The Student Room Group
Reply 1
Thanks for your reply!!

I am living in America already (in Daytona Beach, FL). It is very easy for me to take my time writing in English and make sure everything is good. My speaking skills could definitely use some work though.

According to Richmond's website:

"Since Richmond is located outside the U.S, we are excluded from the college rating system. We are also excluded from the British league tables, because we are a US institution. However, if we were included in these rankings –using the established ranking criteria—we would be ranked in the top tier of private international universities.

Richmond graduates have gone on to study: in the UK, at London School of Economics, University of Oxford, University of Durham, SOAS, Imperial College, Goldsmiths College, Exeter, Hull and Kent. In the U.S., our graduates have entered Columbia School of Law, Harvard University, John Hopkins, MIT, New York University, Northwestern (The Kellogg School of Business), Thunderbird-The American Graduate School of International Management, Yale, Tufts, and UCLA."


Anyone have any personal experiences with Richmond?
Reply 2
This will be entirely anecdotal, but one of my old school teachers used to be a lecturer there for a few years. He absolutely hated it - he reckoned it was a place for the rich and feckless, who couldn't get into a proper university in the US or the UK.
Reply 3
My bus journey takes me past Richmond Int'l Uni, and it looks very small to me, almost like a big school? I think you might miss out on typical uni life there.
Reply 4
I've applied, and been accepted, to the masters art history program at Richmond (I graduate in May from The George Washington University in Washington, DC). I haven't been able to find any rankings/reviews for the graduate program, and after reading this thread about Richmond's undergraduate program, I am beginning to worry. Does anyone have any personal experience or advice? Would Richmond be considered a joke school if, for example, I planned on appliying to top level graduate schools in the U.S. after Richmond? Would I be better taking a year off and applying to better schools for the 2006-2007 school year? I would hate to attend Richmond and find its degree and reputation were largely ignored or be designated as part of the "rich and feckless, who couldn't get into a proper university in the US or the UK." Any advice or information would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Tess
Reply 5
d750
This will be entirely anecdotal, but one of my old school teachers used to be a lecturer there for a few years. He absolutely hated it - he reckoned it was a place for the rich and feckless, who couldn't get into a proper university in the US or the UK.


Ouch. :frown:
Reply 6
I have applied to Richmond Uni. in London and have been accepted. I went and visited the campus and its cute and cozy, much like a smaller university in America, but not at all depriving of the University experience. I was only there for a day, but the people seemed very nice and were very helpful. I was looking for an American university in London that would give a dual degree so I had the option of working in the U.S. or U.K. (because some companies prefer you have one degree over the other) and I found Richmond University. I also have a friend, Henry, who is good friends with someone who graduated from Richmond University in London and he absolutely loved it. I've heard some good things and some bad things from Richmond, much like I have with all universities I have looked into. It depends on your preference. If you're looking for a large university, then Richmond is not for you. Richmond is a smaller university, where you have the chance to get to know more people and a better chance to become a leader in a club. This does not mean that the students have no college life. There are always events going on and the city of London itself has so much to offer!! One complaint I have heard from people that have not attended Richmond university is that Richmond is not in the city center of London and that one would have to ride a train in order to get to London's center. This is not true. Richmond is less than 20-30 minutes from the center of London by tube (underground) and is beautifully located near one of the largest and most gorgeous parks in London. Richmond is a ritzy area filled with celebrities. Directly next to the Richmond campus lives Mick Jagger from the Rolling Stones and other celebrities such as members of The Who and Anthony Hopkins live within close proximity of the Richmond campus and are seen daily walking in the park. When students become juniors and seniors, they are moved directly into the center of London into another ritzy area, known as Kensington. The University also has a campus in Rome, Italy and Florence, Italy, where students are able to spend a semester (or 2). Also, many Richmond graduates do go on to prestigious universities such as Harvard University, LSE, Cambridge and Oxford! The teachers seem to be very knowledgeable and caring. Clearly Richmond University is not an "unknown" to more prestigious universities. At highschools all over the U.S. there is information about Richmond university. I first found out about Richmond through the information in my Guidance office at my school. But no matter what university you go to, companies will focus on your GPA, courses taken, and experience in order to make their decision. It is impressive, however, to be able to present a resume (CV) that shows your degree to be both American and British. :smile:
Reply 7
Hmmm... well I'm a U.S. high school student and I was looking at Richmond.. but then I saw the entry requirements and they were kinda.. weird. Like for example people (from the U.S.) have to have a G.P.A of like a 2.-something.. so like a C+ average. That's quite low and so it made me wonder if it really is that great of a uni... so now I'm also looking at U.K. universities.. I would rather goto one of those uni's and get a better education! I would imagine that if you were seeking employment in the U.S. they would not turn you away simply because you have U.K. degree-- they're mostly well-respected worldwide. :-)

So anyways, in my opinion, if I were in your situation I would probably try to goto a U.K. uni. I don't think you'd be alone or singled out whatsoever (being Russian)-- people come from all over the world to goto uni in the U.K.!!

Research all options but listen to your heart as well! Best of luck with everything!! :smile:

<33 Amanda
Reply 8
Yea thats true...Uk degrees are respected worldwide..much like American degrees, but America values the american education system most and would choose some1 with an american degree over a british degree if it came down to it. Alot of schools have the requirement of at least 2.0 or C+ even in England because the teachers know that on occasion there will be one super hard class or a bad teacher that may lower their grade...I have a 4.0 GPA, My last couple years of highschool I was taking all college and Advanced Placement courses. I had a math class where I had an AWFUL teacher who graded poorly and even though I had above 97's in all my other classes I got a B+ in his. Even though it later became an A+, that just goes to show you. People graduate from Richmond and go on to Harvard, etc. Basically no matter what college you go to, the smart students are easily weeded out from the crowd.
Rach
Reply 9
Well,.. I don't really know the university but I'm living really close to it and once had a look round the campus where it seemed to be pretty relaxed and a fun place to hang out

BUT

the rich and the feckless thing definately fits,... I've seen students driving around in some posh convertible (and he must have been either freshman or sophomore because the juniors and seniors are in south kensington) and once I've seen a group of girls on the bus who seemed to be the best proof for the 'rich and the feckless' stereotype and guess what they all belonged to the university.
As I said I don't really know the place but what I've seen of it just fits.
quick note on the area - I'm a north londoner moved south down near richmond (actually twickenham 10 mins walk away) and RIchmond is a very *nice* (or should I say quaint!) area. It is a rich area generally - yes lots of celebs live round here but I wouldnt base my uni choice on that! You may know about the north/south london divide and about how those from north will never praise south and vise versa - well richmond has changed me and I think it is a fab place... apart from the price of everything (i tend to find that things are generally more expensive in richmond - even tescos!). There are really good transport links into london (overground so you dont have to worry about the tube - ive not been on one in 6 weeks)... and surrounding areas are all very close by bus or train too, ie kingston (good for shopping) hampton (where the palace and gardens are) kew (gardens! and special concerts)... other bonuses like outdoor swimming, pubs on the river... what else can i say but it is a fun, clean area to live. I personally think that what uni you go to does not matter - it all depends on how well you do in your subject and how well you can prove yourself when it comes down to interview (personal opinion and I suppose it could be different for different subjects).

Oh, and students driving around in posh convertibles - how did you know they were a student?! It could have just been a local out driving in the new vehicle that mummy and daddy bought him!!.. i was just having a conversation the other day with someone about how every car in this area looks brand new?! :confused:

happy choosing! :biggrin: