Anyone's DC going to Uni in USA???

[Cblue]

Hi all

Has anyone's DC applied/gone to USA Universities in the last few years?

DD in Y11 very keen so we are off to Boston/NYC to see some Unis.

Reading up on it, it seems like there are some good bursaries and scholarships open to International students at the Ivy Leagues which would make it viable.
Do any of the lesser Unis have the same?

We have been to the Fulbright University Fair in London and that just made her even more determined.

Has anyone got any tips??
And has anyone else done it!??

Thanks

@Gentlygently - thanks, that's exactly what I am concerned about.

Need to add onto my list the duration of the grant/scholarship along with the definition of 'expected parental contribution'..... this stuff isn't easy is it !!!!!!

Cblue, too late for you, but those aiming for the US and with parents rich enough to afford it, often switch to sixth forms used to supporting US applications. Westminster (which offers boarding), other very academic London private schools, The American school in Cobham, strong sports schools like Millfield, and some academicboarding schools like Sevenoaks with a fairly international cohort. Some of these schools will also see an influx of American boarders living elsewhere in Europe. There are also consutants offering their (expensive) support services. In addition several US Universities will hold talks in London and perhaps elsewhere, often hosted by private schools but open to others.

I understand that numbers applying from the affluent international London bubble are such that it holds no real advantage. However US Universities like diversity and have a shortage of more ordinary UK applicants. Other factors like holding an unusual passport, even if raised in the UK, first in the family to attend University, and under-represented ethnicity, etc seem to help. 20-25 from DCs central London private school went to US Universities each year, most expected to compete with the best of the best from US Prep Schools, and the academic and extra-curricular arms race was extra-ordinary. But the same will not apply to applicants who do not have access to the same level of preparation.

From observation, there was a rough split amongst those who might normally consider US education. Those opting from STEM or other quantitative subjects (eg mathmatical economics) would often start in the UK and aim from PG in the US. Sooo much cheaper, and the additional specialisation in the UK means that after a three year degree you probably have as much technical knowledge as someone who has taken 4 years in the US. Those wanting liberal arts would consider the reverse. UG in the US and perhaps PG in the UK. One advantage of the US is that tends not to have the campus drinking culture that is so prevalant on some UK campuses and friends of DD claim to have to work very hard.

OP:

• IVY is a football league. There are plenty of other well regarded US Universities: Stamford, MIT, Northwestern, Georgetown, etc to name but a few. Look at the QS world rankings (mainly research based but it gives a different picture to some of the student satisfaction heavy rankings) or the equivalent Times Higher Education one.

• if you are interested in liberal arts, consider "little Ivies", as a pp suggests. Essentially UG only colleges.

• my understanding is that the UC liberal arts course was designed as an equivalent to the US ones. It has been going a few years now so there may be others.

Second post is on the wrong thread. Had wondered where it went!

All - I just wanted to say thank you for all your advice and tips.

.....lots of things I now know that I need to ask when we visit next month and I will investigate some of the other lesser known colleges!!!!

Thanks!

I chose to do a 4 year UK based degree which allowed my third year in a US University (University of Massachusetts Amherst as someone has mentioned) Personally I would recommend doing something similar. I did a joint degree so I could explore two subjects of interest (which should appeal to your daughter) I also am pleased to have experienced UK and US student culture and ultimately have made my lifelong friends from the UK. My fees for my year to study in the US were essentially my UK fees plus approx 1.5k of mandatory insurance. Perhaps this will be a simple compromise for your daughter?

I'm a Yank and just went through the application process with DS, who is off to college this fall. I can't tell you what it's like applying as an international student, but I can answer specific questions, like:

6) did you sit the SAT or ACT, which one did you choose and why?

Students are advised to take a mock test for each and see which they do better on and like the structure of. My son did this and did far better on the SAT, so that's what he prepared for and took.

7) when did you sat it, how many times and did you get a tutor? Do you need a tutor? DD looked at the maths one and said it was easy hence the comment about them being easy. Which specialist papers did you do?

Most kids take the test twice and you are well advised to have a tutor. The tutoring company can also supply you with the mock tests and grade them for you. DS did his tutoring on line with this company and they were brilliant:

www.applerouth.com/

I'm sure they could work around the time difference. They're running a promotion now but they'll repeat it at the end of the year.

Do not limit yourself to the Ivies. They educate 0.7% of the total college population. There are many schools that are less expensive and may be a better fit for your child. Have a peak here for some examples.

ctcl.org/

Ask me anything.

We are in the US and DD1 is applying for colleges this fall, and we have done quite a few college tours recently. I haven't been through the US college system, so it's new to me.

OP I think you'll find your visits answer a lot of your questions. I found them really useful. Have you scheduled tours at the colleges you want to see? I found them very informative. Where are you looking?

I can't answer many questions about how to find info if you're an international student, although I can tell you that many of the colleges we visited treat international and home students the same when it comes to availability of scholarships and funding.

It does seem that to some extent you don't know how much college will really cost until you get your offer, and even then you can negotiate the cost down if you've got other offers - that's true for students applying from the US. Very few of my friends have paid full whack, especially at those $75k a year colleges.

Some of your questions...

3) How did other parents/students go about getting sponsorships/scholarships- and when did they start applying?

The main help you are likely to get will be in the form of aid from the college itself, and that will be decided as part of your college application, based on your income, how badly they want your child, etc. We apply for most financial aid here using the FAFSA form. I would assume you can't fill in a FAFSA without a social security number, so when you visit the colleges ask them specifically how you will submit your financial info to them and whether you should use the FAFSA.

Separate to that, there are various websites you can find that list lots of scholarships that your student can apply for. It's their job not yours BTW. Your child can start as soon as they like - DD is starting now (she's going into her last year of school in Sept). There are lots of little bits and pieces scholarships here and there.

4) did you have Skype interviews or just offers?

The impression I get is that all applications are read, often twice, and that interviews are much less of a big deal than in the UK.

6) did you sit the SAT or ACT, which one did you choose and why?
7) when did you sat it, how many times and did you get a tutor? Do you need a tutor? DD looked at the maths one and said it was easy hence the comment about them being easy. Which specialist papers did you do?

In our state the SAT is more common, and it's what DD's school offered. She took the PSAT then the SAT. She got a high enough score on the SAT that she's not going to take it a second time to increase her score. She didn't have any tutoring but she's ridiculously good at math and english so it wasn't really necessary. I'll probably (all right, definitely) get tutoring for my other kids. She's going to take some subject SATs in her senior year - maths and some sciences - because she wants to do maths at college.

You can increase your score by studying hard - one of her classmates studied an hour a day all summer and increased her score significantly.

8) how much assistance did your school give and did they understand the reference and school transcript requirements- if not how did you get it done?

US universities are used to seeing GCSE and A level results in transcripts. There's a lot of info online about what should be included in a college letter of recommendation, which you could give to the teacher/employer writing them for your child.

Look through the websites for each college your child is thinking of applying to - they'll talk about what they're expecting in terms of essays or other materials.

US colleges are not just looking for clever/high achieving students. They're looking for students who've done well considering where they come from, who've shown grit, who've shown passion in pursuit of one particular thing, but who've also shown a range of interests. Bear in mind US students have to log dozens of volunteer hours to graduate high school, so they'll want to see your child having done a fair bit of volunteering.

They're looking for students who've done well considering where they come from, who've shown grit, who've shown passion in pursuit of one particular thing, but who've also shown a range of interests.

Quite true. I read an article on this topic by the admissions director at a well known college. He said that after they've binned the applications that don't meet the school's academic standards in terms of grades, test scores, etc. that it's like casting a movie. They need a good distribution of kids who will probably major in each academic discipline, kids who will play in the school orchestra, kids who will do the club sports. I think one big factor in my son getting into the school he really wanted was that he rows crew and the crew team had way too many women and not enough men.

Bear in mind US students have to log dozens of volunteer hours to graduate high school, so they'll want to see your child having done a fair bit of volunteering.

The community service/volunteering requirement isn't as universal as it once was, but the colleges do like to see it. It's more important to some colleges than others. If your child doesn't have this to put on their application it won't be fatal.

Thanks all. We are off on 22nd July to Boston (Harvard MIT Boston U), then to Yale and then on to NY to see Columbia and NYU. So the big E Coast Unis.

Fingers crossed her Gcse grades will be good and then it's A Levels to worry about - I know we are looking very early but its going to take longer to get my head around than just applying to UK Unis.

Hopefully grit should be OK. She's dyslexic and went from bottom of class at the start of primary, to best improved by the end of primary, to holding the 6th form academic scholarship

Extra curricular - she spends at least 7 hours a week either training at her particular sport or teaching it (that excludes the minimum of 3 hours training to train ie fitness as opposed to practicing her sport). She has been training for nearly 7 years. She intends to compete as soon as she turns 18. Sorry if this sounds evasive but her sport could make her/me identifiable

She's also very involved in the school community - prefect, school council etc.

Is this the kind of thing that will tick their boxes?

Is this the kind of thing that will tick their boxes?

Yes, it should be fine. We're going up to Boston in two weeks for my son's orientation and will look at BU with my daughter while we are there.

I do hope you realize how insanely selective and expensive Harvard, MIT, Yale and Columbia are. The one suggestion I would make is that you try to visit at least one smaller, less urban college just to let your DD get a feel for which type of campus she likes better.

I think you should be careful to manage your DD's expectations when visiting these colleges. Harvard has a 5% acceptance rate - and most people don't apply to harvard unless they are highly competitive and think they may have a chance.

I've done a lot of these college tours and they often make the kids feel really wanted. Because they want to encourage applications (this is where the "acceptance rate" stat comes from). So if an admissions counsellor tells your dd she is just the kind of candidate they want - well she is but it does not guarantee an acceptance. I know the system is different in the UK.

I agree with MissConductUS that you should look at some smaller highly-rated colleges too. I listed several upthread. Take a look at this - several are close to MA/NY axis.

www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-liberal-arts-colleges

Good luck on your orientation MissConduct. DD had hers last week and it was excellent.

Why does she want to go to uni in the states? Is there a particular course?

@MissConductUS

Yep - I do realise just how selective these school are.......she's nothing if not ambitious She's rather tenacious so if she sets her heart on it then she will pull out all the stops, but I do know that it's statistically rare to get a place.
My greatest fear is that she is offered a place but then can't go because I can't find a way of funding it.
.......if she doesn't get a place, then the problem goes away!

We do have tours and discussions with admissions departments all booked up (it has been like organising a military campaign)

I am trying to get a big list of questions together before we go....

All your input has been invaluable. Especially the lovely MNer who lives near to me and has a DD studying in USA.

@ChoudeBruxelles - not exactly a course. She likes the American liberal arts approach (credits for courses, and specialisation only at the end). She's an all rounder and the UK doesn't offer the same kind of options.

@pallisers - I agree. It's very very far from a cert, but no different than applying to Oxbridge.
We may get out there and she decides it's not for her anyway!!!

We do have tours and discussions with admissions departments all booked up (it has been like organising a military campaign)

Yes it is :-)

The tours are actually a lovely way to see the cities though, I found. I don't particularly like the MIT area of Boston, but Harvard and BU are in lovely areas. If you get a chance, visit the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum. DD visited BU recently and loved it, and has a lot of friends there who also love it. The other thing your DD might enjoy doing is MIT Splash in November - mine have done it every year esp.mit.edu/learn/Splash/index.html. Not so easy to do from abroad but a fun experience.

Have you looked at the cost calculators on each university's website? You can enter your family income, and get an idea of how much aid you might get.

For example at MIT a family earning $200k and where the student has $50k in savings would receive $27k in grants and have to find $36.5k per year.

On a family income of $100k and where the student has $0 in savings they would receive $53k in grants and have to find $11k per year.

It's surprising how much help the top colleges offer. They're just estimators of course.

@Cblue - good luck and have a lovely trip. Do look at that link @pallisers posted. You could easily visit Wellesley while in the Boston area, and that's a lovely smaller school in a more suburban setting.

pallisers, you are so right about schools wanting you to apply just to make there rankings better. Everything in the admissions process is geared to manipulate the rankings. For example, some schools made submitting SAT or ACT scores optional. How nice of them, right? Wrong. They did it so that the kids with low scores wouldn't submit them, which makes their average scores better. What they don't tell you is that if you don't submit them it lowers your chances of acceptance. Thanks for the good wishes on the orientation. He's doing an optional 3 day small group orientation afterwards at a luxury conference center! That's when we'll see BU and go to the beach hopefully. I also have loads of family in the area.

My son's college counselor knew exactly where he would get in or not based on his grades, his SAT's and what courses he took. She allowed him one "stretch" school. He got into 8 our of 9 that he applied to and all offered him merit aid in one amount or another.

@Semster - the cost calculators can be deceptive. What they call financial aid is often a loan. If it's clear that they're really grants then, that's fine. I guess the trick with MIT is getting in. You have to be a bloody maths prodigy.

I can't say MIT would be top of my list if your dd wanted a true 4-year broad-based college experience.

You should maybe take a look at Brown too.

Yes even my DD who is very math focused is not that bothered about getting into MIT.

Stanford on the other hand...

@Cblue your DD sounds like she'll have a good chance of getting in. She's doing all the right things and sounds like a great kid.

@MissConductUS Thanks, we will watch out for grants vs loans. I know when we visited Harvey Mudd they admitted much of their aid was loans.

St Andrews do a degree which is run jointly with a US university , i think its two years in each location .
www.st-andrews.ac.uk/subjects/study-options/ug/degree-routes/william-mary-joint/

Which may be an option

I know when we visited Harvey Mudd they admitted much of their aid was loans.

Harvey Mudd is a fabulous school, but these admissions people can be like used car salesmen. You have to have your hand on your purse at all times.

We just got DS's first half year bill for tuition, room and meal plan, and it has to be paid in full by 1 August. We knew what it would be but it's still a huge check to write.

Peaseblossom22 - the College of William and Mary is a fine school:

www.usnews.com/best-colleges/william-and-mary-3705

Every college we looked at had a study abroad partnership, but most were for a half year or one year.

Cblue My DS is more of a get along go along kid. My DD, like yours is a bit of a pain in the arse when she wants something tenacious as well. I feel your struggle.

@Peaseblossom22 - looks interesting. Mind you, not a huge price difference at $62,531 per year

It also looks like you wouldn't be entitled to a student loan.

The big Ivy's have decent funding so if she could get in then it would be more viable