Hi Tim
Congratulations!
My first question to you is:
Will you get into debt for spending 26k per year on your degree? If your family is wealthy, then by all means go for it. Otherwise, if your family will suffer financially, then it's likely not worth it.
If money is an issue, an alternative worth thinking about is doing an undergrad in Malaysia, or NUS, and pursue a Masters at Imperial, Oxford, Cambridge or MIT. Half a million dollar in Malaysia can buy you a small house and you have not factored in the living expenses as well. Unfortunately, the chances of an international student landing a job in the UK is slim, and will become slimmer with recent political changes. You'll need to be at the top of your class to have a shot at getting a job, and don't forget you'll be competing with your peers, Oxford and Cambridge.
I've also commented on your pros. Hopefully this helps.
1) Better graduate prospect (Reputation of university and delivery of the course) Imperial currently ranked no.1 for geoscience in the UK
- Imperial is a world ranking university. However, outside of UK, the public recognition of the brand name (note brand, not technical capabilities) is still not as good as Oxford or Cambridge.
2) State of the art facilities and lecturers that are great and experienced in the field
- Agreed. You have leading researchers on campus that you can go talk to. And from my time there I managed to build some pretty good connections with the researchers. Not all facilities are world class though.
3) Out of comfort zone ( Highly motivated and independence)
- This is the same regardless if you go to Imperial or not. However, the undergraduate course in Imperial is seriously intense so be prepared for it.
4) Experience a new culture
- This does not need to be at Imperial?
5) Once in a lifetime opportunity
- I graduated from a 3rd tier university thinking I will never ever have the chance to set foot in Imperial (I'm an engineer and it's my dream university after MIT). I worked for around 7 years before applying to Imperial for my Masters. Miraculously I got in, and did OK but I managed to build some connections there. I will be returning to Imperial for my PhD next month.
So, just because you can't get into Imperial today doesn't mean that's it for your lifetime. The chance will still be there!
PS - I'm not a top student, just an average B student in my undergrad and from my Masters. I'm sure most people are smarter than me so you'll have a better chance than I have!
6) Greater connections (Assumption)
- Yes you can build lasting connections by studying in the university. You need to be proactive though.
7) Great crowd? ( My thoughts are that anyone that manages to enter Imperial College London is students that are competent and highly motivated in their academic pursuits) ( Not saying other unis students are different but Imperial does have strict requirements/interviews to enter)
- Yes you'll have very smart peers, and a lower likelihood of having course mates who aren't interested in studying. However, there will still be bad apples.
8) With such a great amount of money invested, it would extremely pressuring to perform as there is no way out/back . ( Drive to excel)
- Unless you're the type of students that thrive under extreme pressure, it may not be a good idea to corner yourself.