulbright.co.uk/eas/index.html

they aren't interested in IB or A levels, your child will have to sit SATs and it is their result in those, together with personal statements, which will be the main consideration.

the Good Schools Guide publish a book called, I think, Going to University in the USA, which is for British pupils aiming at US universities. I think that would be your first port of call.

An increasing number of schools are supporting through SATs (they are very different exams - multiple choice, heavy emphasis on use of language etc) because the cost of UK universities is such that, bearing in mind the large number of scholarships and bursaries given by US universities, the price differential is very much decreased compared to the olden times.

We are using ability to support SATs as one of our criteria in picking senior schools for our children and is sounds like perhaps you need to too.

here you go

Thank you PPH, It's early days and these links are v. useful - I am thinking about it when looking at registering for senior schools. So, there's research to be done and then there's getting inside track from folk whose DCs have gone through the SAts and I guess some schools are better are supporting this than others.