The Student Room Group
Uni students - Complete our survey >>
Uni students - Complete our survey >>
Uni students - Complete our survey >>

CLSG vs NLCS

Hi, I know this was answered a couple of months ago on someone else's post but I'm just doing this in case of any new information.

I got offers from both schools for 16+ to do A levels.
I live very close to NLCS but further away from CLSG but I'm used to travelling long distances for school.

My main reason for applying to these schools in the first place is to get into an American university.
I'm aware that NLCS is probably the top school to go to for this but I'm afraid that I won't be a good fit for the school [socially].

If anyone could shed any light on this that could be highly appreciated.
Thanks
Reply 1
Avatar for Rugbee
Rugbee
16
I hope you both know there NCLS & CLSG do not have the monopoly on getting you into an American university, plenty do, even state schools! and that neither school gives ANY guarantee of getting you into Oxford. I would go to either school because of the opportunities of small classes, good teachers, good extra curriculars etc,pls do not pin your hopes on getting into Oxford or anything else.
Original post by heytheredelilah1
I'm in a similar situation ! I got offers from NLCS and CLSG as well

Why don't you think you'll fit in at nlcs?


I want to pursue law from oxford so I'm currently more inclined towards nlcs


Hi,
Congrats on getting the offers as well.
To explain why I'm worried I might not fit in.
At the open evenings for both schools, I related a lot more to the girls at CLSG than at NLCS.
Especially the girls who had just entered the sixth form.

At the entrance exam, I may have shot myself slightly in the foot at NLCS as I had a bad first paper and turned into a recluse.
While everyone else was socialising in the breaks I was just hiding in the corner watching youtube to make myself feel better about failing maths lol.
At CLSG the other girls who were at the entrance exam I actually talked to and I got along with them well.
Also, I think that the A level programme at CLSG may be better for me. Especially with further maths as it lets me take Maths A level in yr 12 and FM in Yr 13.

I find it kinda funny that NLCS was always my dream school since they first rejected me in yr 6, and now I'm trying to avoid it XD.
Original post by Rugbee
I hope you both know there NCLS & CLSG do not have the monopoly on getting you into an American university, plenty do, even state schools! and that neither school gives ANY guarantee of getting you into Oxford. I would go to either school because of the opportunities of small classes, good teachers, good extra curriculars etc,pls do not pin your hopes on getting into Oxford or anything else.

That's true.
If I wanted to get into Oxbridge I would have just applied to an elite grammar school or just stayed at my current school.
I just want to apply to these places for the SAT prep, extracurricular opportunities and guidance from US specialists they have.
Original post by ILikeChina87181
Hi, I know this was answered a couple of months ago on someone else's post but I'm just doing this in case of any new information.

I got offers from both schools for 16+ to do A levels.
I live very close to NLCS but further away from CLSG but I'm used to travelling long distances for school.

My main reason for applying to these schools in the first place is to get into an American university.
I'm aware that NLCS is probably the top school to go to for this but I'm afraid that I won't be a good fit for the school [socially].

If anyone could shed any light on this that could be highly appreciated.
Thanks

Hi, I go to nlcs and im currently in y11. I absolutely love the school and it has a really good US application support system (I'm thinking of applying to both the US and UK). I think one of the things I love most about the school is the range of extra curriculum activities and the support we get from the teachers. I live really close to nlcs as well and the time I save on transport means I get a lot more free time. I joined in y7 but I honestly think we have one of the friendliest years in the school. Let me know if you have any questions x
(edited 2 years ago)
Original post by heytheredelilah1
Hey!!
How are the girls? Do girls who join in at sixth form settle in fine? Are we allowed to leave the school during a free lesson? What are the extracurriculars like?

Thank you sm xx

I know a few girls in the year above who joined in the sixth form and they all seem to be really enjoying it. We are allowed to leave but honestly with extra curricular actives we don't get many free periods if you are taking 4 a levels. The school offers so many clubs, every Thursday we have guest speakers come in to give talks, there are loads of sports teams, music groups and lots of societies. The great thing is that all the clubs are run by sixth formers. If you have another questions feel free to pm me and ill give you my snap/ig xx
Original post by chocolover123e
I know a few girls in the year above who joined in the sixth form and they all seem to be really enjoying it. We are allowed to leave but honestly with extra curricular actives we don't get many free periods if you are taking 4 a levels. The school offers so many clubs, every Thursday we have guest speakers come in to give talks, there are loads of sports teams, music groups and lots of societies. The great thing is that all the clubs are run by sixth formers. If you have another questions feel free to pm me and ill give you my snap/ig xx

Hi, I wanted to ask.
Since you are interested in applying to American unis.
At your school do they begin making you work on extracurriculars/revising for entrance exams now?
I remember going to the open evening and I spoke to a man who seemed to be the head of US admissions.
He told me to start thinking about things I could do for my application, which is sound advice, but just wanted to know what specifically.
[It's kind of hard when you go to a regular state school that doesn't really do much for leadership opportunities or extracurriculars.]
Original post by ILikeChina87181
Hi, I wanted to ask.
Since you are interested in applying to American unis.
At your school do they begin making you work on extracurriculars/revising for entrance exams now?
I remember going to the open evening and I spoke to a man who seemed to be the head of US admissions.
He told me to start thinking about things I could do for my application, which is sound advice, but just wanted to know what specifically.
[It's kind of hard when you go to a regular state school that doesn't really do much for leadership opportunities or extracurriculars.]

the school has an annual us uni night so we get to hear from some of the unis (ivy leagues and the top liberal art ones). I think the school offers a SAT course in y12 and you work really closely with the US admission staff member (he's super nice and friendly). We all get a chance to apply for leadership roles in y12 and there are so many extracurriculars.
Original post by ILikeChina87181
Hi, I wanted to ask.
Since you are interested in applying to American unis.
At your school do they begin making you work on extracurriculars/revising for entrance exams now?
I remember going to the open evening and I spoke to a man who seemed to be the head of US admissions.
He told me to start thinking about things I could do for my application, which is sound advice, but just wanted to know what specifically.
[It's kind of hard when you go to a regular state school that doesn't really do much for leadership opportunities or extracurriculars.]

