British Student - Worth applying to unis in the EU/US?
Hey all,
Was just wanting to throw this one out there in case someone's done this in the past. For reference, I'm British, I only speak English, and I've gone through the whole process here of GCSEs and A-Levels. I'm looking to begin university in 2025 doing something in Econ/Finance/DataSci, with hopes to break into IB.
(Note that of course I will be trying to apply a mix of targets/semi-targets in the UK, and these international options I'll go onto discuss will likely come 2nd in my priority over the domestic options)
Recently, I've found myself looking into a few US unis. I came across the fact that a select few targeted US unis would see me as eligible for some aid programmes that would significantly ease the financial burden of university - and it's really making me consider it as an option.
I have also had a brief look into the likes of Bocconi, as perhaps a better alternative to semi-targets domestically, but I am concerned that it may be a bit tough with the inherent language barriers - and I have read a post (albeit outdated and perhaps not entirely accurate) on thestudentroom talking of it being a tough adjustment especially when being taught new topics.
With the US, it's mainly a concern with the adapting to networking heavy recruitment, the safety (in areas), and the logistics of living there i.e. getting healthcare insurance, visas, can I stay after or not etc.
But to cut a long story short, I want to know if either of these would be worth the ballache of moving and restarting life if I were to secure the aid? And for example, would a US/EU target be an easier (and potentially cheaper and/or more interesting) road to IB than a semi-target like Durham or Bristol here? With the US unis, I'm not sure how it works in terms of if I'd still be able to apply to recruitment cycles over in the States on a student visa (I'm only aware intl students in the UK have a hard time getting sponsored, and not sure if it's the same for the US).
After all, these will be the last 3 years I get to study something I like and enjoy life before I begin work, so I thought I may as well consider all the options I have to see if it's worthwhile applying.
Honestly I feel like you should make this decision based on, to your last point, what you enjoy and where you think will be most interesting, and of course which set of universities you eventually get offers from. If you have Oxford and University of Alabama, or Harvard and University of Leeds, there isn't much of a choice.
And that's it. (1) Consider the university set once you know what hand of offers you're dealing with. (2) Make a decision based on what you'll enjoy.
I think you know this already, but isolating just the "moving abroad" factor isn't in itself something that will give you a stronger chance of entering IB. If anything it'll likely lower your chances, because you'll be distracted learning the ropes of a new country and university system (and, potentially, language). Of course if you really can pick up the ropes so quickly I guess that isn't a factor.
Ullam quia distinctio hic ut ea. Explicabo ea impedit et et quis ut tempora. Sunt debitis nihil eligendi nam et.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...