University in America...

by butters

Posted: 14 years ago 19 replies

OFF TOPIC

I live in England and I thinking about going to university in America, is it worth it? What is it like? Could anyone lay some insight into what it would be like, how hard it would be and so on :p. I am in the beginning stages of looking into this, so this post is just to get opinions.

seasoned 14 years ago

That is an AWFULLY open question! Maybe if you said what you were taking, where you plan to attend, etc... people could give you a valid opinion.
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- butters 14 years ago
  
  I am just thinking about the culture, rough pricing of living etc...
  
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seasoned 14 years ago

Well, in general, the culture may not be different from middle class England. Just watch british slang/idioms. That DOES vary, but at most colleges I would hope it doesn't stray much. People here, on average, make about $30K per year, and a person COULD easily live on that. The current minimum wage is $7.25, if you are allowed to work here. To put that in perspective, that is about 14K or so, allowing for holidays, etc...

To drive in most areas, you DO NEED insurance, though you should get it regardless, unless your british insurance covers accidents here. You can probably get health insurance at a lower cost as a student. You could ALSO check to see if you can get an international drivers license there. You MIGHT be able to. Just remember that we drive on the other side of the road and some laws might be a bit different.

Steve
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valerieSONORA

14 years ago

That definitely depends big on which college. The college life and culture will be different depending on which college. Big city, small town? Large or small? Private or public? Which part of the USA? All that will factor into what its like.

I really have nothing to compare it to since I don't know what colleges are like in uk. Which has the harder curriculum? I don't know. Which offers more extra curricular programs like sports, groups, etc?

I think you'd probably like it though. And if you go to one in Florida you'd never freeze and would see a lot more sunshine

And near a nice, warm beach

Oh, maybe I should sign up for that.

As for price I think college over there is free? So you'd have to pay a large tuition here, that's a big difference.

Thanks
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seasoned

14 years ago

Originally Posted by valerieSONORA

As for price I think college over there is free? So you'd have to pay a large tuition here, that's a big difference.

He said "price of living", so I excluded the cost of education.

Butters,

I HOPE you aren't asking about the cost of education. THAT varies ALL OVER the map! If you go to some state universities that have a soso reputation, the cost can be fairly cheap even for a person from out of state. If you go to a big famous private university and go through a curriculum to be in a well paying profession, like a doctor or lawyer, it can be ridiculously expensive. If not for scholarships, quotas, rich people, and special programs, NOBODY would even dare go.

Steve

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butters

14 years ago

I understand a rough pricing of Uni in the states, probably close to 100k ish, its a ball park number but I would assume it is close to that. No, I don't want to go to the top universities in the US because I probably couldn't get into them. I would want to go to a reasonable uni (name some if you know of any good ones.) and study there. The main reason I want to go to America is to have the experience.

Thanks
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Kay King

14 years ago

I am in the beginning stages of looking into this

How long do you have do make a decision? As applications are made well in advance why not get info online - and request some info on colleges that interest you?

kay

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butters

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Kay King

How long do you have do make a decision? As applications are made well in advance why not get info online - and request some info on colleges that interest you?

kay

If I was to choose to go to America, it wouldn't be this year but probably next year. I will be requesting info online but I thought there are lots of Americans here

why not see what they know.

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seasoned

14 years ago

Butters,

NOBODY can give you the name of a "good university", because that is dependent on what you will be doing. Harvard is good for law, and somewhat for medicine, but NOT known for technology. MIT is known for technology, but NOT law or medicine.

ALSO, the degree is not REALLY earned with studies, money, etc... but with credits. Credits might not be transferrable. AND a college/university may not accept any degree from an non accredited university, etc... If you want to check accreditation, you can check out http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspx

BTW, that is a direct link to an official US Department of Education site, and not any attempt to get traffic or income.

HERE is what they say about accreditation

Accreditation is the recognition that an institution maintains standards requisite for its graduates to gain admission to other reputable institutions of higher learning or to achieve credentials for professional practice. The goal of accreditation is to ensure that education provided by institutions of higher education meets acceptable levels of quality.

Steve

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seasoned

14 years ago

Originally Posted by sgtwhite

Butters;

If money is an issue, you might consider a community college for the first two years.
Get your associates degree, and that will give you time to learn what major you
want to spend most of your adult life in.

Sarge

A good idea, but the relevant british degree would probably be accepted HERE as well. Just check first. THAT way, you can ease into it THERE, and come here for the higher level degrees. That would also possibly lower your costs.

And community colleges ARE subsidized, EVEN for foreigners. You may have to pay FAR more than a state resident, but that would still be FAR less than a private university such as harvard or MIT.

Steve

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HeySal 14 years ago

Butters, I went to University of Michigan. It was an awesome school and the student life is very roudy. But there's not much in the way of off campus attractions.

First figure out what field you want to follow. Then find the schools noted for that curriculum. Then figure out what you want to do in your spare time - Mountaineer? Beach bum? History buff? The US has any kind of environment you want to live in and probably a college to support your field in any type of environment you want to live in. So just saying which college is really like asking "how do I make money online".
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seasoned 14 years ago

One more thing I forgot to say, that SHOULD be obvious. British doctors may have a different way of doing things, and british lawyers certainly do, so studying in the US MAY require extra study THERE. So be aware of that.

Steve
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Michael Motley 14 years ago

FSU
USF
U of Miami.

Why go to a school in the frozen north or out in midwest where cow tipping is the bit excitement.

any one of those schools has an excellent reputation, and a student body that is in bikini's 9 months out of the year.
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- seasoned 14 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by Michael Motley
  
  any one of those schools has an excellent reputation, and a student body that is in bikini's 9 months out of the year.
  
  WOW, just one, or are the men wearing bikinis too. 8-O Couldn't resist
  
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  Michael Motley 14 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by seasoned
  
  WOW, just one, or are the men wearing bikinis too. 8-O Couldn't resist
  
  yes, men too.
  
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seoguy1 14 years ago

There are many fine univ. in UK too. Go to America if you're looking for a change of environment. But for strictly education, it doesn't make much difference.
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- Silas Hart 14 years ago
  
  Earn as many credits as you can at a community college in America. By the time you complete all of your general education courses, you might be eligible as an instate resident which often saves money on tuition. You may even be able to work to save up enough money to support yourself slightly through your remainder years at a university.
  
  What do you plan on studying?
  
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University in America...

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