If you are interested in American unis, are you thinking of doing the IB? I did the IB at NLCS, so I'm very happy to answer any questions about it. Also I really loved my time there
Original post by booklover1313
If you are interested in American unis, are you thinking of doing the IB? I did the IB at NLCS, so I'm very happy to answer any questions about it. Also I really loved my time there


I got in to do IB at nlcs, but I realised that I really can’t do English literature and I hate it a lot.
I really tore me because I really wanted to do a language and philosophy but I refuse to study ‘iambic pentameter’ in books again.
So I changed to A level.
They still let me in but I’m still unsure whether I would fit in.
Other schools do offer holders mornings to help understand this better but nlcs didn’t do that does not exactly help.

(ECs for American college usually require social interaction for leadership roles which is why I’m so picky about this)
Original post by ILikeChina87181
I got in to do IB at nlcs, but I realised that I really can’t do English literature and I hate it a lot.
I really tore me because I really wanted to do a language and philosophy but I refuse to study ‘iambic pentameter’ in books again.
So I changed to A level.
They still let me in but I’m still unsure whether I would fit in.
Other schools do offer holders mornings to help understand this better but nlcs didn’t do that does not exactly help.

(ECs for American college usually require social interaction for leadership roles which is why I’m so picky about this)

You could do SL Literature and performance which is basically drama, instead of English? Also SL subjects are only 2 hours a week, which really isn’t much. What part of fitting in are you worried about?
Original post by ILikeChina87181
Hi, I know this was answered a couple of months ago on someone else's post but I'm just doing this in case of any new information.

I got offers from both schools for 16+ to do A levels.
I live very close to NLCS but further away from CLSG but I'm used to travelling long distances for school.

My main reason for applying to these schools in the first place is to get into an American university.
I'm aware that NLCS is probably the top school to go to for this but I'm afraid that I won't be a good fit for the school [socially].

If anyone could shed any light on this that could be highly appreciated.
Thanks

Hi! This might be really late but after reading the thread I thought my input could potentially be useful (hopefully lol). After my GCSEs I got into NLCS in year 12 to do maths, further maths, econ and spanish. If you are someone that has any sort of anxiety or ever battled with mental health - don't go here. I know this seems biased and of course this is only my opinion but I know for sure that it was a common theme in my year. I've also been to both state and private schools and I've never been in an environment quite as damaging. That being said, if you have been tutored all your life and are used to knowing the content before the lesson, you'll be fine. In terms of the social aspects, yes there are some concerning dynamics (one joke was that NLCS stood for "Never Leave Completely Sane") but I can for sure say I've made some very good friends. Every new school has that awkward phase when you have to integrate yourself with everyone that already knows each other but it'll settle and you'll find your place.
I'm not sure how clear or helpful this reply is but I hope it helped in some way! : )
Hey, I just did my clsg exams today and when u did yours did u think u done well or were u just hoping you’d get picked. Because tbf I’m not sure if I’ll get accepted following the treacherous physics and chemistry exams but I think I did well in maths and biology but I’m not too sure
Original post by chocolover123e
I know a few girls in the year above who joined in the sixth form and they all seem to be really enjoying it. We are allowed to leave but honestly with extra curricular actives we don't get many free periods if you are taking 4 a levels. The school offers so many clubs, every Thursday we have guest speakers come in to give talks, there are loads of sports teams, music groups and lots of societies. The great thing is that all the clubs are run by sixth formers. If you have another questions feel free to pm me and ill give you my snap/ig xx


Hey I know it’s been a while but I want to do further maths at nlcs and I was wondering if I would get the opportunity to do my maths a level in year 12? do you know if this is the case
Original post by t3rminator
Hey I know it’s been a while but I want to do further maths at nlcs and I was wondering if I would get the opportunity to do my maths a level in year 12? do you know if this is the case


Hey, you sit both Maths and FM in Y13
Original post by Vvvvveeeeee
Hi, I was just wondering if you have any advice on what to expect from the City of London School for Girls entrance exams, particularly the maths and essay exam if you have done them, and would you have any other general tips?
Thanks so much


Hi, this was almost a year ago so my recollection may be dubious. I also don't know if the exams are the same way this year.
For me there were two maths exams, one for A-level maths and one for further. The first one was essentially just standard gcse maths, the further paper was just a harder version of the standard one. I can't remember any of the questions, but I do remember I didn't do particuarly well in the further paper -so don't worry too much about it if you have to take it.

For the essay exam - I only took economics. It was literally just a random economics a-level past paper question. You don't need any previous knowledge and just use common sense. (I still just use common sense in the A-level now)

Just realised that you probably already took the exam - if so, don't worry too much about it. I basically failed maths and still got in.

If you have interviews or anything else. My main general advice would be not to worry and just know the gcse content really well.
Hope this helps.

Quick Reply

Related discussions

Latest

Trending

Trending

Articles for you