1. Welcome! http://vle.tbskathmandu.org/

2. P1P2P3P4P5/6 MonIntro – US vs UK: the difference between UK and US systems Miss Caines S8 Student information capture: what do you want to do? Miss Caines S8 Find you perfect course I: How to research UK institutions / courses Miss Caines S3 Find your perfect course II: How to research US institutions Miss Caines S3 Early Entry UK - Oxford / Cambridge and Medicine / Dentistry / Vet. Med. Miss Caines S9/10 OR Independent research TuesHow to Apply I: Apply and UCAS timetable (UK) Miss Caines S10 How to Apply II: Common App / “Early” apps & US timetable (USA) Miss Caines S10 Visas: USA / UK Mr Priest S3 Getting experience: GAP years Summer schools / work experience Mr Rigby S9/10 Individual appointments / research Miss Caines Library WedsOther systems: Canada / Australia / Hong Kong etc. Miss Caines S9/10 Sell yourself I: USA personal essays Miss Caines S4 Sell yourself II: UCAS Personal statements Miss Caines S4 Visit to new 6 th form centre Dr Moore Study centre Individual appointments / research Miss Caines Library OR NYU Abu Dhabi webcast Mr Priest S9/10 ThursMeet your mentor: individual action plans TBD Money, funding & scholarships Mr Priest S9/10 References / predicted grades Dr Moore / Mr Priest S9/10 Individual appointments or early finish Miss Caines Library

3. UK vs US

4. Vital points Academic programs are very different Admissions systems are very different Do not apply to both because you want a “safety net” Do not apply to one or the other for unsound reasons

5. UK - what Around 150 institutions State run Majority offer a full range of courses Most people choose a single specialism e.g. Engineering It is possible to do joint or combined courses e.g. Business and French / Natural Sciences 3 year course leads to a Bachelors degree (BA/BSc etc.), 4 year course to Masters (MPhil / MSc etc.) degree / professional qualifications Assessment tends to be SUMMATIVE (you have an end of year exam) Big variation – location / culture / level of challenge / academics / admissions requirements

6. Case study: materials science at Sheffield Year 1: Introduction to Materials Chemistry / Microstructure, Kinetics and Properties / Biomaterials / Mechanics and Thermodynamics Year 2: Industrial Materials / Microstructure and Thermodynamics / Computational Methods / Deformation and Failure Year 3: Analysis techniques / Finance and Law for Engineers / Fracture Mechanics / Finite Element Modelling / Surface Degradation - WOW!

7. UK - how All applicants go through one online system 1 deadline You choose 5 institutions Conditional admission - based on you achieving grades set by the institution in your A Level examinations Some institutions / courses require additional tests

8. USA - what Over 4,000 institutions! Vast diversity State and Private / Colleges and Universities Most institutions require you to take “core” subjects in a variety of fields, before gradually narrowing down 4 year programs leading to a Bachelors degree in either Arts or Sciences Professional qualification then require transfer onto a Masters program A small number of institutions offer 4 year undergraduate courses in specific areas e.g. art / pharmacy Assessment tends to be CONTINUOUS (all year)

9. Case study: Rhode Island FreshmanSophomoreJuniorSenior Core Requirements Core Requirements followed by nomination of Major / Minor Major - Economics Requirements 10-14 courses divided between “21 st century challenges” / “Natural Sciences” / “Social & Historical Inquiry” Making sure your Core courses lead to your major / minor Minor – International Relations Requirements Electives

10. USA - how Some institutions go through a single online system called “Common Application” Most require you to apply individually to each institution Individual deadlines You apply to as many institutions as you want (within reason) “Unconditional” admission

11. What are they looking for? USA 1. Academic Performance and potential “Considerable Importance”? Grades in college prep courses (i.e. A levels) – 87% Admission test scores (i.e. SAT) - 58% 2. Compelling reason for attending the institution Essay – 27% Demonstrated interest – 21% 3. Extra-curricular activities – 9% (although 44% said it was of “moderate importance”) UK Academic suitability for course (i.e. GCSE and A level grades / reference) Commitment to course (personal statement)

12. Which is for me? USA Centralised system means one application covers all choices You only(!) need to do well in your A levels – most courses require no additional tests You can pick your dream specialist subject Courses are usually only 3 years but this can be extended to 4 The UK is (relatively) cheap Do I want depth of study? Do I want end of year / course assessment? UK You can apply to more than 5 institutions You will know that you “definitely” have a place before your examinations You don’t have to pick just one subject Although courses are 4 years, A levels sometimes allow you to skip credits / do senior year “in absentia” The US has more scholarships Do I want breadth of study? Do I want continuous assessment?

13. Problems with applying to both? Deadlines are at similar times Difficult tasks e.g. personal statement / letters are not transferable SATs are not recognised by UK institutions UK is less focused on co-curricular Both systems are time- consuming, so you will spend twice the time at critical points in your academic courses You can only go to one institution!

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16. UK Ireland? Courses are slightly cheaper The visa situation is better Interested? Check out: Trinity College Dublin

17. You liked these so you might also like… UK Europe e.g. Holland? Courses are English medium Grade requirements are lower Courses are much cheaper… Interested? Check out: The Hague

18. You liked these so you might also like… UK Australia? They have a later application date Grade requirements tend to be lower It can be a genuine “safety net” Interested? Check out: University of Melbourne

19. You liked these so you might also like… USA Canada? Very similar to USA in terms of course structure BUT Cheaper You don’t need to do SATs Less competitive Better visa situation Interested? Check out: Univeristy of British Columbia

20. US and UK institutions abroad UK University of Nottingham Malaysia / China US New York University Abu Dhabi / Shanghai They are cheaper and nearer than the originals, less competitive but have real links with their “parent” institutions…

21. …and the rankings QS Top Universities 2014 1.MIT (US) 2.Harvard (US) 3.Cambridge (UK) 4.UCL (UK) 5.Imperial (UK) 6.Oxford (UK) 7.Stanford (US) 8.Yale (US) 12. ETH Zurich (Euro) 17. Toronto (Can) 26. UHK (Hong Kong) 27. Australian National (Aus) 28. Ecole Normale Paris (Euro) All of these are above known “names” e.g. UCLA / Bristol etc.

22. Final thoughts Keep an open mind Think for yourself Know what you want Do your research Get excited! GOOD LUCK!!!!

23. Show me the money USA - $30-45,000 X 4 years UK - $24-32,000 X 3 years Australia - $22 -34,000 X 3 Years Ireland - $14-30,000 X 3 years Hong Kong - $12 – 16,000 X 3 years Holland - $10-15,000 X 3 years Nottingham Ningbo - $12000 X 3 years