Hi guys! American applying to UCL

Sorry your name is Basil , as in Basil from faulty towers, or the plant ?

I'm going to UCL but not biomed.

I think they would all be similarly hard to get into. However what is much more important is to chose the course you like best. In British unis there is much much less flexibility than american degrees.

Reply 2

*whisper*

Choose St. As

*whisper*

Reply 3

Ekpyrotic

*whisper*

Choose St. As

*whisper*

Don't do this. It smells. No seriously it does. Plus someone has written 'I love you' all over the village in chalk , yes village.

Reply 4

dorian_gray

well, I chose UCL over St Andrews and so should everybody else :wink:

Reply 5

Dorian. Does your profile picture age whilst you stay ever youthful ?

Reply 6

OP

Haha, St. Andrews isn't actually that high on my list of schools.

1. UCL/Edinburgh
2. McGill
3. Boston College
4. St. Andrews
5. Rutgers (My state school, which is my safety or "insurance" as you guys call it)

A few more questions. What is life like for internationals at UCL and the UK in general? What do you guys do for fun in London? What are the main differences between US and UK schools?

Thanks for all your help

Reply 7

Jean-Paul Sartre

Haha, St. Andrews isn't actually that high on my list of schools.

1. UCL/Edinburgh
2. McGill
3. Boston College
4. St. Andrews
5. Rutgers (My state school, which is my safety or "insurance" as you guys call it)

A few more questions. What is life like for internationals at UCL and the UK in general? What do you guys do for fun in London? What are the main differences between US and UK schools?

Thanks for all your help

What can't you do for fun in London is more of a question ! We are very nice , even to Americans ,although you may get a few Bush or Iraq jibes thrown your way.

The differences (relying on my knowledge of US unis taken mainly from TV. and novels) Am I right in thinking American unis do a 'Major' and a 'Minor' the major being the main subject you want to study ? If that is correct a comparison would be in England you would only do a 'major'

Reply 8

well, the Times chose St Andrews over UCL and so should everybody else.

Ok, I'll stop now.

Reply 9

OP

Ed.

Am I right in thinking American unis do a 'Major' and a 'Minor' the major being the main subject you want to study ? If that is correct a comparison would be in England you would only do a 'major'

At an American University you can do just a major. You could also double major or major with a minor. I think its comparable to Philosophy and Psychology (double major) or Philosophy with Psychology (major and minor).

I meant differences in terms of taking classes, free time, dorm rooms, college life, etc.

Reply 10

dani2511

2

Umm.. I think culture shock will be a big factor that you need to consider.. but London is a very diverse city, with a lot of different cultures/nationalities, so I'm sure you'll find it easy to fit in.

Reply 11

OP

Once I get into the schools I applied to, I'll make that decision. I don't even know if UCL will accept me so, I can make those decisions later.

And I read about "predicted scores/grades", which is something that doesn't happen at American unis. How exactly do your teachers do that, do they pick a range (4-5 on AP Biology) or do they have to make a specific prediction. What happens if you score less than what is predicted?

Reply 12

Jean-Paul Sartre

At an American University you can do just a major. You could also double major or major with a minor. I think its comparable to Philosophy and Psychology (double major) or Philosophy with Psychology (major and minor).

I meant differences in terms of taking classes, free time, dorm rooms, college life, etc.

Books have taught me nothing, Nothing ! My evidence was that the main character in 'Secret History' was majoring in medicine but also doing Greek, before he moved colleges.

I can't honestly comment on the other things. I'm not at uni yet , so don't even have exp. of the British side let alone the american

Reply 13

Ekpyrotic

well, the Times chose St Andrews over UCL and so should everybody else.

Ok, I'll stop now.

Everybody knows those things aren't worth the paper they are written on.

Besides UCL is 9th in the world on the thess ranking :p:

way above ST Andrews.

Reply 14

...that the main character in 'Secret History' was majoring in medicine but also doing Greek...

That's my favourite book. Sorry I'm gone now.

Reply 15

OP

Okay, thanks for your help anyway. And in the US you can't major in medicine so that book is completely wrong. You go to undergrad and get your bachelors, then you attend medical school for 4 years to get your M.D.

Reply 16

dorian_gray

Ekpyrotic

well, the Times chose St Andrews over UCL and so should everybody else.

Ok, I'll stop now.

wow, you found one ranking that places st andrews above ucl..

http://www.paked.net/higher_education/rankings/times_rankings.htm
WORLDRANKING

@ed:
Very well analysed - Obama will look a lot more older in the years to come and I'll stay ever young. I hope my life is going to end happier than my alter ego's one, though.

Reply 17

Ekpyrotic

That's my favourite book. Sorry I'm gone now.

As it is mine. You can stay.

Reply 18

Jean-Paul Sartre

Okay, thanks for your help anyway. And in the US you can't major in medicine so that book is completely wrong. You go to undergrad and get your bachelors, then you attend medical school for 4 years to get your M.D.

The book is never wrong. Secret History is one of the best modern books ever written.

Reply 19